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Eye Care Archive (Expert Forum)
Cataract surgery post-op: shadow at edge of visual field
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Cataract surgery post-op: shadow at edge of visual field
by mazarin, Apr 04, 2007 12:00AM
I had cataract surgery on my left eye a week ago. The day after the surgery, I noticed a dark area at the extreme left edge of my visual field. It looked as though there was an object obstructing the light hovering to the left of my eye. Naturally, the "wall" moves when I look around. I also experienced disturbing bright flashes of light that seemed to coincide with eye movement. I reported both phenomena to my surgeon at that time. She said the flashing is "normal", and that the "shadow" was probably the incision she had made to insert the IOL. The IOL is a "toroidal" lens; I don't know the exact type.
The flashes have almost gone away; however the "wall" is still there. This is really little more than an annoyance--the amount of my visual field that's occluded is trifling. Distance vision with my left eye is pretty good, though far from perfect. Close vision is excellent with reading glasses, though I'm not quite happy with my ability to see what's on my computer monitor (a big concern, because I work with a computer all day...and play with one most of the night).
As I said, I'd probably be willing to accept the "wall", but I'm concerned that this might be more than just a trivial and temporary phenomenon--I'm not convinced I'm seeing the incision. I'm thinking the IOL may not be placed correctly, or that something else has gone wrong. Has anyone else experienced this, or heard of it?
Thanks!
The flashes have almost gone away; however the "wall" is still there. This is really little more than an annoyance--the amount of my visual field that's occluded is trifling. Distance vision with my left eye is pretty good, though far from perfect. Close vision is excellent with reading glasses, though I'm not quite happy with my ability to see what's on my computer monitor (a big concern, because I work with a computer all day...and play with one most of the night).
As I said, I'd probably be willing to accept the "wall", but I'm concerned that this might be more than just a trivial and temporary phenomenon--I'm not convinced I'm seeing the incision. I'm thinking the IOL may not be placed correctly, or that something else has gone wrong. Has anyone else experienced this, or heard of it?
Thanks!
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-OD-MP, Apr 04, 2007 12:00AM
well if your surgeon has evaluated the problem/symptom you are describing, then its a little unlikely that this is some serious/emergent problem.
post-eye surgery patients have all kinds of strange, hard to describe and sometimes un-explainable symptoms. if your doctor knows about the problem and has evaluated your eye after you complained of the problem, then the problem is likely to be both difficult to fix and not very dangerous.
a second opinion is almost never a bad idea. maybe you should consider going to another surgeon just for their ideas?
post-eye surgery patients have all kinds of strange, hard to describe and sometimes un-explainable symptoms. if your doctor knows about the problem and has evaluated your eye after you complained of the problem, then the problem is likely to be both difficult to fix and not very dangerous.
a second opinion is almost never a bad idea. maybe you should consider going to another surgeon just for their ideas?
One reason I'm a bit anxious is that I need to have the right eye done pretty soon. I'm going to see the opthalmologist/surgeon tomorrow, and I'm trying to decide if I want to go ahead and have her do the other eye. Overall, I'm feeling pretty positive about her competence, so I guess I'll just tell her I'm still having some symptoms, and ask her what she things.
One is obviosly put off by mailings from people who can't write grammatically, however well intentioned they may be.
http://www.health.nih.gov/result.asp/247
http://www.webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/eyeforum/index.htm
http://www.lasikinstitute.com/Cataract_Treatment.html
http://www.crstoday.com/Pages/CurrentIssue.php
With a little effort you will find a great deal of professional information on intraocular lenses at http://www.fda.gov. There you will find the applications, including testing, that the manufacturers submitted for product approval. Additionally you could do some light research by googling (i.e., going to http://www.google.com and typing in) the phrases “cataract surgery” and “intraocular lens.”
I too believe that everyone reading this board should exercise great caution when it comes to assessing the validity of postings, with the singular exception of responses from Dr. Prince. As to the quality of the written word as it appears on this board please keep in mind that the majority of the contributors are visually impaired; and many submissions are from individuals, here and abroad, for whom English is not their first language.
Best of luck on your research endeavor and treatment!