Light Streaks after Cataract Surgery

Question: I had cataract surgery 2 weeks ago and now see streaks of light. I see one long left to right line and a shorter up and down line at every bright point source of light. When will this subside?

Answer: It is difficult to actually know the exact cause of what you are experiencing and thus what length of time it might take to subside. But here is some general information that might be helpful. A temporal line or shadow or flicker is often described by patients after Cataract Surgery.

It goes away.

As long as your Cataract Surgeon has examined you and determined that there is no Retinal cause, then in all likelihood what you are experiencing is due to either internal reflections from the lens implant or its edge, or perhaps a crease or a fold in the posterior capsule that is left in place to support the Lens Implant.

Different edge designs of Lens Implants are implicated more often than others. Once the Lens Implant and posterior capsule settle with the capsule stiffening and less movement occurring the visual symptoms usually go away. Sometimes it can take weeks-sometimes months.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.