Toric Lens Implant Shadow

Question: I had an AcrySof® Toric Lens Implant to correct astigmatism and nearsightedness after cataract surgery for a posterior cataract and now see a shadow. The model is SN6AT4 with a power 21.0 D. My vision is good 20/25 left eye and 20/20 with my single glass lens for the right eye. My concern or complaint is that I have a shadow that is located on the upper outer quadrant of my field of vision. It is worse if I look to the right or to the right and down. It feels like I have something in my eye and I need to remove it. It makes me nauseated. I saw my eye surgeon today and he said it was just me. I think it might be a wrong size of lens. The machine that measures your eye for the lens "broke" during my exam and he calculated the numbers. Is this all in my "eye" and do I have to live like this forever? I am a Nurse and am still working for at least 10 more years and I need good vision.

Answer: As your vision correction after your eye surgery with the Lens Implant seems quite good, it is not likely that there is a measurement" error and the type of Lens Implant you describe unfolds to fit the space available to it, thus "too big" is an odd description. The "shadow" that you report is something that many patients having Lens Implants do report as they initially adapt to seeing the edge or sometimes the reflection of the edge of the Lens Implant. For the vast majority of patients this becomes unnoticeable over a period of weeks or months. However, if you have not already done so it would be important to have a thorough examination of the Retina to be sure there are no subtle complications occurring here as well.

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.