How to Live With Dysphotopsia Glare

Dysphotopsia refers to a number of different vision disturbances, with glare being among those types. Others include halos and starbusting. Most cases of dysphotopsia glare occur following cataract surgeries. During most cataract surgeries, the lens of the eye is replaced with an IOL (intraocular lens). According to a 2009 study conducted by Dr. John C. Hagan and Dr. Michael J. Kutryb, multifocal IOLs resulted in a higher number of dysphotopsia problems than monofocal IOLS, although the former are considered an upgrade over the latter. If you have these visual problems, there are some things you can do.

Things You'll Need

• Ophthalmologist

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Instructions

• 1

  Give it time. If you recently underwent cataract surgery and are having problems with dysphotopsia glare, it may just be a matter of waiting. Corneal swelling caused by the surgery in some patients can cause the glare for a short time during the healing process. Additionally, the brain may need time to adjust to the IOL. During the adjustment period, you may have problems with dysphotopsia.

• 2

  Wear glasses. According to Tomoka Eye Associates, mild glare problems following cataract surgery might indicate a need for refractive glasses. Talk to your ophthalmologist about this possibility. The doctor can recommend an optometrist who can assist you in finding glasses that will reduce your vision disturbances. You may only need to wear the glasses at night or when you are in situations that cause the glare.

• 3

  Use medication. Some doctors prescribe Pilopine Pilocarpine for patients complaining about dysphotopsia glare following their cataract surgery. The gel is often used to reduce eye pressure in patients who have glaucoma but can also cause miosis (the restriction of the pupil), which reduces the amount of light getting into the eye. Side effects include tearing, burning and discomfort around the eye, as well as headaches. Long-term use of the medication can make it difficult to dilate the pupil for examination.

• 4

  Have surgery. If your glare or other vision problems are interfering with your daily life and other remedies do not help, consider a laser pupilloplasty. This surgery can move the pupil in the eye but can also make it permanently smaller or larger. To stop the glare, the pupil can be made smaller and may need to be repositioned. In some cases, making the pupil rounder can also reduce the glare problem.