HI all:)
I’ve gotten 2 related answers to this question from 1 optometrist and two retinal specialists. My surgeon was familiar with the edge glare issue, but the other doctors had more detailed info.
1)The common experience of the flickering right after surgery -
Because the IOL is so much thinner than our natural lens, there is a displacement of volume in relation to the liquid vitreous gel, (which is about 98% water and 2% collagen). In other words, it’s like there’s suddenly a hollow space in the eye where the small balloon-like natural lens was. It’s only been partially filled by the ~ flat IOL.
So the vitreous gel suddenly has room to move and does so whenever we move our eyes. This can"pull on" the retinal wall. That pulling causes electrical impulses to occur, which we experience as light flashes.
- If you only experience the sudden flashing of light much later, as I did 6 weeks after Right Eye surgery, it is of greater concern. It can be a sign of retinal detachment. In my case, the cutting-edge retinal specialist said there was some detachment at the back of the retina, but no serious detachment from the side walls, (which I guess is the more problematic scenario?)
I will see him again in 1 month. If no more signs of peripheral detachment, then I go back in 2 months, then 3 months, etc. In my case, the high myopia pre-cataract is the high risk factor. Meantime, that flickering greatly subsided after a few days. But I still notice it, especially when moving my head/eyes while moving from a light space to a dark space. It doesn’t especially bother me, but I pay just enough attention to it to monitor any change in frequency. So far it’s decreasing - good news!
Most importantly, he said, DON"T WAIT to see a retinal specialist if you have this experience suddenly, weeks after the cataract surgery. Current research shows that serious retinal detachment damage can be prevented (or mitigated) if detected EARLY and treated (via laser, I think?) If you have any doubts, go to a retinal specialist. It would be covered by just about all insurance policies.