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  • How long will I have blurry vision and glare after cataract surgery?


    Question:

    I had a cataract removed nine days ago with astigmatism correction and a multifocal IOS lens implanted. I still have blurred vision along with glare. I started with 20/40 vision in that eye and a day after surgery I had 20/25. How long can I expect to have these symptoms?


    Answer:

    Blurred vision can result from several factors:

    • Lens error. Based on your great vision of 20/25 this is unlikely to be the case.
    • Dry eyes can contribute significantly to blurred vision and glare at night. We recommend artificial tears such as Systane or Refresh tears 3-4 times per day or as directed by your ophthalmologist.
    • Blurred vision can also be a direct result from swelling in the retina, which usually occurs a few weeks after cataract surgery in rare cases. Given your great level of visual acuity of 20/25—which is just one line away from 20/20—that’s unlikely.

    Glare can be present even after cataract surgery and tends to decrease over time. Glare can be seen with multifocal lenses and even non-multifocal lenses. After cataract surgery with multifocal lenses some patients may even need a pair of glasses at night and/or for reading to achieve best vision. The duration of these symptoms can vary greatly depending on each patient’s unique circumstance. Speak with your ophthalmologist for more information.