Dr Moïse Tourabaly · Key points

The edge of the implant at night

After the operation, an implant has replaced the natural lens. Its optic is surrounded by an edge. At night, the pupil opens wide: oblique light from a headlight can reach this edge and reflect off it.

sharp image on the fovea oblique light blocked by the iris reflection off the implant edge arc seen to the side iris implant

What patients describe

  • reflections, arcs or streaks of light to the side
  • more marked glare from oncoming headlights
  • more rarely, a crescent-shaped shadow to the side

an arc to the side

And ring-shaped halos around lights? They have other causes: a multifocal implant, which divides light between several distances, and, in the first few weeks, an eye surface that is still dry or a small residual refractive error.

If you drive a lot at night, say so before the operation: it is one of the criteria for choosing the implant.

Educational diagram · Dr Moïse Tourabaly, ophthalmologist. It does not replace a consultation.