Lens replacement surgery can still be suitable if you are sensitive to glare, but lens choice and counselling need extra care.
How surgery affects glare
Removing a cataract often reduces glare by clearing a cloudy lens. However, some lens types, particularly multifocal and EDOF designs, can introduce halos or starbursts around lights.
- Monofocal lenses usually give the smoothest, least distracting night vision
- Premium lenses may increase awareness of halos, especially early on
- Dry eye or small refractive errors after surgery can add to glare
- Good tear film and careful measurements help minimise these issues
- Glare often improves over weeks to months as healing and adaptation progress
Planning for glare-sensitive patients
If glare has a big impact on your daily life, particularly for driving, this should guide decisions. Your surgeon can tailor the approach to prioritise comfort over maximum spectacle independence.
- Discuss previous experiences with glare from glasses, contacts, or headlights
- Consider monofocal or simpler EDOF designs rather than full multifocals
- Anti-glare glasses may still be helpful after surgery
- Night driving might be limited early on until vision feels stable
- Report persistent troublesome glare so that any treatable causes can be addressed
