Can cataract surgery cause non age related macular degeneration?

[vmm]

I am only 53 years old.  I developed cataracts due to lumbar and cervical steroid injections and had cataract surgery.  I am being tested for Macular Degeneration.  There is a spot in my left eye that wasn't there last July 2008.  The Cataracts developed quickly and after surgery the spot in the center of my vision is now there.  I had to have a 3 level cervical l fusion 5 days after my eye exam in July and I did not have cataracts or a spot in my eyes.

[vmm]

It is like a floater that doesn't move in the center of my vision. The doctor doesn't think it will get any worse, and feels it might eventually move out of the center of my eye.  I can live with it like this and very thankful that I will not be going blind.

[BUTTERCUP109]

Glad you are feeling better about your problem. Is the spot in your vision more like a "floater"... something that swims around or is it a blurry spot that stays stationery in the center of your vision. I've had both. The floater can come from a vitreous detachment, which I have also had in both eyes after surgeries.

[vmm]

I saw my doctor today and he said I have • Vitreous Detachment which means I will not go blind.  Thanks for your infomation.

[vmm]

I had test done last Friday.  I will see my doctor tomorrow for the results.
I had cataract surgery back in Dec. and I noticed it after surgery the doctor said the lens was cloudy and we had to wait 3 months before he could laser that eye to clean up the lens.  When I went back I explained what I saw and he ordered test.  I had 3 different test done and I'll have more tomorrow and then see my doctor.
I'll let you know.

[BUTTERCUP109]

Has your eye doctor ruled out cystoid macular edema as a cause of the spot in your vision? This is a common complication of cataract surgery. It is not macular degeneration but a macular swelling. What you describe sounds exactly like what I experienced a month or two after my lens replacement surgery. It was like a smudge in the center of whatever I looked out..like someone had smeared vaseline in the center of  a clear window pane. If this has not been ruled out, ask for an OCT test to rule it out. It is not always possible for the doctor to see signs when he /she looks in your eye. The OCT will show it if it is there and should be looked for after any cataract surgery. Would you let me know what you find out from your doctor?

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear vmm,

Without knowing the exact diagnosis, it is difficult to assess whether it may be related or a complication of cataract surgery.  

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California