Loss of More Power in Vision if have IOL implant before Vitrectomy for Floaters?

Will I have a loss in power to my vision if I have the IOL implant done before I have the Vitrectomy performed for excessive floaters?  I don't want to have to replace the IOL implant after the Vitrectomy if the operation changes the length of my eye so that my vision is comprimised.


This discussion is related to Vision Changes 9 months following Vitrectomy Surgery.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Any changes in your prescription caused by a vitrectomy will be compensated for by changing your glasses not replacing the IOL.  A pure vitrectomy is not likey to change your RX.  A scleral buckle always will.

JCH IIIMD

[hsum4]

This is the person who posted the question regarding having a Vitrectomy before the IOL implant in the same eye.

I just wanted to add that I did have a Vitrectomy in my other eye and it changed my vision 2 diopters from my glasses prescription before the operation.  What was the reason for the change in prescription if the Vitrectomy was not responsible for this?  I did get a cataract as a result of the Vitrectomy.

Thank you

[hsum4]

I'm the person who had the Vitrectomy before the IOL implant in the same eye and wish to add an additional comment.  My Retinal Specialist is more than willing to do the other eye in order to alleviate the excessive floaters.  However, he suggests you do the cataract surgery before the Vitrectomy because the eye will be more able to handle it structurally with its natural vitreous jelly especially if it has already shrunk away from the wall of the eye previous to the Vitrectomy.  He also mentioned that his patients who have had the floaters removed are much happier now that they can see better without spider web floaters in the field of vision.  The cataract surgeon gives you intermediate vision as a basic implant.  This means if you had to get out of the house fast you could function with this basic vision.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

As a generaliztion the overwhelming majority of retina surgeons will not do a vitrectomy with or without a cataract operation for common floaters. In fact if they did vitrectomies could probably bankrupt Medicare and commercial insurance companies in short order.

A vitrectomy for blood in the eye or huge inflammatory debris is wholely different.

JCH II MD