Monocular high-risk patient - so afraid of upcoming cataract surgery

I am having cataract surgery performed on my one good eye on the 16th and no matter how I try I am very scared because I am at higher risk for retinal detachment but can't really figure out how high my risk is. I have regressed ROP with minimal scarring on the periphery of my retina - was recently examined by a retinal specialist who said my retina is thin but no tears or RD. Like most patients with ROP I am severely myopic, -19D. I have done good research I think but it is still so hard to know what I am facing. I have seen studies giving RD rates in ROP patients after cataract surgery ranging from 10% to 23% - those are scary numbers. My vision will only continue to get worse.(now 20/150 with diplopia, halos, and horrible glare at night) so not operating is not an option.  I have faith in my surgeon's skill, as he said he has operated on ROP patients and extreme myopes up to -25 with no postop RD but still I am scared that I will be the one patient that is the exception. Please tell me I am overreacting, I want to believe that my sight will be better after this surgery - it was 20/30 corrected B.C.(before cataract).

[JodieJ]

It sounds like you found the right surgeon.  According to the statistics you provided (and I have no idea how accurate they are), your chances of NOT experiencing RD are 77% to 90%.  Those seem like pretty good odds to me--even better if you keep in mind that most cases of RD can be repaired.  I'm at increased risk for RD, too, and I've read that this condition occurs more frequently in males than in females.  (I don't know why.)

I hope your outcome exceeds your expectations.

[berrywoo]

Sure, the chanes of getting an RD are higher for patients w/ ROP than the regular population. However, as JodieJ stated the odds are even greater that you will NOT get an RD. (BTW the factoid about males being more prone to RDs is only true for those under 45 where 60% are male and 40% female).
You seem to have done your research well and found an excellent surgeon. Now try and relax.
Good luck!

[Joan M Pernoud, MD]

Unfortunately, life is full of risks we face every day.

I agree with the other answerers that the chances are greatly in your favor.

[JodieJ]

Thank you, berrywoo for that clarification.  Since you've stated elsewhere that you are under age 45, your odds of NOT experiencing RD are significantly better than the numbers I quoted above.  (I'm wondering whether the odds of RD even out for people over age 45 simply because women tend to live longer then men.)

I'm looking forward to reading about your excellent outcome.

[Mayalu]

Thanks to you, Dr. Pernoud and berrywoo - I hope you are right. I am 41 and female so hopefully that will work in my favor. I had an appointment with my general physician to do the blood work and preop exam and she said 'with your history it is not in the cards for you to lose your sight' . so hope this is true. Thanks for your encouragement, Mayalu