Multi-faceted eye problems

I am a 78 year old femal and  have had a multitude of eye problems since I was very young:  ambliopia in the left eye with little vision in that eye, then diagnosed with bilateral glaucoma and pseudo-exfoliation, then bilateral cataracts.  In 2005, the right eye cataract became so opaque that the eye surgeon decided surgery was warranted, in spite of the risks presented because of the pseudo-exfoliation.  Unfortunately, the lens fell into the back of the eye.  The attempt to retrieve the lens caused damage inside the eye and ultimately resulted in damage to the retina (vitrectomy in 2006) and the cornea and aphasia until August of 2007 when an intraoccular implant was performed.  That resulted in double vision which still has not resolved.  Prisms were inserted in my glasses with no success and it was finally discovered that there was fluid behind the retina.  I have been told that I probably will need a corneal transplant sometime this year.   Since the initial cataract surgery in 2005, I have worn a patch over the right eye because of problems with dizziness, and the double vision, etc.  I am currentlyusing Alphagan (each eye 2 x daily), Azopt (each eye 2 x daily), Xalatan (each eye 1 x daily), and Nevanac and Omnipred for the problem with the retina.  The right eye feels swollen and there is puffiness beneath the eye.  I feel as if each eye doctor that I've seen (original cataract surgeon, retinal specialist, cornea specialist and regular eye doctor for glaucoma treatment) only sees that one part of my eye, sort of like the blind men describing the elephant.

Now I've developed peripheral neuropathy in the feet and legs and will have surgery to decompress the nerves.  Could there be a connection between the eye problems and the peipheral neuropathy?  Because of the peripheral neuropathy, I suffer from sleeplessness and would like to take an over-the-counter sleep aid but worry about the side effects on the glaucoma.

Anybody have a suggestion?  (In spite of all these eye problems, I continue to type for court reporters.  Thank God for computers that can be set for low vision accessibility).  Any help would be appreciated).

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

I believe there is no relation between your peripheral neuropathy and your eye problems. You can take OTC sleep aids.  The warning about "glaucoma" refers only to angle closure glaucoma not to the type of glaucoma you have.

All surgeons hate operating on PXE eyes but generally its better to take off a smaller softer cataract than allowing it to get to be big and hard.  Don't be too critical of your original surgeon. Normal eyes have a 1-3% risk of complication but a PXE eye has 10-15% risk maybe even higher.

Your different Eye MDs are giving you the benefit of their expertise. your problems are not unique nor is it difficult to visualize the problems going on in your eye. Keeping any sight in your eye requires at least these three types of Eye MDs.

JCH III MD