Retained Cortex after Cataract Removal

[darsie]

What dangers are there in the removal of a retained cortex?  Should I trust the same physician who performed the cataract surgery to remove the cortex?  From the moment this surgery was performed over three months ago, I have been suffering from loss of vision, pain, cloudiness, loss of depth of color, etc.  Have been on various eye drops and back and forth to ophthalmologist.  After all this time, the remaining cortex was discovered.  Needless to say, I am not only frightened, but extremely skeptical, since I have been suffering for such a long time.  Am advised that removal must be done but that it will not help in getting my vision back.

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

the 2 most common problems at 82 are macular degeneration and glaucoma.  Call and ask if you have one of these two.  If you do, you may want to consult with an appropriate subspecialist.

HV

[josie882]

I had cataract,  surgery 10 years ago' due to long use of cortison therapy,now the surgeon say that aging of the eye is on going and soon may not be able to drive? Why? (I am almost 82 y old) He was not clear why age should effect my vision....

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

Make sure you are being seen by the surgeon himself every visit and not an assistant or optometrist.  Check and see if the capsule was broken during the initial surgery.  If this is the case, then the risk is greater.  You may want to get a second opinion as well.  It seems strange to say removing the cortex will not help get your vision back in the absence of any other problems in your eye prior to the surgery.  Is there swelling in the cornea or retina?  3 months is also a long time to wait for visio to clear after cataract surgery.  Find another ophthalmologist at www.aao.org and just get a second opinion about what is going on in the eye.  Unfortunately, sometimes eyes don't heal as well from even routine cataract surgery and this may be the case with your eye.  It doesn't hurt to be sure though.


HV