Traumatic cataract

[Paeonia]

I had a detached retinal which was operated on and the surgeon used a sceral buckle to solve the problem, years ago now. (The initial eye situation stemmed from a car accident). The traumatic cataract I have due to this is at a point where it is creating very poor eyesight even with my good eye when the two visions combine. My poor eye continues to decline due to the cataract. I was told that there is 10% chance of detachment if I have surgery on the cataract years ago. I believe that the risk may be well worth the surgery as the quality of life I have continues to worsen....What would you suggest as a possible route. I live in Ontario, Canada. My original excellent retinal surgeon left this country years ago. Thank-you very much for any feedback.

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

If there are any retina surgeons left in your area get a pre surgery okay (we have three candadian ophthalmologists in our area that left because of the many problems with the National Health Service).  I do not think that your risk of a RD post cataract surgery will be anywhere near that high. If you get an Okay frrom the retina MD I would guess the risk would be 1% at the most. You should have several extra dilated retinal exams in the post op period.  Most buckle patients I've had have done great with cataract surgery.

JCH MD

[JodieJ]

First, I'd have my eye checked by a retinal specialist.  With his/her approval, I'd go for the cataract surgery.