Vitrectomy after cataract surgery

I have severe diabetic retinopathy, I have cataracts and a lot of "trash" in my vitreous fluid from many leaks and nephrotic blood vessels.  I need cataract surgery and vitrectomy in the same eye.  My question is, as vitrectomy causes cataracts, if I have cataract surgery and then wait 6 months or so, can I then have a vitrectomy?  And then is the IOL immune from cataract complications of the vitrectomy?

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear tomdoolie,

One can undergo a vitrectomy after cataract surgery, at the same time or before.  Visualization during the vitrecomy might be easier if the cataract is removed first. However, it would be best for you to speak with your eyeMD about the best options in your particular situation.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[berrywoo]

talk with your retinal surgeon. Generally, he/she can team up with a cataract surgeon so that both can be performed at the same time, if a vitrectomy is really necessary. Or alternatively, six months, as you said, is more than enough time to have sufficiently recovered from cataract surgery and you should be able to undergo a vitrectomy then. After an IOL implant vitrectomy poses no risks to the IOL.