What kind of problem is this ?

[natasha1101]

Hi there !
I am 54 year ols female with very high myopia (-10-11). I have been wearing contacts for about 18 years with no problems. 18 months ago I in hope of having lasik went for exam and found out that I was not a candidate since my cornea is too thin and I also have cataracts on both eyes. I decided to postpone cataract surgery for later time but few days ago after putting contacts in a morning as usual after about 20 min I realized thet my right, my best eye is seeing everything as through thick fog. I took it out, put it back in but it only got worse. I took it out for the rest of this day but my vision did not improve right away , it took about 30 to 40 min to restore.I tried the same next day thinking it was some kind of  a fluke but experienced the same scenario.The scariest part is my vision does not come back right away after I take my contact out it takes some time and this is not a good sign.I did make an appointment with a doctor but this is days away and I am really scared of what it might be. Thank you for your time

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

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[sophia35]

Hello,
I'm sure you will get more acurate and complete information from the doctor, but in what respects glaucoma, as a high myope, I know that glaucoma, specifically " open angle
glaucoma" is one of the various fun things I am "prone" to. However, I think that it affects
"lateral" vision and is known to be a disease that sort of creeps up without the patient feeling symptoms. There are specific exams you can do and you can't rely just on eye tension (?) as an indicator because people with low or normal tension can have glaucoma and it appears  that due to eye stretching the tension measured  in myopic people may be misleading.

Won't  comment on contacts because I'm sure you know there are soft and RGB as well as hybrid and use what you found to be best suited for you.. I've used RGB's for almost 20 years now.Hope you resolve your issues.

Best of luck,
Sophia

[natasha1101]

Thank you very much Dr.Hagan for your prompt response. I was actually had a consult with very well known and respected surgeon regarding lasik that is when he discovered cataracts but he never even mentioned the possibility of RD, I have never heard aobout it untill now on this forum. I actually do not have dry eyes, it was measured and the problem seems to appear (even I am not a doctor but have some engineering education) that after I put a contact in with the time a moisture accumulates befind the corenea and have an effect of "steam bath" vision but after I take it out it takes time for moisture to evaporate and after that my vision restores.This is my theory but in reality I am very scared that becides cataracts I might have glaucome or Fuch's syndrome and feel so uncomfortable  wearing glasses(estetics aside) they do not correct my vision the way contatcs do. Thank you for your time again

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

1. It most likely is the contacts since your vision eventually clears. It would not do so if itwas the cataract.
2. You may be losing the ability to wear contacts. Menopausal or post menopausal females often have dry eyes and a very high percentage lose the ability to wear contacts.
3. You may need to talk to a quality cataract surgeon about proceeding with cataract/IOL surgery. It would improve your vision and possibily reduce your need for glasses to just for reading.
4. The surgery will increase the risk of a retinal detachment. This is how I handle this situation.  I first  refer the person to a retina surgeon for a second opinion that the cataract is causing a problem and also to check the retina for any holes/tears/thin areas. If they are present they are closed with laser or cryotherapy.
5. Detailed informed consent is done to make you understand the increase risk of RD to probably about one in 500 to 750. Also the regualr risks. Also that your eyes will not work together till both are operated on.
6. I have the retina surgeon see the person one week after surgery for a dilated retina exam and then again 6-12 weeks after surgery.

Its worked very well for me and my patients. These are some of the happiest patients I have to finally be able to see well without glasses.

JCH MD