YAG and risk of RD

[Nicklee]

Two weeks after my vitrectomy to repair a RD on my right eye and also a cataract surgery, my doctor suddenly told me I am at risk of PCO because of my 'young' age. She had never mentioned this before. Could it be that just after 2 weeks, she can already see early signs of it and want to prepare me mentally?  She said the solution is quite straightforward though. I have since read that YAG can lead to RD.  How high is this risk considering i already had a RD in this eye and my retina is very thin? If the PCO develops fast, is it safe to do a YAG when I have just had a RD?

[JohnHaganMD]

Yes the younger a person is the higher the rate of PCO.  (cloudy membrane behind IOL). In children the capsule is always opened when they have cataract surgery for congenital cataracts.  Only your retina surgeon can quantify the risk of RD post Yag and you will need to discuss with her/him.

[Nicklee]

Thanks, Dr Hagan.

[JohnHaganMD]

Sure

[SoftwareDeveloper]

Hopefully she is just being thorough and alerting you to the risk, rather than having seen signs of it. With modern techniques and IOLs most adults don't get PCO, even if the risk is higher for younger people. I had my cataract surgery at age 52 and was told a couple months postop by a surgeon that he'd bet I'd never get PCO based on how it was healing (and 2 years postop now there are no signs of it). So it seems   possible that this doctor saw the opposite in your case, but I would be optimistic if she only made reference to your age rather than commenting on having seen something,  that she was just being thorough rather than having seen anything.  Its worth asking at a future appointment.

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[Nicklee]

Thanks, software developer.

[JohnHaganMD]

=