cataract surgery on an eye with ptosis?

My grandfather (age 91) suffers from cataract in both eyes. His left eye has noticeable ptosis

He is going to have cataract surgery done soon - the doctor wants to operate on his left eye only (the eye with ptosis)

My question is what are the indications for cataract surgery on an eye with pronounced ptosis? I am concerned that the results will not be positive, especially after reading how a possible side effect of cataract surgery is mild ptosis. There are no macular degeneration symptoms.

Are there any specific concerns to keep in mind for very elderly cataract surgery patients? He is in overall reasonable physical condition for his age.

Any thoughts/suggestions are appreciated. Thanks

G

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

There are no specific problems with cataract surgery on ptosis patients. Generally with the new techniques the problem of ptosis developing or getting worse is very very small.

After the cataract surgery if the ptosis is a problem he can be referred to an ocuoplastic surgeon Eye MD for correction.

Just this week we operated on 5 patients in their 90's and I have operated on three patients over a 100 they did fine. It's a short operation done under local anesthesia and doesn't take much out of the patient.

JCH MD