ruptured capsule

[hunglow]

I had cataract surgery about six weeks ago.   It seems that the surgeon had difficulty implanting the intra-ocular lens as I had been taking Flomax.     He stopped the procedure to get my permission to use a more flexible lens to which I agreed.  
The procedure was completed.   On follow up two weeks later my vision had not resolved (blurred) and the surgeon advised that there was an inflamation which he hoped would go away with heavy application of Maxidex eye drops.
It did not and on subsequent examination he advised that the vitreous gel was seeping around the lens and obscuring the pupil.    He said that the lens was correctly located and the capsule intact.   He proposed to treat it conservatively for another few weeks and if not resolved to do a simple procedure to "suck out" the gel.   When I inquired if he had used a different surgical procedure based on the fact that he knew I was on Flomax he replied that he had not.

I sought another opinion and the second opthomologist after examining the eye stated he was unable to find a lens and that the capsule was absolutely ruptured.   He thought it might be possible that the capsule was intact when the first durgeon last saw me (3 weeks earlier) and had ruptured afterwards with lens then receding into the vitreous gel so as to not be readily visible.

My questions are as follows:

1.  Can the situation be rectified and with what anticipated result.

2.  What generally would the procedure be in layman's terms.

3.  If the capsule is ruptured and cannot be repaired how is the lens held in place and is this satisfactory.

4.  If the vitreous gel has to be removed is there any "downside" long term.

5.  What type of opthamologist should do this type of procedure.

6.  Is there any urgency in doing the second procedure

7.  Did the original surgeon make mistakes.  If so generally what were they.



This discussion is related to Capsule rupture during cateract surgery.

[jeanniegin]

During cataract surgery the posterior capsule was damaged. I cannot see from that eye except for a very thick cloud...  I was sent to the Eye Institute inOttawa,Ontario for possible surgery,a week after surgeryThere I could visualize  the shape of 2 fingers about 8 inches from my nose .The specialist there said that  that the cells were beginning to regenerate so would rather wait( as I am fairly healthy) It is very worrisome as my regular  doctor is on holidays for a month and the eye institute is several hundred of miles away. I am in my third week....Am I too impatient  How long can i expect to have vision back? Jeanniegin

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

There is an  increase in complications with Flomax patients.  Your condition can be fixed.

Capsular rupture occurs in a few percentages of normal eyes and in an increased number in Flomax eyes.