secondary cataract

Hello,

When the posterior capsule opacity is developing, can the cloudiness kind of creep across the field of vision, concentrating more on one side, or would it be an overall blurriness? What exactly does 1+ posterior capsule opacity mean, and how fast is it likely to progress?

Thank you.

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

1. Yes any part can get cloudy. Just like dirt on a window can accumulate in any manner, shape or form.
2. Often cataracts or other eye conditions are graded 1 through 4 plus. Thus a very cloudy capsule would be 4+ opacification. It's rather arbitrary and subjective.
3. Like cataracts posterior capsular opacification progresses at all rates from no progression to so fast that yag laser is needed in a few weeks to months. No way to tell.
JCH MD

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

1. Yes any part can get cloudy. Just like dirt on a window can accumulate in any manner, shape or form.
2. Often cataracts or other eye conditions are graded 1 through 4 plus. Thus a very cloudy capsule would be 4+ opacification. It's rather arbitrary and subjective.
3. Like cataracts posterior capsular opacification progresses at all rates from no progression to so fast that yag laser is needed in a few weeks to months. No way to tell.
JCH MD

[pinhole]

Dr. Hagan,
Thank you for the explanation. The window analogy was especially helpful.

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

You're welcome and good luck JCH MD