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Eye Care (Expert Forum)
Post Yag Lens Exchange
Our Ask A Doctor Ophthalmology Forum is where you can post your question and receive a personal answer from physicians affiliated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Post Yag Lens Exchange
by Jim1107, Dec 13, 2007 11:59AM
My right eye is nine years post-LASIK (-11 pre-op), one and a half years post-cataract surgery (ReZoom multi-focal lens implant) and post-YAG. The cataract surgery was not entirely successful, as I was left approximately 4 diopters nearsighted. The YAG was of no material benefit. I have worn a contact lens in my right eye for the last year and a half, but my vision is distorted - so much so that I am considering removing the multi-focal lens and replacing it with a monofocal lens (for distance). Everything I've read indicates that ex-planting an IOL post-YAG is a considerably more complicated procedure and carries a significantly greater risk of complication. If you would, please answer the following questions: With respect to the procedure itself, is the complication more a matter of the surgeon's physical dexterity or is it something else - or a combination of factors? Can the IOL be removed without the vitreous seeping through the opening in the capsule caused by the YAG? What happens if it does escape? What are the major complications that can arise? Is there a risk of permanent blindness? Your thoughts on these matters and any recommendations you may have will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
2. The risks include higher than the first cataract operation of retinal detachment, infection, bleeding, macular edema, inability to insert an IOL.
3. Yes there is a risk of total blindness. Not high but still possible.
4. Get several independent opinions from both cataract/refractive surgeons as well as retinal surgeons. If you go through with this try and locate your areas high risk surgeon. This is the master surgeon that other surgeons refer their high risk cases and high risk patients to for surgery.
JCH III MD