Cataract surgery with macular hole present

[elflauta]

IS there any inherent risk in having the cataract surgery done while leaving the macular hole alone? We have had such bad luck with a previous vitrectomy in the other eye that we just want to get rid of the cataract at this point. Our surgeon seems very hopeful at the outcome.

[Ammymickens]

An eye drug Jetrea (ocriplasmin) was launched by Novartis' eye care division, Alcon, in the UK, following approval from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Jetrea is the only eye drug approved to treat vitreomacular traction (VMT), including when associated with a macular hole of diameter less than or equal to 400 microns. Jetrea is the first such drug to be released in the European market, which could help treat an estimated 300,000 Europeans who suffer from VMT. Current standard of treatment for VMT in the EU is only 'observation' or 'watchful waiting' followed by surgery at a very late stage of the disease. However, this is not a suitable option for many patients.Know more here http://www.internationaldrugmart.com/news-section/eye-drug-jetrea-launched-by-novartis-in-the-uk.shtml

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

Jetrea was just released by the FDA in the last 3-4 months so may not have been available when your work was done. This is website  http://jetrea.com/

[Luvtoski]

Thanks Dr. Hagan for yet another valuable answer and some insight as to the reality of how the system works.
I had one of those dangerous and expensive vitrectomies and would have like to have had the chance to at least consider this other option of Jetrea.

It is what it is though, and I am pretty happy that my ERM/ILM peel didn't turn out worse.

Thanks again for all of the time you spend answering our questions !!!  Wish I could find a local specialist like you for my care.  

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

No it's brand new.  Lots of criticism of FDA.  It has been found to be useful for a wide variety of macular/vitreous problems and the test data showed this. the FDA which is, in my opinion, a dreadful organization only allowed one indication. this means other uses are "off label" and insurance companies may not pay for its use or that Eye MDs will not use it and use the more dangerous and expensive vitrectomy due to fear of being sued.

JCH MD

[Luvtoski]

Hi Doctor !
Never heard of Jetrea...I will research it but was curious if you had any personal experience with it ?
BTW, I love your thoughtful comments that are helping all of us. ;-)