Extreme Myopia and other issues including cataracts and macular degeneration

[lynda131]

have worn glasses since first grade and have progressed to a correction of  - 1250 in one eye and -1300 in the other eye.  My "good" eye has  a cataract and the other was just diagnosed with wet macular degeneration for which I have received my first injection of avastin.  Oh my.  So I am wondering where to go from here.   I first started noticing my vision deteriorating from - 10.00 two years ago and have seen four opthamologists.  Unfortunately no one recommended that I see a retinal specialist until last week.  I am more than a little depressed about this, but I have to deal with it.   What are my options to get better eyesight.  My issues are complicated.  The retinal specialist says that I can go ahead with cataract surgery.  I am a bit afraid of that, since it is my good eye.  If I did have that would it be advisable to get implants to improve my vision.  Contacts dry out and have always gotten blurry although some aspects of my vision are better with contacts.   I am only 51 and am in great health otherwise.  I don't take any other medications other than the avastin now.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Also, when you have surgery, the implants by ALCON *acrysof IQ lens) generally have better protection protection from possible harmful light since they have an amber filter in them.  Might be a good idea for you.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

I would suggest you have a really great retinal specialist and find the best cataract surgeon as well (especially one that will take the time to consider the special situation that you are in.)  I would wait until the retinal specialist felt confident that you  were not only stable to have cataract surgery but that he personally felt that it was to good time to have cataract surgery.  Then go for it and keep in close contact with both doctors.  You definitely need special attention.  This is what I do with my patients in your situation.  I really want to best for them, and want to do everything possible to not only improve but just as importantly PROTECT the vision because you may only have one good eye from what I gathered.

MJK MD