Does it hold danger for people who make escess scar tissue? What are the odds for someone who is high myopic/never detached, in terms of a retinal detachment following cataract surgery--that's probably not an easy quwstion.
Can you please name a couple of the other highest risks that people face in having cataract/IOL surgery?
Overall what are the odds in terms of ANYONE having complications?
This must be the most widely discussed question on both forums.
Thank you.
The field of eye surgery and implant technology changes quickly and down the road there will be better IOLs and even safer surgery. By the way a cataract IOL is not minor surgery, it one of the greatest stories and triumphs in the field of surgery but it is a major operation with major complications possible.
JCH III MD
You seem like a person who researches things thoroughly and gets many qualified opinions, so I would say when you decide to do it, you will be well-informed as to the risks and benefits. Do all the reading you can about the various lens implants, especially their ability to correct myopia such as you have. Definitely go with the surgeon you feel most confident and comfortable with, one who answers your questions and concerns.
Thank you all so much for your comments. This was may 1st ever post on any kind of a forum. Based on Dr. Hagan's comments, I may defer surgery as long as possible, but I believe it's inevevitable. Currently, I can barely read out of my right eye, and the cataract, although small, is almost always in my field of vision, and therefore on my mind much of the time. So, my quality of life is affected. I've heard that cataracts rarely or never get better and over time almost always get worse get. My wife and I are very health oriented, have been avid exercisers for over 30 years, have never used alcohol or tobacco, and we have also been taking lots of antioxidants and vitamins for years. My eye issue, I guess, is congenital. I'm just more nearsighted than most people.
I am, however, very thankful that we live at a time in history, when cataracts can be cured with minor surgery, and even in my fairly risky case, the chances of long term success still seem to be over 90%.
Thank you all again for your help. I would appreciate any other advice any of you could offer.
I am not a doctor. I am a community leader here and a retina patient. IF YOU SHOULD decide to have cataract surgery, Doctor Hagan sometimes advises that those with risk factors for RD see a retina specialist, before and after the surgery, and also for frequent follow-ups.
Anna
Unless your vision is a BIG problem I would defer surgery. You are in the highest risk catagory for retina detachment (middle age, highly myopic male with long axial length) your risk of RD could be as high as 4-7%. I just helped manage a physician in his 50's that had RD following uncomplicated surgery.
Pluse you will have to have both eyes done your eyes will not work bother with one eye -0.50 and the other -9.50
If you wear gas perm CTL then you should go 2-3 weeks without contacts to get good corneal curve readings if you wear soft lens you need to go 1 week. Mistake to get corneal readings without leaving them out.
You will need to pick the surgeon you feel comfortable with. Don't be in a huge hurry to have surgery risk of RD is high compared to normal case (older person, non high myope and normal length eye).
JCH III MD