PHAKO-EMULSIFICATION

[speedygarcia]

My dad (age 77) just had a PHAKO-EMULSIFICATION operation on his right eye that had fully mature and hard cataracts. This operation took place on July 27 (almost a week ago). He went back home with his eye patched and when the doctor ook his patch off on the next day (Saturday), his vision was very blurry (worse than before the operation). It was very blurry and he could not distingish anything. He could only see objects around him but could not distinguish anything, not even his hand in front of him. The doctor said that this was due to the elaborate operation and that the eye was swollen. He had eyedrops placed in his eyes and took pain killers. His eye was very red and itchy at all times. He was hoping for these symptoms to reduce as the days went by, but nothing has improved at all. My father fears that a retinal detachment ocured. What could be happening? No improvement in his vision has been seen!!!

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

It is very rare for the cornea to get burned during the operation and if that happens it's around the incision where the phaco is put into the eyes. It's much more likely that the hard shards of the mature-rock hard cataract swirling around in the anterior chamber caused the swelling. Again that's why we don't like to let cataracts get fully mature and rock hard.

JCH III MD  Eye MD

[speedygarcia]

Thanks a lot for your response, it comforted us very much... Now, another quick question: do you think it is most probable for it to be that the cornea is still swollen or is it also possible that the cornea got burnt in the operation?
Thanks a mill!!!!

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

Hello speedy   Generally eye surgeons (ophthalmologists) do not let a cataract get fully mature and hard because the operation is much more difficult, the healing takes much longer and there is much higher chance of complications.  So it is possible to let a cataract go too long.

It may take several weeks for your father's eye to start seeing better as the swelling goes down on the cornea and within the eye.

Swelling on the front of the eye are much more likely the problem than a retinal detachment. Next time you're in voice your concerns to your eye surgeon. They may go ahead and dilate the pupil to look at the retina to alay your fears.

Advice to readers: Don't let your cataracts get fully mature and hard before you have cataract surgery.

JCH III  MD Eye Physician & Surgeon