risk of retina detachment

[jeremie]

i had a cataract surgery in my left eye 2 months ago . I was -9.0 and now -1.0. But my retina detach a few days after my surgery. l had bubbles and laser and it's seems  fine. My question: my right  eye is -10 and have astigmatism. l had a scleral buckle in it since 1998. What are the chances to have another retina detachment in my right eye if l choose to get rid of my cataract(a baby one) . l have a lot of trouble wearing contact lenses. Do l have other options.
l would like to know your opinion about it.

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

For an eye that has a scleral buckle for RD that was successful after a cataract surgery I would think the risk of another RD would be much less than 1%.   Lasik is not a substitute for cataract surgery nor should lasik be done on an eye with a signficiant cataract.

JCH III MD

[jeremie]

What do you  think is thestatistical risk  in term of percentage of detachment..Could  a lasik operation  be another option waiting for my cataract to fully develop in a few years.

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

Your risk of a RD after cataract surgery on the eye that is already buckled is LESS than if the eye were not buckled.

I would suggest seeing the retina surgeon that operated on you and asking their opinion about the relative risks of RD surgery.

I think the risks are acceptable especially since your  eye won't work together now (aneisometrophia)

JCH II IMD

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

Nothing in life and medicine is totally safe. All operations have complications and yours is no exception. You and your surgeon need to discuss them then you decide. That is called informed consent.

JCH IIIJMD

[jeremie]

Okay,let me ask my question an other way. In géneral  is this procedure usually safe for the patient and what are usually the results;l mean for the recuperation of vision and on the risk of future retina detachments

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

No comment. That's something only your surgeon can tell.

JCH III MD

[jeremie]

Hi it's me again. I have talked to my ophtalmologist today. She told me the same as you did a few days ago about the buckle. She also added that a vitrectomy with saline solution for removing the vitreous in the same time that the cataract surgery is performed could be the best solution for me considering the risks of detachment. What do you think about that. Is it safer.

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

YES Thats how it works.

JCH III MD

[jeremie]

And you think that even if the buckle covers just a part of the entire retina the whole retina will be stroger.

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

Because the retina has been "reinforced' by the buckle and the cryopexy that has been used to close the retinal holes. (think regular concrete vs reinforced concrete  latter is much stronger because it has rebars in it)

JCH IIIMD

[jeremie]

So,if l understand you well, you mean that in my eye that have a scleral buckle the risk of another detachment after a cataract surgery would be less than 1%. Could you explain me why the risk is so low.