lens extraction for a high myope

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(null) - 06 Nov 2007 17:48 GMT

A question for the professionals in the group, as well as those who have
experienced the following.

Here at age 56, my Rx (in contact lenses) is -13.00 sp in each eye, with 1.75 cy in each
(I can't remember the axis). My local shop has said I'm outside their range
for Lasix/PRK, which seems reasonable from the way things are going.

I: know lens extraction would put me pretty close to not needing distance
correction. So far no sign of cataract. Am I past having any near focus
ability that I would be giving up? What other downsides would there be?

Thanks.

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Greg Kendall gkendall@sonic.net
Pilot(retired), beekeeper, packet hacker, gentleman rancher.

El rancho del gato muerto 38 24 28 N 122 58 29 W

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Dan Abel - 06 Nov 2007 20:40 GMT

> A question for the professionals in the group, as well as those who have
> experienced the following.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> correction. So far no sign of cataract. Am I past having any near focus
> ability that I would be giving up? What other downsides would there be?

There's statistics, and there's real life. If you have it tested, you
will know.

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Dr Judy - 06 Nov 2007 20:40 GMT

> A question for the professionals in the group, as well as those who have
> experienced the following.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> correction. So far no sign of cataract. Am I past having any near focus
> ability that I would be giving up? What other downsides would there be?

May not correct the astigmatism so may still need glasses or contacts.

The main downsides are the surgery risks that are present whether the
surgery is for cataract or for refractive correction. Although
cataract surgery is described as 95% successful, that does mean that
5% of people had a compliction. With high myopia, you run a risk of
retinal detachment during or just following surgery and high myopes
seem to have higher complication rates. Complications are mostly
treatable but do include blindness and loss of the eye. Any surgeon
who is doing clear lens extraction will discuss complications with
you; you might want to also discuss possible complications with a
surgeon who does cataract surgery but not clear lens extraction for a
more frank discussion of risk.

See

http://www.cataract.com/complications.html

for a discussion of risk.

Dr Judy

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William Stacy, O.D. - 10 Nov 2007 02:21 GMT

Great question. The best choice might be implanting a new lens over your
old one (versieye or visian). Lens replacement is a bit dicey in your
case because of the probability of retinal detachment, but in the hands
of a truly great surgeon, probably not a big problem. OTOH, the average
surgeon won't even consider doing it, and the great one will have to
think twice...

Re the near focus question, you will need reading glasses after the
procedure, and don't even think about having a multifocal IOL or a
"focussing" IOL implanted. They are garbage.

> A question for the professionals in the group, as well as those who have
> experienced the following.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Thanks.

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