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Medical Forum / General / Vision / January 2008Question re cataract surgery
What are the odds that cataract surgery can cause or at least encourage the development of macular degeneration? A number of elderly friends have developed MD within a few years of their cataract surgery. Granted, MD is likely to show up later in life than cataracts, but still... A second question: My ophthalmologist said there was no chance I'd need cataract surgery. How could she tell? I'll ask next time I see her, but that's 9 months away...  SignatureCheers, Bev ================================================================== "I used to be convinced that MicroSquish shipped crap because they simply didn't give a flying f.ck as long as the sheep kept buying their sh.t. Now, I'm convinced that they really do ship the best products they are capable of writing, and *that's* tragic." - John C. Randolph, about MS quality control. A lot of my friends developed gray hair and wrinkles after getting their first pair of bifocals ; ) ... You already identified the reason: both cataract and ARMD are age related disorders with age being the primary risk factor. There has been some concern that the natural lens which yellows and blocks blue light as it ages may protect the retina better than implants. So, the risk, if any is not the surgery itself but the change in light wavelengths reaching the retina after the natural lens is removed. Evidence for this risk is scant, but blue light blocking IOLs have been developed and are being marketed. See: PubMed 15870573, 17159440 Patel JI. Ophthalmology Department, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia. jigs37@hotmail.com PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is a suggestion of increased risk or progression of age-related macular degeneration after cataract surgery, which is related to the increased exposure of the retina to short-wavelength light. RECENT FINDINGS: Cell culture and animal work has described retinal and retinal pigment epithelium phototoxicity on acute light exposure. Clinical studies suggest that the use of short- wavelength-blocking intraocular lenses can help but may also affect visual function and circadian rhythm. SUMMARY: Evidence to date fails to prove conclusively that light alone or cataract surgery can induce or cause the progression of age-related macular degeneration. A randomized clinical study of the use of short-wavelength (blue)- blocking lenses to prove or disprove the ability of these intraocular lenses to help in preventing progression of age-related macular degeneration is needed. PMID: 17159440 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] I expect your doctor means there is no chance you will need cataract surgery in the near term. She can't see years into the future but she can see that your lenses are relatively clear now, knows that cataract develops slowly, knows your current age, knows the average age at which people need cataract surgery and is confident that cataract will not develop in your eyes for a good many years. Dr Judy > What are the odds that cataract surgery can cause or at least encourage > the development of macular degeneration? A number of elderly friends [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > products they are capable of writing, and *that's* tragic." > - John C. Randolph, about MS quality control. Sorry for top-posting, I just want to say thanks and I'm archiving this... > A lot of my friends developed gray hair and wrinkles after getting > their first pair of bifocals ; ) ... [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] >> cataract surgery. How could she tell? I'll ask next time I see her, >> but that's 9 months away... |
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