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Medical Forum / General / Vision / December 2008secondary cataract 4 years after
I knew there was trouble, as my vision was getting worse 4 years after my initial cataract surgery. Now I've been told I have a secondary cataract that can be resolved with the YAG procedure. I was ery nearsighted prior to the surgery(-7.0), and now the eye is at -1.5. A few questions about this procedure : 1) are there degrees of this posterior capsule opacification? When they 'burn' the hole in the capsule, is there a certain sized hole? Does a higher degree of of opacification make it more difficult? 2) I have numerous floaters that appeared after the cataract surgery - will these be affected by the YAG? I haven't been happy with the results of the initial surgery, so I'm wary of having another procedure, but I found a better doc this time, so I'm not as concerned about his ability - just my anxiety. thanks, Karen In article <ede67fb5-ee9f-4f27-b2f8-d7b508c6edca@r15g2000prh.googlegroups.com>, > I knew there was trouble, as my vision was getting worse 4 years after > my initial cataract surgery. Now I've been told I have a secondary > cataract that can be resolved with the YAG procedure. I was ery > nearsighted prior to the surgery(-7.0), and now the eye is at -1.5. You didn't ask, but I'll volunteer anyway. If your refraction is -1.5 now, it should be -1.5 afterwards. The laser procedure won't change this. Note that I am not a vision professional, although I've had the laser treatment in both eyes, within a year of the cataract surgery. > few questions about this procedure : > 1) are there degrees of this posterior capsule opacification? Yes, if it happens, it gradually gets worse. If you don't watch carefully, it "sneaks" up on you. > When > they 'burn' the hole in the capsule, is there a certain sized hole? I'm sure there is, but I'm just guessing. > Does a higher degree of of opacification make it more difficult? Another guess here. It should make it easier, as the laser works by the energy getting absorbed. The less light transmitted, the more should be absorbed. > 2) I have numerous floaters that appeared after the cataract surgery - > will these be affected by the YAG? Don't know that one either. > I haven't been happy with the results of the initial surgery, so I'm > wary of having another procedure, but I found a better doc this time, > so I'm not as concerned about his ability - just my anxiety. > thanks, Karen It's a trivial procedure, for the patient. A few minutes and you're done, with no aftereffects. Of course, there are always risks, and the doctor will explain them to you.  SignatureDan Abel Petaluma, California USA dabel@sonic.net In article <dabel-A816A9.17094112112008@c-61-68-245-199.per.connect.net.au>, Dan Abel <dabel@sonic.net> wrote: > It's a trivial procedure, for the patient. A few minutes and you're > done, with no aftereffects. Of course, there are always risks, and the > doctor will explain them to you. The procedure itself is trivial as you state. One of the risks is detached retina. And as Karen is -7 that would be a concern anyway. Certainly Karen should be wary but she really has little choice if she wants clear vision. > Dan Abel > Petaluma, California USA Do you know Leo Laporte? SignatureCharles On 11/12/08 5:09 PM, in article dabel-A816A9.17094112112008@c-61-68-245-199.per.connect.net.au, "Dan Abel" <dabel@sonic.net> wrote: > In article > <ede67fb5-ee9f-4f27-b2f8-d7b508c6edca@r15g2000prh.googlegroups.com>, [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > done, with no aftereffects. Of course, there are always risks, and the > doctor will explain them to you. Actually, the heavier the opacification, the more energy it takes to cut through. It does not "burn"; it makes tiny explosions at the level of the membrane. It is not that heavier lets it absorb better. The YAG laser does not need to absorb into the membrane to cut, unlike heat lasers. Sometimes it it so leathery that it takes a tremendous amount of energy, raising risk of more retinal detachment risk. The hole is usually square or diamond shaped, made by making 2 lines of cuts in an X-shape. One can make it small, but most make it a little small er than the size of the IOL optic. thanks for your replies. However, that last reply has left me with more wariness than before - re: the increased possibility of retinal detachment if the condition progresses. I'm calling the doctor on Monday! Karen Dear Karen, Subject: Technical accuracy -- and refractive STATE after first operation. The ophthalmologist did a good job judging the replacement lens. I now have 20/20 and a postive refractive STATE of +1/2 diopter. Question: Were you -1.5 diopters myopic after the operation, or did you have normal visual acuity. Did the -1.5 diopters develop over the last four years. Thanks, Otis I knew there was trouble, as my vision was getting worse 4 years after my initial cataract surgery. Now I've been told I have a secondary cataract that can be resolved with the YAG procedure. I was ery nearsighted prior to the surgery(-7.0), and now the eye is at -1.5. A few questions about this procedure : > thanks for your replies. However, that last reply has left me with > more wariness than before - re: the increased possibility of retinal > detachment if the condition progresses. I'm calling the doctor on > Monday! Karen The -1.5 vision was the expected result from the initial surgery. I chose to be a bit myopic (which was probably a mistake). But, it was my decision, and the result was as expected. Karen > The -1.5 vision was the expected result from the initial surgery. I > chose to be a bit myopic (which was probably a mistake). But, it was > my decision, and the result was as expected. Karen Of course preferences vary, but -1.50 is most logical for many. If you haven't had surgery on the other eye, there'll be a second chance. -MT Followup: I had the YAG procedure yesterday, and the vision is much better. However, there are now many more floaters than I had before (and I had lots). Doc said some may be absorbed over time - and I truly hope so. Karen >Followup: I had the YAG procedure yesterday, and the vision is much >better. However, there are now many more floaters than I had before >(and I had lots). Doc said some may be absorbed over time - and I >truly hope so. Karen Floaters are small bits of tissue from the different parts inside the eye that migrate into the vitreous, a jell-like substance that fills the large chamber of the eye. The process of a YAG capsulatomy is to use laser energy to explode the membrane that surrounds the artificial lens that replaced your natural lens during cataract surgery. These explosions can create floaters or disrupt already existing floaters. Floaters will do just what the name implies - float. Hopefully the new and disrupted floaters will move out of the line of sight and no longer be noticeable. The brain can also learn to ignore floaters. They will still be there, but they will not be "seen". This is exactly the same as the blind spot where the optic nerve meets the retina. We all have a blind spot, but we don't "see" it because the brain has learned how to ignore and compensate. To some degree, your brain may learn to ignore your floaters. Glenn Hagele Executive Director Cataract Free America TM http://www.CataractFreeAmerica.org Mr. Hagele is not a doctor. This transmission is on behalf of Cataract Free America TM and is not endorsed, submitted, or representative of any other organization or entity. Copyright 2008 Cataract Free America TM, all rights reserved. |
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