Cataract Surgery Questions and Answers

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Question:

I am 50 yrs old, have been wearing eyeglasses since I was 7 yrs. old for myopia. I now also have bifocals. I've also been told I have severe astigmatism and also congenital cataracts. Could I possilby be a candidate for lasik surgery?

Answer:

You may be a candidate. You need to see a Lasik surgeon for a consultation. Andrew Caster, MD

Question:

This question is for my mother not me, she is an elderly woman, who has had cataract surgery, the operation was a sucess. There is only oneproblem, now the light really bothers her, they say she is light sensitive, she has had 6 pair of glasses made in the last year. she can see fine untill she is in the light, then it pretty much blinds her .Do you know what causes this and what can be done to correct it

Answer:

She should go back and see her Ophthalmologist, to be sure that no Keratitis is present from dry eye.

Question:

I work as a firefighter how a IOL can affect me. while Iam performing my duties

Answer:

An IOL (intraocular lens implant) is used to resolve cataracts or, in rare cases, to correct vision for someone whose myopia or hyperopia is so extreme as to preclude them from having a LASIK procedure. We have performed over 10,000 IOL procedures for both cataract and refractive corrections. However LASIK can correct nearly any prescription today- up to -16.00 diopters of myopia (nearsightedness), +5.00 diopters of hyperopia(farsightedness), and 5.00 diopters of astigmatism; therefore IOL's for vision correction are seldom used. This procedure involves removing the natural lens of the eye, and replacing it with an artificial lens. If you have a cataract, the alternative is to do nothing...in which case the cataract will certainly worsen until vision is lost. Surgery is pretty much a necessity for cataract patients. Removing the natural lens also removes the ability to change focus from distance to near vision, and the patient would require glasses for all close, and possibly midrange tasks. For this reason we do not recommend implants as refractive devices (to eliminate glasses) on those who are under 40. People who are much over 40 will already suffer loss of close vision that comes naturally with age (presbyopia) and would require reading glasses anyway. LASIK is generally considered the better option for surgical vision correction (in non-cataract patients) when it is possible, as IOL surgery is much more invasive, somewhat more risky, and a great deal more costly. If you have been advised to have lens implants for refractive correction, I strongly urge you to get a second opinion to insure that this is your only option. If you are in Washington, I invite you to come for a free evaluation, we will be happy to clarify what your options are. As far as the effect on your work, the IOL may cause some reflections, especially at night. a few people experience this and find it annoying, most do not notice it. Because the IOL is inside the eye, you will not see or feel it, nor should it affect your ability to do any task with the exception of close work for which you would need reading glasses.

Question:

Hello, Is it possible to have a cataract return to the same eye that 2 years ago had cataract and artificial lens replacement surgery? This eye has very rapidly(within the last 6 months ) become cloudy again. Thank You

Answer:

Sometimes, the membrane behind the artificial lens can become cloudy, causing blurry vision. This can be easily treated witha laser. Andrew Caster, MD

Question:

After having Glaucoma & cateract surgery I am experencing foggy condition. What is this called and what can I doe about it?

Answer:

It often takes longer for visual recovery after combined cataract and glaucoma proceedures often because the decrease pressure in the eye can cause both corneal folds and retinal edema in some cases. You may want to have a second opinion from another ophthalmologist (including a retinal specialist) if this does not improve after a month after you

David Cano, M.D.
West Palm Beach, FL

Question:

Dear Dr., I had Lasek surgery less than a year ago. I would like to know if Lasek surgery can cause cataracts? I am 55 years old. Any information or direction would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Answer 1:

LASEK or PRK itself is not a known cause of cataracts as the laser does not penetrat through the cornea. Topical cortico-steroids that are used in refractive procedures can in some cases cause cataracts after prolonged use (many months or years), which is not usually the case with refractive surgery.

David Cano, M.D.
West Palm Beach, FL

Answer 2:

LASIK, LASEK, and PRK do not cause cataracts. Andrew Caster, MD

Question:

REF: Excimer Laser What experience should an ophtalmology have with this procedure regarding the number of surgeries done? What price am I looking for both eyes? What are the positives ? What are the negatives of this procedure. No other disease process is involved.

Answer:

Dear Bill, You should find an ophthalmologist that has formal corneal and refractive fellowship training and is board certified. He should be involved in your care from your initial evaluation for surgery, and your post-operative care along with the actual surgery. He should have certification and experience with the lasers that he is using. High volume does not mean high quality! Price should not be your concern, because this is a once in a lifetime procedure and you only want the best for you. In general it is about $2000 an eye by a good surgeon. If you are a good candidate there are a lot of positives for having the surgery including reducing your dependence on glasses and contact lenses. As far as the negatives - there are many that you need to be aware of if you are not a good candidate and a good surgeon and his/her staff will usually educate you about these at your initial evaluation, which is usually complimentary. Your eyes should be healthy without other diseases like dry eyes, infections, cataracts, glaucoma, retina problems, etc. David B. Cano, M.D. W. Palm Beach, FL www.Canovision.com

David Cano, M.D.
West Palm Beach, FL

Question:

I am a 40 year old female with nearsightedness and astigmatism. I have been told by an eye surgeon that I am a good candidate for Lasik. I am currently planning to have Lasik surgery in the next few months. I have a few concerns about after effects of Lasik. My Grandmother had Cataracts and my Mother has Glaucoma. If I develope any one of or both of these conditions later in years after the lasik surgery, will this become a problem to treat them? I thank you for your answer.

Answer:

Debby, I general, LASIK will not be a problem with either of these in the future, but you should keep your medical records about your pre-operative information about your eyes and the amount of treatment you had for future reference. It may be important if you ever need cataract surgery. Also, you may have lower eye pressure readings because of chaanges in your corneal curvature after surgery that may not reflect your actual eye pressure, so you need to be aware of this. It has also been shown in some studies that the elevation of your eye pressure during the surgery may not be good for the nerve of the eye esp. if you truly have glaucoma. Sincerely, David B. Cano, M.D. W

David Cano, M.D.
West Palm Beach, FL

Question:

I had Lasik surgery a year ago. I now have 20/20 vision but need reading glasses. Recently I went to my original Ophamoligist(sp) for a glaucoma test because it runs in my family. Pressures were fine but he said I have cataracts in both eyes and because I had laser surgury, I would not be able to have surgury to fix the cataracts. Is this the case? Why can't I find any information regarding this very serious problem? Needless to say I am very worried. My Doctor said I have five years before my vision will be impaired enough to require surgery. Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Debra

Answer:

Dear Debra, LASIK surgery does not preclude you from having cataaract surgery at all. Calculation need to be based on the treatment that you had and the original corneal curvature before your LASIK, so you may want to get those numbers. These are need for the implant that you will have after cataract surgery. Also, your intraoculaar pressures may be falsely low because of your surgery and its affect on your cornea curvature, so bewaare of this also. Daavid Cano, M.D. West Palm Beach, FL www.can

David Cano, M.D.
West Palm Beach, FL

Question:

Can Lasik prevent a patient from being able to get cataract surgery later down the road if they need it?

Answer:

No, a person can have Lasik and later, if needed, have cataract surgery. Andrew Caster, MD

Question:

My aunt had cataract surgery that helped her for 3 years. Then she had laser surgery that helped another 3 years. Now her eyes are always watery. She says it's like sugar water. Her sight is almost gone. What can be done for her? She is in her 70's.

Answer:

Take her to a cornea specialist to evaluate the tearing.

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