Cataracts Treatment

Question by Tim: Tell me more about secondary cataract, membrane and laser?

Best answer:

Answer by princeidoc
a lot of people call this an “after-cataract” or say that their cataract “came back”. neither is particularly accurate IMO.

i call this “posterior iol opacification” (iol = intraocular lens), and its usually caused by your body growing new fibers and/or cells onto the backside of your artificial intraocular lens that was implanted during your cataract extraction procedure.

the “fix” is yag laser capsulotomy, an outpatient laser procedure that burns the cells/fibers off, or at least burns a hole in them. fast, easy, very successful, very low risk. something like 35% of all cataract extraction surgeries need this extra procedure later, so its really common.

the fact that “after cataracts” are removed with laser causes much confusion among patients. they think that you can have “laser” to remove cataracts, which is untrue. cataract extraction surgery is a “real” surgery with a scalpel, not a laser procedure. but removal of posterior iol opacities in a person who has already had cataract extraction is done with a yag laser as described above….

Give your answer to this question below!

Is there anyway I can take care of my eyes from such? What are some of the complications I have to be wary too?
thanks Jennifer I am touched!

But one thing i like to ask you though in such as a case for laser clearance of membrane (if i used the term correctly), is it technically called ’surgery’ with perhaps surgical tables involved?

This is because my insurance said will not pay unless its a surgical procedure and the doctor said its not. i am confused.

How will my vision be like if I leave it as it is for the next 2 years and will there be prolong side effect if I decided to laser treatment it after 2 years?

How will it affect my vision after the laser treatment?
Yes Lori that is what i mean but the point is that i am almost into the 5th month of my left eye cataract surgery and 4th month of my right eye. I can still see very clearly.

I don’t think I feel or see any cloudy vision due to the membrane. Is this normal? I am 34 yrs old. Usually how long will it take for this second cataract to form right after cataract surgery?

Particularly do i have to go through the same medical care after cataract operation?

Is there any risks if i opt not to go for this 2nd operation if my vision is maintain at 6/6 ?