Cataracts Treatment

Question by Indiana Jones: maybe i’m reading too much into this nd-YAG procedure but….?
i’ve been researching it cuz i’m going to have it soon and the more i read about it the more nervous i become.

i read that it is usually done several months or even a few years after the cataract surgery and yet i just had my surgery on may 18th and i’m going to have the procedure within 2 weeks from now.
so that is a little worry some

and i’ve read that 1 out of every 50 people will get a detached retina due to the procedure and that scares the hell out of me cuz i am at a much higher risk for it than most people and i’ve already had a detached retina twice in that eye.

am i overly worried or should i opt not to do the procedure even though the cells are already forming on the lens?

i’m going to my retina specialist tomorrow just to make sure my retina still looks fine after the cataract surgery so i willdefinitelyy be asking him what he thinks about the nd-YAG procedure but i’d still like opinions on here.

Best answer:

Answer by yagman
The internet is a wonderful thing. Anyone can say anything about anything and the world will accept it as truth. nd-Yag capsulotomy surgery is among the least risk prone ocular surgeries there is. I don’t know where you found the 1 out of 50 statistic but it simply is not true. I’ve been performing this surgery since 1995 and I have yet to have a single patient develop a post surgical retinal detachment. Is the procedure risk free? No surgical procedure is risk free. But I assure you this is not one you need to stay awake over at night.

And as to your concern about how rapidly you developed capsular clouding, this is also nothing to worry about. It is true that the MAJORITY of patients develop cloudiness months or years after cataract surgery. So, that just means you aren’t average. Somebody has to be not average. It just happens to be you. I can’t explain it but some people just simply cloud faster than others. It just happens. I tend to see more rapid clouding in younger patients or those with quite severe cataracts. But this issue really isn’t an issue.

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Question by drajgul: procedure phacoemulsification cataract surgery under topical anesthsia?
ophthalmologist

Best answer:

Answer by cbdamstrom
Phacoemulsification (”phaco”) was developed in the search for a way to extract cataracts through a smaller incision. It has become the preferred technique for cataract extraction. An ultrasound or laser probe is used to break the lens apart without harming the capsule. These fragments are then aspirated out of the eye. A foldable intraocular lens (IOL) is then introduced through the 3mm incision. Once inside the eye, the lens unfolds to take position inside the capsule. Patients are fully conscious during the procedure and can have surprisingly colourful visual experiences. No sutures are needed, as the incision is self-sealing. The risk of astigmatism and sudden pressure changes inside the eye are minimized. The procedure is safe enough to be done under topical anesthesia (anesthetic eyedrops). Visual rehabilitation is extremely fast and patients don’t need to suspend their everyday activities.

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Question by Isabel E: what is the procedure for cataract surgery?

Best answer:

Answer by sarah t
they remove he cataracts from your eyes…It is not painful and the recovery time is very little…dont worry.

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Question by lorac: Has anyone who have had cataract surgery have to go back in for a laser procedure to clear the lens?

Best answer:

Answer by rams
yes, after surgery the docs often leave the postertior capsule of the lens intact, to support the vitreous and sometime that capsule develops cataract called, “after catarct” and to clear this u ve to undergo Nd yag laser therapy.
my grandpa underwent it 8yrs back
oh and by the way there is no lens left after the surgery only the capsule

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I had an intraocular lens implanted on Dec. 3. Obviously, the first few days I saw lots of halos and light streaks. They slowly subsided but never went away. Actually, I believe they are getting worse, especially at night. Most lights have halos and even in moderate light, I see a kaleidoscope like effect that is perfectly circular when looking at lights.
I used my eye drops as directed and had my second follow-up two weeks ago and was told everything looks perfect. Upon asking WHY these disturbances seem to be getting worse, I was told the cataract was so bad (it was totally opaque), that my retina will need time to adjust. My major question is why are they getting WORSE? I emailed my PCP and he asked for them to check if a “film” or membrane is forming around the new lens. Wouldn’t they have been able to see that during my last visit? This is getting frustrating! Thanks.