Question 1

both eyes epiretinal membranes & cataracts. dr said i have option of vitrectomy and cataract removal in both eyes on same day. is this a good idea?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: I'm not sure if your question is phrased correctly. In the US, only one eye is typically operated on at a time for elective intraocular (internal) surgery. If your doctor is suggesting removing the cataract and repairing the membrane in a single eye during one surgery, that is a different story, and is not without debate.  Removing the cataract alone may give you acceptable vision.

Question 2

after recovery from vitrectomy for macular pucker and subsequent cataract surgery will a patient be able to wear contact lenses?

Accepted Answer

Check with provider: you need to check with provider each person is different but there is risk with contacts and you have significant risk so be cautious and check with provider

Question 3

my father had a cataract surgery, but some dislocated lens debris has gotten into the vitreous cavity. will vitrectomy be safe, or does it pose risks?

Accepted Answer

Vitrectomy: Victrectomy is usually safe,but surgical procedures can be accompanied with complications which will be explained by the doctor performing the surgery.The decision to proceed with the procedure is up to the patient after all complications are fully understood.

Question 4

how long before sight returns after catarct and vitrectomy operation on an eye?

Accepted Answer

Variable: It depends on how much damage the eye sustained prior to your surgery. If the eye was otherwise in good shape, vision should return within 4 to 8 weeks. If there was damage to the retina or optic nerve visual recovery will be limited.

Question 5

what happens if you have cataracts and you don't have them removed?

Accepted Answer

Vision will worsen: Once cataract formation has started, there is no know way to reverse it or prevent progression. Inevitably, if the patient lives long enough a cataract will continue to worsen and diminish the vision - even to blindness.  This is usually a gradual process and can be surgically addressed at any point on that continuum.  However, very advanced cataracts do have more surgical complications.

Question 6

am i really more likely to get cataracts if i dont wear sunglasses?

Accepted Answer

It depends: There are many things that have been linked to increase cataracts 
aging, diabetes, certain medications, smoking, trauma, and uv light exposure.  Increase uv light has been showing to increase cataract formation.  A more important reason to wear sunglasses is to prevent damage to the retina which captures the light we see.  Cataracts can be removes, but retinas ca not be repaired once damaged.

Question 7

once cataracts are fully developed, and you are blind because you can't see through them, can they still be removed?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Blindness from cataracts is reversible by surgery presuming other eye structures (retina, optic nerve, etc.) are healthy.

Question 8

if you have a cataract, can it be too early to have it removed?  if so, why?  i have one but dr says it's not ready.  i don't understand why wait.

Accepted Answer

General procedure: The usual rule for removing a cataract is when it interferes with normal visual functions.  It can be removed earlier but why bother if you can visually function well.  Doctors like patients to sort of exclaim "wow" after the surgery and if your visual function is good prior to the surgery, then you may see better but no reason to quickly do this.

Question 9

can only old people get cataracts? i'm 25 years old, and sometimes i can't see well because my vision is cloudy or i see double. could i have cataracts?

Accepted Answer

It : It would be unusual for a 25 year-old patient to have cataracts.  Previous eye trauma, or previous heavy use of steroids can cause cataracts at a young age.  A comprehensive eye examination should reveal the cause of your cloudy vision.

Question 10

please help! what happens to cataracts if you don't remove them?

Accepted Answer

Progression: Almost all cataracts except some that are congenital, will progress to the point of complete blockage of the vision over time.  The rate is variable.  There is a slightly higher risk to treating cataracts in more advanced stages so it is better to have them removed when the vision is functionally disturbed.

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Doctor answers about:

Vitrectomy cataract

A member asked:

Both eyes epiretinal membranes & cataracts. dr said i have option of vitrectomy and cataract removal in both eyes on same day. is this a good idea?

A member asked:

After recovery from vitrectomy for macular pucker and subsequent cataract surgery will a patient be able to wear contact lenses?

A member asked:

My father had a cataract surgery, but some dislocated lens debris has gotten into the vitreous cavity. will vitrectomy be safe, or does it pose risks?

A member asked:

How long before sight returns after catarct and vitrectomy operation on an eye?

A member asked:

What happens if you have cataracts and you don't have them removed?

A member asked:

Am i really more likely to get cataracts if i dont wear sunglasses?

A member asked:

Once cataracts are fully developed, and you are blind because you can't see through them, can they still be removed?

A member asked:

If you have a cataract, can it be too early to have it removed? if so, why? i have one but dr says it's not ready. i don't understand why wait.

A member asked:

Can only old people get cataracts? i'm 25 years old, and sometimes i can't see well because my vision is cloudy or i see double. could i have cataracts?

A member asked:

Please help! what happens to cataracts if you don't remove them?

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