scarring after cataract surgery

Hi @ladybugmg that must be a tough decision to make.

I'd like to tag @jakedduck1 @cherriann @peach414144 and @hikergirl Have had cataract surgery and may be able to offer you support.

Back to you @ladybugmg what are some of the risks you have found? What direction are you leaning at this point?

@ladybugmg
Hi,
I have had cataract surgery but didn’t have PCO although I was aware of the possibility. I had a friend who it happened to but they had the laser procedure which was quick and totally successful. The only laser surgery I had was a laser making the incision for my cataract procedure and I had a tear ducts closed by laser.
I have understood the PCO procedure was simple quick and virtually complication free. Do you know otherwise? Also, do you have Diabetes?
Jake

Hello. I had cataract surgery and corneal transplants in 2013. Developed secondary cataracts (had never heard of them) in 2017. YAG laser procedure was easy breezy. I was in and out. My left eye now has occasional white floaters that I blink away. Annoying but not harmful. Good luck to you!

I have been disagnosed as having second cataracts "Posterior Capsular Opacification ( PCO)" for which the opthamologist wants to use YAG laser to make a hole in the posterior lens. I have researched the procedure and find there are many risks in having this done. Has anyone else faced this decision?

@rwinney
Were the floaters a complication of the cataract surgery or the laser treatment?
Did your Ophthalmologist mention a YAG procedure that can treat floaters?
Jake

Yes. Thank you.

Thank you.

After YAG. No he has not mentioned. I'm carefully paying attention to the floaters because if they become more frequent I will address.

Hi, @ladybugmg - wanted to let you know that I've moved your recent post on scarring after cataract surgery here where you'd previously started a conversation on this topic, just so those who've interacted with you before could talk with you more about it as you peruse your options. Glad that @jakedduck1 and @rwinney had some perspective for you as you think it through.

This Mayo Clinic page on cataracts https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cataract-surgery/about/pac-20384765 describes the yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser like this:

"PCO is treated with a painless, five-minute outpatient procedure called YAG laser capsulotomy. In YAG laser capsulotomy, a laser beam is used to make a small opening in the clouded capsule to provide a clear path through which the light can pass.

After the procedure, you usually stay in the doctor's office for about an hour to make sure your eye pressure doesn't rise. Other complications are rare but can include increased eye pressure and retinal detachment."

Hoping that @rosemarya @jaguar737 @isaosunagatty @dsh33782 @lioness will have some additional thoughts for you on the option of the YAG laser and any potential risks, and also provide some support for you at this time.

Which risks have you the most concerned at this point, ladybugmg? Are you currently leaning toward or against having the laser treatment?

@rwinney
Hi everyone ....I have read that floaters can be a problem after YAG. I had cataract sx 10 years ago and in the 1980s, I had a retinal detachment in the right eye. Got to it fast so the outcome was a lot better than anticipated. I go for routine yearly eye exams and last October my Dr mentioned the possibility of having this laser sx down the road. It was listed as PCO on the office notes. Implied that it was fast and easy, nothing to worry about and once done, it was done for good. Vision would start to be like having cataracts again. I have had no advancement in the Mac Dengen for many years....take Preservision and eat greens like nobody’s business.
Never thought to investigate the possibility of after effects of PCO sx until it was brought up on this forum so have been reading more about it and the alternative which is called “peeling pearls” Have to read up on that but it is more invasive. Complications after PCO sx are stated to be extremely low.
So I have seen minimal change in my vision over the years which I attribute to the vitamins and the ability to eat the right foods.
I have an Amsler grid on my fridge which I peek at when I think of it. Have had no eyeglass (distance only) renewal in 3 years.
My regular ophthalmologist last year said my vision had actually improved in left eye, didn’t charge me for the exam and said that even though he was in the business to sell glasses...I didn’t need any new ones.
We will see what the next October appointment brings. I’ll be happy to hear him say “see you in a year”.

If I do need this sx in the future I know where to go for advice and will continue to follow this thread. Being profoundly “hard of hearing” I hear with my eyes so they are precious indeed.

Regards from FL Mary currently visiting Orlando