@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.
It's great to hear that your eyes are holding their own. Indeed they are precious, especially in your case.
My specific symptoms of secondary cataracts were seeing traffic lights in triplicate and the red light on my work phone in triplicate. It was very strange. Also, vision was fuzzy and getting more unclear. I am a migraine sufferer so I was a little unsure of that playing a role.
First visit was my opthemologist who interestingly enough was preparing to have me wear special "double vision, sticky trial lenses" over my lenses to see if it helped. And even better yet he gave me a referral to an "eye therapist" to help retrain my eyes!!! I kid you not.
At that point I scheduled with my cornea specialist. Mind you, I had no clue PCO existed. My cornea Dr. who performed my transplant and cataracts surgeries was not availabe and I needed to be seen asap so I saw his colleague. Mistake. He saw nothing wrong and sent me on my way.
Long story short, I was struggling with other health issues at the time and I was choosing my battles so I just let it go a couple more weeks. That was until the night before leaving for vacation, the final stitch in my cornea transplant broke free and tormented me. After a 6 hour drive to the ocean the next morning and much suffering of pain from that damn stitch, I landed in the ER. The young Dr. who was pulling out my stitch said, "Do you know you have SECONDARY CATARACTS?"
And this is why sharing symptoms and situations may be helpful to others.
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.
"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?
@lisalucier 100% agree that PCO is corrected very quickly with laser. In my case, I had to wait a bit, as my very particular case was very delicate as doctors needed to make sure that my retina was totally okay. But if you don't have retina problems, it is a marvelous thing to have done, you will notice the light come in as soon as the laser treatment starts 🙂
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.
"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?
Thanks for the responses.
History: Suspect glaucoma for past 30 years under control using drops and lasik. Cataract surgery on both eyes a few years ago followed by detached retina which was repaired successfully. Presently have posterior capsule opacificatiion PCO in both eyes. Still able to see well enough to drive and use the computer but advised by opthamologist to have YAG Laser Capsulotomy but hesitate because of the risk factors which include:
Elevation of IOP (Intraocular Pressure
Floaters
Cystoid Masular Edema (swelling of the center of the retina)
Retinal detachment
IOL pitting
Cornea edema
Endophthalmitis (result is loss of vision)
Has anyone experienced any of these?
Thanks,
Martha
@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.
What is YAG, cataract sx, & PCO sx? Could you please list at least once in the articles you write, the meaning of these acronyms? Otherwise many have no clue as to what you are talking about!
What is YAG, cataract sx, & PCO sx? Could you please list at least once in the articles you write, the meaning of these acronyms? Otherwise many have no clue as to what you are talking about!
@abelew
Yes, excellent suggestion. I thought I did however I too have succumb to abbreviations only at times. I believe when I write in the Epilepsy threads I explain abbreviations. They occasionally confuse me also.
Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
Jake
What is YAG, cataract sx, & PCO sx? Could you please list at least once in the articles you write, the meaning of these acronyms? Otherwise many have no clue as to what you are talking about!
@abelew I can only explain the first and last; PCO stands for Posterior Capsule Opacification, during the removal of the lens for cataract surgery, the sack which holds the lens gets dark, like frosted glass (opacification), the best way to make it clear again is doing a YAG (I don't know what stands for), which is a procedure using laser to clear the sack allowing the light to come through again. Maybe other can explain what is 'cataract sx'. Kind regards, Isabel
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?
@ladybugmg Yes it was no problem only took seconds to zap of I went to lunch afterwards .For future reference put the @before the person you are replying to makes it easier to answer if you do.
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Hi there!
It's great to hear that your eyes are holding their own. Indeed they are precious, especially in your case.
My specific symptoms of secondary cataracts were seeing traffic lights in triplicate and the red light on my work phone in triplicate. It was very strange. Also, vision was fuzzy and getting more unclear. I am a migraine sufferer so I was a little unsure of that playing a role.
First visit was my opthemologist who interestingly enough was preparing to have me wear special "double vision, sticky trial lenses" over my lenses to see if it helped. And even better yet he gave me a referral to an "eye therapist" to help retrain my eyes!!! I kid you not.
At that point I scheduled with my cornea specialist. Mind you, I had no clue PCO existed. My cornea Dr. who performed my transplant and cataracts surgeries was not availabe and I needed to be seen asap so I saw his colleague. Mistake. He saw nothing wrong and sent me on my way.
Long story short, I was struggling with other health issues at the time and I was choosing my battles so I just let it go a couple more weeks. That was until the night before leaving for vacation, the final stitch in my cornea transplant broke free and tormented me. After a 6 hour drive to the ocean the next morning and much suffering of pain from that damn stitch, I landed in the ER. The young Dr. who was pulling out my stitch said, "Do you know you have SECONDARY CATARACTS?"
And this is why sharing symptoms and situations may be helpful to others.
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4 Reactions@lisalucier 100% agree that PCO is corrected very quickly with laser. In my case, I had to wait a bit, as my very particular case was very delicate as doctors needed to make sure that my retina was totally okay. But if you don't have retina problems, it is a marvelous thing to have done, you will notice the light come in as soon as the laser treatment starts 🙂
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThanks for the responses.
History: Suspect glaucoma for past 30 years under control using drops and lasik. Cataract surgery on both eyes a few years ago followed by detached retina which was repaired successfully. Presently have posterior capsule opacificatiion PCO in both eyes. Still able to see well enough to drive and use the computer but advised by opthamologist to have YAG Laser Capsulotomy but hesitate because of the risk factors which include:
Elevation of IOP (Intraocular Pressure
Floaters
Cystoid Masular Edema (swelling of the center of the retina)
Retinal detachment
IOL pitting
Cornea edema
Endophthalmitis (result is loss of vision)
Has anyone experienced any of these?
Thanks,
Martha
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsWhat is YAG, cataract sx, & PCO sx? Could you please list at least once in the articles you write, the meaning of these acronyms? Otherwise many have no clue as to what you are talking about!
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@abelew
Yes, excellent suggestion. I thought I did however I too have succumb to abbreviations only at times. I believe when I write in the Epilepsy threads I explain abbreviations. They occasionally confuse me also.
Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
Jake
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@abelew I can only explain the first and last; PCO stands for Posterior Capsule Opacification, during the removal of the lens for cataract surgery, the sack which holds the lens gets dark, like frosted glass (opacification), the best way to make it clear again is doing a YAG (I don't know what stands for), which is a procedure using laser to clear the sack allowing the light to come through again. Maybe other can explain what is 'cataract sx'. Kind regards, Isabel
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsSo, "sx" stands for surgery, in the case of cataract sx or PCO sx.
Did you have YAG (yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser), @isaosunagatty?
@ladybugmg, what are you leaning toward doing surgery-wise?
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1 Reaction@lisalucier Yes, I did have YAG done, I had to wait because of my condition, once I had it, I was able to see!! It was wonderful 🙂
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1 ReactionHi, @ladybugmg - wondering how things are going with the PCO and whether you decided to go ahead with the YAG laser capsulotomy?
Was the film you describe evident as a pale filmy veil?