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Cataract Surgery for RK "Victim"

Posted by wry @wry, Jun 20, 2024

I am looking for an ophthalmologist in Richmond, Virginia, experienced in performing cataract surgery on those that underwent radial keratotomy. I have consulted with several but can never obtain an answer as to whether they have actually performed cataract surgery on anyone who underwent rk. I only get "It can be risky," which I already know from having read extensively.

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56huxley | @sjs1 | Mar 30 8:02am

Richmond has no major top eye surgeons for your needs. The best for your surgery is at Wilmer. Doctor Divya Srikumaran
• Senior cornea specialist at Wilmer
• Does:
• cornea
• cataract
• refractive surgery (LASIK) 
If you have to see a surgeon in Richmond , it was suggested to see Dr. Garth Stevens MD. The key is finding a surgeon who does refractive + cataract + cornea. I saw Dr Pavilack in Virginia Beach for my cataract surgery even though I live in Richmond No sure if he is in your medical network.

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wisco50 | @wisco50 | Apr 2 11:40pm

I realize you mentioned Virginia and I live in the midwest - Wisconsin.
I just want to encourage you and not to get discouraged if things don’t fall together quickly.
I had bilateral RKs in early 1992 if my memory serves me. I was about 42.
I moved and started seeing a new optometrist. When I got older and began having symptoms of cataracts and mentioned it, thinking he would give me a referral to an ophthalmologist who did that type of surgery he was very dismissive - he’d been great to deal with until my query. I continued to feel like my vision was not great (I had 1 eye become 20/20 post RK). I didn’t like driving at night. He thought glasses would help my issue and I reluctantly tried them (goodbye $$$).
So I just kept making inquiries and found an ophthalmologist who was knowledgeable about post RK cataract. Saw him, was told it should definitely help me.
I went ahead and WOW what a difference it made! Clear colors, no fuzziness, NO glasses - I did pay the extra $ to have corrective lenses inserted. Worth it to me. Only thing I notice and I was told ahead of time, I use sunglasses when driving because glare can bother me. No biggie.

When you find the right person, it will make such a difference! Good luck!👍

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edie2716 | @edie2716 | Apr 3 3:15pm

Can you provide the name of this Dr? I had cataract surgery and had RK as well and did not get the vision correction I wanted.

Thanks

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ljstasio | @ljstasio | May 11 4:55pm
In reply to @wry "Thanks. I don't know anybody who underwent RK "on my block" much less anybody who has..." + (show)
Profile picture for wry @wry

Thanks. I don't know anybody who underwent RK "on my block" much less anybody who has ever had LALs. I will hold off on surgery since I can't find any surgeons locally (VA) who will provide straight answers as to their experience in performing cataract surgery on RK eyes.

I think it's shameful that there are no eye institutes in this country that will provide a list of ophthalmologists per state that have experience performing cataract surgery on people who underwent RK.

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@wry
Did you try Dr Cotter in Roanoke? Curious, because I had RK and the beginning of cataracts and I’m in VA

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shelton4166 | @shelton4166 | Jun 5 5:41pm
In reply to @wisco50 "I realize you mentioned Virginia and I live in the midwest - Wisconsin. I just want..." + (show)
Profile picture for wisco50 @wisco50

I realize you mentioned Virginia and I live in the midwest - Wisconsin.
I just want to encourage you and not to get discouraged if things don’t fall together quickly.
I had bilateral RKs in early 1992 if my memory serves me. I was about 42.
I moved and started seeing a new optometrist. When I got older and began having symptoms of cataracts and mentioned it, thinking he would give me a referral to an ophthalmologist who did that type of surgery he was very dismissive - he’d been great to deal with until my query. I continued to feel like my vision was not great (I had 1 eye become 20/20 post RK). I didn’t like driving at night. He thought glasses would help my issue and I reluctantly tried them (goodbye $$$).
So I just kept making inquiries and found an ophthalmologist who was knowledgeable about post RK cataract. Saw him, was told it should definitely help me.
I went ahead and WOW what a difference it made! Clear colors, no fuzziness, NO glasses - I did pay the extra $ to have corrective lenses inserted. Worth it to me. Only thing I notice and I was told ahead of time, I use sunglasses when driving because glare can bother me. No biggie.

When you find the right person, it will make such a difference! Good luck!👍

Jump to this post

@wisco50 May I ask what lenses you went with? I had rk in 1984. I had twelve cuts in each eye. I am about to have a lens replacement on my first eye at the end of this month. My surgeon is wanting to put in Apthera lenses bilaterally. Having irregular astigmatism and corneas, the doctor assures me these lenses are best for me. I am hoping to find someone who has had these lenses placed in their eye(s).

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