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734-284-5155Can Retinal Repair Affect Cataract Care Later?
The eye and matters involving eye health can be extremely complicated. So many parts of the eye are interconnected, and conditions affecting one part of the eye can lead to issues with adjacent parts of the eyes. The team at Byrd and Wyandotte Eye Clinic here in Detroit understands these issues, and always takes great care to consider a patient's previous medical history when performing any sort of procedure.
While treating cataracts is relatively routine, issues with previous retinal tears or detachment can lead to problems with cataracts and cataract removal. Let's consider these matters in more detail below.
Treating Retinal Tears and Detachment
The retina is the light-sensitive tissue located at the back of the eye. It is crucial for proper vision. When a person's retina is torn or detached, immediate attention is crucial to prevent vision loss. One of the common treatments for retinal tears and detachment is known as a vitrectomy. This involves the removal of the vitreous gel from within a person's eye and the replacement of that gel with a new fluid or a gas. This presses the damaged part of the retina back into place so it can heal properly.
About Cataracts and Cataract Removal Surgery
Cataracts refer to the clouding of the lens of the eye. This may be the result of advanced age, injury, and other issues. Left untreated, a cataract can lead to varying degrees of vision loss and poor eyesight. When cataracts are serious, surgeons can remove the clouded lens of the eye through a routine surgical procedure. The lens can then be replaced with an artificial lens if needed to restore vision quality.
Potential Risk of Cataracts Following Retinal Treatment
One of the risks to keep in mind following retina repair is that vitrectomy can increase the risk of cataracts developing over time. Any sort of eye surgery can increase this risk, which is why it's mentioned to patients. That said, risk cataract development later is generally acceptable since treating a serious retinal problem will help prevent immediate vision loss.
Other Risks and Difficulties to Consider
In addition to increasing risk of cataract development, retinal repair can lead to various vision issues after a patient undergoes cataract removal surgery. This can affect the overall quality of the patient's eyesight.
Issues may include the following:
Distortion of the macula (the central portion of the retina) making full vision restoration more difficult
Damage to the back of the lens capsule, requiring total removal of the lens and lens capsule rather than just the lens
Additional difficulties may arise depending on the nature of the retina damage and the success of treatment. The same is true regarding the nature of the cataract.
Should Patients Who’ve Had Retinal Repair Undergo Cataract Surgery?
Likely, the answer is yes. While retinal repair may lead to some risks for vision quality and may make the procedure more complicated, it's important for the cataract to be removed to at least restore some amount of vision to a patient. Keep in mind that cataract may not need to be surgically removed depending on the progression of the cataract itself. We can go over these matters during a consultation at our practice.
Contact Byrd and Wyandotte Eye Clinic
For more information about your eye care needs and how we can help you see clearly, be sure to see the vision specialists at Byrd and Wyandotte Eye Clinic today. Team at Byrd and Wyandotte Eye Clinic is here to help you address vision problems and experience improved eye health and eyesight.