Question re Cataracts + vitrectomy

[Guest guest]

Howdy folks,

I know I don't post much, but I am hoping for some ideas.

After being dx'd with neurosarcoid in Dec 1995, my eyesight began to

worsen - which turned out to be scar tissue accumulating on my retinas

(both eyes). In August 1996, I had a vitrectomy done on my left eye -

a potion of the retinal scarring was removed and the vitreous was

removed (retinal scar tissue suspended in the vitreous), and replaced

with other fluid. One (1) week ago whilst visiting my Optopmetrist

(bi-annual check-up), I was informed a cataract was forming in the

same eye which had the scar tissue removed. I have come across a few

articles suggesting that vitrectomy surgery can lead to cataracts,

because the surgery, and\or the replacement fluid used in this

procedure can cause Oxygen to gat to the lens and somehow caud\se a

cataract to form. Has anyone any knowledge of this ?

PS While I'm here...

...I would like to wish everyone a safe, happy Christmas season (

and Happy Thanksgiving to my American neighbors).

Mike

[Guest guest]

Hi Mike, I don't know about vitrectomy....but I was wondering if are u on prednisone? Because continued longterm use can also cause cataracts, which is what is happened to me. I was on it for about 8 years and my Dr. said if I did not get of when I did I would have had full blown cataracts besides the scarring from the scaroids.. Shyrose "You cannot do a kindness too soon. because you never know how soon it will be too late."----- Original

Message ----To: Neurosarcoidosis Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 10:21:04 PMSubject: Question re Cataracts + vitrectomy

Howdy folks,

I know I don't post much, but I am hoping for some ideas.

After being dx'd with neurosarcoid in Dec 1995, my eyesight began to

worsen - which turned out to be scar tissue accumulating on my retinas

(both eyes). In August 1996, I had a vitrectomy done on my left eye -

a potion of the retinal scarring was removed and the vitreous was

removed (retinal scar tissue suspended in the vitreous), and replaced

with other fluid. One (1) week ago whilst visiting my Optopmetrist

(bi-annual check-up), I was informed a cataract was forming in the

same eye which had the scar tissue removed. I have come across a few

articles suggesting that vitrectomy surgery can lead to cataracts,

because the surgery, and\or the replacement fluid used in this

procedure can cause Oxygen to gat to the lens and somehow caud\se a

cataract to form. Has anyone any knowledge of this ?

PS While I'm here...

....I would like to wish everyone a safe, happy Christmas season (

and Happy Thanksgiving to my American neighbors).

Mike

[Guest guest]

More than 90% of the world population will develop cataracts. It is a normal hardening of the lens of the eye that happens as we age.

For us, the fact that almost all of us have been on Prednisone-- we just get the cataracts earlier. It is a side effect of prednisone. Prednisone is a great "hardener" of blood vessels, arteries and the lense of the eyes.

A vitrectomy (removal of the vitreous fluid in the eye) does not generally cause cataracts. What can happen is that the sac that holds the lens and and vitreous fluid changes from being opaque to white-- and then you develop what is called a "secondary cataract." This is handled by a quick and painless laser procedure to make a hole in the sac (the front of this sac is removed when they do cataract surgery) to give an opening so that vision is restored clearly.

Cataracts are not life threatening-- and surgery is now a simple procedure taking just minutes. What they do is make a single incision just above the lense, and use a tool that vibrates at thousands time a second- to emulsify the lense, and it vacuums out the lense particles as it vibrates. Then they implant an artifical lense into the lense sac- and your vision is restored immediately for distance.

Since this lense is not able to change shape it is good for distance vision- but it generally takes glasses to correct for reading. (You'll find that the prescription you had will be way too strong!).

One of the incredible parts is that as that lens has been hardening over the years- it has also cast a "yellow" haze over everything. Once that lens is gone-- people most often exclaim that their sight of colors is so incredible! They had accomodated the change of sight for so long- they had no idea of this occurance!

With the new single incision techniques, most people don't have to have the eye patched except at night for the first couple of days- and that is only because we have a tendency to rub our eyes in our sleep. (Yes, you will be light sensitive for a couple of days-- as you've been "clouded" over for years!)

Happy sight!

Tracie

NS Co-owner/moderator

[Guest guest]

Mike,

There is an excellent web site run by Dr. , an ocular immunologist with a lot of information and also a place to ask questions that he will answer. Ask Dr. .com , I believe. He is specialized in this particualy field and people wiht autoimminue eyesight problems must be treated differently that the general public for cataracts!!!! Expecially if you are not in remission!! Please check it out.

Bonnie B.

]

[Guest guest]

Thnak you folks for the replies...I seem to recall mention of eye

problems associated with prednisone use (when I was first dx'd). I did

find am article relating Cataracts with the procedurre vitrectomy ...

(http://mednews.wustl.edu/tips/page/normal/4986.html

). The Optometrist who discovered my Left eye cataract has managed to

refer me back to the same surgeon who performed the vitrectomy in

August 1996. The first appointment (for assesment) is in January of

nest year, so when I sit down for my Birthday dinner Dec 23 this year,

I (thankfully) won't need, or be able to count the # of torches on the

cake lol.

Again, Many thanks for the replies...

Mikes