secondary cataract 4 years after

#8 12-13-2008, 06:12 PM

On Sat, 13 Dec 2008 05:54:15 -0800 (PST), kemcc <kemccx[at]gmail.comwrote:

- quote -

> Followup: I had the YAG procedure yesterday, and the vision is much
> better. However, there are now many more floaters than I had before
> (and I had lots). Doc said some may be absorbed over time - and I
> truly hope so. Karen

Floaters are small bits of tissue from the different parts inside the
eye that migrate into the vitreous, a jell-like substance that fills
the large chamber of the eye.

The process of a YAG capsulatomy is to use laser energy to explode the
membrane that surrounds the artificial lens that replaced your natural
lens during cataract surgery. These explosions can create floaters or
disrupt already existing floaters.

Floaters will do just what the name implies - float. Hopefully the new
and disrupted floaters will move out of the line of sight and no
longer be noticeable.

The brain can also learn to ignore floaters. They will still be there,
but they will not be "seen". This is exactly the same as the blind
spot where the optic nerve meets the retina. We all have a blind spot,
but we don't "see" it because the brain has learned how to ignore and
compensate. To some degree, your brain may learn to ignore your
floaters.

Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
Cataract Free America TM

http://www.CataractFreeAmerica.org

Mr. Hagele is not a doctor.

This transmission is on behalf of Cataract Free America TM and is not
endorsed, submitted, or representative of any other organization or
entity. Copyright 2008 Cataract Free America TM, all rights reserved.

#7 12-13-2008, 12:54 PM

Followup: I had the YAG procedure yesterday, and the vision is much
better. However, there are now many more floaters than I had before
(and I had lots). Doc said some may be absorbed over time - and I
truly hope so. Karen

#6 11-19-2008, 02:14 PM

"kemcc" <kemccx[at]gmail.com> wrote in message
news:a61f4489-7e8d-4113-8a15-e3b550a49103[at]v39g2000pro.googlegroups.com...
- quote -

> The -1.5 vision was the expected result from the initial surgery. I
> chose to be a bit myopic (which was probably a mistake). But, it was
> my decision, and the result was as expected. Karen

Of course preferences vary, but -1.50 is most logical for many.

If you haven't had surgery on the other eye, there'll be a second chance.

-MT

#5 11-18-2008, 06:30 PM

The -1.5 vision was the expected result from the initial surgery. I
chose to be a bit myopic (which was probably a mistake). But, it was
my decision, and the result was as expected. Karen

#4 11-18-2008, 05:08 PM

Dear Karen,

Subject: Technical accuracy -- and refractive STATE after first
operation.

The ophthalmologist did a good job judging the replacement lens.

I now have 20/20 and a postive refractive STATE of +1/2 diopter.

Question:

Were you -1.5 diopters myopic after the operation, or did you
have normal visual acuity.

Did the -1.5 diopters develop over the last four years.

Thanks,

Otis

I knew there was trouble, as my vision was getting worse 4 years
after
my initial cataract surgery. Now I've been told I have a secondary
cataract that can be resolved with the YAG procedure. I was ery
nearsighted prior to the surgery(-7.0), and now the eye is at -1.5.
A
few questions about this procedure :

On Nov 15, 10:02*pm, kemcc <kem...[at]gmail.com> wrote:
- quote -

> thanks for your replies. *However, that last reply has left me with
> more wariness than before - re: the increased possibility of retinal
> detachment if the condition progresses. *I'm calling the doctor on
> Monday! * Karen

#3 11-16-2008, 02:02 AM

thanks for your replies. However, that last reply has left me with
more wariness than before - re: the increased possibility of retinal
detachment if the condition progresses. I'm calling the doctor on
Monday! Karen

#2 11-14-2008, 04:19 AM

On 11/12/08 5:09 PM, in article
dabel-A816A9.17094112112008[at]c...connect.net.au, "Dan Abel"
<dabel[at]sonic.net> wrote:

- quote -

> In article
> <ede67fb5-ee9f-4f27-b2f8-d7b508c6edca[at]r15g2000prh.googlegroups.com> ,
> kemcc <kemccx[at]gmail.com> wrote:
> > I knew there was trouble, as my vision was getting worse 4 years after
> > my initial cataract surgery. Now I've been told I have a secondary
> > cataract that can be resolved with the YAG procedure. I was ery
> > nearsighted prior to the surgery(-7.0), and now the eye is at -1.5.
> You didn't ask, but I'll volunteer anyway. If your refraction is -1.5
> now, it should be -1.5 afterwards. The laser procedure won't change
> this. Note that I am not a vision professional, although I've had the
> laser treatment in both eyes, within a year of the cataract surgery.
> > few questions about this procedure :
> > 1) are there degrees of this posterior capsule opacification?
> Yes, if it happens, it gradually gets worse. If you don't watch
> carefully, it "sneaks" up on you.
> > When
> > they 'burn' the hole in the capsule, is there a certain sized hole?
> I'm sure there is, but I'm just guessing.
> > Does a higher degree of of opacification make it more difficult?
> Another guess here. It should make it easier, as the laser works by the
> energy getting absorbed. The less light transmitted, the more should be
> absorbed.
> > 2) I have numerous floaters that appeared after the cataract surgery -
> > will these be affected by the YAG?
> Don't know that one either.
> > I haven't been happy with the results of the initial surgery, so I'm
> > wary of having another procedure, but I found a better doc this time,
> > so I'm not as concerned about his ability - just my anxiety.
> > thanks, Karen
> It's a trivial procedure, for the patient. A few minutes and you're
> done, with no aftereffects. Of course, there are always risks, and the
> doctor will explain them to you.

Actually, the heavier the opacification, the more energy it takes to cut
through. It does not "burn"; it makes tiny explosions at the level of the
membrane. It is not that heavier lets it absorb better. The YAG laser does
not need to absorb into the membrane to cut, unlike heat lasers.

Sometimes it it so leathery that it takes a tremendous amount of energy,
raising risk of more retinal detachment risk.

The hole is usually square or diamond shaped, made by making 2 lines of
cuts in an X-shape. One can make it small, but most make it a little small
er than the size of the IOL optic.

#1 11-13-2008, 12:51 AM

In article
<dabel-A816A9.17094112112008[at]c-61-68-245-199.per.connect.net.au> , Dan
Abel <dabel[at]sonic.net> wrote:

- quote -

> It's a trivial procedure, for the patient. A few minutes and you're
> done, with no aftereffects. Of course, there are always risks, and the
> doctor will explain them to you.

The procedure itself is trivial as you state. One of the risks is
detached retina. And as Karen is -7 that would be a concern anyway.

Certainly Karen should be wary but she really has little choice if she
wants clear vision.

- quote -

> Dan Abel
> Petaluma, California USA

Do you know Leo Laporte?

--
Charles

11-13-2008, 12:09 AM

In article
<ede67fb5-ee9f-4f27-b2f8-d7b508c6edca[at]r15g2000prh.googlegroups.com> ,
kemcc <kemccx[at]gmail.com> wrote:

- quote -

> I knew there was trouble, as my vision was getting worse 4 years after
> my initial cataract surgery. Now I've been told I have a secondary
> cataract that can be resolved with the YAG procedure. I was ery
> nearsighted prior to the surgery(-7.0), and now the eye is at -1.5.

You didn't ask, but I'll volunteer anyway. If your refraction is -1.5
now, it should be -1.5 afterwards. The laser procedure won't change
this. Note that I am not a vision professional, although I've had the
laser treatment in both eyes, within a year of the cataract surgery.

- quote -

> few questions about this procedure :
> 1) are there degrees of this posterior capsule opacification?

Yes, if it happens, it gradually gets worse. If you don't watch
carefully, it "sneaks" up on you.

- quote -

> When
> they 'burn' the hole in the capsule, is there a certain sized hole?

I'm sure there is, but I'm just guessing.

- quote -

> Does a higher degree of of opacification make it more difficult?

Another guess here. It should make it easier, as the laser works by the
energy getting absorbed. The less light transmitted, the more should be
absorbed.

- quote -

> 2) I have numerous floaters that appeared after the cataract surgery -
> will these be affected by the YAG?

Don't know that one either.

- quote -

> I haven't been happy with the results of the initial surgery, so I'm
> wary of having another procedure, but I found a better doc this time,
> so I'm not as concerned about his ability - just my anxiety.
> thanks, Karen

It's a trivial procedure, for the patient. A few minutes and you're
done, with no aftereffects. Of course, there are always risks, and the
doctor will explain them to you.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA
dabel[at]sonic.net

#-1 11-12-2008, 10:50 PM

I knew there was trouble, as my vision was getting worse 4 years after
my initial cataract surgery. Now I've been told I have a secondary
cataract that can be resolved with the YAG procedure. I was ery
nearsighted prior to the surgery(-7.0), and now the eye is at -1.5. A
few questions about this procedure :
1) are there degrees of this posterior capsule opacification? When
they 'burn' the hole in the capsule, is there a certain sized hole?
Does a higher degree of of opacification make it more difficult?
2) I have numerous floaters that appeared after the cataract surgery -
will these be affected by the YAG?

I haven't been happy with the results of the initial surgery, so I'm
wary of having another procedure, but I found a better doc this time,
so I'm not as concerned about his ability - just my anxiety.
thanks, Karen

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