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Q: Cataract

asked by: Zemuron on June 18th, 2004

New User

I'm 21 years old and I was born with a cataract in my left eye. The optimitrice told me that my eye won't improve if I remove the cataract.

I'm just wondering what people here think.

If my cataract is removed will my vision improve?

The optimitrice said I have a lazy left eye and the cataract is almost in the middle.

About 8 years ago I went to see a eye doctor and they wanted to place something in my eye(don't know what it's called) but I didn't do it because I was too chicken to go in surgery.

What could that thing be?

That could of improved my vision I think.

I'm older now and i'm not chicken anymore. I will go for that surgery.

Replies(21)

sandyallen

replied on June 18th, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

Get another opinion, I know of people who have had luck with the lazy eye surgery, I am not sure about what the chances are about the cataract after being born with it but I would definitely get more than one or two opinions I would definitely keep on trying until I hopefully get the answers i'd want, especially with all the new procedures they are doing nowadays. I do wish you the best in your search and try to keep a positive attitude!
Sincerely,
sandy

mike101

replied on June 18th, 2004

Experienced User

Forget about the optometrist and make an appointment with opthomoligist.

Normally congenital cataracts are removed in childhood.

The opthomoligist will remove your cloudy natural lens and replace it with an intraocular lens iol transplant.

The success rate for cataract surgery is between 85-90%. Most patients report a post operative improvement in their vision

the surgery is normally done as a day procedure and takes 20 to 30 minutes.

Mike

Zemuron

replied on June 19th, 2004

New User

I already have 3 or 4 opinions.

The optimitrice I saw yesterday said my lazy eye won't be able to keep up with the good one.

Blah blah blah your eye won't improve.

Does anyone have an idea why surgery wouldn't work? Or is just a bs.

mike101

replied on June 19th, 2004

Experienced User

I would set aside any comments from an optometrist, they deal in refractive vision correction and not diseases of the eye.

I would only put weight on the opinion of opthomoligists.

The catract surgery will remove the cloudy lens, but in itself it will not
correct other vision problems such as a lazy eye.

Mike

Zemuron

replied on June 19th, 2004

New User

The optimitrice said I have a lazy eye.

So removing the cataract will not improve my vision?

Zemuron

replied on June 20th, 2004

New User

No? That's the answer?

So why should I go see a opthomoligist then?

Zemuron

replied on June 24th, 2004

New User

Can someone please answer my question?

Because mike i'm confused you said:

"most patients report a post operative improvement in their vision"

then after that you said:

"but in itself it will not correct other vision problems such as a lazy eye."

so will my eye improve or not?

Zemuron

replied on June 28th, 2004

New User

Well this is really pissing me off that know one is answering.

If I don't get an answer soon. You guys just lost a really good member.

BladeFireLght

replied on June 29th, 2004

New User

What he said is that the surgury does not solve the lazy eye. But it may improve your vission. Your best bet is to talk to some one who preforms this operation. They will have more info on what your options are.

I'm curious about your situation, as I have a 3 mont old whith a caterac on her left eye. If you would be willing to share a little about your experiance in the effects on you life.

-blade

Zemuron

replied on June 29th, 2004

New User

Well I don't know what to tell you.

I still have my driver license. Class 5

when I look down I can see double.

What else would you like to know?

Oh and one more question.

Will I still need glasses/eye contacts after the surgery?

BladeFireLght

replied on June 29th, 2004

New User

From what I understand, yes. You will need the glasses.. And in many casees bi-focals.

I'm afraid I am not and expert. This is just based on what I know from the doctor and what I have found online. (most of that has been un-nerving as a parent)

what i'm courious about is has your eyesite gotten worse and you have gotten older? And how did it effect you growing up.

Zemuron

replied on June 29th, 2004

New User

I went to see the optimologist a week ago and he said yes my right eye has gotten alittle worse.

I didn't ask him why though.

But it's problebly cuz I don't wear my glasses all the time. I will start wearing them all the time now

the effects it does when i'm growing up:

i can't see well from my left eye, still have my drivers license though.

When I look down I can see double. So for example when I lie down to watch tv I can see it double(transparent reflection beside the tv), very annoying. I've been seeing double like that sense I was born.

Hope this answers your questions.

BladeFireLght

replied on July 1st, 2004

New User

Thank you it does.

Zemuron

replied on October 29th, 2004

New User

I've been putting glasses for about 15 years.

What will happen if I stop putting them?

When I put on my glasses things are a tiny bit bigger.

When I take them off my eyes start hurting alittle. But it's not enough to put them on.

My vision will get worse. I think that's what the doctors told me.

Has anyone here with a lazy eye and a cataract in one eye remove there glasses for a few years? Did your vision get worse?

kx80

replied on February 5th, 2005

New User

Hi I am in the same situation. Im 23 almost 24 and i've been living with a catarac in my left eye since I was born. I been to a doctor a few years back and they told me that there wasnt anything that they could do. Now im starting to learn that there is surgery that can correct the problem and I am getting furious. Im very anxious to learn more. Recently it has been really bothering me. It would be nice to see clear with both eyes. If anyone has info please send me a private message

tanya11

replied on February 5th, 2005

New User

The reason that removing the cataract will not significantly improve your vision is due to the fact that it has been blocking light from getting to your retina since birth. The eye needs this stimulation to develop properly. The vision is affected in this eye at the processing level in the brain, a condition called amblyopia. This is why surgery on the eye won't correct the problem.

Ps. If the cataract is removed early in life (ie. Young children) there is hope to get good vision in that eye, usually aided by patching the other eye after the surgery.

kx80

replied on February 5th, 2005

New User

Well that just ruined my day and I lost all the hope I had. Maybe thats why the doctor didnt recommend it. Is there any possibility of restoring any vision though

tanya11

replied on February 7th, 2005

New User

Sorry, didn't mean to ruin your day. I just wanted to give you realistic expectations.
There is a test that can be performed to see how much vision you may gain from removal of the cataract. It is called a potential acuity test. It consists of laser light (low level) projected on the back of the eye, through the cataract. It has a pattern and what size of pattern you can distinguish indicates how well you may see after the surgery. Possibly you've already had this done?
I'm not sure how many practitioners would have this instrument in their private office as it is an expensive piece of equipment.

Zemuron

replied on March 18th, 2005

New User

What are all the different types of cataract surgeries?

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