I had cataract surgery on 3-17-16. Two days later I developed wet AMD in the operated eye. Now i have to have Eyelea injection to stop the progression of AMD. Because I now have wet AMD, the doctor will not perform secondary surgery or YAG laser. I now am Legally Blind. Any advice what should I do? Did this happen to anyone?
Thank you
Oh I am so sorry that is the worst news ever. Did you have normal sight etc., before you had the cataract surgery? I feel devasted for you. Sue them. Carol
Thank you, Carol. I am trying to find a good attorney right now. It's not easy. Do you know anyone? Before the cataract surgery my vision was 20/60 and now is 20/400. and is irreversible.
Again, thank you. I can use some sympathy.
Yianni
The macula is the part of the retina that is responsible for your central vision, allowing you to see fine details clearly. The macula is what allows you to thread a needle, read small print, and read street signs.
This s not to be confused with the peripheral retina which allows you to to see out of the corner of your eye
With advanced macular degeneration, you could see the outline of a clock, yet may not be able to see the hands of the clock to tell what time it is.
It is possible to have macular degeneration and continue to have useful vision by using side, or peripheral vision. In many cases, macular degeneration's impact on your vision can be minimal. Nevertheless a diagnosis of AMD is difficult to hear.
AMD expresses in two ways...dry AMD versus wet AMD.
Dry AMD is the drying of the Macular tissues.. as the tissues lose moisture, the tissues thin. The dry form of macular degeneration comes on gradually a good reason to have your eyes monitored more frequently as you age. Dry AMD may respond to a vitamin therapy regimen. No specific medication or treatment is available for dry AMD.
If you have the dry AMD, you should monitor your vision changes using an Amslar Grid. Your eye care professional will instruct you in it's use.
Wet macular degeneration, also termed exuditive macular degeneration is the more agressive form of AMD. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels begin to grow beneath the retina. These new blood vessels may leak fluid or blood, blurring or distorting central vision. The longer these abnormal vessels leak or grow, the more risk you have of losing more of your detailed vision.
Also, if abnormal blood vessel growth happens in one eye, you have an increases risk that it will occur in the other eye.
So, treatment for the wet form of age-related macular degeneration in the past was by laser photocoagulation.
Today in the USA Visudyne made by Bausch (verteporfin for injection) is used along with laser light treatment to stop leaking from blood vessels
An alternative is Eyelea (aflibercept) injections which are made with a very tiny needle and the injection is very quick. Eyelea prevents the formation of new blood vessels beneath the retina.
Now to the issue of the cataract surgery..cataract surgery can not cause wet age-related macular degeneration. That said, cataract surgery can exacerbate pre-existing wet AMD.
I hope this arms you with a greater understanding. Additionally, I want you to know that hope exists for your vision...do not give up!
kind regards
judith
dear Judith,
I realy apriciate for the info you provided, but I when I had cataract surgery, (left eye) four eye doctors did not mentiont to me that I had Exutative AMD in my left eye. Two days after the fatal cataract surgery, the same four doctors informed me that i developed exutative AMD, and i should have eyelea injectios to stop the procretion from damaging my central vision. Dispide five eyelea injecions my central vision is getting worse every day.
Before surgery my vision was 20/60. Two days after was 20/100, then 20/200, and within a month 20/400. How to you explai that? The surgery also gave me Choroidal Hemorrhage in both eyes. the same doctor that performed the Cataract surgery, gave me a statement declaring that I am legaly blind.
If i knew what i know now, i would have not done the surgery before consulding with a Redinal Specialist first.
Thank you Judith,
Yianni
Yianni,
Well said...I am truly sorry for this awful outcome.
It is not too late to see that specialist...consider a trip to the most well known University with a Medical School...they will have the most up to date research available to them.
I understand the gravity of your situation. Never give up. The knowledge of medicine exponentially grows each day. What is difficult today becomes easy tomorrow.
I will be your eyes, I will search out research for you.
hugs
judith
Yianni You are still on my mind with the absolute dreadful outcome of your cataract surgery. We are at the mercy of who does the operation. I had a different surgeon with each eye, they were very different experiences, the last one really butchered my eye (4 years ago) and I still have problems. I feel I was a thread away from being left in your situation. I am told nothing can be done, my brain is compensating for the problem?? When things go wrong you are on your own I am sorry to say and all you want is your eye back.