Question re cataract surgery

What are the odds that cataract surgery can cause or at least encourage
the development of macular degeneration? A number of elderly friends
have developed MD within a few years of their cataract surgery.
Granted, MD is likely to show up later in life than cataracts, but still...

A second question: My ophthalmologist said there was no chance I'd need
cataract surgery. How could she tell? I'll ask next time I see her,
but that's 9 months away...

--
Cheers,
Bev
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- John C. Randolph, about MS quality control.

 

A lot of my friends developed gray hair and wrinkles after getting
their first pair of bifocals ; ) ...

You already identified the reason: both cataract and ARMD are age
related disorders with age being the primary risk factor.

There has been some concern that the natural lens which yellows and
blocks blue light as it ages may protect the retina better than
implants. So, the risk, if any is not the surgery itself but the
change in light wavelengths reaching the retina after the natural lens
is removed. Evidence for this risk is scant, but blue light blocking
IOLs have been developed and are being marketed.

See: PubMed 15870573, 17159440

Patel JI.
Ophthalmology Department, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia.


PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is a suggestion of increased risk or
progression of age-related macular degeneration after cataract
surgery, which is related to the increased exposure of the retina to
short-wavelength light. RECENT FINDINGS: Cell culture and animal work
has described retinal and retinal pigment epithelium phototoxicity on
acute light exposure. Clinical studies suggest that the use of short-
wavelength-blocking intraocular lenses can help but may also affect
visual function and circadian rhythm. SUMMARY: Evidence to date fails
to prove conclusively that light alone or cataract surgery can induce
or cause the progression of age-related macular degeneration. A
randomized clinical study of the use of short-wavelength (blue)-
blocking lenses to prove or disprove the ability of these intraocular
lenses to help in preventing progression of age-related macular
degeneration is needed.

PMID: 17159440 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


I expect your doctor means there is no chance you will need cataract
surgery in the near term. She can't see years into the future but she
can see that your lenses are relatively clear now, knows that cataract
develops slowly, knows your current age, knows the average age at
which people need cataract surgery and is confident that cataract will
not develop in your eyes for a good many years.

Dr Judy

 

Sorry for top-posting, I just want to say thanks and I'm archiving this...