How long after cataract surgery is lens exchange possible?
Posted , 12 users are following.
I know doctors prefer not to wait too long, but what about 2 or 3 yrs? **
1 like, 9 replies
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Notes on How long after cataract surgery is lens exchange possible?
julielyn Tramontj
Edited
i am a previous lasik patient, now age 50 female
I've had 5 different iol surgeries over the last 3 years: (ya i know, unfortunately i believed in my first dr far too long even when my gut told me not to)
original cataract surgeries one week apart dec 2017 right eye dec 23 recieved restor 2.5 multifocal + toric lens: left eye a week later received restor 2.5 multifocal
exchanged right eye april 2018 due to ghosting/ poor vision ...change in power, dr claimed...didnt help and no my depth perception was all wonky. things appeared closer than they actually were
discovered dr didnt install correctly after seeking a second and third opinion ( lens was tilted and haptic was out of the bag: multifocals must be installed spot on)
choose cataract surgeon with experience in exchanges and also the sister company to my lasik surgeon
exchanged right eye with a different lens nov 2018
with restor 3.0 multifocal + toric
exchanged left eye april 2019
with restor 3.0 multifocal no toric
today i have really good vision considering the astigmatism now from several surgeries. my night vision is better with multifocal lenses then before
I own a canvas shop, so seeing up close is very important, distance too.
I do have some pco forming, and floaters are still there, but will hold out on yag as long ad possible.
all in all i am very pleased and would highly recommend dr shatz at sight trust in sawgrass fl outside ft lauderdale.
which lens do you want to exchange to? and why?
hilary13182 julielyn
Posted
Hi. Why would you get astigmatism from several surgeries? Thanks.
julielyn hilary13182
Edited
each time the eye is punctured it changes the curvature of the cornea, at least that is what has happened in my case. you can have an astigmatism in the cornea and also in the lens itself from what i understand
gmag21 Tramontj
Edited
There is no time limit (IOL can be exchanged many years after the original implantation). In general, the longer you wait the more difficult it becomes due to development of fibrosis (the lens becomes more adherent to the capsular bag). Also if you're considering IOL exchange I'd hold off doing a YAG laser capsulotomy or else the exchange will become riskier/more difficult (although still very possible). I think in most cases a lens is able to be exchanged - it's just a matter of the surgeons skill level & your willingness to accept some risk. My advice is find a surgeon that specializes in treating complications of cataract surgery if you decide to go this route.
Tramontj
Edited
Thank you for the replies The reason I ask is that my doctor says there is not a better lens to exchange to. He says YAG may help my starbursts and halos, but not sure . I'm thinking of waiting to see if a new lens is approved in the US that will alleviate my night driving problems.
Seems that my doctor and group are the ones who other doctors send their patients to when there are problems .
assia99778 Tramontj
Edited
Hello Tramontj, did you do the YAG? Any improvement regarding halos and starburst? Which lens did you get? I was told that plate haptic (squard edges) is more difficult to remove than c-loop.
kevin77191 Tramontj
Edited
DO NOT DO A YAG FOR STARBURSTS AND HALOS!!
That is a big big mistake. The only reason you should do a YAG is if your PCO is so bad that you can't see properly. I have a Symonfy lens and did a YAG and it made it 10000% worse. What I realized is that the bag helped reduce some of the halos and starbursts and as soon as they removed it, they became way more noticeable. Another thing that my doctor failed to mention was that once they remove pieces of the bag, it has to go somewhere. Well it goes into your vitreous and every time you look around, light reflects off them. One of the biggest regrets in my life was getting the YAG. So take that for what you will.
ad12345 kevin77191
Posted
Ok, but I have PD and now a PCO. What should I do?
RubinaMallik Tramontj
Edited
The usual time to wait after cataract to get Intraocular lens exchange (IOL) is about 6 weeks after the surgery. I’d still advise you to consult a specialist before proceeding with the procedure.
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