Men below 50

Posted , 8 users are following.

Are there any men younger than 50 on here?

If so what precautions did you take or are taking to avoid retinal tear or detachment?

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Posted

    I am 41. Possibly the youngest here. I am surprised by the question a little bit.  Are younger men especially at risk? Very interested in knowing other people’s feedback and learning what others are doing and I ought to be. 
    • Posted

      Hi Sunny, you are probably the youngest.  I turned 42 last week.  Yes younger men are at risk of RD as the vitreous has not drained. 

      I have confirmed this with few ophthalmologists.  Online reference is:  "But surgeons need to make sure patients understand that there is some risk, said Feilmeier, president of the Nebraska Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons. For men under 50 in particular, cataract surgery comes with a risk of retinal tear or detachment, said Feilmeier, who serves on a national cataract curriculum committee for the American Academy of Ophthalmologists."

      Michael Feilmeier did his residency from Bascom Palmer which is #1 in the US so has some credibility.  What I plan to do is to have a retina specialist and visit every 6 months after the surgery.  Also, I am asking everyone who has had a RD what the symptoms are to look for them.  So far I have been told:

      a) feel like cop car flashing behind you  b) looks like lightning c) red or grey curtain on half or full eye (sometimes when bending down).

  • Posted

    Gosh, that’s scary! I used to think if the surgery went fine and few days after that went fine, there is no more risk and the eye is set for life, except for PCO and need for YAG which is a pretty small thing. Learn something new every day!
  • Posted

    I am 33, so I guess that makes me the youngest! 

    I am not taking any precautions as like the others, I had no idea it was an issue? In any case so be it, for the vision I now have compared to the vision (or lack of!) that I had before!! I'm quite happy to take each day as it comes! 

  • Posted

    Nearsighted persons with -600 or more are prone to have "lattice degeneration" which is a prelude to RD.

    • Posted

      With or without cataract surgery, I presume? And that -6.00 is pre surgery prescription, I presume?
    • Posted

      It is correct that high Myopes after cataract surgery are also prone to RD.  -6 would be a high myope.  I do not know when the high classification begins.
    • Posted

      -6.00 pre-surgery is correct. Although cataract surgery corrects the vision, it's the precondition that progresses the weakness in the retina. I had -8.50 in the left eye and was seeing zigzag lines (cobwebs?) after cataract surgery on rare occasions in my vision. The doc dilated the eye and inspected it and found periphral lattice degeneration: thinning and 1 hole. I made a later appointment and had argon laser treatment. It's essentially "spot welding" (the tissue reheals by scarring thus strengthening the lasered point) around the weak tissue to HOPEFULLY reduce the chance of RD. Yes myops -6.00 or higher are prone to retina detachment.

  • Posted

    Im 46. Both eyes have cataract 12 months ago. Did surgery on left eye only and replaced with monofocal.

    I am also scared about RD, thus defering my right eye as much as possible. Currently the vision left in my right eye is very little,

    Shall I defer it further ?

    • Posted

      If your vision is impaired then it isn't safe to defer it further.  Also, modern techniques are gentler and less invasive. 

  • Posted

    I already had a RD in my right eye; that is what ultimately led to the cataract.  I have since had cataract surgery to replace the lens, then another surgery to fix the problems from the first surgery (one of the haptic arms slipped out of the capsule) and then yag laser treatment, and so far my retina is holding up.

    So my only precaution is no more roller coasters!  

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