Symfony/Synergy Six Month Update

Hi Jennifer_Guess,

I have the exact same combination as you, including Symfony also in my dominant eye (6 Dec 2021 and 30 Mar 2022) and that was also where the cataract was densest. I'm sorry to hear you have epithelial cells growing in the capsule. It seems that this is a condition that ends up happening, for some before others. I hope all goes well for you.

Is the PCO interfering with your vision? If not, I would hold off on doing the YAG until it's actually necessary. I developed some PCO in my left eye a few months after my surgeries, three years ago. Since then it hasn't advanced, and I haven't noticed any change in my vision at all. Since YAG can sometimes have unwanted side effects (floaters, increased risk of retinal detachment) my attitude is, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

I to have a similar mix and match, but with Tecnis MF and Synergy. Glad to hear your great results.

I am not a PCO expert, but is it possible that the PCO does not get worse and just stays where it is at? Or does it always continue to slowly get worse?

If that is the case I personally would hold off on YAG if my vision is clear and 20/20, but would need to research this further.

Good to hear from you again and that all is still pretty much good. I don't believe the need for YAG is all that unusual. I have a vague recollection of 50% needing it by the two year mark. I doubt that there will be any opacification on the lens itself, but the bag can have the growth and opacification. Basically they use the laser to cut a hole in the bag to allow clear vision again. The main downside is that it makes it more difficult to do a lens exchange. But in your case the need for that seems unlikely as you are having very good success with your lenses.

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There is some risk of retinal detachment with the procedure but it is very low. The surgeon that did my catatact surgery (Dr. Rudnisky) has done some research on it, and claims the risk is lower than many assume. See this article:

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Review of Ophthalmology 10 May 2018 PCO: What’s Wrong With Doing a YAG?

PCO where you eventually need the YAG procedure I've heard happens quicker if you are younger, like 49 vs 80.

I had my right eye cataract surgery when I was 63 and got PCO within about 3 years, the YAG procedure cleared it up.

When PCO blurs your vision enough that it reduces to 20/40 or worse like mine eventually did thats when the YAG procedure would be worthwhile.

The YAG procedure was quick and painless, they do it at the eye doctor's office and only takes a few minutes. I think they first dilate the eye, so for me I had to wait for that to wear off after several hours before I had clear vision again.