Combined Cataract Surgery
Combined Cataract Surgery Cataract surgery can be done in combination with other procedures when there are pre-existing eye conditions.
Concurrent Glaucoma & Cataract Surgery
Glaucoma is a condition that happens when fluid builds up inside the eye, typically near the front. Patients with glaucoma experience increased pressure from the fluid buildup, and run the risk of damage on the optic nerve in the eye, affecting vision and possibly leading to blindness if left untreated.
In the case of concurrent glaucoma, Cataract removal may be done with a trabeculectomy to release intraocular pressure and achieve glaucoma control.
During a cataract surgery, your eye surgeon/specialist replaces the natural lens clouded by cataracts an artificial lens. Once healed, the new lens functions exactly like the natural lens. It should be noted that there are also different types of lenses should your vision require correction. In a trabeculectomy, a small opening is made in the white part of the eye. Following that, a bubble (known as a bleb), is allowed to form at the site of the opening. The excess fluid from buildup drains from within the eye, into the bleb, reducing the pressure within the eye. Naturally, your body will absorb the fluid that drains into the bleb. Both of these procedures can be done in 1 surgery.
It should be noted that Combined Cataract and Glaucoma Surgery may not be for everyone. If the cataracts are present and not causing vision problems, but the glaucoma is causing damage to the optic nerve and cannot be treated with medication alone, the eye specialist may decide to do only the glaucoma procedure and postpone the cataracts till necessary.
Similarly, if the glaucoma is well managed by medication alone but the cataracts are causing problems with vision, the eye specialist may then decide to operate only on the cataracts.
Concurrent Pathological Floaters & Cataract Surgery
In the case of concurrent pathological floaters, Cataract removal may be done with vitrectomy to remove any severe floaters.
Floaters are a common complaint many eye specialists receive. They are often described as tiny grey, black or translucent dots that sometimes may appear in our vision. Floaters are caused by the parts of the vitreous that fills the interior of the eye. When light passes through the vitreous, the more condensed parts of the vitreous may block light and cast a shadow, hence the grey or black appearance when observed.
Floaters are usually harmless in nature, but in some cases, can be a symptom caused by a variety of conditions that are more serious in nature, such as age-related macular degeneration or retinal tears. You should seek an opinion from your eye specialist if you notice the appearance of new eye floaters suddenly and if they pose an obstruction to visual performance and quality of life.
At Asia Retina, treatment for floaters can be combined with cataract surgery to remove troubling floaters. Treatment procedures for floaters can be non-invasive, using special laser treatments to break up the floater within the vitreous. Other options will include micro-surgery to remove the offending floater(s).
Concurrent Epiretinal Membrane & Cataract Surgery
In the case of concurrent Epiretinal Membrane, Cataract removal may be done with a vitrectomy and membrane removal to address both issues at the same setting.
Epiretinal membranes (ERMs)are also called “cellophane maculopathy” due to the similarities in appearance and behaviour to cellophane tape. ERMs are translucent membranes that sometimes grow onto the surface of the retina. Most of the time, symptoms observed are little to none. Many patients do not even realise the existence of an epiretinal membrane until the eye specialist informs them of it during an eye examination. Rarely though, they may cause loss of vision or distort the patient’s vision.
Broadly speaking, epiretinal membranes show the most problems when it grows onto the central part of the retina that help us to detailed vision work – such as reading or studying and comparing details.
For the treatment of epiretinal membranes, a procedure known as a vitrectomy is required. During a vitrectomy, the vitreous gel in the eye is first removed via an opening in the white of the made by the surgeon. Saline is then used to replace the drained vitreous gel. This then allows the surgeon to remove the epiretinal membrane with delicate forceps.
This procedure can be done along with cataracts surgery.
Treatment
Treatment of only either and not both will result in a poorer than expected visual outcome. As such, it is important to have a thorough eye examination before any surgery so that the best treatment may be performed for your eye in its entirety.
