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• RP and cataract surgery
• Posted: 2008-04-17 18:05:36 By barry d
• My wife has cataract removal planned and has been
  told by the doctor that cataract removal is not at all dangerous for a RP patient. No danger of loss of eyesight as a result of removal. Has anyone had this done and if so is the doctor correct in his evaluation.

• Re: RP and cataract surgery
• Posted: 2008-04-18 10:26:13 By Theresa O
• Barry
  
  The doctor is rigth, the surgery has no adverse effect on RP patients.
  
  I have RP and had cataract surgery on both eyes 3 years ago. As a matter of fact, my central vision is better than it was since I was a teenager.
  
  Terry O
  
  

• Re: Re: RP and cataract surgery
• Posted: 2008-04-18 16:45:44 By Reyne K
• Barry,
  
  I had cataract surgery last summer and it was a breeze. Vision is so much better. They have the new blue blocker lenses which filter out a lot of the UV light. I have read that a person with RP is more prone to opacities of the lens afterwards, but a yag laser capsulotomy can zap those right out. I had it done 6 months afterwards. It is a painless procedure and takes a few seconds. Tell your wife to go for it! :-)
  
  ~Reyne

• Re: Re: Re: RP and cataract surgery
• Posted: 2008-04-19 09:31:05 By barry d
• I really want to thank all of you for your
  feedback. I am really glad this site is
  available for great information, from super
  people like you.
  God Bless
  

• Re: RP and cataract surgery
• Posted: 2008-04-18 17:01:31 By Kim V
• Hi,
  
  I just had cataract surgury on my right eye 2 weeks ago, and am scheduled for the left on May 1st, I will agree that this surgery is a breeze. Do talk to the doctor about giving you a shot to help keep the pressure regular in your eye. There is a chance for CME (swelling around the macula) The risk for this is there for normal patients and slightly higher for rp patients. My doctor prescribed drops for swelling (pressure) in the eye as well as giving me the shot to curb the risks of cme, it is wise to talk to your doctor about this, if he does not know contact someone with retina experience. The doctor I found had experience doing this surgery on rp patients and assured me all would be fine and that the risk is always there, but my vision was getting so poor that it was well worth the risk. I actually have to get new glasses when I am done with this because I am seeing so well. On a side note, my doctor also told me that all lens implants have the UV guard or blue blocker now, that it is standard....good luck to your wife and I know I am going to enjoy being able to read a book again!!! Take care Kim

• Re: RP and cataract surgery
• Posted: 2008-04-18 17:33:35 By Paul S
• This is generally correct.
  but as with any surgery there are always risks.
  
  Cataract surgery can put stress on the retina, cause some minor bleeding, etc.
  All of these can put stress on an already weak retina.
  
  So, the answer is that most people are fine, but know there are risks even if they are small.
  
  For me, I am not sure it was worth it, but my RP is very advanced, about 3-degrees field vision left.