Pseudo exfoliation syndrome and cataracts

[Nannyjv]

I have been told I have pseudo exfoliation syndrome, is it safe to have cataract surgery. The consultant I saw said I had 10times the risk. In the beginning I said no surgery, but my sight is blurred I have difficulty reading and watching TV.. any advice.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello,

This is because the pigment can break away during the procedure. This does not mean it cannot be done, but the specialist has to be more aware of the situation and possible risks. It is good that he has made you aware of this. It is also better to have them done now, as the longer you leave it, the thicker the lenses will become and can cause more issues when they are removed. This would be the case for anyone who has cataracts, whether they have PES or not.

Any concerns you have about having it done should be discussed with the specialist.

[Windflower]

Hello, Nannyjv, I apologise for not replying sooner when Trish let me know about your difficulty. I, too, have pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and had cataract surgery done in my worst eye in December 2021 and the other eye six weeks later. Both have been totally successful, improving my vision immensely. What was scary was being told by the referring Glaucoma Consultant all the possibilities that could go wrong. These same many negative possibilities were repeated to me by the surgeon almost immediately prior to doing the operation. This is what they have to do.

My thoughts have always been to think positively in every situation. I feel certain that my remaining calm actually helps those around me. 🤗

[Nannyjv in reply to Windflower]

The consultant was very nice. It's just I have COPD, so I cough a lot. He saidalso, if I moved (as I cannot lay flat ) or flinched it could become risky. I'm cross really with the opticians. I go every year I was told about 12 years ago thatch had cataracts and floaters. I pay the extra to have these special sight things done. Surely they should've picked up on something. One optometrist said cataracts both eyes ,another said no cataracts at all. I after forcing the opticians hand I eventually went to the hospital and was told this. Does it run in families. I was thinking of getting in touch with the consultants Secretary asking if I can see him again. This past few months my sight is getting worse, everything blurry . Advise me please. By the watch 71.

[Windflower]

Cataracts do run in families but it seems to me that people only mention they had them when they hear that ‘you’ have them! Yes, you do have to keep your head still during the surgery, that takes several minutes. Total time for everything was about 20-30 minutes . I had a nurse holding my hand so that if I had a problem, I could squeeze it and she would get the surgery paused to sort it. I was told by the surgeon, who did the first cataract that I had to keep my head perfectly still. The second cataract was done by the Consultant. He clamped my head so I couldn’t move it. Just as well because he used lots of cold water on my face, 😂 Don’t worry about the surgery, it will be absolutely fine.

I never listen to what any optician tells me. They are there for vision checking. Yes, they do have trained staff who can identify ulcers etc. but in my case they have always contacted the hospital for an urgent appointment. As you have pseudoexfoliation, which is a rare condition in the UK , if you feel any problem, ring the hospital eye department, they will most likely get a doctor to phone you back.

The optometrist I had owned the business and had invested in a machine that identified eye problems. I paid extra to use that service, and it was by the use of that machine that she identified loss of vision in the lower part of one eye. She made a non-urgent request for an appointment at the local hospital.

Do continue to let me know how you get on. A problem shared is a problem halved.