is cataract surgery okay? Husband ha... - Hughes Syndrome A...
is cataract surgery okay? Husband has had numerous clotting and bleeding events. He wants cataract surgery. What should I consider?
Hi Rhondo: I looked at your profile and did not see any information on the patient, whom I assume is your husband. Is he diagnosed with cataracts and APS?
Firstly, I am not doctor nor an opthalmologist. You need the advice of both. My APS diagnosis presented no particular problem and I had my right eye done recently. I have my left eye scheduled for early March. They never do both eyes at once. I had instant, yes...INSTANT clarity as soon as I opened my eye after surgery (which took about 1/2 hour under twilight anesthesia). I would say it took a few weeks of light sensitivity and my eyes getting tired more easily, but no pain nor even uncomfortableness. What it did do was highlight how bad by other eye was in comparison to perfect vision. I was very pleased with the handling of the entire event thusfar. However, the patient's entire medical history must be taken into account.
I am managed on 1 - 325 mg. aspirin/day for APS. I am on other medications for multiple diagnoses, but none presented a problem to the cataract surgery. Your husband needs to consult with his APS management doctor as well as an opthalmologist who does cataract surgery. Each case, as with any diagnosis, is uniquely it's own. I kept in mind that the longer I waited the more clarity I was losing and so I decided to be done with it quickly. When the operation is performed they can either insert a corrective lense or a clear lense. In either case, you will still have to wear "readers" (glasses for reading and computer). I had less than 5% loss and so I chose a plain clear lense (much less expensive, not corrective and IS covered by Medicare). Medicare does not cover corrective lenses. It is considered "cosmetic" surgery. I haven't the slightest idea what the UK system would cover. I do not know where you are located.
At any rate, unless there is some unforetold complication, this was the easiest procedure I have ever undertaken! I am so sorry I waited and tolerated fuzzy reading and fuzzy everything else. Seeing is a sneeky thing. It disappears in such minute amounts that one doesn't notice it as readily as if it just "broke" and boom, you suddenly saw cloudy. I'm glad it bothered me enough to check into it before I lost too much sight.
I think you and your husband should see an opthalmologist, ask the opthalmologist to specifically confer with your APS doctor and schedule it! I'm sorry I did'nt do it sooner.
Smiles and warm wishes,
CanaryDiamond10
Hi I had catarract surgery two years ago - fortunately no bleeding as apparently no blood vessels as told by consultant. However get very dry eyes and conjunctivitis
Hi, I went through cataract surgery when I was already diagnosed with APS. My experience is close to the one of CanaryDiamond 10 and I also agree with him that it is better that the case be managed by an ophthalmologist. After surgery though I have been increasingly suffering intense headaches in particular after long exposure to any kind of screens (computer, TV, etc.). This happened at the same time I was going through an unnoticed APS flare. Treatment with 1 daily 75 mg. Plavix (Clopidogrel) has eased headaches but I am not sure of interconnections between cataract surgery, headaches and APS flare, or at least my doctor has not been explicit on this.
I wish your husband a good experience.
Daisy11 is right. My opthalmologist did say it was a "bloodless" procedure. There are not any blood vessels in the lense area they work on. They actually shatter the cataracts into tiny pieces with soundwaves and vacuum the shards up as they shatter. Then they insert the new lense in the cleaned lense space. There need not be worry about what isn't there. No blood, no/nill clots. Again, I am not a doctor nor an opthalmologist and you need the advice of both. Keep in mind that an opthalmologist and an optomotrist are two different things by about 6 years of additional education. You need an opthalmologist. Really, it is a simple, painless, procedure that lasts a lifetime. Don't wait. Don't be afraid. Speak to the doctors to ease any fears you may have because fear is unnecessary for this procedure. Good luck. He'll be glad he had it done. He almost presents more of a risk in not seeing clearly than any risk to correct his vision. Good luck, Rhondo. Warm wishes to your husband.
CanaryDiamond
Good advice going on above, I shall bear this in mind.. should i arrive at this point myself. Mary F x
Thanks to you all for discussing my question.
The surgeries will take place in March. He is eager to be able to read his sheet music again.
Rhodo
