cataract surgery & epiretinal membrane

[winecolour]

I have to decide whether to have cataract surgery which might cause complications for the epiretinal membrane on the macular in both my eyes. I am keen to hear any other experience of this - (1) what factors to think about in deciding and (2) what the effect of surgery has had on the epiretinal membrane. I look forward to hearing from anyone who has had experience or knows of this issue. Thanks

[kevinaki]

A friend of mine had cataract surgery and her sight got screwed up. I asked her what her symptoms were and she said that she had no symptoms. It seems that she got talked into something she didn't need.

I had a yearly free eye examn through U.S. Medicare (over 65). During my visits with the same Doc, he would say I needed cataract surgery. I mentioned this to my PCP (personal care physician) saying that I did not have the symptoms for cataract surgery.

He asked me who would do the surgery? I replied that it would him, the Doc who advised me.

My PCP said nothing and just smiled......

[Bunny1756]

Greetings, Winecolour

I would get many opinions from fine, qualified doctors. Some are helpful and compassionate, some are not. When a doctor or other medical professional tells me, “It is my decision,” that is useless to me. I know of three people who had cataract surgery. Two of them, a husband and wife had cataracts in both eyes; no complications and it was completely successful. The third, a man, also with cataracts in both eyes, was not as fortunate. Following the surgery in the first eye, he found he could not see well, but if at all. He then sought out other doctors who told him there was nothing further they could do to help him. He will not have the cataract surgery on the other eye. I am debating about eye injections for me. It is frightening me terribly. I have an appointment on February 19. So much medically is a gamble. I think I am going to try it at least once. I do not know if one injection will even help. Others will help you here. I am not the expert. I pray for the miracle.

Take care,

Bunny1756

[fed13 in reply to Bunny1756]

Although the idea of an injection in an eye seems horrendous, it is in fact nothing to fear. If you wish one of the theatre staff can hold your hand. The eye injection doesn't hurt. You will have instantly affective anaesthetic drops first,. All you might feel is a slight pressure. The injection is over in a flash, not one of those long drawn out injections.

I am having one on 18th Feb. and will think of you. Wishing you the very bestxx. Let us know how you get on!

[Bunny1756 in reply to fed13]

Dear Fed13:

Thank you so much. Everyone here is helping me so very much; more than you can imagine. I need to hear everyone’s experiences. I am also very worried about how I will feel after the drops wear off. What do you mean by “pressure?” How many of these injections have you had and what has your experience been after?

Thank you again,

Bunny1756

[Hidden]

Hi winecolour is the possible complication specific to your eyes only? Or a general one for anybody?

When I had to decide to have mine done it was only the general issues I had to face.

The cataract on my bad eye I decided to have done as it was interfering with my treatment. They couldn't tell any more if my vision was worse because of it or my underlying condition.

My surgery was completely successful. I am in the UK and although I go to NHS eye clinic I did go private for the op ( via Benenden mutual society - there is a 6 month wait before a new membership entitles you to surgery but thereafter if NHS wait is over 5 weeks you get seen quickly for a wide range of conditions).

As to the other ' good' eye my private doc and I agreed best left until absolutely necessary given state of first eye. Not yet time to roll the dice!

I am perhaps lucky my cataracts are steroid induced so good eye very very slow to worsen.

Eye that was operated on had instant amazing improvement, had not realised how dim my world had become.

Like any treatment it's a matter of weighing up risks v benefit including recognising what will happen if you do nothing.

Good luck x

[Bunny1756 in reply to Hidden]

Eyesright

You have experienced a great deal and you are so wonderful with an amazing attitude throughout. Thank you for all your kind encouragement.

Many blessings,

Bunny1756 (:3

[Sijslws]

Not something I have faced but could be looming for me. I have Diabetic Macular Edema in both eyes but also cateracts developing in both eyes although my left eye is significantly worse than right in respect of cateract It means that it can be very difficult for me to differentiate between the extent to which my vision in my left eye is being impacted by the two problems. Doctor has told me that they will consider what to do about the cateract in my left eye when the Macular Edema has been resolved. Because I have not got to the stage of a cateract operation being talked about I have not had to face such issues as what might go wrong as mentioned in this thread.

[bj00rn]

Cataract surgery should not normally affect epiretinal membrane..? Unless you're unlucky and for some reason suction tugs the membrane and creates a macula hole.. But my eye doctors never mentioned anything like that when discussing a possible future cataract surgery (the cataract surgery on my other eye went well) on the eye with epiretinal membrane, so I'm surprised it's an issue.

[alalex101]

I had cataract surgery at a young age due to congenital cataracts and to improve myopia. It resulted in macular edema in one of the eyes which was blurry for about a year and then resolved.

[rosyG]

Hi

My story is very similar to that of Eyesight- had cataract removed 4 weeks ago and am delighted! I still have injections for branch vein retinal occlusion but sight is now fantastic. The chance of complications is small but you need to be advised re your particular eye The sight had got so bad in my eye that the risk was well worth taking If you wait until it's affecting your sight a lot????

[fed13]

When I said "pressure it's a term I picked up on this forum. You "feel" the injection, but it doesn't hurt at all. When the anaesthetic wears off you shouldn't get any pain, but may have some discomfort. It rarely happens, but you may get a lot of stinging, which happened to me. In my case it was due to sensitivity to iodine. Now the consultant doesn't give me the preop iodine drop in the waiting room, and only applies I/2 strength iodine jut before the injection. You have to keep the team informed of your experience. I have had quite a few injections and it took a long time for me to develop this sensitivity to iodine. Let us know how you get on!

[winecolour]

Thanks everyone who has responded. I should have explained what an epiretinal membrane is. It’s a thin sheet of fibrous tissue called a membrane that develops on the surface of the macular at the back of the eye, and distorts the vision. Eventually it can prevent vision at all.

Surgery on the eye for cataracts can disturb the membrane, which would make the vision problems worse. I have the membrane and cataracts in both my eyes, with my right eye worse for both. So if I have cataract surgery it would be only for my right eye.

What is being interfered with for me is my ability to read in less than 100% clear light, my ability to switch easily between close and medium distance sight for computer work, and my ability to switch quickly between close reading and longer distance sight for discussions in meetings. I can just about cope though it is wearying, and getting worse very slowly. The hospital is happy to monitor me for the moment. So in the meantime, I want to learn what I can about it all and get a better feel for the risks of surgery.

I am in the UK and the many reports say that cataract surgery is the most successful of all surgery and it results in a dramatic improvement in vision.

The hospital consultant says that the risk that the membrane will be disturbed is low - 1 in a 100 that it might happen. But the risk is there. So I am keen to hear from others who have epiretinal membrane and have also had or had to consider surgery on the eye for cataracts or any other reason. Or if you know of any weblinks for this issue they will also be welcome. Many thanks.

[Chittychatty in reply to winecolour]

hi winecolour, I know it's a year ago since we both posted on here regarding epiretinal membrane and cataracts but i was scrolling through and came across them. I was wondering how you have faired since. The reason I am asking is, if you read my response a year ago right before lockdown I had had my cataract done and all was good. WELL.. since then just before Xmas I noticed the wavyness and flashing start again. I recognised what they were. So I rang the hospital who had done ep.ret. surgery ( not the one that did the cataract surgery). I rang and rang and rang. kept getting cut off or transferred. someone to call me back which never happened. I emailed 4 times. nothing.Eventually got followup of cataract op and they said oh dear you have a huge macular hole why haven't you pointed this out. I said I rang you and was told get in touch with other hospital which I did. Like it was my own fault. Well they'll do an op sometime but it's too late they say.

I like to warn other people do not take this lying down there's more to worry about than covid. If you want to I would like to know how your story panned out. Best wishes.

[Chittychatty]

Hi there winecolour

I've only just seen your post so you may be all sorted by now. Exactly two years ago I had a vitrecomy. I also had the epiretinal membrane which was quite badly scarred. I also had a host of other issues at the back of that eye which they attempted to sort. So last week i had the cataract done on same eye. They never mentioned that the epiretinal membrane would be an issue. And it doesn't appear to have been affected but then I've not had my follow up yet. What I do have is the fact that I can see the outer edge of the lens which is awful. I'm thinking it is because they did not have my correct accurate measurements. This is because I had laser done privately 12 years ago and the clinic (top name in the country) kindly destroyed my records. This is a harsh lesson to anyone considering private laser DO NOT leave without your measurements. The NHS have done their best to fit a custom lens but accurate measurements are best.

When I rang the ward to express my worry the nurse completely shut me down and said nothing to worry about. She didn't even get my file to see i was a complicated case. I believe there's a laser procedure called YAG which can help this.

Regarding pain you feel nothing but slight pressure during the procedure and grittiness after but it's totally nothing to worry about.

Immediately afterwards everything was brighter and a little clearer. However, due to the ep. membrane issue I find I'm still needing my glasses.

The professionals though are absolutely the best people to question. Your eyes are precious. Best of luck