While not a retinal problem, cataracts can "return" and can mimic the symptoms of the original cataract; blurred vision, glare and distortion. This can usually be remedied by a simple painless laser procedure called a YAG capsulotomy. Cataract Surgery with Implant Like grey hair, everyone gets cataracts. With time, the natural lens of the eye clouds with time. This clouding decreases … [Read more...]
Perfect Surgical Outcomes Erode Relationships
March 2, 2010 By 2 Comments
Surgical outcomes are never guaranteed, there are risks to surgery. In fact, nothing in medicine is guaranteed. One role of doctors is to educate about the benefits and potential risks of a treatment. On the other hand, if an operation, were successful every time, would we need doctors? Starting Your Car is Guaranteed Each time you turn the ignition, your car starts. It is just about … [Read more...]
When You Need Cataract Surgery
February 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Cataract surgery is needed when your vision is not as good as you'd like, and, your eye doctor feels that the elective procedure would help. In cases of diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, there may be other factors that weigh in to the decision of having cataract surgery. Cataracts are usually elective surgery. While insurance does cover most cataract surgery, there are a … [Read more...]
Dilated Pupils: Those Drops Are So Annoying
February 24, 2010 By 8 Comments
Dilating drops are useful tools for examining the eye. A dilated pupil exam provides direct visualization and is the best way to examine the retina and is second to none. The dilating drops are annoying, but are necessary. Any and every time your doctor needs to look at your retina (or other structures such as the optic nerve), your pupils should be dilated. Dilating drops cause mydriasis … [Read more...]
Eye Surgery Can Blind
February 22, 2010 By 16 Comments
There are risks to eye surgery, especially intraocular operations such as cataract removal or vitrectomy. Cataracts are the most common eye surgery and vitrectomy eye surgery is usually performed by a retina specialist for various problems of the retina and vitreous. Infection, inside the eye, called endophthalmitis, is uncommon, yet can blind. There are all sorts of "eye" surgery. There … [Read more...]
Medical Insurance Pays for Your Eyes. Vision Insurance Pays for Glasses. The Difference?
November 30, 2009 By 6 Comments
When it comes to eyes and vision, there is often confusion as to what services are covered. Most companies provide medical insurance; the traditional health insurance guarding against catastrophic medical bills, doctor's bills, etc. Many more companies will provide a prescription plan and vision insurance. Vision vs. Medical Insurance - Vision insurance typically will "pay for" glasses … [Read more...]
Cataracts are Like Grey Hair! Everyone Gets Them.
November 17, 2009 By 2 Comments
Everyone gets a cataract. Just as grey hair, some people get cataracts at an early age and some people get them at a later age. Patients with diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration aren't spared either. What is a cataract? A cataract is the clouding of the natural lens in the eye. Very advanced cataracts actually are white, hence the name "cataract" to compare to the whiteness seen … [Read more...]
Cataract Surgery May Worsen Diabetic Retinopathy
August 29, 2009 By 3 Comments
This post will be short and is written as follow-up to "Diabetics Get Cataracts". There is a study just published in the journal Ophthalmology where patients with diabetes underwent cataract surgery. The incidence of diabetic retinopathy was then followed for at least 12 months. Patients with both Type I and Type II diabetes were followed. Overall, there was an increased incidence of … [Read more...]
Do Cataracts Cause Macular Degeneration?
August 26, 2009 By 6 Comments
Life as a retina specialist is very rewarding. It has special challenges. There are two conditions that increase as we age; macular degeneration and cataracts. Most people understand cataracts. Cataract surgery is intuitive. Vision blurs, glasses don't help, cataract surgery is performed and vision returns! Simple..............right? What happens when cataract surgery doesn't help? … [Read more...]
When is a Cataract “Ripe?”
May 27, 2009 By 1 Comment
I have always felt that this is a lousy analogy although used by many, many eye doctors. It puts the patient in a more passive mode and relinquishes decision making to the doctor. It sounds like there is a finite time to have cataract surgery and only the doctor can tell. It is similar to going to the market and figuring out if a melon is ripe. Does it feel right? Does it smell right? … [Read more...]
