Preventing Cataracts due to Vitrectomy

[e234]

I have a epiretinal membrane (ERM) due to an eye injury, and I would like to get the ERM removed.  I have no other eye conditions (e.g. floaters, etc.)  I have read that a pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) to aid in removal of an ERM always results (100%) in a cataract.  Are there any surgeons in the USA (better yet Southern California) who can perform a ERM removal without a vitrectomy?  Or, can a vitrectomy be limited to the posterior of the eye, leaving the anterior vitreous gel to continue to protect the lens? There is literature about surgeons who have performed ERM removal without a vitrectomy in Japan and Italy.  Their results show little to no cataracts with success in ERM removal.  I would love to be evaluated to see if I could be a candidate for no-vitrectomy ERM removal.

The other option that I've read if a PPV is required, is the use of Othera Pharmaceuticals OT-551 eye drops to help prevent cataracts  It was in stage 2 clinical trials that ended in 2008, but I can't find any results published.

Thanks for any advice or recommendations you can provide.

[e234]

Thank you all for your comments.

Are there any readers who had a vitrectomy and not had a cataract (over 2+ years)?

[Timothy D McGarity, M.D.]

Hi, I think Jodie is right on with her responses. As surgeons, we strive for perfection and to provide the patient with the most accurate expectations. I wish you the best with your ERM, membrane peel and vitrectomy procedure-if that's what you decide to have done. Should you need a cataract surgery, then that's a great opportunity, too...lot's of choices regarding IOLs.
Best wishes,
Timothy D. McGarity, M.D.

[JodieJ]

Actually, my surgery had to be repeated.  My first surgeon left pieces of ERM in my eye, which were removed by Dr. Steve Charles in Memphis.  I'd highly recommend Dr. Charles.

[e234]

Hi JodieJ.  Thanks for your reply.  Who was your surgeon?  He seems to be well informed.

[JodieJ]

I'm not an eye care professional.  I had a vitrectomy to remove an ERM several years ago, which did produce accelerated cataract development.  Prior to my surgery I inquired about the possibility of removing the ERM without having a vitrectomy.  My surgeon informed me that this could be done, but patients usually complained about floaters after the procedure.  (There's currently a post on the community eye care forum from someone who considers his floaters to be a much bigger problem than his ERM.)  I didn't experience floaters post vitrectomy.  The results of my cataract surgery were excellent--I have never experienced a problem (even a minor one) after cataract surgery.

[Timothy D McGarity, M.D.]

I have no recommendations on someone in the whole world who can prevent this from happening. There are no eye drops which successfully prevent the formation of cataract. If you develop cataract and need cataract surgery, then you can have the extremely successfull cataract surgery and simultaneously correct your vision.

Sincerely,
Timothy D. McGarity, M.D.