Cataract Surgery, Glaucoma, and Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome

[Bird_42]

Hello.

My mother is 79 years old. She is about to have cataract surgery on her right eye. In addition to this cataract, she also has glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF).


I have read that glaucoma and PXF can cause complications in cataract surgery.

I spoke to my mother's ophthalmologist's surgical coordinator about possible complications. The coordinator said that there is a small chance that my mom's new intraocular lens (IOL) will have postoperative instability. If that instability occurs, the instability can be fixed with stable sutures.


Also, the ophthalmologist will have the following tools at his disposal:

Malyugin ring - a small spring-like device used during cataract surgery to help dilate the pupil

Vision Blue - ophthalmic solution used in ophthalmic surgery

capsular hook


Furthermore, this ophthalmologist is a glaucoma specialist. We are told that he routinely performs successful cataract surgeries on patients who have glaucoma and PXF.


So, does my mother have anything to worry about?


Thanks for any info.

[Bird_42]

Thank you for your response, Dr. Hagan.

The surgeon's surgical coordinator also said that, if the surgery is not done, then my mother's vision will simply get worse over time. So, my thinking is that my mother has nothing to lose by going through with the cataract-removal surgery. Am I correct in my thinking?

[JohnHaganMD]

With patients that have PXE I enough surgery sooner rather than later for two reasons:  1. The surgery is easier with smaller, softer cataracts.  2 PXE patients have increased risk of glaucoma; cataract surgery lowers the risk of glaucoma.

[Bird_42]

My mother has *both* PXE and glaucoma. So, is it still a good idea to have cataract surgery sooner rather than later?

[JohnHaganMD]

Yes

[JohnHaganMD]

No matter what is done or how skilled the surgeon pseudoexfoliation (PXE) carries increased risk during surgery and after surgery increased risk of the IOL slipping (subluxating) out of position.   Her surgeon sounds prepared and experienced.  You can NEVER say 'no worries, no problems' with any surgery.