white cataract

[Liz1887]

I'm 49.  Last winter my vision began to blur. I had PSC cataracts diagnosed in February. They became much worse during this summer; one eye went opaque.  A month ago, I began looking for a surgeon to operate on them.

A few days ago, I learned that the eye with the "white cataract" is at much more risk than I had ever imagined.  Apparently, the lens can liquify, making more pressure inside, so that when the surgeon cuts open the capsule, it is prone to tear or rip, sometimes with rather disastrous results.

I wish that the diagnosing doc had made these risks clear to me back in February, when I could have taken steps to have the operation much sooner. :-(  

I had been looking for simply a competent surgeon.  Now I find myself looking for a very good surgeon.  It seems that  white/mature cataracts aren't encountered very often, so not all docs have as much experience with them.  I don't want the capsule to rip; it frightens me.

How can I assess which surgeons are good with this problem?  

One I talked to mentioned doing an "extra-capsular procedure".  That seemed odd, because I thought that was for hard cataracts, but I don't really know.  Is there a "most up-to-date" method for this kind of fast-maturing cataract that I should know to ask them about?  

thanks...

[Liz1887]

Yes, that seems important.

How do I assess which surgeons are good with this?  

What sort of experience should they have had?  Someone who does only cataracts?  A corneal specialist?  What signs will indicate someone who's skilled with this problem?
I worry that someone who did them years ago might not be up on current techniques.  It scares me.

L.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

They are very hard and unpredictable.  A good surgeon will know how to handle it.

Dr. O.