macular pucker surgery to do or not to do

[edjohnson42]

I am a 73 year old active male who was diagnosed with a macular pucker in my left eye a few years ago.
At that time I went to a retina specialist who said he would do the surgery but most people wait until they can no  longer drive. Also the surgeon was my age and I don't want someone my age doing the surgery so I started seeing another retina specialist and she agreed that we would keep watching it and wait until it got worse. Last June when I saw her she said my vision in that eye is getting worse and if it continues to decline at the same rate of speed she would recommend the surgery in one year. She also gave me an eye chart and said to check it once a month and if getting worse to call her. Well it has gotten slightly worse and I have an appointment with her this june so I am sure she will want to do the surgery but it hasn't effected my life style at all . I can read the newspaper although I am sure it is my right eye doing most of the work. I don't have any problem driving although I cant see as well at night  as I could when younger but I feel that is natural for my age group. I don't have double vision or any blind spot in my eye. She also removes the cataract at the same time which I know all doctors don't seem to do. my biggest problem , is I am a widower and don't have anyone to take care of me during the week or two of face down recovery. I guess I would have hire someone to come in. So I am wondering why I should go through all this for maybe a slight improvement in my left eye seeing fine print?

[JohnHaganMD]

If she recommends surgery given how well you are doing and the stress of surgery i would get a second opinion. Know there are many 73 year old surgeons that can operate circles around surgeons in in their late 20's and 30's. Would not proceed with the surgery unless the second surgeon also recommends surgery and states that not having surgery would reduce prognosis down the road.

JCH MD