Cataract surgery or Macular Pucker surg first

[JMR23]

I had a vitrectomy a yr ago for a retina tear.  Now I have a macular pucker and a cataract.  My vision in that eye is 20/100 with glasses.   Which surgery would you recommend having first to help my vision?

[JodieJ]

I think your best bet is to find the best retinal surgeon and go along with his/her recommendations.  Your choice of cataract surgeon is important, too--you want someone who is experienced an board-certified.  My suggestion would be to choose an aspheric monofocal IOL (or perhaps a toric IOL if you have significant astigmatism).  I think that a multifocal IOL is a poor choice for someone with a history of retinal problems.

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear JMR23,

I would recommend that you ask your retinal specialist.  He/she may recommend that the cataract surgery be performed first if it will interfere with visualization of the retina.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[JodieJ]

I don't think that a doctor could give an opinion without examening your eye.  Perhaps your cataract is obscuring your surgeon's view of your retina.  Sometimes cataract surgery is combined with a vitrectomy and membrane peeling, but that's a decision that the retinal surgeon makes.  You could get a second opinion from another retinal surgeon.  

[JMR23]

I have asked my retinal surgeon that question.  He wants the cataract surgery done first but I have been told it would be best to do the macular pucker surgery first.  That's why I was curious as to see what the Dr on this forum would recommend.  

[JodieJ]

I think you should be asking your retinal surgeon that question.