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Macular Pucker surgery-cold feet
I need something to get me off the fence on this huge decision. I know conventional wisdom is to get the Macular pucker surgery,,,but sometimes in life I've found it's "better to leave well enough alone".
Here is my story as briefly as possible:
I'm 56 yrs old, healthy, never any surgeries or prescription use, waterski daily in Summer.
Within 11 months my vision in left eye went from needing a standard 250 lens reading glass (20/40 I believe) to a 20/200 with no lens able to correct. Just last week had 2 retina specialists do OCT scans and they see rather severe build up of scar tissue over the macula pulling somewhat on the nerves. Both recommend surgery right away to better increase chances of success=standard for surgeons.
My problem is that since I seemed to have developed this scar tissue so quickly, aren't I likely to just form it again after surgery when my body perceives the surgery as an injury ?
Doctor #2 wants to do cataract lens implant at the same time (although I barely have the beginning of cataract) because cataracts are a guarantee after this type of Macular pucker surgery. I've read conflicting information as to the pros and cons with this and now I am panicing and wanting to cancel the surgery I scheduled for next week.
Also: Doctor #1 and Doctor #2 both would prescribe Prednisolone Acetate (steroid) drops after surgery when the top notch Retina Specialist, Dr Charles, doesn't recommend them.
I am now so confused that I don't know what to do. Is my specific condition so much of a long shot that the potential horrible life of repeated Dr. visits, infections, etc. are not worth it ???
Again, I am desperate for any advice or thoughts anyone might have. I have to decide by Monday to cancel the surgery. Thank you !!!!
Here is my story as briefly as possible:
I'm 56 yrs old, healthy, never any surgeries or prescription use, waterski daily in Summer.
Within 11 months my vision in left eye went from needing a standard 250 lens reading glass (20/40 I believe) to a 20/200 with no lens able to correct. Just last week had 2 retina specialists do OCT scans and they see rather severe build up of scar tissue over the macula pulling somewhat on the nerves. Both recommend surgery right away to better increase chances of success=standard for surgeons.
My problem is that since I seemed to have developed this scar tissue so quickly, aren't I likely to just form it again after surgery when my body perceives the surgery as an injury ?
Doctor #2 wants to do cataract lens implant at the same time (although I barely have the beginning of cataract) because cataracts are a guarantee after this type of Macular pucker surgery. I've read conflicting information as to the pros and cons with this and now I am panicing and wanting to cancel the surgery I scheduled for next week.
Also: Doctor #1 and Doctor #2 both would prescribe Prednisolone Acetate (steroid) drops after surgery when the top notch Retina Specialist, Dr Charles, doesn't recommend them.
I am now so confused that I don't know what to do. Is my specific condition so much of a long shot that the potential horrible life of repeated Dr. visits, infections, etc. are not worth it ???
Again, I am desperate for any advice or thoughts anyone might have. I have to decide by Monday to cancel the surgery. Thank you !!!!
Click my name and then click "send message." I'll be happy to send you the article.
I don't want to overwhelm you further, but I don't think that using ICG dye is a great idea.
From my perspective, if you don't have surgery it's a certainty that you will eventually have irreversible macular damage. As Dr. O has pointed out, it's possible that something might happen to your second eye in the future. Please don't let the opportunity to improve your vision in your affected eye to pass you by.
I don't want to overwhelm you further, but I don't think that using ICG dye is a great idea.
From my perspective, if you don't have surgery it's a certainty that you will eventually have irreversible macular damage. As Dr. O has pointed out, it's possible that something might happen to your second eye in the future. Please don't let the opportunity to improve your vision in your affected eye to pass you by.
I would love to read more. How do I send you a private message with my e-mail ?
What I am finding helpful (or more scary) is peoples personal experiences that actually had this surgery done. Do you know of any other resources for that?
From what I'm reading, there are long term consequences of using the Indocyanine green dye during surgery (my Dr. says he uses !) Pubmed site seemed to say 7 yr study showed that the dye might lead to optic nerve atrophy.
Do the side effects ever end ? I'm overwhelmed. HELP !
What I am finding helpful (or more scary) is peoples personal experiences that actually had this surgery done. Do you know of any other resources for that?
From what I'm reading, there are long term consequences of using the Indocyanine green dye during surgery (my Dr. says he uses !) Pubmed site seemed to say 7 yr study showed that the dye might lead to optic nerve atrophy.
Do the side effects ever end ? I'm overwhelmed. HELP !
I'm quite certain that Dr. Charles prescribed steroid drops after my surgery. Google to find his website--it contains useful information about macular pucker (aka epimacular membrane) surgery.
Why do you think that your surgery is a long-shot? It is almost certain to improve your vision. The chances of the pucker recurring are about 1%, and it could still be eliminated with a second surgery. You will be given antibiotic drops post-surgery to prevent infection.
If you don't have surgery, you will still need periodic appointments with a retinal specialist to monitor your condition. Even if your scar tissue doesn't get more dense (and it very well could), a recent study suggests that the wrinkling of your macula will continue to take place. This will further distort your vision and will eventually cause permanent macular damage. If you send me your email address in a personal message, I'll be happy to send you the article so that you can read all the details about this destructive process.
Why do you think that your surgery is a long-shot? It is almost certain to improve your vision. The chances of the pucker recurring are about 1%, and it could still be eliminated with a second surgery. You will be given antibiotic drops post-surgery to prevent infection.
If you don't have surgery, you will still need periodic appointments with a retinal specialist to monitor your condition. Even if your scar tissue doesn't get more dense (and it very well could), a recent study suggests that the wrinkling of your macula will continue to take place. This will further distort your vision and will eventually cause permanent macular damage. If you send me your email address in a personal message, I'll be happy to send you the article so that you can read all the details about this destructive process.
I believe you are correct Dr. Oyakawa about Dr. Charles using steroid drops, I found out he does.
However, he does not recommend doing the cataract lens at the same time as the Macular Pucker surgery. Are you familiar with the downsides to doing the cataract surgery at the same time ?
My Doctor's comment was that since cataracts are almost inevitable shortly after Macular Pucker surgery, by doing the surgery all at once you would lessen the risk of the second cataract surgery down the road.
Does that sound like enough to warrant it ? Does putting the lens in now dampen the chances of a future surgery that might be needed as a complication to this first surgery...like going back in to get some scar tissue that may have been missed, etc.
We very much appreciate your taking the time to share your expertise Doctor !
However, he does not recommend doing the cataract lens at the same time as the Macular Pucker surgery. Are you familiar with the downsides to doing the cataract surgery at the same time ?
My Doctor's comment was that since cataracts are almost inevitable shortly after Macular Pucker surgery, by doing the surgery all at once you would lessen the risk of the second cataract surgery down the road.
Does that sound like enough to warrant it ? Does putting the lens in now dampen the chances of a future surgery that might be needed as a complication to this first surgery...like going back in to get some scar tissue that may have been missed, etc.
We very much appreciate your taking the time to share your expertise Doctor !
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I have answered this question for some else. Use the search function. It is unlikely you vision will be completely restored to normal if your vision is down to 20/200.
I do not think you are correct that Dr. Steve Charles does not recommend steroid drops in the post operative period.
Dr. O.
I do not think you are correct that Dr. Steve Charles does not recommend steroid drops in the post operative period.
Dr. O.
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