Odds of...

[calofan]

What are the chances that a person with a long standing complete macula off retinal detachment will regain good vision? A friend of mine suffered a RD in one eye and according to her doctor the RD most likely occured over a year ago!!! However, after surgery the doctor gave her the news that her prognosis would be great and she should be able to achieve 20/40 vision out of that eye, is this giving her unrealistically high expectations?

Also, one more question: What are the odds of a person getting CME after undergoing cataract surgery?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[JodieJ]

Retinal surgeons seem to measure success by the ability to read a line on an eye chart with one eye only.  This standard does not take into account a person's comfort level using both eyes together, which can be impaired by residual macular damage in one eye.  So unfortunately, having 20/40 vision in the repaired eye doesn't guarantee good post-surgery vision.  However, it is possible to make post-surgery vision more comfortable with special glasses/contacts that reduce distortion and image-size differences.  I hope that your friend has an excellent outcome.    

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Genrally yes that's too optomistic.

With modern cataract surgery, no complications and the use of steroid/NSAID drops about 2-3%.

JCH MD