Replacement of IOL

[FrankC]

I had cataract surgery 3 years ago.  I would like to have my IOL replaced to obtain better vision.  After 3 three years would it be considered high risk or moderate risk surgery?  
Would piggyback IOL a consideration?
Thank you.


This discussion is related to IOL removal/replacement.

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

That is a very very unusual problem. Acrylic IOLs often get "glistenings" but these do not effect the vision. It would be more likely statistically that there is a cornea or macula problem.
I
I would suggest seeing a retina Eye MD ophthalmologist and having a full macular exam including OCT to exclude macular edema or degeneration.


I would not do an IOL exchange without one and ideally two different opinions for respected surgeons.

JCHMD

[PCG]

My wife had cataract surgery of left eye 2 years back. After 6 months, she started noticing hazyness in vision which has increased considerably and is disturbing. YAG capsulotomy was a not successful and after further investigation, doctor diagnosed opacity in IOL itself and has recommended another surgery to replace it by another IOL.Doctor telss this as rare occurance.

Please advise what are the risks in IOL replacement? How safe is the procedure? Are there any such cases reported?
P.C.Gaur

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

You need to start with a complete medical eye examine to determine why you eye does not see normal. If it is just the IOL power then glasses over the IOL should bring you to 20/20.  If glasses over the IOL doesn't improve the vision then you may have other eye disease such as glaucoma, macular degeneration. See a good Eye MD. Find one at www.aao.org  and don't be in such a hurry to have another intraocular operation. It is a big deal.

JCH III MD