No lens replacement for cataract surgery

[peaceisin]

I am 67 years old and have ripe cataracts and have extreme myopia...-18/-19D.  Have very dry eyes and have had bepheritis for about 15 years, photosensitivity, asigmatism, problems with vision in the dark and of course near vision. Lots of vitreal floaters. Am at high rish for retinal detachment.  Had a consultation for surgery and was told that the doctor may not insert any lens at all as the manufacturers don't make them for eyes like mine.  My question is if that change of structure brings with it addtional risk of some kind or increases the risk for retinal detachment beyond what I already have...or if it decreases my visual acuity even with correction with glasses , etc. Want to make sure I understand the implications of this...can't really find information on this online.

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

Make sure you have a very experienced surgeon.  There are some lenses out there for really myopic eyes but I'm not sure which may help you.  Something to discuss with your surgeon as having a lens in the eye is more anatomically desirable in my view and will help keep things from scarring together etc.

HV

[peaceisin]

Thank you very much.  I had not been expecting a no lens option and didn't have the presence of mind to ask these questions during the consult.  After I left it just seemed to me that this option might carry risks of it's own and wonder how often is this done with good long term results? I appreciate your view...it supports me in not going ahead until I feel satisfied both about the experience of the surgeon and a comparision of alternative approaches. I really want to maximize my probability of the best possile result.