Macular Degeneration and Cataracts

I also have cataracts. How can this be treated? I am a 66 year old male who has welded almost all of my life. Does this have any bearing on Dry Macular Degeneration?

Hello Reader,

You raise some good questions.

First, lets look at welding and eyes.

According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety:

"Welding arcs give off radiation over a broad range of wavelengths - from 200 nm (nanometres) to 1,400 nm (or 0.2 to 1.4 µm, micometres). This includes ultraviolet (UV) radiation (200 to 400 nm), visible light (400 to 700 nm), and infrared (IR) radiation (700 to 1,400 nm).

UV-radiation is divided into three ranges - UV-A (315 to 400 nm), UV-B (280 to 315 nm) and UV-C (100 to 280 nm). UV-C and almost all UV-B are absorbed in the cornea of the eye. UV-A passes through cornea and is absorbed in the lens of the eye.

Some UV radiation, visible light, and IR radiation can reach the retina.

Long-term exposure to UV light can produce cataracts in some persons.

Visible light from welding processes is very bright and can overwhelm the ability of the iris of the eye to close sufficiently and rapidly enough to limit the brightness of the light reaching the retina. The result is that the light is temporarily blinding and fatiguing to the eye.

A serious concern is the "blue light hazard" which is the temporary or permanent scarring of the retina due to its sensitivity to blue light, around 440 nm wavelength. Blindness may result.

Exposure to infrared light can heat the lens of the eye and produce cataracts over the long term."

Blue light is especially damaging to the retina. Blue light waves are wavelengths from 400-500 nanometers and are the waves that give the sky its blue color. Exposure to this type of light increases your risk for developing macular degeneration.

Long term exposure to ultraviolet light contributes to the development of cataracts.

Cataract Treatment

Cataracts are normally treated by removing the clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. There are some lifestyle changes that can also be implemented to help delay the progression of symptoms or prevent the development of cataracts in the first place. I'll write more comprehensive information on cataract treatment and post it on my blog.

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Cataract Surgery

by Shirley
(New Jersey)

Hi Again,

Leslie,

Some studies suggest that cataract surgery hastens the progression of macular degeneration, while other studies do not reflect a connection.

Dr. Kondrot suggests putting off cataract surgery for as long as possible for an individual with macular degeneration. Not having a definitive answer is pretty discouraging. Any ideas??
Thanks.

REPLY

Hi Shirley,

Here is the conclusion of an article Society of Clinical Ophthalmology; 21 January 2009 in Issue 1, 2009

"At this time, it is not possible to draw reliable conclusions from the available data to determine whether cataract surgery is beneficial or harmful in people with AMD. Physicians will have to make practice decisions based on best clinical judgement until controlled trials are conducted and their findings published."

Cataract eye drops are being promoted on many websites as a nonsurgical treatment for cataracts. It's something you may want to check into further

Cataract Eye Drops

Kind Regards,

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Cataracts and Macular Degeneration

by Kate
(United Kingdom)

I am female, 61 years old, type 1 diabetic(pump), under active thyroid, have has laser treatment several times for retinopathy.

Cataracts have been progressing for some years now as well as macular degenerative disease.

Today consultant asked if I wanted an op for the cataract followed by the macular disease is often very much worse after an operation of this type.

Don't have much eyesight in my right eye anyway.

Oh and pressure just below acceptable levels. Will surgery make macular disease worse (I know there are no guarantees) but any advice/research in the UK would be very helpful.

REPLY

Hi Kate,

There are some anecdotal incidences of the progression of wet macular degeneration after cataract surgery - however, studies on this have been conflicting.

Cataracts cause the clouding of the lens on the front of your eyes. This "cloudiness" prevents images and light from entering the eye. Also with advanced cataracts the doctor is unable to detect AMD because he can't see through the cloudy lens.

What used to be a simple decision to have the cataracts removed, becomes more complicated when a person has macular degeneration. Sometimes doctors will recommend that the AMD patient with cataracts wait until the vision loss is more severe before they will do surgery.

Another consideration is to try cataract eye drops. Can C Eye drops contain N-acetylcarnosine. These cataract eye-drops have been shown in research studies to help improve cataracts.

They also help by improving:

√ clarity,

√ glare sensitivity,

√ color perception and overall vision.

It is recommend that a person use the cataract eye drops for at least 6 months to evaluate the benefits. To learn more about this option visit

Cataract Eye Drops

Kind Regards,

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Cataract Surgery, Previous Detached Retina, Macular Degeneration

by Richard
(Los Angeles)

In my right eye I have a cataract and also in this eye there is a significant amount of macular degeneration. Previous I had a detached retina in this eye had this same eye is highly myopic. Based on this history, do you feel that would be a substantial risk if I had cataract surgery, to hopefully clear up some of the vision? The surgeon feels that the lack of clarity in the vision is 70% to to be macular degeneration, and 30% due to cataract. I would like to have your feedback on what you feel my best options would be, and specifically the risk involved in having a cataract surgery. I am afraid that if the surgery did not go well I could get another detached retina and lose my vision altogether. Currently, the vision in the right is impaired but I can't function fairly well. Thanking you very much for your attention to my question.

Dear Richard,

These are some difficult issues that you are facing. If we could know the future, we would know what would be best for you.

I cannot make any treatment recommendations for you, but I would suggest that (as always and for any other serious health condition) that you get a second opinion from a retina specialist - not just a general opthalmologist. This is not to discredit the first doctor at all - it simply is a way of getting more information and another opinion to help you be comfortable with your decision. To learn more about retina specialists click here:

http://www.webrn-maculardegeneration.com/retina-doctor.html

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Macular Degeneration and Cataracts

by Reva
(Clearwater, Fl.)

I have been diagnosed with "moderate" cataracts and beginning macular degeneration.

Is there a benefit or risk to having the cataracts operated on in relation to the macular degeneration?

Is it a good idea to get the cataracts out of the way so the AMD may be assessed better or is there a risk of making it worse if you have a operation?

REPLY

Hi Reva,

Here is the conclusion of an article posted on the website of The Society of Clinical Ophthalmology:

"At this time, it is not possible to draw reliable conclusions from the available data to determine whether cataract surgery is beneficial or harmful in people with AMD. Physicians will have to make practice decisions based on best clinical judgement until controlled trials are conducted and their findings published."

This version first published online: 21 January 2009 in Issue 1, 2009.

There is a Phase II clinical trial comparing cataract eye drops to a placebo in patients who have cataracts.

The name of the study is:

Safety and Efficacy Study of C-KAD Ophthalmic Solution in Patients With Loss of Visual Acuity Due to Age-Related Cataract


If you are interested in finding out more about cataract eye drops click here:

Cataract Eye Drops

Kind Regards,

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Cataracts and Macular Degneration

by Diane
(United States)

Should I have a cataract removed if I have been diagnosed with wet macular degeneration?

REPLY

Cataract Surgery and Macular Degeneration. Is there an increase risk after cataract surgery?

The studies linking Macular degeneration and cataract surgery are conflicting. The Beaver Dam study and Blue Mountain study found as high as a 3 fold increase in macular degeneration after cataract surgery.

A more recent study in the Journal of Opthalmology showed no clear effect but advised caution.

There are several reasons for this sudden increase.

-One might be the events of the surgical procedure; the shock to the eye, inflammation and use of pharmaceutical drops etc.

The second might be that the normal aging process is accelerated because of the loss of ultraviolet protective effect to the human lens.

The last and most interesting is the suppressive effect of cataract surgery. Suppression is a homeopathic law that states that the human body has an intelligence and that symptoms and disease develop to achieve a homeostasis or balance in the body.

If the underlying cause of disease is not treated a more serious disease will develop. A cataract is a symptom/ disease. Surgery does not treat the underlying cause. The result is a more serious disease- macular degeneration.

I advise individuals to delay cataract surgery until they have visually significant symptoms. I also strongly recommend alternative treatments to treat the underlying cause of cataracts for at least 3 months.

If these improve your vision you don’t need surgery! If they don’t and you need surgery your body and eye will be in better state of health to reduce the incidence of complications and the development or progression of macular degeneration.

Here is a review of the studies

Cataract Surgery and Macular Degeneration


I am planning to do a special FREE Webinar for the readers of WebRN-MacularDegeneration.com on Dec 12, 2011 at 5:00 PM PST. This Webinar will not only cover microcurrent but also the 10 Essentials to save your Vision! You can sign up at:

GoToMeeting.com

Dr. Edward Kondrot

www.HealingTheEye.com

Macular Degeneration and Cataracts

I have cataracts which can be removed or can wait. I'd like to know if caract removal now or later could have any effect on some drusen I have.
Thank you.

REPLY

Dear Kay,

As far as we know, there is no "cause-effect" relationship between macular degeneration and cataract surgery. While both macular degeneration and cataracts increase in frequency as we age, it sometimes seems as though the two are related, but, at present, there is no connection.

Good luck!

Randall V. Wong, M.D.

Retina Specialist Fairfax, Virginia

Kay, for more information on cataracts and macular degeneration see:

Cataracts and Macular Degeneration

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Cataract Surgery 8 Years Ago

I had Phaco operation for cataract in left eye about 8 years back when I used to see without glasses.

Now I have to use glasses without which I can not see clearly. I would like to know if this is normal, or I am suffering from other disease.

REPLY

Hi,

Thanks for your question - but only an eye professional could tell you what is going on with your eyes after a thorough eye exam.

Kind Regards,

Leslie

Eye Cataracts - Cataract Treatment

by Dolores
(United States)

In 1979 I developed a sub-retinal neo-vascularization (SRNV) in my right eye. I was told it was due to "stress hypoglycemia" diagnosed by a 5 hour glucose tolerance test resulting in a flat curve.

The macula was not affected and I do have a grayish blind spot to the left and below when I look straight ahead.

Yearly checkups since then have resulted in no change and a stable scar in the area.

In 1983, since I was severely myopic, I chose to have Radial Keratotomy with this resulting in 20/20 vision for about 5 years. The vision gradually faded and now I found myself "hard to fit" for contact lenses and back in glasses.

I am now 67 years old and have been told that I am developing cataracts, my corneas were "over corrected" by the RK and I am at high risk for cataract surgery because of these underlying conditions.

Do you have any suggestions and/or know of anything I could do alternatively that could help me stop/delay/reverse the progression of the cataracts,cure the SRNV in the right eye and the damage to my corneas by the RK? I will await your reply.


REPLY

Hi Dolores,

Thank you for your e-mail. There are alternative treatments available for cataract treatment such as cataract eye drops. Eye drops for cataracts is actually in a Phase II clinical trial comparing eye drops to a placebo in patients who have cataracts.

The name of the study is:

Safety and Efficacy Study of C-KAD Ophthalmic Solution in Patients With Loss of Visual Acuity Due to Age-Related Cataract


To learn more about cataract eye drops go to:

Cataract Eye Drops

If this interests you at the bottom of the page there is a link to contact Natural Eye Care. They can provide you with a free consult on the phone or by e-mail.

Kind Regards,

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Eye Cataracts

by Samia
(United Kingdom)

My mother has just contracted cataracts in one eye. Can you please suggest which foods/supplements may help to reduce this please.

Reply

Cataract eye drops have been developed to reduce and repair oxidative damage which plays a key role in many degenerative eye diseases.

Can C Eye drops contain N-acetylcarnosine. These cataract eye-drops have been shown in research studies to help improve cataracts.

They also help by improving:

clarity,

glare sensitivity,

color perception and overall vision.

To learn more about cataract eye drops click here:

Cataract Eye Drops

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Cataract Surgery and Macular Degeneration

by Jake Sharet

Is it safe to have cataract surgery on an eye with macular scars? My mother is 86 and needs cataract surgery...
Thank you

Jake, you have asked a very good and important question. First for those who don't know what a macular scar is ...

This scar usually forms as a result of end stage wet macular degeneration or choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

End stage means that the leaking or bleeding has stopped and has left this fibrous scar in the macula. Usually vision remains stable at this point.

When this scar develops there is a a permanent blind spot called a scotoma. This means that you will experience a black "hole" or spot in the center of your vision.

Your peripheral or side vision is usually not affected. There is no treatment or procedure at this time that restores this lost vision.

Back to cataracts. Half of Americans over the age of 75 will develop a cataract that will cause them symptoms. So, since macular degeneration is age related, many of those with AMD will also develop cataracts.

What used to be a simple decision to have the cataracts removed, becomes more complicated when a person has macular degeneration. Sometimes doctors will recommend that the AMD patient with cataracts wait until the vision loss is more severe before they will do surgery.

If the blurry vision is from a cataract it will be clearer once the cataract is removed. But if the blurred vision is from macular degeneration, the blurred vision will still be present after the cataract surgery.

To read more click on:

Cataract and Macular Degeneration


Leslie Degner,RN, BSN

Cataracts and Macular Degneration

by Deborah
(United Kingdom)

My father is sick and has also been diagnosed with age related macular degeneration (AMD).

He also has cataracts. He has visited the hospital and has been told that if he has the cataracts removed he may become blind - do you think that is correct?

Or, would it be possible to have the cataracts removed now privately? I would be grateful for your comments.
Thank you.

REPLY

Hi Deborah,

This is a common concern for many patients with macular degeneration. Here is the conclusion of an article from the website for the Society of Clinical Ophthalmology:

"At this time, it is not possible to draw reliable conclusions from the available data to determine whether cataract surgery is beneficial or harmful in people with AMD. Physicians will have to make practice decisions based on best clinical judgement until controlled trials are conducted and their findings published."

This version first published online: 21 January 2009 in Issue 1, 2009.

Cataract eye drops are being studied in Phase II clinical trial called:

Safety and Efficacy Study of C-KAD Ophthalmic Solution in Patients With Loss of Visual Acuity Due to Age-Related Cataract

To learn more go to:

Cataract Eye Drops

Kind Regards,

Leslie

Macular Degeneration, Secondary Cataract, Glaucoma

by Deb
(Lemont, IL)

My 85 yr old mom is going in for possible glaucoma check up, every six weeks; she did not understand why. They won't tell her if she does or does not have it.

Also, they just told her she has macular degeneration; for which she should "just" take a daily multivitamin & look at the grid daily.

Also, she had cataract surgery approximately 6 yrs ago and they told her she has secondary cataracts left on purposely from first surgery..nothing to worry about??

This makes no sense to us and he would not explain it to us so we understood. Thanks for your help

REPLY

Thanks Deb for your comments. I am sorry to hear that the communication with your mom's doctor is less than optimal. Every patient has the right to get their questions answered.

Did you go with your mother to the exam or did she go alone? Bringing a family member or friend along is a good idea to help take notes or to remind the patient of unanswered questions.

Patients also need to be comfortable stating when they don't understand what the doctor is saying.

Since your mom is going in for a check-up every 6 weeks, see if you can go with her to her next appointment. Have the questions that you both have written down.

Let the doctor know that you need some help understanding what is going on with these different eye conditions.

I have a list of questions to ask your doctor for macular degeneration, but you can substitute "secondary cataracts" and "glaucoma" in for AMD.

For a list of questions for your eye doctor click here:

Questions for your Doctor

For more information on Secondary Cataracts/Cataract Types click here:

Types of Cataracts

Kind Regards,

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN