It's not uncommon for patients who need cataract surgery to also have macular degeneration, glaucoma, corneal disease or other conditions. Consideration of proper management across a wide spectrum of pre-existing eye conditions is therefore a must prior to surgery.

Macular Degeneration

Nearly half of people age 85 and older experience age-related macular degeneration. The condition can cause blood or fluid to leak from the retina, which must be addressed prior to cataract surgery.

Glaucoma

For cataract patients with glaucoma, the eye surgeon may recommend pairing cataract surgery with microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). For those with mild-to-moderate glaucoma, this procedure can help reduce dependence on glaucoma eye drops.

Corneal Disease

Corneal disease is typically a focal point of a pre-surgical cataract examination, as its presence can create surgical complications. The exam helps the

ophthalmologist identify, understand and plan for any corneal issues that could otherwise pose a problem.

Fuchs' Dystrophy

Fuchs' Dystrophy is one of the most serious conditions that could potentially impact cataract surgery. In fact, the condition can be concerning enough to postpone moving forward with cataract surgery. Leveraging state-of-the-art cataract surgical technology, however, may allow the eye doctor to limit complication risks and confidently proceed.

Dry Eye

Dry eyes can result in inaccurate pre-surgical measurements. Artificial tears can often be applied to improve tear volume and allow for better ocular surface measurements. The resulting one-to-two-week delay is worthwhile to optimize surgical outcomes.

Discuss any pre-existing conditions with your eye doctor prior to cataract surgery. Small procedural changes can reduce the risk of making an existing eye condition worse or producing surgical complications.

To schedule your cataract consultation, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300.