The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
OPHTHALMOLOGY
Q: I am 71 years old and have cataracts and a lazy eye. Can I have laser cataract surgery with a lazy eye? What intraocular lens is best for this condition?
A:
A lazy eye, or amblyopia, occurs when one or both eyes do not develop normal vision during childhood. Interestingly, we are not born with 20/20 vision. Our vision develops between birth and 6 to 10 years of age by regularly using each eye. A lazy eye develops when the nerve pathways between the brain and the eye aren’t properly stimulated. This results in the brain favoring one eye, usually due to poor vision in the other eye. A lazy eye can usually be corrected with eye patches, eye drops, and glasses or contact lenses if discovered at a young age. Amblyopia can become permanent if not treated by around age 10.
People with a lazy eye can still have cataract surgery, with any technique, including conventional or laser cataract surgery. It is important to remember that cataract surgery can only improve your vison to the best that your eye has the potential to see. For example, if the best vision with your lazy eye prior to cataract surgery was 20/40, then 20/40 is the best vision that can be achieved after cataract surgery.
As for the intraocular lens choice, you will need to discuss this with your surgeon. The lens chosen will be dependent upon the degree of amblyopia and it will be important to know your eye history, including the refraction and vision of the lazy eye, before the start of the cataract. With the combined conditions of both a lazy eye and cataracts, you will need to work closely with your eye surgeon to assess your vision and to help reach the best possible visual outcome after cataract surgery. Gregory Eippert, MD 8140 Norton Parkway Mentor, OH 44060
440-255-1115 www.opivision.com