Lens Implants for Traumatic Cataract

Question: I have a question about lens implants for a traumatic cataract. I was the victim of a traumatic eye injury in the late 1960's where I had to have a cataract removed from my right eye. I have been told that the advances in intraocular lens implants have been wonderful and I am interested in having my right eye repaired. In addition, I need a corrective lens in my left eye, as the vision is also impaired. I am wondering if I have my right eye fixed after being blind in it for over 30 years, will the adjustment to having good vision again be difficult?

Answer: We can only offer some limited information for you to consider as we simply do not know enough about the current condition of your eyes and thus having a thorough consultation with the best Cataract Surgeon you can find is really in order.

Now, although you had the Cataract removed in the 60's, we do not know your current age and the age at which you had the surgery. If you were a very young child and then did not have the vision corrected after the surgery, it is entirely possible that the vision is not correctable in that eye-this is testable during an examination.

Next, we do not know if the condition of the Retina was compromised as a result of that eye trauma you had when you got the Cataract. This too can impact the level of correctable vision and the tolerance of the eye to the implantation of a Lens Implant. Again, this most likely can be determined during a consultation. Also, we do not know if there was further damage to the tissue of the eye's "anterior segment" that might require management as part of a Lens Implant procedure. Thus, there is a real need for a consultation for a Lens Implant procedure in that eye.

Regarding the left eye, depending on the health of that eye and the refractive condition of that eye, it is entirely possible that you could have a Lens Implant for vision correction in that eye-again this can be determined at your consultation. Basically, if the right eye is in good condition it might be possible to demonstrate and approximate your vision as corrected with an IOL, by placing a trial contact lens in it for you to experience-all of this would be part of your consultation and answer your basic questions so that you could make a decision on how to proceed.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on www.aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery of Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of www.aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.