Aging Eyes--Posterior Vitreous Detachment

Beth Gallagher said:
I still have the O2 bubble in my eye from the surgery but it has shrunk significantly. It looks like a dark gray perfect circle, similar to a contact lens that moves around as I tilt my head. It also bounces when I walk so it's entertaining. It is supposed to be gone in about 10 days.
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I think of the song, Angry Eyes when I see this thread, although I like Hungry Eyes the best.
Back to subject, I have cataracts but so far not ready for surgery.
 
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Did the doctor say why the surgery would make the cataracts grow faster, @Beth Gallagher ? For the last several years, when they do my eye exam, they say I have the start of cataracts, but not enough to worry about.
This time, I asked the America’s Best people to see if they can get the results from my last exam, a couple of years ago, and let me know what is happening with my eyes.
I just want to know if they are better, worse, or staying the same, as far as the cataracts go.
 
I had read on several forums that people who had the vitrectomy surgery had accelerated cataracts and my eye doctor confirmed that. Here's what google says...

Key Reasons for Accelerated Cataract Growth:
  • Increased Oxygen & Oxidative Stress: The vitreous gel normally acts as an antioxidant barrier; its removal exposes the lens to more oxygen, causing oxidative damage to lens proteins and speeding up clouding.
  • Lens Trauma: Surgical instruments or prolonged light exposure during the procedure can directly damage the lens, initiating or accelerating cataract formation.
  • Altered Eye Environment: Removing the gel changes fluid dynamics and nutrient balance, creating a less stable environment that promotes lens opacification.
  • Gas/Silicone Oil Use: Substances used to support the retina after surgery (like gas or silicone oil) can further stress the lens or alter its refractive index, contributing to cataracts.

Why It's So Common:
Studies show that approximately 80% of patients develop cataracts requiring surgery within two years after undergoing vitrectomy. The risk is higher after age 50, with 80% affected versus 7% under 50 in the same period.
 
I have a detached vitreous sac (maybe both), but that's been there for 12 years or so. They take years to settle to the bottom of the eye. Not sure how it differs from what you have, Beth. The upside for me is that it was a preexisting condition when I went on medicare, so my eye exams are covered.
 
John Brunner said:
I have a detached vitreous sac (maybe both), but that's been there for 12 years or so. They take years to settle to the bottom of the eye. Not sure how it differs from what you have, Beth. The upside for me is that it was a preexisting condition when I went on medicare, so my eye exams are covered.
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That is exactly what I had, John. Except my detachment was stuck and didn't completely detach, so it was tugging on my retina and causing blurred vision. Most people our age have some PVD, but typically it's no big deal and doesn't cause any issues except for floaters or those "lightening" zig-zags in the peripheral vision.

You might recall that I had a bleed in my eye a couple of years ago which is how this all got started. It was found during an annual optometry exam and they sent me to the ophthalmologist. At that time he said he would just watch it because they usually resolve on their own. Of course I can't do anything like a normal person so here we are.
 
Beth Gallagher said:
Marie, how is your vision? I wish you'd consider having the cataract surgery; almost every one I know whose had it is glad they did. I believe Medicare covers most of the cost if you go with regular replacement lenses.
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Maybe she meant "Not at the stage they will do surgery yet." I have one cataract that's growing right in the center of my eye (the worse spot.) I asked my eye doctor if surgery is ever approved for "lifestyle" reasons, and she said that it has to get to a certain stage. I ain't there yet.

I do recall your eye bleed. It's always something.
 
John Brunner said:
Maybe she meant "Not at the stage they will do surgery yet." I have one cataract that's growing right in the center of my eye (the worse spot.) I asked my eye doctor if surgery is ever approved for "lifestyle" reasons, and she said that it has to get to a certain stage. I ain't there yet.

I do recall your eye bleed. It's always something.
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My cataracts are the same, "not bad enough yet." Though the surgery I had is supposed to make them grow faster, at least in that eye. There is a cataract surgery thread going that has a lot of good info.

And by the way, Medicare doesn't cover glasses/optometry exams but they do cover visits to an ophthalmologist since they are eye "specialists" who do diseases, surgery, etc.
 
Beth Gallagher said:
Marie, how is your vision? I wish you'd consider having the cataract surgery; almost every one I know whose had it is glad they did. I believe Medicare covers most of the cost if you go with regular replacement lenses.
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Beth, I agree, it is time now to have this done. We have good supplemental insurance. So far no cost for anything in many years now.
I'm holding off till the flu epidemic calms down though.
 
My detached vitreous sac was first diagnosed when I was in my mid 50s. I honestly cannot recall if I had been to anyone other than an optometrist before then. Since it was a "preexisting condition," my eye doctor appointments are covered by insurance.

I would really like to have my cataracts removed.
 
John Brunner said:
My detached vitreous sac was first diagnosed when I was in my mid 50s. I honestly cannot recall if I had been to anyone other than an optometrist before then. Since it was a "preexisting condition," my eye doctor appointments are covered by insurance.

I would really like to have my cataracts removed.
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Any time you see an ophthalmologist it is normally covered by medicare or advantage plans. All of my PVD-related visits, even the optometrist who initially saw the bleed, have been paid since they were not coded as optometry exams. I had co-pays but that was it.

If your cataracts are 'ready', it is recommended to move forward with the surgery before they get too large and harden. Have you had an eye exam lately?
 
Beth Gallagher said:
Any time you see an ophthalmologist it is normally covered by medicare or advantage plans. All of my PVD-related visits, even the optometrist who initially saw the bleed, have been paid since they were not coded as optometry exams. I had co-pays but that was it.

If your cataracts are 'ready', it is recommended to move forward with the surgery before they get too large and harden. Have you had an eye exam lately?
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My eye exam was within the past 4-6 weeks. She made the comment that "You may call me in 6 months, you may call me in a year" regarding my cataracts, because you cannot tell how fast they progress. I didn't not think to ask her if she thought that she'd approve it in 6 months, or if that was merely a "For example..." hyperbole.
 
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