Question
I am 70, living in India. My both eyes needs cataract surgery. I am advised to go for a foldable IOL lens. Now a doctor told that the wall of my pouch from which cataract will be sucked after crushing in phacoemulsification menthod seems too weak. So if the cataract goes behind the pouch during the surgery, it will then have to be got our by ratina surgery. I am worring about the weakness of the pouch.

Also I do not know which company to prefer for IOL lens.

Please advise.

Thanks in advance.

Answer
I had a similar problem, because the pouches in both my eyes were not fully formed and were both very weak. The doctor had no trouble retrieving the natural lens (which is what your doc will take from your eye), but he was not able to put the IOL in the pouch...the pouch simply could not hold it. You should make sure that the IOL lenses will be sewn into your eye. That's important. If your pouches are too weak to hold the lens, the IOL may come loose and shift. This happened to me. I saw double, because the lens moved and I was seeing the edge of it, just like looking through glasses that are too low on your face. Once my doctor stitched in the IOL lens, however, I was fine.

As far as retina surgery. Your doctor may be saying that if your natural lens or the IOL come loose, it will free float in the vitreous jelly (the liquid filling in the eye). Some doctor's claim they would then have to do a Vitrectomy (take out the vitreous and replace with water). My doctor said that was a common mistake retina doctor's make and it is not necessary. The lenses CAN be removed without having to do a Vitrectomy.

I highly suggest you make sure your doctor knows you want both IOL's stitched in. And that you do not, under any circumstances, want your vitreous removed. Your chances of retina detachments are increased by a vitrectomy.

Hope this has helped you.

God bless,
Jeannine