Will Diabetes interfere with cataract surgery?

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Bee2 Posted: Wed, May 13 2009 1:00 AM

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I'm looking into having cataract surgery done.  Is being diabetic or pre-diabetic going to interfere with the surgery?  I'm pre-diabetic but my blood glucose is not well controlled.

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Ron AKA replied on Wed, May 13 2009 9:28 AM

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It should not be an issue, but be sure to inform the doctor. When you say your BG is not well controlled, what kind of numbers are you seeing and when?

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Julie_ replied on Wed, May 13 2009 4:06 PM

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The doctor I consulted with told me that 3 factors increased my risk of complications from cataract surgery form 1-2 % risk to about 5% risk.  The 3 factors are diabetes, extreme myopia, and previous retina surgery.

I wish you good luck with your surgery if you do need it.  I decided mine wasn't urgent enough given the risk, as the doctor explained.

Julie

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Ron AKA replied on Wed, May 13 2009 9:42 PM

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Was speaking with a friend this past weekend, and she raised an interesting point about cataract surgery. Her sister had it recently and now is just totally amazed with her vision. She describes it like waking up to Christmas every day. I had not thought about it before, but they replace your lens when they do the surgery, and you may not even need glasses after, assuming you wore them before. I would not hesitate to go with the surgery.

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Bee2 replied on Wed, May 13 2009 10:38 PM

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Thanks Ron AKA,

< "When you say your BG is not well controlled, what kind < of numbers are you seeing and when?" >

Being pre-diabetic I'm afraid I haven't been taking many readings - just going by how I feel. The times I've taken a reading - about 2 hours after eating - its been about 100 - supposedly ok.  But I still have shaky spells which are relieved buy eating/glucose tablets.

About your friend and the cataract surgery.  Isn't the blurry vision resulting from your blood glucose going too high or low caused by changes in the lens from high levels of glucose?  If so, they replace the lens in cataract surgery, wouldn't that eliminate that symptom?  I would think the artificial lens would not be sensitive to blood glucose.

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Short-Jan replied on Wed, May 13 2009 11:12 PM

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  I've lived with type 1 since 1955, had cataract surgery on my right eye four years ago with wonderful results. Although I still need to wear glasses, the surgery restored my color vision. Since I'm a visual artist, color is of immense importance to me. If my left eye wasn't so damaged from laser surgery (for retinopathy) I wouldn't hesitate to have the surgery again. Just make sure you have a qualified surgeon.

Jan

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Ron AKA replied on Thu, May 14 2009 12:39 AM

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Bee2:

About your friend and the cataract surgery.  Isn't the blurry vision resulting from your blood glucose going too high or low caused by changes in the lens from high levels of glucose?  If so, they replace the lens in cataract surgery, wouldn't that eliminate that symptom?  I would think the artificial lens would not be sensitive to blood glucose.

Yes, I think you are very astute in coming to that conclusion. However, vision problems caused by BG in my view are caused by very long term high BG, not just short term ups and downs. In my totally non medical opinion, the risk of cataract surgery in diabetics is caused by the increased risk of infection as the result of high sustained BG. Bacteria do well when BG is high. If you have some short ups and downs, this risk is minimized.

The ethical issue we talked about, is whether or not someone who does not have cataracts, should be able to have their lens replaced.

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whalen replied on Thu, May 14 2009 8:12 AM

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I had cataract surgery some years ago and, as Ron's friend said, it was like waking up on Christmas Day.  Although I still wear glasses, I don't need them for reading and my vision is much, much improved.  I am delighted I did it.

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donw replied on Thu, May 14 2009 7:55 PM

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Be very sure you tell your doctor what medications you are taking, the amounts and the frequency.  They will have an effect on your surgery.  Some may have to be stopped or reduced due to complications.  Believe me, I have ridden that ride several times and have the t-shirts to prove it.

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Bee2 replied on Sat, May 16 2009 1:30 AM

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Jan,

You mentioned "Just make sure you have a qualified surgeon".  Any tips for finding a good doctor or making sure the surgeon's qualified?

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Ron AKA replied on Sat, May 16 2009 11:31 AM

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Bee2:

You mentioned "Just make sure you have a qualified surgeon".  Any tips for finding a good doctor or making sure the surgeon's qualified?

There are two ways of doing cataract surgery. One uses a hard lens and the other a soft one. The soft one is foldable, so a smaller incision is required and recovery is faster. Most now go with the soft lens.

On doctors you want to go to one who specializes in this type of surgery. RateMDs is a website that lets patients comment on and rate their doctors. The system is not perfect, but it does give you some idea what patients think.

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Short-Jan replied on Sat, May 16 2009 11:45 AM

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The eye surgeon I used had been highly recommended by the retina specialists who had suggested the surgery. Ask for a referral from the doctor who diagnosed the cataract and then ask the surgeon questions. Ron offers a good suggestion regarding internet research.

Jan

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Bee2 replied on Sun, May 17 2009 12:02 AM

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We've investigated an eye clinic where they do a lot of cataract and Lasik surgery. In fact it impressed me as a kind of eye surgery mill - get em' in and out. But the surgeon there that we were considering was recommended by my mother's internist and cardiologist. In fact, the cardiologist's wife had her eyes done there. So maybe its ok.

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jen1229 replied on Sun, May 17 2009 11:14 AM

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I guess I'm lucky.  My opthalmologist is a glaucoma specialist and an eye surgeon.  When my cataracts are ready he will do the job.  He is also very well versed in diabetes.  he took care ofmy mom for many years. 

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Jorgie replied on Tue, May 19 2009 8:52 AM

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I'm a Type II Diabetic, and have had catarac surgery on bith eyes. No p[roblems at all.

What's really funny is that they gave me Tylenol 3 for the ?pain? after the first one. I didn't need regular Tylenol, because there was no pain.

jorgie

Type II 15 years, humalog and Lantus