Eye disease and aging generally go hand-in-hand. That means that more people are likely to need surgery for cataracts, but that also means that those same patients are likely to suffer from other conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. According to the OSN Supersite, this changes the ways that doctors counsel their patients and how they proceed with treatment plans, especially in relation to cataract surgery.
Some sources say that the risk of AMD decreases after one undergoes cataract surgery, but no conclusive scientific studies on the topic have yet been published.
Avoid Multifocal IOL Implants
According to Rosa Braga-Mele, MD, FRCSC, OSN Cataract Surgery Section Editor, people with AMD should probably avoid multifocal IOL implants (lenses intended to help you live without glasses because nearsightedness and farsightedness are meant to be corrected). Dr. Braga-Mele says that these lenses are not ideal for cataract surgery patients with AMD “because of the fact that contrast sensitivity is decreased with a multifocal implant and contrast sensitivity is already decreased” when people have macular degeneration. Source: “Cataract surgery with comorbidities requires careful surgical management” at osnsupersite.com.
Manage Your AMD
It is especially important that those who suffer from cataracts as well as macular degeneration manage their AMD. Take natural approaches to preventing the deterioration of your sight due to AMD by eating well, wearing UV protection sunglasses, reducing stress, and taking high quality supplements as described in our “self-help” protocol.