Cataract Surgery with Uveitis

[Petnanny]

I am having surgery next Mon the 4th to remove the scar tissue, as well as removing the cataract. My iris and pupil attached about 8 years ago, due to delay in treatment or misdiagnosis.
I am petrified in that a flare will occur. How long does it take to regain sight in the eye? Does the scar tissue ever reoccur?

[Mike Bartolatz]

the doctor will pre treat you with steroids to help prevent a re occurance of iritis. usually the will give durezol as a topical treatment now as this seems to work the best. you will put these eyedrops in you eyes for about 2 weeks after surgery to help prevent a flare up of iritis. you will be able to see pretty well the next morning once the bandages are removed. often one can expect vision that is excellent after Intra Ocular Lenses are implanted, both my eyes have them. hopefully you won't flare up with uveitis from the surgery. just know that it is worth having the surgery so that not only can you see better, but the doctor can also see into your eyes to watch for changes there once the cataracts are removed.
try to relax and know that you are doing the right thing. soon you will be driving again.

wish you the very best,
Mike

[Petnanny]

Hi Mike,
Thanks so much for the response. Dr. Foster will be doing the surgery on Mon am.
He has given me a cocktail of meds starting the day before surgery including oral pred and naprosyn. Since I live in Pa I am seeing Dr. Samson this Thurs. for measurements, then follow ups and possibly my long term physician.
Since I live near Phila is there anyone closer that is on your list? I am not going back to my last oph, and Dr. Chu does not take my insurance.
Your reassurance is very comforting.
Thanks again,
Joanne

[Mike Bartolatz]

any chance of seeing Dr Samson or Rosenbaum in NYC? there is a professor of ophthalmology there that doctor Foster sometimes sends people too. ask Dr Foster whom he would suggest for you. the 'list' is at Dr Foster's website:
http://www.uveitis.org in the PATIENT information section of the site USA specialist list. BTW, you are in the BEST hands in the World treating you and operating on you. please extend my best to DR Foster as he is a friend to all of us. He knows me personally as I help out at his online forums http://www.uosg.org and http://www.parsplanitis.org as a moderator and administrator of forums.

please join the UOSG.org site and I can better help you through that forum and you will also meet several individuals there who can help you throught this.

wish you the very best,
mike

[Petnanny]

I will give your regards to Dr. Foster. Thanks to your site I found him, and he is absolutely wonderful.
I will keep you posted as to my outcome.
The best,
Joanne

[Mike Bartolatz]

Joanne,

Glad we have been able to help! Please do let me know how your surgery goes. when I had my surgeries done for cataracts and IOL implants, the stiches caused the most discomfort. I would use Ice packs over my eyes over the bandages for 10 minutes to 'numb' them. if you do this wait about 20 minutes before reapplying the ice packs. longer than 10 minutes on can cause frostbite believe it or not. once the stiches were taken out the next day, my vision was pretty good and I had mimimal discomfort requiring no tylenol etc to deal with the discomfort.

I hope you are 20/20 after the surgery too.

take care,
mike