Question:
I'm facing cataract surgery and Retinopathy laser surgery. Can anyone tell me
if either one is painful? Also give details for each, if possible....thanks.
Answer:
Retinopathy laser surgery can be uncomfortable during the process. Patients
complain of feeling pain during the process, which is interesting since the
retina has no pain sensing nerve fibers. Cataract surgery, if done by a
skilled surgeon (not all are, by a long shot) will make your eye irritated
and sore for a few days, but it would be similar, probably, to having a
wisdom tooth pulled.
One warning regarding cataract surgery with diabetes. If your retinal blood
vessels are leaky, complications are possible from opening the eye and
decreasing the pressure. This can result in further hemorrhages and macular
edema. I always suggest taking nutrients such as bioflavonoids (grape seed
and bilberry extracts, along with vitamin C) for several months prior to
cataract surgery to improve the capillary/arteriolar elasticity. (Studies
are available at my website below.) You would also avoid aspirin and blood
thinning medications. While no guarantee, this may reduce the risk for
complications, (though most surgeons are unaware of this).
