Question:
i had my annual visit to my opthalmologist, and learned a bit more
about possible problems for those with ankylosing spondylitis.
data: i am 74 years old, have had active AS since a major flare in
1974. and my spine is now completely fused. it has fused in the bent
over position, so that i can only with difficulty get my head up
enough to see the horizon, but can see forward wuite a bit. (hard to
describe the shape of my spine - the above sets the parameters.)
for some time now, there have been starting nodules of cataract in my
left eye, and they seem now to be getting more noticeable. so i had a
discussion with the opthalmologist about the practical problems of
doing cataract surgery. there is a problem for AS sufferers, and some
precautions to take.
the problem is mechanical: the surgery is performed on a special table
with a head positioner, and arm rests for the surgoen, and a
microscope positioned over the eye for the surgeon to see what is
being done. however, AS patients with severe curvature are hard to fit
into the table. the head has to lie with the chin ABOVE the forehead
for the system to work. the table has a limited tilt ability.
my surgeon has had one previous patient with AS. she did a cataract
operation on him in one eye, about ten years ago, before the full
fusion of his spine had taken place, and it was possible to get him
into an operable position. recently they needed to do a cataract
operation in the other eye, AFTER the fusion had been completed. they
could no longer get him into a position for the operation. they spent
six hours trying various things and could not achieve a suitable
position. her latest thoughts are: do both eyes as soon as possible,
before the operation becomes impossible.
(in my case, at least for the left eye, the matter is moot, since tests
showed that the potential gain in the left eye is minimal - the state
of the retina (macular degeneration) already limits the potential
vision in the eye to pretty nearly what i already have - over 80% of the
degradation is due to something other than the cataract. but other AS
patients may want to discuss doing something about their cataracts
before full spinal fusion occurs.
it is always possible there are special tables available somewhere for
thsi situation. any informaiton about them would be appreciated.
Answer:
Hi All, Do you think you have problems with Arth? This is the person
that has stood like a soldier for the ablility of people sharing their
problems without having to put up with spam and people profiting from
someones weakend condition. He has been there for years fighting the
battle without thanks becose it was the right thing to do. His back
may be bent from what he has but it truely a giant among the human
family. Thank you is not enough Arthur.
