Since both AMD and cataracts are age-related conditions, large numbers of people are expected to have both simultaneously. While cataract surgery can improve visual function and quality of life, there have been a number of concerns about cataract surgery accelerating the development or progression of AMD.
At a recent ophthalmology meeting, Susan Bressler, MD of the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins reported on of the results of research in the USA¹, which conducted fluorescein angiograms (a special test to see the eye) and photos prior to patients undergoing cataract surgery, again a week later, and at 3 and 12 months. Nine of 71 eyes developed blood vessel growth (choroidal neovascularization) by month 12 but only 3 of 65 eyes did so after week one. Also only 2 of 61 eyes developed geographic atrophy (late-stage dry AMD) by month 12, but there were no confirmed cases that developed one week after surgery.
Dr. Bressler also said that evaluation of the data from the Age-related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) concluded that there was no clinically important increase in risk that cataract surgeries accelerate development of AMD. Although previous studies suggested an increased risk of AMD after cataract surgery, Dr. Bressler offered the hypothesis that the AMD may have been pre-existing, but undetectable or undetected (because the cataract obscured an adequate view of the retina viewed by other test methods).
People with varying levels of AMD can clearly have vision and quality of life improvements with cataract surgery. Patients should understand the natural course of their AMD but have some reassurance that there is no greater risk that disease progression will occur with cataract surgery. Consult your ophthalmologist or eye care practitioner for expert advice on your unique eyes!
1. Dong, Bressler, Arch. Ophthalmology. 2009
