Tuesday, December 19, 2006

CATARACT SURGERY AND MACULAR DEGENERATION

Current Opinion in Ophthalmology - Abstract: Volume 18(1) February 2007 p 9-12 Is cataract surgery a risk factor for progression of macular degeneration?.


There is a suggestion of increased risk or progression of age-related macular degeneration after cataract surgery, which is related to the increased exposure of the retina to short-wavelength light.
Recent findings: Cell culture and animal work has described retinal and retinal pigment epithelium phototoxicity on acute light exposure. Clinical studies suggest that the use of short-wavelength-blocking (blue-blocker) intraocular lenses can help but may also affect visual function and circadian rhythm.
Summary: Evidence to date fails to prove conclusively that light alone or cataract surgery can induce or cause the progression of age-related macular degeneration. A randomized clinical study of the use of blue-blocking lenses to prove or disprove the ability of these intraocular lenses to help in preventing progression of age-related macular degeneration is needed.

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