Will they do cataract surgery if you have macular degeneration?

Asked by: Marcelina Heathcote  |  Last update: January 13, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (36 votes)

Some clinicians believe that cataract surgery is beneficial in AMD patients by giving them the best chance of recovering some of the lost vision, even if only for a few months.

Is it worth having cataract surgery if you have macular degeneration?

Several studies have shown that in people who have significant cataracts and late stage AMD, cataract surgery can produce major improvements in overall quality of life, even if central vision is not improved.

Who is not eligible for cataract surgery?

However, there are some patients who don't meet the requirements for cataract surgery: Are in poor health or have a serious medical condition. Have advanced macular degeneration. Have a detached retina.

What lenses are best for cataract surgery with macular degeneration?

The only two implants, which seem to meet these criteria are the Scharioth Macula Lens and the LMI-SI; the macular add-ons to a standard IOL have the advantage that they can be easily implanted in the ciliary sulcus years after cataract surgery without the need to explant the in-the-bag IOL or directly after standard ...

What not to do if you have macular degeneration?

What foods should be avoided with macular degeneration?
  1. Fried foods.
  2. Processed meats.
  3. Processed foods that contain trans fats, like chips and cookies.
  4. Sugary drinks and sweets.
  5. High-fat dairy foods.
  6. Soda and alcohol.
  7. Refined carbohydrates, including pasta, white bread, and white rice.

Cataract surgery for macular degeneration: all you need to know - Online interview

19 related questions found

How many years does it take to go blind with macular degeneration?

The American Optometric Association reports that most people move through the process of diagnosis to legal blindness in about 10 years, but this is very much an estimate. Taking care of your health, using vitamins, and following the advice of your doctor may all be vital in helping you to slow this progression.

What drinks are bad for macular degeneration?

Sugary Drinks

Drinks like soda, energy drinks, sweet tea, and lemonade contain high amounts of sugar. Consuming large amounts of sugar increases your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which can cause diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Are there eye glasses to help with macular degeneration?

Bioptic Telescopic Glasses

Bioptic telescopes can enhance the vision of macular degeneration patients. With this low vision aid, patients can see better at any distance. The low vision glasses are also used for watching television, identifying faces, signs, blackboards, and lots more.

Can vision be restored after macular degeneration?

Some patients with AMD will have atrophy (wasting away) of light-sensitive cells: the rod and cone photoreceptors. Relatively large areas of atrophy are called “geographic atrophy.” Currently, there is no treatment that brings back or replaces dead photoreceptors.

What makes you ineligible for eye surgery?

You have a disease or are on medications that may affect wound healing. Certain conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), immunodeficiency states (e.g., HIV) and diabetes, and some medications (e.g., retinoic acid and steroids) may prevent proper healing after a refractive procedure.

What is the biggest risk with cataract surgery?

The biggest risk is infection (endophthalmitis), which can lead to severe complications but is very rare. Are there any long term side effects of cataract surgery? Long-term side effects are uncommon but may include posterior capsule opacification (PCO) or persistent dry eyes.

What is the eye surgery for macular degeneration?

Laser photocoagulation is a type of laser surgery for the eyes. It's done to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD can lead to vision loss. The retina is the layer of nerve cells in the back of your eye.

What worsens macular degeneration?

Smoking cigarettes or being exposed to tobacco smoke on a regular basis greatly increases the risk of macular degeneration. Obesity. Research suggests that obesity may increase the chance that early or intermediate macular degeneration will progress to the more serious form of the disease. Cardiovascular disease.

How bad does your vision have to be for cataract surgery?

Loss of Vision

You do not have to wait until your cataract symptoms become severe before deciding to have surgery. When your blurry vision and other cataract symptoms interfere with activities you enjoy and your quality of life, it is time to consider surgery.

Do you always lose vision with macular degeneration?

AMD doesn't cause complete blindness, but losing your central vision can make it harder to see faces, read, drive, or do close-up work like cooking or fixing things around the house. AMD happens very slowly in some people and faster in others. If you have early AMD, you may not notice vision loss for a long time.

Can cataracts be removed if you have macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration, by contrast, causes deterioration of the central area of the retina and is currently not reversible, however there can be improvement of vision in some circumstances. Cataracts can be removed via surgery whether or not a person has macular degeneration.

What is the best TV for someone with macular degeneration?

TV type. Large-screen, high-definition (HD) TVs may benefit some people and a backlit LCD model may offer more clarity. There are a range of TVs available with good accessibility features, such as being able to make the text on the screen bigger, having high-contrast menus, the ability to read out the menu and more.

What will my vision look like with macular degeneration?

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Symptoms

Blurry or fuzzy vision. Difficulty recognizing familiar faces. Straight lines appear wavy. A dark, empty area or blind spot appears in the center of vision.

Does Medicare pay 100% on cataract surgery?

How much does cataract surgery with Medicare cost? Medicare Part B benefits cover 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for cataract surgery. You pay 20% of the Medicare Part B copay plus any out-of-pocket costs such as your deductible, medication costs and physician fees.

How long does cataract lens surgery take?

Cataract surgery takes 10 to 20 minutes to complete, depending on the severity of the condition. You should also plan to spend up to 30 minutes following the surgery to recover from the effects of the sedative.

What part of cataract surgery is not covered by insurance?

Insurance will cover the basic costs of cataract surgery including the surgeon fee, facility fee, and anesthesiologist fees. Costs for Lifestyle Lenses are and Refractive Services not covered by insurance and are the responsibility of the patient.

What is the number one worst food for vision loss?

1. Fried foods. They may be tasty, but fried foods are definitely not an eye-healthy treat. That includes foods from fast-food chains, restaurants, and even home-cooked versions.

What drugs make macular degeneration worse?

Medications that may increase MD risk
  • ocular antihypertensive eye drops.
  • blood pressure medications.
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Can you drink coffee if you have macular degeneration?

Retinal disease: Caffeine/coffee may help slow progression

One study, published in 2022 in Frontiers in Pharmacology, found that caffeine could potentially suppress the inflammatory response that causes retinal damage from age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.