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Cataract surgery not linked to progression of AMD
WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Cataract surgery does not appear to increase a patient’s risk of reactivation and/or progression of pre-existing wet age-related macular degeneration, a speaker said here.
Citing multiple studies, Jay S. Duker, MD, OSN Retina/Vitreous Board Member, said at Retina 2013 that cataract surgery in patients with previously treated wet AMD does not appear to result in negative alterations in visual acuity or retinal thickness.
Jay S. Duker
Duker said data from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study suggest that patients will not experience a worsening of pre-existing dry AMD due to cataract surgery.
Patients with dry AMD also do not have an increased risk of converting to wet AMD due to cataract surgery, he said, citing AREDS data and studies by Menghini, Hooper and Wilmer.
Duker cited data from the New England Eye Center, stating patients will not experience a worsening of pre-existing, stable, treated wet AMD due to cataract surgery.
Referencing a quote from colleague Susan Bressler, MD, Duker told the audience, “There is no clear evidence that AMD eyes are at a clinically important greater risk of progression to advanced AMD following cataract surgery.”
Disclosure: Duker has no relevant financial disclosures.