Our Summary

The paper discusses a case where a 51-year-old woman with Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting the body’s connective tissue, came in with discomfort and blurred vision in her right eye. She had previously undergone eye surgeries in both eyes. Doctors found a problematic, cyst-like growth in her right eye and a smaller, less problematic one in her left eye - both related to the lenses implanted inside her eyes during the previous surgeries. Upon operating, they discovered two major defects in the white of her right eye, possibly due to the implanted lens in that eye. They repaired these defects using tissue from a donor eye and removed the unhealthy tissue around it. They then moved the remaining healthy tissue towards the border of the cornea and sutured it in place. By the end of the follow-up period, her eye pressure and vision improved to the levels they were at before the operation, with no remaining issues detected.

FAQs

  1. What issues did the 51-year-old woman with Marfan syndrome experience with her eyes?
  2. How did the doctors repair the defects found in the patient’s right eye?
  3. What was the outcome for the patient after the follow-up period post-surgery?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about ocular surgery is to carefully follow post-operative instructions provided by your surgeon. This may include using prescribed eye drops, avoiding strenuous activities, and attending follow-up appointments. By following these instructions, you can help ensure a successful recovery and optimal outcomes from your surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended ocular surgery include those with:

  1. Cataracts: A clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision.
  2. Glaucoma: Increased pressure in the eye that can lead to damage of the optic nerve.
  3. Retinal detachment: When the retina pulls away from the back of the eye, causing vision loss.
  4. Macular degeneration: A deterioration of the macula, the central part of the retina, leading to vision loss.
  5. Corneal diseases: Conditions affecting the clear front surface of the eye, such as keratoconus or corneal dystrophies.
  6. Refractive errors: Patients who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism may opt for procedures like LASIK or PRK to correct their vision.
  7. Eye trauma: Injuries to the eye that require surgical intervention to repair damage.

It is important for patients to consult with an ophthalmologist to determine if they are a candidate for ocular surgery and to discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure.

Timeline

Timeline:

  • Before surgery:
  1. Patient presents with discomfort and blurred vision in right eye.
  2. Doctors diagnose problematic growth in right eye and smaller growth in left eye related to previous surgeries.
  3. Surgery is scheduled to address defects in right eye caused by implanted lens.
  • During surgery:
  1. Doctors discover major defects in white of right eye and repair them using tissue from a donor eye.
  2. Unhealthy tissue around defects is removed.
  3. Remaining healthy tissue is moved towards cornea border and sutured in place.
  • After surgery:
  1. Patient undergoes follow-up appointments to monitor eye pressure and vision.
  2. Eye pressure and vision improve to pre-operation levels.
  3. No remaining issues are detected during follow-up period.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the risks and potential complications associated with ocular surgery, especially given my medical history and genetic condition?
  2. What is the specific procedure that will be performed on my eye, and how will it address the current issue?
  3. What is the expected outcome of the surgery, and what is the likelihood of achieving improved vision and reduced discomfort?
  4. What is the recovery process like, and how long will it take for me to fully recover from the surgery?
  5. Will I need to make any changes to my medication or post-operative care routine after the surgery?
  6. Are there any alternative treatment options available for my condition, and how do they compare to surgery in terms of effectiveness and risks?
  7. How often will I need to follow up with you after the surgery, and what signs or symptoms should I watch out for that may indicate a complication?
  8. How experienced are you in performing this type of surgery, and what is your success rate with similar cases?
  9. Can you provide me with any patient testimonials or references from previous patients who have undergone similar surgeries with you?
  10. Are there any long-term considerations or lifestyle changes I should be aware of following the surgery to maintain the health of my eyes?

Reference

Authors: Hoang T, Clement C. Journal: Turk J Ophthalmol. 2022 Dec 28;52(6):440-442. doi: 10.4274/tjo.galenos.2022.54936. PMID: 36578231