Cataract surgery is the most common operation performed in the entire world. It is one of the safest, quickest and most effective eye surgeries to achieve excellent vision when performed in experienced hands. When you begin to lose vision in your non-melanoma eye because of progressing cataract, you must have cataract surgery if you want your overall vision to improve.
However, in many situations a patient's ophthalmologist has exclaimed, "Never let anyone touch that cataract in your good eye! If you have a complication, you will be completely blind!" And with that, a person who might otherwise have 20/20 vision, continued to drive and who might have engaged fully with life, instead lives out the later years with noticably worsening vision, more limited activities, and a belief that having that cataract removed might actually result in utter catastrophe.
If your ophthalmologist is afraid or expresses reluctance to operate on your "good-eye cataract", then you must find another cataract surgeon who is completely comfortable treating your cataract.
Any type of vision-improving surgery is available and must be explored for both the melanoma-treated eye, and the non-melanoma eye. Ask your ophthalmologist about how you can see better!
For Tara McCannel's resources (including webinar links and link to my book!), visit my website: https://seyhart.com/ocularmelanoma
Welcome to Finding Your Way with Ocular Melanoma, a guide to understanding everything there is to know about your experience with this rare cancer. Learn through the lens of my knowledge and clinical experience as a physician expert and passionate patient advocate. The more you know about ocular melanoma, the better you will do, and the better you will live. Let's go!
The content shared on the Finding Your Way with Ocular Melanoma podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information provided must not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. As a listener, you are responsible for your own health-related decisions and must consider consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.
Tara McCannel MD PhD is a an ocular oncologist, vitreoretinal surgeon and co-founder of Seyhart Wellness. She is also the host of the Mind Body MD podcast where she shares her passion for holistic health and wellness.
