Is cataract surgery advisable if you have Ehlers Danlos syndrome?
OCT 14, 2016
Question:
I am a 53-year-old woman with hypermobile and classic Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS, or a group of conditions that cause joints to move more than expected). I have been diagnosed with cataracts in my right eye now nearing the time when surgery will be needed. I have deep concerns regarding the safety of the surgery due to my Ehlers Danlos with regard to tearing and poor healing. My surgeon has not done the procedure on an EDS patient and he isn't clear on what EDS is. He has no concerns about it which in turn gives me serious concerns. I need to know if cataract surgery is advisable on an EDS patient.
Answer:
EDS consists of several sub-types, and it is impossible to be precise about your case. Still, you should understand that there are indeed issues to be concerned about when cataract surgery is contemplated. These would be best discussed with an ophthalmologist who is knowledgeable on the subject and well aware of potential problems. But if and when your quality of life is significantly compromised by visual loss judged to be due to cataracts, surgery should be considered.