Why was my lens replacement surgery cancelled because of a weak ciliary muscle?
OCT 03, 2017
Question:
I was scheduled to do lens replacement (when eye’s natural lens is replaced with artificial lens to correct vision) as solution to remove glasses because I have very thick glasses. That's why laser was not an option and I passed all tests even though I have glaucoma. But in the surgery room the doctor stopped because he found out the ciliary muscle is too weak. He didn't want to take any risk so he cancelled the surgery. Is there anything I can do to address the weak ciliary muscle? I work as a heavy equipment technician—does my job make the ciliary muscle worse?
Answer:
There is no way that I know of to gauge the strength of the ciliary muscle at the onset of surgery. There is no way to “build up” these muscles. The ciliary muscles control the fibers that hold the lens of your eye and eventually hold the area where the lens implant will go. What the doctor may have noticed was loose zonular fibers that hold the lens in place and just described it differently to you. Usually surgery can still be performed if this is the case, but sometimes, the lens must be sewn in. Perhaps your surgeon was not comfortable with this technique. Without knowing the details, I can’t say for sure. But I do recommend having a conversation with your ophthalmologist to learn more about his decision not to do the surgery.