Pseudoexfoliating Glaucoma and Cataract Surgery
JUN 17, 2015
Question:
My mother has been told she has exfoliating glaucoma and cataracts. She is 85 years old. Her ophthalmologist is not recommending cataract surgery. I cannot find any information about exfoliating glaucoma. Can you help explain this?
Answer:
Pseudoexfoliation is a condition that puts the eye at risk for glaucoma and also increases some of the risks associated with cataract surgery. In pseudoexfoliation, flaky dandruff-like material is produced inside the eye that can block the drains in the eye over time, causing the fluid in the eye to back up and increase the eye pressure, thus leading to glaucoma. In addition, the support fibers that hold the lens in the eye are often weak, therefore cataract surgery is often delayed until the cataract is causing significant problems with the vision. You and your mother may wish to discuss this condition with her ophthalmologist and be certain she does not require any treatment at this time for the eye pressure.