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What Causes Vision Loss After Laser Bypass Procedure For Macular Edema And RVO?

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Posted on Sat, 5 Nov 2016
Question:
A relative has macular edema & RVO. Had a laser bypass to be followed by three Lucentis injections. However she lost some vision after laser. Is that normal?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (37 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Should wait for at least 3 months after laser therapy to see improvement...

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,

I am sorry for what happened to your relative.

RVO (retinal vein occlusion) is a very common disorder affecting blood vessels (veins) in the retina. It is a frequent cause of vision loss and blindness. The degree of vision loss depends on the extent of retinal involvement and whether the macula is affected.

In your relative's case, she got macular edema already the complication, so probability of vision loss was high.

Laser therapy is the gold standard in treating RVO. Lucentis injections (containing ranibizumab) were to reduce macular edema. However, there is a time limit to wait for the results; usually it will require 3 months to see improvement in vision loss if no other complications have been notable.

Patience is needed until improvement.
Dr.Albana


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (35 minutes later)
Thank you doctor!
The lucentis injections have not started yet. The laser intervention was to create a bypass in order to avoid any possible increased occular pressure after the injections.
Vision in that eye was already very low (less than 10 per cent) due to the edema. She also suffers from open angle glaucoma. However she is concerned because loss of vision is almost total after the two laser sessions she has had.
Is there a possibility that such vision loss can be permanent?
What are the chances of improvement after anti-VEGF injections?
Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Temporary vision loss,will get better after VEGF injections....

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXX,

Thank you for providing additional information.

The loss of vision she is experiencing is temporary. That will be improved after VEGF injections. Remember: Ask your relative to be patient as at her age, time is needed to restore vision due to low metabolism rate.

Hope it answered your queries.
Good luck!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (14 minutes later)
Thank you again doctor! It is good to know that loss of vision is only temporary. What may have caused it?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Due to abnormal tissue removal during laser surgery

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXX,

Sorry for the late reply due to my XXXXXXX clinical overload.

The loss of vision is temporary and could be due to abnormal tissue removal. After the injections, her sight will get improved too.

We should be patient and wait for improvement.

Wish fast recovery.
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (14 hours later)
Thank you again doctor!
Vision improvement after the injections, does that mean returning to the vision she had before surgery, or better than that?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Hope vision before surgery first...hoping for better...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

The aim is to achieve the vision she had before surgery hoping it could be better. But should wait for the results.

Good luck!
Dr.Albana
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 7307 Questions

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What Causes Vision Loss After Laser Bypass Procedure For Macular Edema And RVO?

Brief Answer: Should wait for at least 3 months after laser therapy to see improvement... Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, I am sorry for what happened to your relative. RVO (retinal vein occlusion) is a very common disorder affecting blood vessels (veins) in the retina. It is a frequent cause of vision loss and blindness. The degree of vision loss depends on the extent of retinal involvement and whether the macula is affected. In your relative's case, she got macular edema already the complication, so probability of vision loss was high. Laser therapy is the gold standard in treating RVO. Lucentis injections (containing ranibizumab) were to reduce macular edema. However, there is a time limit to wait for the results; usually it will require 3 months to see improvement in vision loss if no other complications have been notable. Patience is needed until improvement. Dr.Albana