“Can i be affected with two types of cataract in the same eye?”

Question

Ophthalmologist Questions Cataract

“Can i be affected with two types of cataract in the same eye?”

I was diagnosed with a cataract 1 year back, which was operated immediately and was a successful surgery. However, three months ago i was having some blurred vision for the same eye, and upon checking the doctor mentioned that it is another cataract developed in the same eye. Is it possible for two types of cataract to appear in the same eye?

15 Answers

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**Shilpi Pradhan** Ophthalmologist · Accepted Answer

Thanks for your question. Yes, the first cataract is a true cataract which was removed with cataract or lens replacement surgery. The second "cataract" is generally a clouding of the capsule which holds the lens implant and not a true cataract. This secondary cataract can be treated in the office with a laser posterior capsulotomy procedure which can help clear the second cataract. After this laser procedure, there is not a third cataract which can develop in the same eye. Great question.

**Dennis Breene** Ophthalmologist · Accepted Answer

Dennis Breene Ophthalmologist

Yes. It is not uncommon to have combined cataracts. A common example would be an age related cataract such as nuclear sclerosis combined with a posterior sub-capsular cataract which can be age related, but is also more common in diabetics and with use of steroids. Surgical treatment when they become symptomatic is the same and highly successful.

**Dr. Thomas C. Wolf** Ophthalmologist Edmond, OK · Accepted Answer

Dr. Thomas C. Wolf Ophthalmologist Edmond, OK

You most likely have posterior capsule opacification. This is very common after IOL Surgery. The capsule is a thin membrane left after cataract removal to support the IOL placed at surgery to provide vision. WebMD has a good section on this. Usually treated by a simple YAG Laser capsulotomy. You should discuss this with your Surgeon.

Doc W

**Dr. Seth David Potash** Ophthalmologist Harrison, New York · Accepted Answer

Dr. Seth David Potash Ophthalmologist Harrison, New York

Once a cataract is removed, it cannot come back. What you have is called a "secondary membrane" and it is treatable with a minor office laser procedure.

**Dr. Jonathan A. Adler** Ophthalmologist Bradenton, Florida · Accepted Answer

Dr. Jonathan A. Adler Ophthalmologist Bradenton, Florida

There are several different types of cataract that can occur in the same eye, but once the cataract which is your lens of your eye is removed, it cannot grow back. But months to years later after cataract removal, a film can grow behind the lens implant called the posterior capsule. Once this is fixed with a laser procedure, that also will not come back.

**Cze H. Low** Ophthalmologist Singapore, · Accepted Answer

You can develop a secondary cataract after the first is removed. It is not a true cataract, but is called posterior capsule opacification or pco. This is the skin of the cataract that is left behind to hold the artificial lens implant following the first cataract operation. A laser is used to open the capsule at its centre so that light can pass through, hence restoring clear vision.

**Dr. Randal Pham** Ophthalmologist San Jose, California · Accepted Answer

Yes, but the second cataract is just a membrane that was left to contain the man-made lens that was used to replace the original cataract, the natural lens that got cloudy. The second cataract (also called second cataract) can be broken down by a laser. The laser procedure takes only a few minutes to perform and is painless. It is usually performed at least 3 months after the original cataract surgery if you develop symptoms such as blurry vision or glare. You don't even have to lie down for this laser procedure. Please make sure you have a dilated exam before the procedure to rule out other causes of blurry vision that occur in the retina.

**Dr. Philip Ellis Newman** Ophthalmologist Conyers, GA · Accepted Answer

Dr. Philip Ellis Newman Ophthalmologist Conyers, GA

No. Once a cataract is removed, it cannot grow back. The term "Secondary Cataract" is an older term and not as commonly used. The correct term would be "Capsular Opacity". which is the membrane surrounding your current lens implant that becomes thickened and requires a laser (Yag) treatment to improve vision.

**Dr. Miranda Nabil Bishara** Ophthalmologist Chesterfield, MO · Accepted Answer

Dr. Miranda Nabil Bishara Ophthalmologist Chesterfield, MO

After a cataract is removed, it cannot recur. It is possible to develop clouding behind the lens implant that is typically placed at the time of cataract surgery. This is sometimes referred to as a secondary cataract. It is easily treated with a laser procedure.

**Dr. Jonathan Kagan** Ophthalmologist New York, NY · Accepted Answer

Dr. Jonathan Kagan Ophthalmologist New York, NY

Definitely not. What sometimes happens after cataract surgery there is a membrane that may naturally become cloudy and will decrease the vision as if a cataract is coming back. This is treated with a YAG laser in the office.

**Dr. Afshin James Khodabakhsh** Ophthalmologist Beverly Hills, CA · Accepted Answer

Dr. Afshin James Khodabakhsh Ophthalmologist Beverly Hills, CA

It's very common for different types of cataracts to grow in the same eye. It happens all the time. Good news is that it doesn't change the surgery and is very treatable.

**Dr. Marc Howard Shomer** Ophthalmologist Upland, CA · Accepted Answer

It's likely a "secondary cataract" which is called a posterior capsular opacity. This is basically the skin of the old cataract which has become more cloudy. The skin of the old cataract is used to anchor the new lens implant in place and it frequently becomes cloudy. A simple laser can create a small opening in the capsule allowing light to pass through unobstructed. This is likely what's going on, but you need to ask your ophthalmologist to be sure.

**Dr. Peter J. Polack** Ophthalmologist Ocala, FL · Accepted Answer

A cataract is the aging of the natural crystalline lens of the eye. Once it is removed it does not grow back (unless you are a salamander).

The confusion comes from the fact that most people will develop scarring of the posterior capsule - the sac that holds the intraocular lens implant placed inside the eye. The symptoms are very similarIn the old days this was called an 'after cataract'. Some eye doctors may still use similar terminology but it is not a cataract, simply scar tissue.

It is easily removed with a YAG laser, completely painless, safer than the original cataract surgery and there are no restrictions after the procedure.

**Dr. Revathi Naadimuthu** Ophthalmologist Freehold, New Jersey · Accepted Answer

Dr. Revathi Naadimuthu Ophthalmologist Freehold, New Jersey

This is commonly called "secondary cataract". Your cataract did not grow back, but you can think of it like scar tissue behind the lens implant. A simple laser procedure can treat this and is covered by insurance.

**Ilona Genis** Ophthalmologist · Accepted Answer

Ilona Genis Ophthalmologist

You do not have another cataract. What you have is called “secondary” cataract, which develops in 50% of the patients. It is easily cleaned in a painless in-office procedure, which takes a few seconds.