Has anyone had cataract surgery after being diagnosed with MD?

Hi . I hope you get some feedback from the community. While you wait, here is an article about macular degeneration and cataract surgery that you might find helpful: https://maculardegeneration.net/clinical/cataract-surgery. Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)

I was first diagnosed with dry macular degeneration 20+ years ago. Had my first cataract surgery (left eye) 11 years ago. No problems. We were in process of getting ready to move to another state so decided to have the second eye done later. It was about 2 years later when I had the second eye done (different doctor of course - unfortunately not as good). After breaking the frame a couple years later I was told I needed to first go to an optometrist & get a new prescription. That's when I found out that my right eye was blind for reading -- all I could see with that eye was/is a blank screen, no letters at all. My good left eye compensated so well I had no idea there was a problem with the other eye. Vision started deteriorating the last few years. Couple months ago the ophthalmologist told me I'd still be able to pass a driver's vision test, but it will be a limited driver's license. I still have a year to go on current license, but I'd already REALLY restricted my driving (no night, freeway, rain, snow, etc.)

I have been diagnosed with dry macular degeneration since my early 40's and have a strong family history of wet macular degeneration (father, sister, and aunt). I had cararact surgery in both eyes about 2 months apart at age 67 and the results were amazing as my far away vision is as good as it has ever been (very close to 20/20). I need reading glasses now that I did not need in the past but that is a small inconvenience to have my far away vision again (my glasses were a -7.0 for far away vision prior to cataract surgery).
My cataract surgeon also did the cataract surgery the old fashioned way ( with scalpel instead of lasers) as there was some concern the heat from the laser could trigger wet macular degeneration. I did need a secondary cataract surgery a little more than 1 year later due to some scar tissue developing by the lens that was implanted and starting to affect my vision. This happens about 10% of the time with cataract surgery and the second surgery was very minor to eliminate scar tissue affecting vision.
With my dry macular degeneration and family history of wet macular degeneration I was very concerned about getting cataract surgery done. Now I can say I am extremely happy I had the cataract surgery and only wish I would have done it earlier. I know there are no guarantees anyone elses experience will be the same, but hope my experience helps with some insight.