Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
When in doubt - I think it's wise to consult an opthalmologist.
And sometimes more than one.
I went to a well-respected ophthalmologist a few years ago in Las Vegas who told me I had moderate to severe cataracts in both eyes and that I should schedule surgery on the worst one as soon as he had an opening (Which I believe was two months in the future.) Fortunately, I had an upcoming trip planned to Miami and decided to take the opportunity to get a second opinion from a doctor at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the #1 ranked eye hospital in the U.S.
Although my cataracts were confirmed (I've actually known about them for 15-20 years), the doctors there were astonished that surgery had been recommended for me. The cataracts were described as mild-to-moderate and I was told that unless my vision deteriorated, there was no reason to have surgery in the near future. I've had several exams since then, and nothing has changed.
Last edited by MadManofBethesda; 08-27-2016 at 09:47 AM..
Reason: typo
You have a two "optional" choices for the IOL implants, which are not covered by Medicare, as of now that is.
1) Toric IOL's - these correct for astigmatism. Usually approximately an extra $1000 per eye. Note, these are only recommended if your astigmatism is at least 1 diopter. I think these are great, because you will be the most fully corrected possible and they have a very good track record of correction.
2) Multi-focal IOL's - there are a few "brands" of these. Depends on which brand your M.D. prefers. These are costly, probably about $2,000 extra an eye, but again depends on what your particular M.D. decides to charge. I am not particularly a fan of these. You might be one of those patients who can't get rid of halos with these, or who doesn't find it giving the best vision you wanted for distance and near. I mean, honestly, just get a pair of OTC readers and skip the multifocals.
Third decision you might face is whether to have the LENSYX procedure. This is also extra $$, per eye. It replaces the actual surgeon making the incisions, which is the first few steps of the surgery. Honestly, if you feel you have a competent surgeon, who has been doing cataract surgeries for years, I feel this is truly a waste of your money. But, that's just my opinion.
How do I know all this?? Well, I have worked for eye doctor's for 15 years. I have seen many, many post-op patients and the results of their surgeries.
Good luck to everyone.
First of all - what the heck are you talking about that it's the "crazy woman talking"? That's offensive and obnoxious.
And how could you have commented about how clear your vision was, as they were wheeling you out of the OR, when your eye would have been covered with a patch?
Bunch of malarkey.
Um, NoMoreSnow, she was referring to HERSELF in her earlier post (she posted in red within a quote) -- SHE had been upset and crying and very nervous about the surgery. Unfortunately the post-within-a-post or the way she wrote it may have given you the wrong idea, but she was really trying to be helpful, as is I think everyone in this thread (as are YOU, 99.9% of the time! ).
I don't think I had a patch on my eye immediately after surgery -- I remember looking at an "EXIT" sign in the hospital and was amazed that I could see it better already!
Here is a good site on Eye Health including cataract prevention by taking Grape Seed Extract. I'm taking it 21 yrs next month. And banking on it for also cancer(s) prevention.
How do I know all this?? Well, I have worked for eye doctor's for 15 years. I have seen many, many post-op patients and the results of their surgeries.
Good luck to everyone.
Onestep -- Your comment about the results could be taken any number of different ways. I hope you'll elaborate on it for us.
One of my questions in my "summation" post was......what's the success rate for cataract surgery ??
What percent of people experience no post-op complications ??
Did anybody experience minor difficulties, that were easily fixed ??
What are the chances of a catastrophe ??
I went to a well-respected ophthalmologist a few years ago in Las Vegas who told me I had moderate to severe cataracts in both eyes and that I should schedule surgery on the worst one as soon as he had an opening (Which I believe was two months in the future.) Fortunately, I had an upcoming trip planned to Miami and decided to take the opportunity to get a second opinion from a doctor at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the #1 ranked eye hospital in the U.S.
Although my cataracts were confirmed (I've actually known about them for 15-20 years), the doctors there were astonished that surgery had been recommended for me. The cataracts were described as mild-to-moderate and I was told that unless my vision deteriorated, there was no reason to have surgery in the near future. I've had several exams since then, and nothing has changed.
Agree about the second opinion at times.
And - as I mentioned up thread - I think reasonable people - and their doctors - can have different opinions about the best time to have surgery. Depends on your life - your lifestyle - and your tolerance for whatever symptoms your cataracts are causing. And perhaps your state of health now and possibly in the future as well. Even though my husband's optometrist didn't think he was quite ready for surgery yet - my husband has been very unhappy with his eyesight lately. And his opthalmologist agreed that it certainly wasn't too early to do cataract surgery. For most people - you're probably talking about a multi-year window when it isn't too early. Or too late either. Robyn
2) Multi-focal IOL's - ........I am not particularly a fan of these. You might be one of those patients who can't get rid of halos with these, or who doesn't find it giving the best vision you wanted for distance and near. I mean, honestly, just get a pair of OTC readers and skip the multifocals.
That's what I say. And, we have posters upthread, saying this, as well. Before cataract removal, I had contacts - one eye corrected for distance, the other for near/mid - and still needed readers. I disliked those lenses - especially at night when out walking. When doc asked if wanted similar corrective IOL's, I said no. Both eyes are now corrected for distance, and I use OTC readers. Very happy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by karen_in_nh_2012
I don't think I had a patch on my eye immediately after surgery -- I remember looking at an "EXIT" sign in the hospital and was amazed that I could see it better already!
Same, here. No patch. I remember remarking to my son on the way home from hospital how clear everything was. Not sure why some people require the patch/eye cup after surgery, but that was not my experience for either eye.
I am 67 and had cataract surgery in both eyes about 8 years ago, so in my late 50s. I delayed. My eye specialist tried to convince me to have that surgery when I was around 55, but I was afraid. I am profoundly hearing impaired and the thought of losing my vision also was petrifying. I developed another issue in one eye which was horrendously painful and it did require eye surgery which was done in one of the most exclusive hospitals for eye care. My doctor was a teacher of that surgery.
Within a year of that surgery, the cataracts in both eyes were becoming problematic - I had extreme difficulty driving at night. My doctor warned me it would continue - and it did until I began having trouble in anything but daylight and then that started to become a problem. I am the sole driver as my husband has vision issues from having been involved in an explosion in the army. So I NEED to see.
I scheduled the first surgery and it was done without any pain. I had the 2nd one a week later. I am now looking at having the new cataract removed from the IOL (artifical lens) in one eye and it is done in the doctor's office.
There are new lenses out that take away the need for reading or distance glasses but they don't remove the old lenses to replace them because of the possibility of complications. If I were planning to have my first surgery now, I wouldn't hesitate. I will not hesitate having the cataract removed from this lens when the time comes.
Sounds like you are referring to what they call "Posterior Capsular Opacity (POC) with what you are calling a secondary cataract. It isn't really a cataract but a film that grows over the capsule holding the IOL in place in some people after cataract surgery. It was explained to me as a foreign body reaction to the IOL, and it affects the vision, ( hazy, problems with glare, etc). They use a lazer to remove the film, and wallah, it's clear again and it's a one time thing, the film does not recur.They call it a YAG procedure from the type of lazer used.
I had cataract surgery close to three years ago, and the film began to develop in my left eye maybe a year or a bit less ago. I had the YAG done about 2.5 weeks ago and I can say it was painless, quick, and my vision is now back to being crystal clear.
That's what I say. And, we have posters upthread, saying this, as well. Before cataract removal, I had contacts - one eye corrected for distance, the other for near/mid - and still needed readers. I disliked those lenses - especially at night when out walking. When doc asked if wanted similar corrective IOL's, I said no. Both eyes are now corrected for distance, and I use OTC readers. Very happy.
Same, here. No patch. I remember remarking to my son on the way home from hospital how clear everything was. Not sure why some people require the patch/eye cup after surgery, but that was not my experience for either eye.
IIRC where I had my cataract surgery they taped a clear plastic "eyecup" over the operated on eye after the surgery, with instructions to wear it when sleeping or napping and sleeping for I think it was three nights after the surgery. The main reason, I'd say was to protect the eye from inadvertently being scratched or rubbed or pressure put on it as the patient was sleeping.
Onestep -- Your comment about the results could be taken any number of different ways. I hope you'll elaborate on it for us.
One of my questions in my "summation" post was......what's the success rate for cataract surgery ??
What percent of people experience no post-op complications ??
Did anybody experience minor difficulties, that were easily fixed ??
What are the chances of a catastrophe ??
I had no complications at all with the cataract surgery on my right eye, but did have some issues with my left eye. I developed uveitis several weeks after the surgery in my left eye, which can be serious if left untreated. They considered it a post-surgical complication ( so did not bill for the visits) even though it occured maybe 3-4 weeks after the cataract surgery. It was treated with prednisone eyedrops ( every two hours round the clock for the first few days, then decreasing for about another 2-3 weeks with doctor checks a couple times a week, then weekly after that). Fortunately it cleared up and I have had no recurrence.
I also developed what they call "Post Capsulotomy Opacity" which is essentially a film that grows over the capsule in which they place the intraocular lens after they remove the cataract. This is a pretty common occurrence, happens anywhere from shortly after the surgery to as in my case, several years afterwards. But it's an easy, painless, and for the most part, a permanent fix, they zap holes in the film with a lazer, restoring the clear vision.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
).
