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I've been taking antioxidants for many years and probably has saved me. Grape seed ex I believe has been a saving grace in this area of my health too.
Or you just happen to be one of those who has lucked out. You don't have a control population of jaminhealths who didn't take antioxidants for many years to compare against.
Moderator cut: rude
Last edited by in_newengland; 08-29-2016 at 10:38 AM..
In response to FiveLoaves queries to me about cataract successes v. failures, here goes:
A lot of the success rate depends on the skill of your surgeon, i.e. your ophthalmologist. That said, cataract surgery is so routine for ophthalmologists. It's almost akin the a dentist filling a cavity, that's how commonplace this surgery is.
There should be a full set of Pre-surgery testing done and these tests are pivotal in ensuring a good result. That is, assuming your surgeon interprets and uses this data correctly.
1) success rate- pretty high, I can't give you an exact %. Many factors to be considered here, if you are a diabetic, have retinal issues, corneal issues, very advanced cataracts, too high expectations for 20/20 vision, etc. A good surgeon should be able to give you 90% success rate for a straightforward, no mitigating circumstances, cataract removal and IOL.
2) Minor difficulties - your IOP (intra ocular pressure) may be elevated after the surgery. This should be discovered on your post op visits, and you may be given drops or perhaps a pill if it's very high pressure. These steps are usually very successful. Your eyesight may improve more slowly than your best friends, spouses, etc. did after THEIR surgery, but remember this is o.k. and after a month or so you should see better results.
3) Chances of a catastrophe - I have seen little of this. Thank goodness! Worst case scenario is that someone's eyesight actually didn't improve at all! But there might have been reasons why, (see my response to #1 above!).
If you have any more questions, I would be happy to answer them. It's always a bit difficult because everyone's medical "chart" is different, so of course I am speaking in general terms.
In response to FiveLoaves queries to me about cataract successes v. failures, here goes:
A lot of the success rate depends on the skill of your surgeon, i.e. your ophthalmologist. That said, cataract surgery is so routine for ophthalmologists. It's almost akin the a dentist filling a cavity, that's how commonplace this surgery is.
There should be a full set of Pre-surgery testing done and these tests are pivotal in ensuring a good result. That is, assuming your surgeon interprets and uses this data correctly.
1) success rate- pretty high, I can't give you an exact %. Many factors to be considered here, if you are a diabetic, have retinal issues, corneal issues, very advanced cataracts, too high expectations for 20/20 vision, etc. A good surgeon should be able to give you 90% success rate for a straightforward, no mitigating circumstances, cataract removal and IOL.
2) Minor difficulties - your IOP (intra ocular pressure) may be elevated after the surgery. This should be discovered on your post op visits, and you may be given drops or perhaps a pill if it's very high pressure. These steps are usually very successful. Your eyesight may improve more slowly than your best friends, spouses, etc. did after THEIR surgery, but remember this is o.k. and after a month or so you should see better results.
3) Chances of a catastrophe - I have seen little of this. Thank goodness! Worst case scenario is that someone's eyesight actually didn't improve at all! But there might have been reasons why, (see my response to #1 above!).
If you have any more questions, I would be happy to answer them. It's always a bit difficult because everyone's medical "chart" is different, so of course I am speaking in general terms.
Just to expand on what you said...
My husband had optic neuritis - many decades ago - as a result of his MS. Our opthalmologist thinks that might prove to be a complicating factor. But there is honestly so little available literature (apparently like none) that he can't be definite as to the possibility or the odds. FWIW - with the amazing scanning techniques available today - we can see exactly how much of the visual field (don't know if that's the right term) in my husband's affected eye was destroyed. It's a lot. OTOH - except in scanning and advanced eye tests - my husband's eyesight looks normal from his end in this respect. His brain has adjusted to the damage and doesn't "see" it. Robyn
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.
I found an article that a new TECNIS Symfony Toric multifocal was approved by the FDA last month (7/15/16, as I recall).
How long before that specific TECNIS IOL (or anything like it, if there is one) will be considered routine by top surgeons who perform many cataract surgeries per day?
Prior to learning of the TECNIS lens, the Crystalens (an accommodating IOL) was mentioned, but I have been told (and I have read) of problems with that lens.
Could you and/or anyone else in the field comment, please?
I found an article that a new TECNIS Symfony Toric multifocal was approved by the FDA last month (7/15/16, as I recall).
EXTENDED DEPTH OF FOCUS LENSES FDA Approves the Tecnis Symfony® Intraocular Lenses, the First and Only Extended Depth of Focus Lenses for People with Cataracts - Jul 15, 2016
How long before that IOL (or anything like it, if there is one) will be considered routine by top surgeons who perform many cataract surgeries per day?
Prior to learning of the TECNIS lens, the Crystalens (an accommodating IOL) was mentioned, but I have been told (and I have read) of problems with that lens.
Could you and/or anyone else in the field comment, please?
I have been following this new IOL too; I have as a layperson read Opthalmology Times for years, waiting for an IOL that can provide vision at all 3 levels, close, far, and the very elusive midrange, which is oh so important for computer use. I'm excited about the Technis Symfony, it's very different, the only IOL so far that has a triple range. Other IOLs including Crystalens were not a good choices for midrange vision; even to correct by using them via monovision insertion of 1 close lens and 1 far lens is suboptimal---I know, as I wear monovision contacts and have for 20 years (38 total years in contacts). I don't have cataracts, so I need a "clear lens extraction" with IOLs, same procedure as cataract surgery, different name. FDA approves first intraocular lens with extended range of vision for cataract patients
BTW, if interested, here's a recent article about all the advanced vision procedures used regularly in other countries yet not available here. It's not only the slow FDA process, it's corporations, money, patents, and many other reasons that valuable technology is slow to get to the US, if ever: http://crstoday.com/2016/03/you-dont...ur-us-practice
I have been following this new IOL too; I have as a layperson read Opthalmology Times for years, waiting for an IOL that can provide vision at all 3 levels, close, far, and the very elusive midrange, which is oh so important for computer use. I'm excited about the Technis Symfony, it's very different, the only IOL so far that has a triple range. Other IOLs including Crystalens were not a good choices for midrange vision; even to correct by using them via monovision insertion of 1 close lens and 1 far lens is suboptimal---I know, as I wear monovision contacts and have for 20 years (38 total years in contacts). I don't have cataracts, so I need a "clear lens extraction" with IOLs, same procedure as cataract surgery, different name. FDA approves first intraocular lens with extended range of vision for cataract patients
BTW, if interested, here's a recent article about all the advanced vision procedures used regularly in other countries yet not available here. It's not only the slow FDA process, it's corporations, money, patents, and many other reasons that valuable technology is slow to get to the US, if ever: Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today - You Don?t Have That in Your US Practice? (March 2016)
Thank you for the second link. When I first heard about the Crystalens I got excited to have the ability for a true accommodating lens, more like a young person's eyes. Unfortunately, they aren't perfect and I have read that explantation, if necessary, is more difficult.
The Symfony by Tecnis does look promising, but well....YOU FIRST!
If you have read the full range of articles about it, there are many of the same difficulties listed for it as there are for other multifocal regarding halos, etc.
I have no interest in medical tourism, and I know that some of the corneal specialists available to me here in the SF Bay Area are at the top of their game and have vast experience, as well as excellent training, medical schools, etc. and they do high volume work, which is also important.
//The Symfony by Tecnis does look promising, but well....YOU FIRST!
Ha ha...exactly. We are on the same wavelength.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SFBayBoomer
//If you have read the full range of articles about it, there are many of the same difficulties listed for it as there are for other multifocal regarding halos, etc.
One of the non-US lenses on the link, the AT LISA TRI, looks promising as it claims to avoid these issues. On the wish list.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SFBayBoomer
//I have no interest in medical tourism, and I know that some of the corneal specialists available to me here in the SF Bay Area are at the top of their game and have vast experience, as well as excellent training, medical schools, etc. and they do high volume work, which is also important.
I am also wary of going overseas, but at least the clinics listed on the link are all in the UK, Australia, Ireland and Belgium, not third world countries. A friend just had her eye surgery in Tijuana, Mexico, which I thought was completely insane. And she had both eyes done at once! Cheaper, she was told (paid $6K). I have never in my life heard of any ophthalmologist doing that! She could have chosen from many esteemed eye surgeons here in the LA Metro. I know the good docs here, too
One of the non-US lenses on the link, the AT LISA TRI, looks promising as it claims to avoid these issues. On the wish list.
I am also wary of going overseas, but at least the clinics listed on the link are all in the UK, Australia, Ireland and Belgium, not third world countries. A friend just had her eye surgery in Tijuana, Mexico, which I thought was completely insane. And she had both eyes done at once! Cheaper, she was told (paid $6K). I have never in my life heard of any ophthalmologist doing that! She could have chosen from many esteemed eye surgeons here in the LA Metro. I know the good docs here, too
I'll have to look that one up.
I was just reading up on the Trulign Toric IOL which is also a multi-focal Toric lens, and I know that one is being done in this area and one of the surgeons I'm considering uses it, among others. Have you researched the Trulign Toric, too?
I was just reading up on the Trulign Toric IOL which is also a multi-focal Toric lens, and I know that one is being done in this area and one of the surgeons I'm considering uses it, among others. Have you researched the Trulign Toric, too?
Sorry, no--a toric lens is not part of my Rx. But will pass along promising torics on the horizon if I come across them.
Looks like the AT LISA TRI (Zeiss), which also I see now has a toric version, will be presented in Las Vegas in a few weeks:
We're talking about this cataract issue on another health group and a person sent this thru. I don't go out for the mail without sunglasses...some times when it's bright in my apt, I'll clip on my sun glass. Even cloudy days are bright and sunglasses could help protect the eyes.
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