OT - Cataracts

A sure sign of age is that my ophthalmologist is suggesting cataract surgery (both eyes) for me. I have all of the signs so I don't think it's made up so I'll probably go ahead with it in a few months. He says that I am a good candidate for multi-focal implants. Of course they are $3K per eye extra so I'm not surprised that I am a "good candidate".

Anyway, do any of you have any experience or advice re cataract surgery that you would like to share?

Thanks,

Jim

The only thing I can add is that both my parents had the surgery and both said afterwards, "Why did I wait so long to do this?"

Hi Tudpock,
I had cataract surgery in November of last year. Both eyes were done and I am very pleased with the results. I was offered the multi focal lens, but the more we spoke with our doctor, the less inviting it sounded. I am near sighted, and I also have a bad case of astigmatism. The doctor explained I might have to have the lenses replaced at some point in the future because of that issue.
I chose to have a distance lens, and I got new glasses (bifocals) to handle the reading issue. The new glasses also corrects the astigmatism.
Surgery was a non issue; total time in the OR was about 10 minutes and I was semi-awake. The eye drops after surgery are a pain in the neck and lasted 4 weeks for each eye. Thank heavens for my dear wife and the checklist I made up!
I could not believe the difference once my eyes settled down and I had my new lenses. The halos around streetlights and headlights are gone, and I can see stars again at night.
One more item of note - our Medicare policy covered some of the cost of new lenses and glasses as the new prescription is a result of the surgery
Good luck with your surgery and feel free to email if you would like to chat!

Did you guys have surgery to both eyes at one time??

Isn't it safer to have each eye done separately??

It's in my future, but I can't see when.

Old age is a drag sometimes.
Dr's say I need both eyes done and both knees replaced.
Jim: I will be looking forward to hearing about the eye work.

Good luck with it.

Roger

A 3D printed prostate would be nice.

Good luck Jim on whatever you choose. I have been told my lenses are getting cloudy, as I can detect by the halos. Because I have an injury in one eye and partial vision, I’m not sure they would risk the surgery for the good eye.

I will have to have cataracts dealt with sooner than later. It seems that my now continual chemo is worsening the left eye at a rate much faster than what was happening before the chemo was started. So if I'm still here in a couple of years, it will be time. My eye surgeon says he can do it even with the chemo.

The hips and shoulder are long overdue for replacement, but the orthopedics guy won't touch them while I'm on chemo, lupron, and prolia. He wants me off all three at least 6 months before any surgery.

It appears that everything can go to pieces at the same time, but can't be fixed that way.

I had both eyes done about 3 weeks apart. The surgery is a piece of cake. The procedure took 7 minutes. Was totally impressed with the results. It seemed like the 50 watt bulbs were all replaced with 150 watters. Used to not be able to see distance things. New lenses gave me 20/20 in both eyes. I use unlined bifocals for reading. You will be impressed. Like I said it is the easiest surgery you can have. Also new medicines means only one drop in the eye once a day.

Good luck and best wishes to all.

Carl;

Logos,

In layman's terms, Glaucoma is high interocular pressure--which causes the eyeball to swell and other problems. Glaucoma can contribute to or cause cataracts--which is clouding of the lens. So, when you're having an eye exam, and they put drops in your eye then use that green light thingy and touch it to your eye, they are measuring the pressure. (Remember years ago when they hit your eye with a puff of air? Same thing)

For cataracts, they eye doc is looking in your eye and is looking for cloudy spots or dark spots.

When my wife was told she had cataracts she said to the Doc: "I didn't see that coming". Good luck with whatever you decide.

Most cataracts develop when aging or injury changes the tissue that makes up your eye's lens.

Some inherited genetic disorders that cause other health problems can increase your risk of cataracts. Cataracts can also be caused by other eye conditions, past eye surgery or medical conditions such as diabetes. Long-term use of steroid medications, too, can cause cataracts to develop.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cataracts/symptoms-causes/syc-20353790