Cataract surgery

Eye dr has pushed for dealing with cataract in right eye.  One eye only.

Most folks I've spoken to are very positive.  Any one have insight(s)-experience?

Thanks so much,

Apollo T.

Add me to the list of very positive. Piece of cake and the rewards are visually amazing!

Husband just had it on 4/11. It was a snap, and he now sees so much better. One eye at a time is common.

can't do both at same time. Amazing results. Do not fear. 

My mother had hers done (one at a time) when she was in her late 80s. Her biggest problem was getting eye drops in afterwards! She was very happy with the improvement in her vision and said she hadn't realized how much dimmer colors had gotten until she could see them clearly again after the operation. 

going that route within a few weeks -- glad to read good things  

had one removed (only had one) 20 years ago at age 24 .

You have nothing to fear but last year's magazines in the waiting room.

As I am my husband's caretaker, will I be able to administer the eye drop follow up by myself?

mtierney said:

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As I am my husband's caretaker, will I be able to administer the eye drop follow up by myself?

Yes , you can self administer the drops.  My mom in her eighties had the surgery andbevennwith her shaky hands was able to though she may have wasted some of the drops.

good to hear, thanks 

mtierney said:

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As I am my husband's caretaker, will I be able to administer the eye drop follow up by myself?

Start practicing now.

I find this prospect rather frightening.  I had no problem with knee surgery, but my eyes are are very different.  I'm so strongly visual that a root canal in an art museum would be preferable to a sumptuous feast in a concert hall.  So as I said the thought of eye surgery really has me shaking.

Thanks so much, MOLers.

they've been doing this surgery since at least the early 80s when I worked as editor of the Australian professional association's journal. It wasn't all laser-assisted back then and required overnight hospital stays. Some people needed to wait a while before the new lens could be attached in a second op soon after the first - so that was a total of four procedures if you needed both eyes done and it took months. Now it's a snap and very little to worry about!

Don't sneeze while they're working on you  

Follow all the instructions for post-op care: don't lift, bend, carry heavy things, walk around without dark glasses. And use the drops. You can get the drops in, because it's just like when you have allergies - if your hand shakes, just ask a passing pretty girl!

Honestly, you'll wonder why you worried.

Just had it done in the right eye.  A snap!  Will do left eye in a month or so.

Things to consider:

Scalpel (covered by most insurance companies) or Laser. (out of pocket $$)

Since it is a removal of the lens and replacement with a plastic lens, you should consider:

Lens only, will still need glasses afterwards.

Lens and near vision correction, will still need glasses for Driving or other long vision.

Lens and far vision correction, will still need reading glasses for close up work.

Lens with near and far with astigmatism correction as I did.

Each step up cost more $$ over insurance payments.

I went full Laser; Currently I am wearing glasses.  The right glass frame lens was removed and replaced with glass.  The left is my old Rx until I have that eye done.  Working pretty cool.

Scalpel vs. Laser, Google and watch the videos.  Warning if the you get the 1:45 hour one out of USC you may get sick.  Wow, sticking a knife into the eye and pulling parts out almost got me.

I had a Christmas tree cataract.

Good luck.

@jgberkeley-

W O W !

I wasn't aware of all that!  I'll make an appt to get all the info re: your input.

Thanks

My mother had both eyes done at different times in her seventies. Very successful! My brother is getting ready to have one eye done this summer... He is in his early 60s. Expectations are high for total success.

Apollo_T said:

I'm so strongly visual that a root canal in an art museum would be preferable to a sumptuous feast in a concert hall.  So as I said the thought of eye surgery really has me shaking.

as I can relate to Apollo T to the extent when the eye doc says open wide, my eyes slam shut. So, no one has mentioned whether any calming down substance is offered pre-op? I

I imagine so... They must realize the dangers of a reflex response during the procedure? I would call the doctor's office and ask about that. I'm also very nervous about anything affecting my eyes and vision.

mtierney said:

as I can relate to Apollo T to the extent when the eye doc says open wide, my eyes slam shut. So, no one has mentioned whether any calming down substance is offered pre-op? I

I can relate too! Mine are so sensitive that when someone takes a photo they have learned to close exactly when the shutter closes.  

One of the most petrifying things that ever happened to me was surgery to remove a chalazion from my lower eyelid.  No anesthesia or anything, just this scalpel coming toward my eye.    I truly cannot recall if I was restrained in any fashion!

Everyone seems to get good results from their cataract surgery and I've not heard tales of terror, so I guess when the time comes I'll be eager.   

Believe me. I've had one, in NH, and my husband just had surgery in NJ. There's nothing to it, and it is really worth it.

mtierney said:
So, no one has mentioned whether any calming down substance is offered pre-op? 

A comely nurse with 3 measures of beverage before and a promise of a cigarette after might calm me down.  The thought is so therapeutic

I had this done nearly 2 years ago after being in major denial about the problem for a number of years.  The surgery was no big deal and the difference was life altering almost immediately.  I did not realize just how little color or detail I could really see and the next day was like a revelation.  The hardest part was dealing with the drops regime before and then for a while after the event.  Good luck!

Apollo_T said:

mtierney said:
So, no one has mentioned whether any calming down substance is offered pre-op? 

A comely nurse with 3 measures of beverage before and a promise of a cigarette after might calm me down.  The thought is so therapeutic

Open your heart and eyes for a  very pleasant adventure with an amazing outcome. You do have to  follow the drops directions yet the rewards of vision are amazing and worth all of your silly anxiety. Kindly place in your mind the thought of seeing the outline on every single leaf on a tree. Bright in color I might add. And in the city, a block away, the outline of every brick in place on the most amazing building against a city sky line. Vision I had not had since I was 7 years old. Can you tell? I am truly thankful.

How long do you have to keep doing the drops?

...and about how often?

couple of weeks...tapers off.  

I imagine it's pretty much the same everywhere http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/cataract-surgery-recovery.htm

Joanne, that is the most informative article on the procedure I ever read! Thank you!

ahem, I did not look at the video... That line about sticking a needle in the eye...