Any knowledgeable opinions would be appreciated.

Years ago, I was a commercial photographer. About the time I began thinking I couldn't see well enough to do my job as well as I'd like, Photoshop allowed me to make a living with way way way less pressure. That worked really well for a while.

Fast forward to - I can't see shit anymore. It was gradual like boiling a frog but I had enough so I asked around and went to a highly recommended optometrist...

Seems I have cataracts but not bad enough to do anything about... I kept asking if that is really the best she could do? I couldn't even read the, rather large sign for the office until I passed it.

Another appointment later, for the first time in years, she dilates my pupils and referred me to a cataract surgeon saying maybe...  they have access to one test she didn't.

I don't know but what I do know is I could see a whole lot better driving home with dilated pupils wearing my dead father's old codger wraparound sunglasses. Short drive, wow. Open the garage door, Wow! Take off the sunglasses... walk into the kitchen, WOW. Walk down to my very well lit shop, whole crap! Something is definitely wrong with my eyes.

I've not done a Q trip for at least 5 years in part because I honestly can't see as well as I'd like and it matters to me so I'm planning ahead.

Cataract surgery seems to be a one shot deal so I'm looking for experienced opinions on what to expect and avoid or embrace. I'll be 63 this month FWIW.

Thoughts?

My mom had cataract surgery (about ten years ago) and the surgery restored her vision to 20/20- no need for glasses at all.

Beware of certain prescription beta-blockers though, can make the procedure much more difficult, even if you have not taken them for years.

Let the light in!

db wrote on Jan 4^th, 2022 at 7:26pm:

Any knowledgeable opinions would be appreciated. Years ago, I was a commercial photographer. About the time I began thinking I couldn't see well enough to do my job as well as I'd like, Photoshop allowed me to make a living with way way way less pressure. That worked really well for a while. Fast forward to - I can't see shit anymore. It was gradual like boiling a frog but I had enough so I asked around and went to a highly recommended optometrist... Seems I have cataracts but not bad enough to do anything about... I kept asking if that is really the best she could do? I couldn't even read the, rather large sign for the office until I passed it. Another appointment later, for the first time in years, she dilates my pupils and referred me to a cataract surgeon saying maybe...  they have access to one test she didn't. I don't know but what I do know is I could see a whole lot better driving home with dilated pupils wearing my dead father's old codger wraparound sunglasses. Short drive, wow. Open the garage door, Wow! Take off the sunglasses... walk into the kitchen, WOW. Walk down to my very well lit shop, whole crap! Something is definitely wrong with my eyes. I've not done a Q trip for at least 5 years in part because I honestly can't see as well as I'd like and it matters to me so I'm planning ahead. Cataract surgery seems to be a one shot deal so I'm looking for experienced opinions on what to expect and avoid or embrace. I'll be 63 this month FWIW. Thoughts?

  I was having the same problems. I thought I just needed reading glasses when I was still working at 65. I had safety glasses with readers built-in.

Never had an issue driving even at night. When I retired and started on SS/MEDICARE, I decided to get a thorough eye exam.

  I was shocked to find that my vision in one eye was so bad I couldn't legally drive and in the other eye I was just barely legal to drive and NOT at night period!!!

I asked my Dr how could my eyes be that bad but I didn't notice it? He said that you adapt to the situation and since the vision loss is gradual over time, many like me don't even realize how bad our vision really is.

We discussed the options. He's done thousands of cataract surgeries. I asked about the ones using laser/lenses?

He said that IF you get optimum results, the finished product means you don't need reading glasses. He also said that when you don't the problems are annoying and often not fixable.

I asked what was the best choice with the best record of patient satisfaction? He said the old-fashioned lens replacement. He said I could have 20-20 vision either at a distance or up close but not both without glasses.

Being an outdoor person, I opted for 20-20 distance vision and reading glasses.

Like you said about the eye dilation db, after my worst eye was done, the difference was striking. I didn't realize what I had been missing.

So far I'm glad I had the surgery. The worst part for me wasn't the actual surgery, it was having to put eye drops in on a schedule after the surgery.

  Everyone is different but I'd make sure you hear about the negatives of each surgery option so you know what could go wrong.

My wife felt she needed new glasses, optometrist said she had cataracts and referred her. Cataract surgery on both eyes.
Now new glasses, and her vision is much better. Unlike before surgery, she now only wears glasses for reading and up close work.  Seemed well worth it.

I thought ST had a good analysis. 

But the point about choosing wheter to get near or far vision is not exactly true.  My wife had hers done and opted for "mono-vision".  One eye is adjusted for close vision.  The other for far vision.  Over time the brains learns to rely on the eye giving better vision.

With her it has worked great.  But she alrady was prepped for it as that is how her contacts worked.  Her eyes were already trained.  Others mileage may vary.

I think everyone I have spoke with thinks they are better off with the surgery.  A few find the outcome less than ideal, but at least an improvement.

azalea wrote on Jan 6^th, 2022 at 8:42pm:

I thought ST had a good analysis.  But the point about choosing wheter to get near or far vision is not exactly true.  My wife had hers done and opted for "mono-vision".  One eye is adjusted for close vision.  The other for far vision.  Over time the brains learns to rely on the eye giving better vision. With her it has worked great.  But she alrady was prepped for it as that is how her contacts worked.  Her eyes were already trained.  Others mileage may vary. I think everyone I have spoke with thinks they are better off with the surgery.  A few find the outcome less than ideal, but at least an improvement.

I was presented with that option but decided against it for myself.

  I had a former boss who swore by it. My sister did it and couldn't adjust.

  In the end, you have to weigh the pros-cons of all the options you have and decide what best fits your lifestyle.

Another thing I didn't mention is because I was on Medicare, they won't pay for it unless your vision is so bad they can't fix the problem with glasses.

  So I had to wait until that happened.

We both had both eyes done back in 2008.  We were "borderline" needing it done, but it seemed prudent to get that taken care of before the kidney transplant (which was January of '09.)  I can't really speak for Spartan1, but in my case it made a real difference in my sight, especially driving at night.  I opted for the lens that gave me up close sight, and still wear glasses for distance.  Just seemed easier to adjust to.

Both of us had some clouding of the new lens a year or two after the surgery and had to have a few zaps with the YAG laser.  Not hard to do, not painful, and except for some spectacular "floaters" for a few days, no side effects.  It cleared up the cloudiness well.

We were glad that we got it done, and we faithfully did the drops for each other.

I can't speak to the improvements in the process in 14 years, but I am sure there are some.

Good luck and Godspeed to you!

So I snagged an appointment for a month from now. Such is life.

I've been wearing glasses for distance since third grade and over the years I had to get progressive lenses because the correction for distance was so strong that I got tired of taking off my glasses to see close up. No biggie.

Here's the thing though. Ten or so years ago I was looking at frames without my glasses on. That's when I noticed I saw double in both eyes so basically, I see quadruple -- albeit a blurry quadruple. I've always mentioned it and they've always looked at me like I'm nuts (which is besides the point). ;)

I knew flare was a thing but when the last symptom I read for cataracts was "double vision in a single eye" ...  bingo!

Driving at night? Ha! I don't even like driving in the daytime unless I know exactly where I'm going. If I don't know the area, without help from my phone there'd be no way.

Thanks for the thoughts and I'd appreciate reading any other experiences anyone is willing to share.

I haven't had cataract surgery yet.  But my eyes over time evolved so one eye sees things up close (reading) and one eye sees things far away (driving).  If I am reading a book or newspaper I will use reading glasses as the glasses make the print easier to read.  If I am driving I will wear glasses and the glasses will make my weak eye see better.  If I am outside in the sun, I would wear sun glasses anyways.  My wife had cataract surgery on both eyes.  One eye sees things close and one eye sees things far away.  She is happy with the result.

I assume it will be lasik surgery.

no experience though I might need the same.

years ago before laser surgery, my dad had cataract surgery done - he was never able to see well out of that eye after the surgery - just had a big gray hole looking thru that eye.

Thanks all. Believe it or not, this was all very helpful and appreciated.

So, did you have it done?

End of the month for the first eye. I thought of you when they went through the packet and pulled out their handy checklist for all the eyedrops. ;)

First time in my life a doc ever gave me a price in advance. Two grand extra per eye for lasik. I'm like yeah that's a bit out of my reach. Sharp razor blade it is!

I hope it goes really well.  We never regretted having ours done.  But the eye drops were annoying.  My husband cannot hold an eye open when anyone brings a dropper nearby--I was SO glad when we were done with his!

Just follow their directions and it should heal up really well.

My younger brother had his first eye done today. Just basic lenses. He has a lot of health issues. He has a little palsy in both hands and was freaking out about maybe having to do the eye-drops himself?

His wife still works, so he asked the them if there was a way even a shaky handed guy like him could do it himself??

  Turns out there is and he tried it and it worked great for him. If he can do it alone and easily with this method, then anyone can.  ;) ;D


If you're too anxious to insert eye drops
Children and people who have strong reactions to anything near their eyes may struggle to keep their eyes open. If that's the case, try this method instead:

Lean your head back as far as is comfortable, or lay down on a bed or couch.
Keep your eyes closed.
Hold the eye drop bottle with your thumb and first two fingers.
Put the other two fingers of your hand on your nose for stability.
Without touching the bottle to your eyelid, put an eye drop in the corner of your eye near your nose.
While your head is still tilted back, open your eyes and blink several times until the drop rolls into the eye.

There's over 300 dots on the 2 sheets to help keep track of timing (my issue) so I expect your brother will be an eye drop pro by time he's done.

Soooo, I get a phone call today about a flower delivery... Wait? What? Huh? For who...? (it's the anniversary of my mother's death and I may have sent flowers for someone else's funeral recently and screwed up the from and to...)

Anyway, he didn't know but he was at my door and long story short, they were from my cataract surgeon's office.

I get it and it's a nice gesture and all but now I'm wondering if I should be worried?

And FWIW, the new guy I saw yesterday for my day after appointment told me the drops I brought along wouldn't have been needed but for supply chain issues. Normally in the past they would have just injected all those drops directly into the eye so there would be no worries about drops.

Not kidding. Was that ever a thing?

Not kidding. Was that ever a thing?

  It's not for the basic lenses I got a year ago and my brother last month,
  Maybe it's the type of eye surgery you're having?
  I guess the flowers are a nice touch but you'd think they would come afterwards?

  I'd worry if they brought a WHITE cane  ;) ;D ;D

When my wife looked at the card she mused that the flowers were actually for her 'cause they screwed up twice causing problems for her.

I picked up the mug they are in and noticed their logo is on it so it must be standard practice.

Perhaps if I'd have spent more, I'd get to hear this sound when I picked up the mug. ;)

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Anyway, I can now read this forum on my phone held vertically and overall contrast, color, clarity... wow. Nannanannananna

solotripper wrote on Mar 10^th, 2022 at 5:05am:

Not kidding. Was that ever a thing?

Evidently is was.

db wrote on Mar 11^th, 2022 at 9:46pm:

solotripper wrote on Mar 10th, 2022 at 5:05am: Not kidding. Was that ever a thing? Evidently is was.

  If you had the basic lenses like I got and they used to inject those eye drops, I wish I would have had that option.

Hello, db. So how did the cataract surgery go? I'm scheduled for my first eye in late June/early July.

Surgery is a breeze. I got the near vision and I still have two weeks before I can get glasses so I'm struggling a bit. That said, the difference is well worth the effort. Contrast is a wonderful thing.

If I wear a pair of 25 yr old glasses, I can even read road signs now!

db wrote on Apr 4^th, 2022 at 9:15pm:

Surgery is a breeze. I got the near vision and I still have two weeks before I can get glasses so I'm struggling a bit. That said, the difference is well worth the effort. Contrast is a wonderful thing. If I wear a pair of 25 yr old glasses, I can even read road signs now!

  Maybe with near vision option it doesn't matter but when I got the far vision, I got 2 prescriptions for glasses.

  My reading glasses are 2.50 and my computer glasses are 1.25 with the Blue Light filter.

Reading glasses are different than what you need using the computer, plus they don't have that Blue Light filter.

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That's great news about the surgery being a breeze. Glad it worked out so well for you. Thanks.

So yesterday I talked to a few people about their cataract surgery and if I can offer any advice at all it would be to pay attention to billing and timing.