Cataracts Anyone? (1 Viewer)

So my eye doctor has told me the last 2-3 years I've got them, but it hasn't reached the point where it's time to do the procedure to remove them. My yearly eye exam is tomorrow and I'm half hoping and half afraid she'll say it's time. Hoping because I've read good things about the results of the procedure and my next door neighbor has had both eyes done and she's very happy with the results.


Assume she says to do them. I know she does the procedure, but my neighbor had hers done by a guy who does nothing but that, I I like that. So, I've got her doctor's name. Are there other ways to find recommended doctors for the procedure?


I like my current eye doc, but how do I tell her I'd like to use someone else?

BTW, is now a good time to apply to be a HTF movie reviewer?

It's a good time to watch Pootie Tang. [emoji6]

Clinton McClure said:

It's a good time to watch Pootie Tang. [emoji6]

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I don't get it. Perhaps I just can't "see" the humor.


BTW, I need new glasses but no cataract procedure this year.

My father had that done when he was 75. He's nearly 80 and still drives mostly safe. it was successful for him.


For me I have horrible eye strain problems. I've taken to breaking from PC stuff some days.

Sorry about the eye strain. Perhaps you need an exam. Properly corrected vision might fix the problem.

Johnny Angell said:

I don't get it. Perhaps I just can't "see" the humor.

BTW, I need new glasses but no cataract procedure this year.

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You probably would have done better If it were time to have the surgery. Nowadays, they don't simply 'remove' cataracts; they replace the lens. Many people see better than they have in years. If you pay extra, you can have other problems corrected, like near or far sightedness. I know people who have had cataract surgery who no longer need glasses; of if they do, they use only drugstore readers.

Johnny Angell said:

Sorry about the eye strain. Perhaps you need an exam. Properly corrected vision might fix the problem.

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I absolutely agree. We don't have good eye doctors here I'll have to travel away.


I like the idea of that surgery to correct things. It's a dream of mine to go without the eyewear.

My mom had cataracts removed last year and is satisfied with her results.

David_B_K said:

You probably would have done better If it were time to have the surgery. Nowadays, they don't simply 'remove' cataracts; they replace the lens. Many people see better than they have in years. If you pay extra, you can have other problems corrected, like near or far sightedness. I know people who have had cataract surgery who no longer need glasses; of if they do, they use only drugstore readers.

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I agree and I really wanted her to say it's time. There was an article in the paper recently about the procedure. It used to be that a fluid was inserted into the eye to dissolve the original lens, but according to the article, a device is inserted to dissolve the lens with sonic waves. The article mentioned there were upgraded lenses that could be put in, but did not go into detail about what makes them special. If there was an option to do away with glasses I would jump at it.


I think next year, if she does not say to proceed, I will ask her how elective it is. Is it ethical to do when the cataracts aren't bad enough and will insurance still pay?


I did ask my doctor how long the lenses last and she said usually for life. Of course at my age (69) that has a different meaning than for someone who is 40.

I'm recovering from cataract surgery now.

The procedure has really advanced from years ago. Here in town there are four clinics that specialize in the work.

The standard replacement intraocular lenses IOL are monofocal. You need to get glasses for either distance or close vision when these are installed. A newer option is mulitifocal, which in many cases eliminates the need for glasses at all.

https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/multifocal-iols.htm (video is somewhat dated)

The procedure entails a drastic dilation followed by cutting slits in the edges of the cornea, either with a scalpel or a laser. The old lens is broken up, either by a metal probe or a laser, and then sucked out by what's essentially a vacuum cleaner. The IOL is slid into place and adjusted, then - you're done! The cornea self-heals without any glue or sutures required.

Medicare will only pay for the "standard" surgery, using a metal scalpel and a monofocal lens. You have to pay out of pocket for multifocal lenses or the use of the laser surgery. I elected to go for the mulitifocal lenses. I also elected to go for the laser surgery due to better recovery and also more accurate placement of the multifocal lens. The laser can also trim the slots with enough accuracy to dial out moderate cases of astigmatism. The extra out of pocket was $3,200 per eye. Considering what people at HTF spend on video gear to have a great image quality …..

The outcome is nothing short of a miracle. My left eye was done 3 weeks ago and the right eye one week ago. There's some healing required as the cornea needs to recover from the swelling and inflammation from the surgery. But already my left eye is at 20/20 with no astigmatism. The right eye is lagging behind a bit at 20/30.

Data sheet for my IOL https://www.myalcon.com/professiona...ns/acrysof-iq-restor-multifocal-iol/restor-25

I had cataract surgery over 2 years ago:

Benefits?

No glasses for distance for the first time since I was about 10 years old. (great for 3D viewing!).

Colours are now back to normal.

Night driving etc. is not a problem.

Drawbacks?

I now must have reading glasses. I was having trouble remembering them, and then I found the dollar store. For about $20, I put a cheap pair in every room, in the car, in my suitcase etc.

My doctor was a specialist. It is covered by our government medical plan, but I had an appointment with him about once a month after each surgery. Luckily he is just around the corner.

Floaties, floaties, floaties! It is better now, but I was really bothered by these for at least a year after each surgery, especially when driving into the sun. I was assured that this was normal.

The final conclusion? It is still well worth not going blind!

@Dennis Nicholls thanks for that update. I suspect my cataract surgery will happen within a year and the $3200 for eye is just out of our budget. I’ve worn glasses for so long, I might be lost without them. That article seems to imply there is a loss of some distance clarity with the multi-focals. Did I understand that correctly?

It depends. With the Restore 2.5 IOL you get sharp distance vision but lose focus at closer distances. I can see details in the snow banks on the Owyhee mountains 60 miles away. Basically my distance vision is only limited by air pollution.

Right after surgery I had sharp focus reading my PC screen no closer than 26 inches. It's now down to about 18 inches. I'm using cheap readers to read the fine print on food packages etc.

McFarland in Little Rock appears to offer the treatment I received. https://www.mcfarlandeye.com/ You could always call them for a quote. Medical costs vary greatly and unpredictably all over the country.

Possible side effects of cataract surgery are Dry Eye Syndrome and Blepharitis. If you already have these conditions, they can worsen after the surgery. Preventive measures could include a prescription eye drop medication for 2 months before the surgery and after as necessary. OTC medications can also be effective. I like Soothe XP, Refresh Liquigel, Refresh Optive and Blink. There are many others.

Johnny Angell said:

@Dennis Nicholls I suspect my cataract surgery will happen within a year and the $3200 for eye is just out of our budget.

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People are good at rationalizing their decisions.

Consider how much a person spends on contact lenses every year. Several hundred dollars a year over a decade starts to sound like a large amount too. I can rationalize spending the money for the multifocal IOL by the savings on eyewear for the rest of my life.

Dennis Nicholls said:

People are good at rationalizing their decisions.

Consider how much a person spends on contact lenses every year. Several hundred dollars a year over a decade starts to sound like a large amount too. I can rationalize spending the money for the multifocal IOL by the savings on eyewear for the rest of my life.

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With the mono-focal and no laser procedure, won’t I be saving on eyeglasses too? My next door neighbor bought cheap readers and that’s all he needs.

I would like to have the upgraded procedure, I haven’t decided against it. Hell, my ophthalmologist hasn’t approved for it yet. On my last exam she thought I’d be there ink 6 months, which will be at the end of the year.

How do they keep the.patient from moving his/her eye during the procedure?

Johnny Angell said:

With the mono-focal and no laser procedure, won’t I be saving on eyeglasses too? My next door neighbor bought cheap readers and that’s all he needs.

I would like to have the upgraded procedure, I haven’t decided against it. Hell, my ophthalmologist hasn’t approved for it yet. On my last exam she thought I’d be there ink 6 months, which will be at the end of the year.

How do they keep the.patient from moving his/her eye during the procedure?

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You are sedated during the procedure. I previously had to wear glasses for reading, for computer, and for distance, and was about to buy prescription graduated/blended glasses. Now, following my double cataract procedure, I can see distance perfectly, computer perfectly, and only need glasses for reading. During the procedure i was aware of lights, but that is all. i felt nothing.

usrunnr said:

You are sedated during the procedure. I previously had to wear glasses for reading, for computer, and for distance, and was about to buy prescription graduated/blended glasses. Now, following my double cataract procedure, I can see distance perfectly, computer perfectly, and only need glasses for reading. During the procedure i was aware of lights, but that is all. i felt nothing.

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What procedure did you get?

usrunnr said:

You are sedated during the procedure. … . During the procedure i was aware of lights, but that is all. i felt nothing.

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However you do have to wear lidlocks on your glazzies…..