Cataract surgery

CAJUNLAWYER

CAJUNLAWYER

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On da Bayou Teche
Got a case of cataracts and Doc wants to cut.
If I go with the regular insurance covered lenses the out of pocket cost is minimal. My far vision will be great but I'll still need cheaters for reading. I have astygmisism or however you spell it, and was told about the toric lenses which will correct that but I will still need cheaters. The Toric will cost an extra $1.400 per eye. I was told about the combination, but pretty much decided against those so it is down to the regular cheapo ones and the toric lenses. Also I have choice between laser with computer or manual cutting-laser costs more.
Anyone had this surgery and want to chime in? I figure that with all you old farts around there ought to be a lot of you that have had the surgery and can offer opinions, which I desperately need as I was told by my wife the other day that I am pretty much officially an old fart myself age wise (although she tells me I still have a lot of growing up left in me-whatever that means). These are my eyes so I really don't want to go on the cheap, but on the other hand I don't want to get upsold for something that will have minimal up value. Assistance is greatly appreciated.
The doctor I saw comes HIGHLY recommended by my best friend who had the surgery last year.
 
If you do some searching here, you will find lots of comments about this procedure. I had mine done 7 or 8 years ago and I consider it a miracle. I wore glasses, increasingly thicker, for over 50 years. I do not need readers now unless the light is bad.

I opted for the more expensive lenses that work up close and far. It was the best money I ever spent. Borrow it or sell a gun, it is that worthwhile.

Find someone who does this procedure often. It is best to go with a true specialist in this case. The guy I used works at a large clinic and he does these procedures one or 2 days a week and may do over 20 a day. It really does not take long.

In his waiting room, he has a notebook full of testimonials from former patients. He sent me one of the forms to fill out and I took a picture of a target I had shot with my Gold Cup. I just wrote "a picture was worth a thousand words". It is in the book now and I hear he gets a lot of comments about it.

Good luck with it and I hope you will be as satisfied and happy as I am.
 
Had mine done almost 10-12 years ago now (55ish)after wearing glasses for 40 years .....got the lecture on "choices"....... more today then then.....went for basic distance vision

vision is still 20/15 and 20/20.

My Doc recommended just getting cheap cheaters......I have 3 versions.
Reading... sharp focus at about a foot.
Computer/''close work"....... sharp focus at about 24"
Bedside...... focus is pretty close for reading in bed.

Cheaters are 3 pair for $20 IIRC at CVS sometimes buy one second half price

Overnight recovery.


My Dad and Grandfather both had it done........ the surgery has come a long long way in the past 50 years
 
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I had it done five years ago, it was over before I knew it, the worst part of the whole thing is the drops after, I think it took about a month.

Sent from my LGL52VL using Tapatalk
 
Just got both eyes done.
Right was still near 20-20 with CAT and stigmatism.
She recommended the Toric, I wrote the check.
Left got regular Medium Distance lens , no extra cost.
No cutting!
Laser Zapping.
Lots of drops.
Still need reading glasses for continuous reading.
But using iPad right now without glasses.
 
Had both eyes done a few years ago, about 6 weeks apart. I went with the laser. The procedures are simple and painless, the worst thing for me was the constant eye drops for a couple week.

I have astygmisism (your spelling:D) in my right eye. I still needed readers for close up work and for the first time in my life I did not need Corrective lenses on my license. Note I started wearing glasses at age 5 back in 1950.

My new problems were two fold. I only used the readers when needed took them off and promptly lost them, spent more time look in for them that using them.:eek:. Second problem, I was a construction welder and the amount of stuff that hit my glasses or face made me a bit paranoid of nothing in from of my precious eye now. So I had my surgeon/doc set me up again with full time bifocal glasses so that my eyes were safe and it did slightly improve my vision.

After wearing glasses for more than 60 years I had no problem wearing glasses again. I have a very good medical insurance plan.
 
I had mine done last year, and as with the majority of cases of that surgery, worked great. Since without the surgery you're have a nearly 100% chance to go blind, it's not hard to pick the odds.

Type of lenses, I don't know. Like the majority of people, I went for good distance vision in both eyes. Hey, I'm just glad to be here. :)

I've noticed that red dot sights that used to have an irregular dot now look like they should with a sharp, distinct dot. Every little bit helps. I'm fighting the urge to put the new class of small red dots on many of my handguns.

Thought about this some more: I could be wrong (wouldn't be the first time today) but I think your opthamologist is talking about a test instead of a manual or computer operation. Insurance usually won't pay for the computerized test, but most recommend it strongly as it can be very accurate, and they don't have to do the math manually.

https://www.healio.com/ophthalmolog...-standardized-testing-before-cataract-surgery
 
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When I had mine done I had Mono-vision lenses installed. Right eye distance and left close up, reading and computer monitor. Works great for me, also paid extra to get the astigmatism fixed, well worth the money. With the cost of glasses and lenses I think I've recouped my outlay.
SWCA 892
 
Cajun,

Thank you for putting up this post. I am having my dominant eye's cataract operated on the end of January. I am finding that driving at night is a challenge and either reading or watching tv is causing bad headaches. When my dad had his cataracts addressed in the early '70s, it was six months between eyes. I am developing questions every day, but afraid to ask Dr Google! Hoping this procedure will benefit my ability to see my iron sights and crosshairs!
 
lrrifleman said:
Cajun,

Thank you for putting up this post. I am having my dominant eye's cataract operated on the end of January. I am finding that driving at night is a challenge and either reading or watching tv is causing bad headaches. When my dad had his cataracts addressed in the early '70s, it was six months between eyes. I am developing questions every day, but afraid to ask Dr Google! Hoping this procedure will benefit my ability to see my iron sights and crosshairs!
Click to expand...

lrrifleman, a little more about night vision as you posted above!

It was the summer and we had long days and we hardly went out after dinner. I knew I had cats but they were not too bad and the Doc and I thought I would be OK for at least a year. WRONG!

As stated we had done no night driving in about 10 weeks. So like usual we took off at 9 AM for Carlisle PA (Big Vette show I go to each year) The next morning getting up a 4.30 AM for the 10 mile ride to the fair grounds everything seemed normal. I got on the interstate, now at this time not much traffic. Driving down the road at a good speed I notice I could not read the Exit signs till I was right on top of them.. Everything else seemed normal

I just gently told my wife I can not read the signs, everything else other traffic, lines in the road the shoulders were fine. I had her tell me what exit to get off. Stayed there 3 days and went back home in the daylight hours. Had surgery done 3 weeks late. Even my surgeon/doc was very surprised on just how fast my eyes deteriorated!

OP good luck!:)
 
@NYLakesider,

Sounds like what I experienced earlier this month coming back from the Sig Academy. Speed limit signs didn't come into focus until I was maybe 25 yards away, license plates went out of focus once cars got 10 yards ahead of me. Orange rings around oncoming headlights, and those super bright headlights triggered headaches like I have never had before. Surgeon said the cataracts weren't really that big to necessitate surgery, but were symptomatic. Wish I didn't have to wait 10-11 weeks, but I will view that as indicative of a good surgeon in high demand!
 
BAM-BAM said:
....

vision is still 20/15 and 20/20.

My Doc recommended just getting cheap cheaters......I have 3 versions.
Reading... sharp focus at about a foot.
Computer/''close work"....... sharp focus at about 24"
Bedside...... focus is pretty close for reading in bed.

Cheaters are 3 pair for $20 IIRC at CVS sometimes buy one second half price

Overnight recovery.
Click to expand...
Almost exactly my experience. Had one done 13 years ago, the second this year.
For my first one, the laser option wasn't available.
Opted for the laser (+$1,400 insurance didn't cover) on the second.
The laser doesn't correct vision but does a better, safer job of opening the capsule and disintegrating the cataract for a safer, more complete removal.
Go here to see a description and comparison of the two procedure options: Laser Cataract Surgery
I feel my eyes are the most precious of my senses, so I paid the laser tariff and had a very good result in the second eye - 20/15 vision at a distance. My surgeon felt the adjustable focus implants are still a little iffy, so I chose the fixed lens with the distance only option. I really don't mind the glasses for close and mid range vision, and keep a set in my car and around the house at my most common locations during the day.
 
I had both eyes Sep 9, 2019. I chose standard lenses. One eye is far sighted and one eye is near sighted. Works for me. I only use readers for very small print because I'm used to large print. I don't actually need them. It sounded crazy to have one of each but I got use to it immediately. My cataract in the right eye was so bad I couldn't see. Nighttime driving was almost impossible. You don't realize what you lose until you get it back.

The standard lenses are great and I went with them. My recommendation is KISS, it's not about cheap.
 
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Eye drops

Salty RI said:
I had it done five years ago, it was over before I knew it, the worst part of the whole thing is the drops after, I think it took about a month.

Sent from my LGL52VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Three different eye drop prescriptions each eye for eight days four times a day. Then one prescription each eye for twenty one more days four times a day.

I kept the sheet I recorded them on with the dates and time of day. It was a pain but we'll worth it. The month passed quickly.
 
Iron sights

lrrifleman said:
Cajun,

Thank you for putting up this post. I am having my dominant eye's cataract operated on the end of January. I am finding that driving at night is a challenge and either reading or watching tv is causing bad headaches. When my dad had his cataracts addressed in the early '70s, it was six months between eyes. I am developing questions every day, but afraid to ask Dr Google! Hoping this procedure will benefit my ability to see my iron sights and crosshairs!
Click to expand...

My specific reason for going with different lenses was so I could focus on my front sight. I shoot with both eyes open. It's just amazing to focus on the front sight with one eye and see distance with the other eye at the same time.
 
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My wife recently had her cataracts removed and opted for the mono vision approach. She now wears no correction and feels that the operation produced amazing results. Color was the first thing that she noticed, the perception of it was lacking before surgery.
 
Had the left eye done 7 years ago, the right one 14 months ago. Both lens were distance. I wear cheaters to read. The latest surgery took almost 8 minutes, and I was number 12 of 20 He was doing before lunch. Lots of drops and kalidascope vision till He finished. Took 5 weeks of drops for the eye to set in. Some take 2 days, others take the full 5 weeks. Doc then lasered a film off the left eye and I just 2 months ago went for a new DL. Took the eye exam without glasses. First time in 58 years My license has no restrictions. Use an experienced Doctor and do the cut. Get a distance lens as You will not be happy shooting or hunting. And don't do one of each. Good luck with whatever You decide. Hope it works for You as well as it did for Me.
 
Had the cataract done in my right eye a year ago. You never realize how cloudy the lens is until it’s gone. It was like getting a new TV. I also had them do corrective laser surgery while they were zapping away. Now I have to wait for my left eye to need it. Which may be in 2020. The procedure is very simple. Had to wear an eye patch for a day or two, arrrrggggh! Drops were no big deal.

I was spending $500 to $700 each for new glasses and sun glasses every other prescription change.
 
I've recently had both my eyes done. Left eye dominant, so I had the far sighted lens implanted. When it came time for the right eye to be done, I thought about having the near vision lens implanted, but went with the far vision lens instead.

I sometimes regret not having the near vision lens put in the right eye. I use cheaters for close up, reading, and computer, but I'm going to have my Optometrist prescribe glasses for me. I too have astigmatism, so another reason for prescription glasses.

I thought about the higher end, higher cost lenses, but didn't want to spend a few thousand dollars for them. Glasses will be fine.

Just had my driver's license renewed, and no check mark saying "glasses needed".
 
Things will look so much brighter and focused than before. You won't be sorry. I have had both done.
My daughter just had both eyes done. Everything went fine except he gave her some drops that she was allergic to. Got different drops and everything is doing OK.
 
I had cateract surgery done nine or ten years ago using mono vision lenses: the left for close work, right for distance.

Works great: no need for reading glasses.

I do have a set of glasses that adjusts the left eye to distance (like the right eye). That gives stereo vision but the only time I use them is when I take my granddaughter to a 3 D movie: then I wear the glasses and the movie 3D glasses over them to get the 3D movie experience.

They are unnecessary for important things like shooting.

I wouldn’t dream of doing the laser or lasick (sp) surgery. There is a much greater chance of having life altering bad result that can’t be corrected surgically or with glasses.

Caj: Find a good eye surgeon, not a laser jockey!!!
 
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I've had both of mine done. When I asked about the toric lenses the surgeon looked at the results of the exam they just made and said that the numbers weren't there and I was not a candidate for the toric lenses. I got the regular distance correction and set it up for far vision. Post surgery the results were that about half of my astigmatism went away but there was enough left that I still need glasses for driving. I got progressive SAFETY glasses and wear them full time. This way I am good for shooting as well as working in the shop.

You didn't say if you need glasses already. If you do make arrangements to go by your optician the day after surgery and get a blank (plano) lens installed in your glasses. After the operation you probably won't need much correction in the operated eye and the blank lens will make life better for the 4-8 weeks between the operation and when you will get your new glasses. During that period of time you may want to limit your driving a little because you could be working with one good eye and one not so good eye. That isn't the best arrangement for depth perception. I learned to take the less traveled routes and come up on a line of stopped cars slowly.

Post surgery I laid off shooting for two weeks. When I started shooting again it was air pistol for two weeks, 22 pistol for two weeks, then 22 rifle and target loads in pistol for another two weeks, then I added light recoiling center fire rifles after another two weeks. Was I being overly cautious? Probably. Then one day I couldn't see the sights. Posterior capsular opacification. Also known as secondary cataract. A five minute office procedure took care of it. That only occurred with one eye.

We're all getting older and the parts that wear out can fortunately be repaired or replaced much easier than that they could when our parents were our age.
 
A while back my eye doctor told me I was in the middle lane heading towards cataract town. He said I had to wait until it was bad enough for my insurance to give the nod.

I believe I have just hit the off ramp. I have an 0900 appointment Monday for an exam with a surgeon at the Eye Institute. It is as if I am looking through egg whites and I am squinting through my eyebrows and my prescription glasses are useless beyond gimme putt distances.

I have to set the backgrounds on my tablet to dark ones as light ones cause my eyes to burn and water and my thumb and forefinger cramp from constantly expanding the screen. Watching tv is like looking at woolly bears through a lava lamp.

This is extremely uncomfortable and I want it fixed.
 
Before I had surgery a couple of years ago, it didn't take me long to realize I'd be unhappy with anything less than the super deluxe lenses at greater cost. Consider just how important your vision is; it's well worth the cost to have the best possible vision for both closeup and distance.

I don't wear glasses now for anything and can read fine print as long as I have good light. For the first time in many years, I can use open sights on a handgun and aperture or open sights on a rifle. The ocular lens on my scopes no longer have to be backed way out for the "old man" focus. I can read road signs clearly now long before I get to them.

Following surgery, I figured a good test was to thread a needle. Took two or three tries, but I succeeded. I haven't tried that lately; don't know if I could do it on the first attempt or if it would take several.

The only negative aspect of my eye surgery was the minimal improvement in my night vision, but I seldom drive at night anyway.
 
I wouldn't spring for the Toric lenses. I think they are largely a ripoff. Everyone in my family has had cataract surgery using standard single vision replacement lenses, no problems with any. I still wear glasses mainly for reading, don't mind it at all. But I have worn glasses for 30 years prior to the cataract surgery, so no big deal.
 
You may want to consider this too: Divide the $2800 extra into how many more years you think you are going to live. That makes the yearly cost not nearly as bad. You already know what just one pair of good eyeglasses cost and how often those need replacing. This surgery will eliminate you having to wear glasses from now on. I couldn't go with the more expensive multi-focal lens because my vision was so poor but the toric corrected my vision to 20-20 or better. I went from legally blind without my glasses to having to wear none at all. Good luck with your surgery and you are going to love the results.
 
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