Need Feedback - Upcoming Cataract Surgery

[Dennis The B]

This AM, I went to the ophthalmologist for my annual eye exam. Went through the usual litany of tests, pupil dilation, and questions about my cataracts. They've gotten to the point where they interfere with shooting, night driving, bright daylight, etc. The only decisions remaining are when the surgery takes place (November 13 and December 4), and the type of replacement lenses implanted. I was counseled by the doctor, his optic technicians, and I've seen two videos on the cataract surgery in general, TORIC in particular, and the usual "patient need to know" data.

I have astigmatism, on the severe side, but correctable with a more expensive lens. It looks like it will be a TORIC implant. This will correct the astigmatism, but will give me mild nearsightedness or mild presbyopia. As it stands now, I'm opting for slight mild presbyopia, leaving me with needing reading glasses. The up charge on the TORIC implant is about $1K per eye.

The TORIC implant seems like a no brainer. Walgreens has reading glasses, and I can eliminate prescriptions for regular eyeglasses, shooting glasses, sunglasses, etc. The $2K will probably be recouped within ten years.

I'd like to see some feedback from forum member who've had cataract surgery, and especially any of you who may have had the TORIC implants. Has the implant improved your shooting, especially pistol and shotgun? Any other comments?

As usual, thanks in advance for the comments and input.

 

[Road Rat]

Well, congratulations for being able to fix your problem with surgery!!

My only experience is with the spouse: she had both eyes done this Summer and is happier than a pig in mud.

There were absolutely no issues with either procedure. When it was all over she has 20/20 vision in both eyes and only needs 1.50 reading glasses if she wants to read the paper. You can buy those for a couple bucks just about any where.

Chances of you getting perfect far and near vision with the implant lenses are probably not going to happen.

One thing you MUST do is get a good pair of dark sunglasses as the bright outside gets much brighter than you are currently used to.

Enjoy your new vision.................

 

[BAM-BAM]

I had mine done in 2005......... at 51. Cataracts run in the family.......

I was really uptight about my vision and the future.......

I'm now 20/15 in one eye and 20/25 in the other........ have to wear Wallyworld cheaters to read ($5 a pair) .....no big deal ( I keep 3-5 pair around the house and car)

Shooting with Scopes and reddots is fine.......for pistol sights (at the range) I have a pair of shooting glasses with an insert in the right lens to help me focus on the front sight........

Bottom line........ having it done........... priceless!!!!!!

Good luck

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

Dennis, This is a great read for your upcoming decision.
Tips on Implanting Toric IOLs

You will need accurate measurements when dealing with high astigmatism. Don't use this unless your doctor has at least 50 or so documented toric lense transplants, records of measurements, and results.

The axis of your astigmatism is the only place it can go. I have seen 1 degree of wrong axis in cylindrical values higher than 3.50 diopters, just in eyeglasses. Turn your eyeglasses sideways just a bit and see what you will get if it is done improperly. If it is done properly, cells will start forming on the edges of the new lense(s) and will most likely make you feel you are getting cataracts again. You go back to the doctor.

He/she tells you they can remove that with a laser. This is where I am limited in understanding this type lense for cylindrical correction. They will probably have to leave a certain amout of cells there to protect the axis placement.

I made a pair of glasses years ago for a man whose improper tilt would not allow accommodation. Told me, after frame adjustments, he had never been able to see that well in his entire life. Feather in my cap? No: I learned an invaluable lesson in optics. He wore about a -15.50-3.75 RX and I was happy to use my experience using flint glass and chemical treating for his lenses he wanted made of glass.

Ask more questions and stop thinking about Wallyworld lenses for reading. If your cylinder is high enough or they are off slightly, you might still need corrective lenses for a bit of astigmatism, and I will bet you will. As a disclosure, I am not licensed to give out this and it is merely my opinion. My wife had a regular implant and uses cylindrical corrective lenses, though they are minimal at about a half diopter or -.50. Good luck. In a perfect world, we would rather deal with correction in spheres only with no astigmatism. That is what they are attemting to do for you.

 

[Biginge]

Dennis,

I had both eyes done, one week apart, about two years ago. I could not be happier. I used Walgreens cheaters for reading/up close work. All restrictions remove from Drivers License, etc.

Not one bit of pain/uncomfortableness during or after lazer surgery. Did not even take a tylenol.

I highly recommend it. My times went down and scores went up considerably once I could see the target again.

 

[fiasconva]

I had both mine done in March using the toric's. I went from being legally blind without my glasses to not needing them at all except for reading the smallest print. Having a great surgeon that does the correct measurements as Bud Jr said is very important. I could not be happier with my results. My astigmatism was pretty bad so multi-focal lenses couldn't be used but the Toric's work great.

 

[max]

I had mine done 3 years ago and for the first time in 50 years did not have to wear glasses. I had multi-focal lenses implanted and have no regrets.

 

[rwsmith]

I can see...

After the surgery I can see much better than I ever have in my whole life. I just need a little correction for reading and distance.

 

[mwtdvm]

Done it in 08 and 09

I also have severe astigmatism but my Dr. Did a perilimbal incision that allowed my cornea to "reform" in a more normal shape at the same time he removed the cataract lens. The first eye took 12 minutes, the second, 14. Three years later, I developed other problems unrelated to the cataract surgery and had to have three procedures in the left eye and one in the right. My vision with glasses is 20/20 OS(L) and 20/25 OD(Rt).
I did not get anything but the basic lens. I did not like the problems they would have given me shooting.
See below: 6.5/284 Norma, Ruger #1V at 100 from a rest,
Things have worked out well. And I knew I pulled the "flyer".

 

[Rock185]

I had both eyes done, about six weeks apart, IIRC. I went with the Baush and Lomb multi-focal Crystalens. I went from progressive bifocals, to being able to read, see my front sight clearly, see well at longer distances and better at night, and had the corrective lens restriction removed from my drivers license. Nothing is as good IMHO as being a young person with 20/20 vision. In low light, and/or with text smaller than newsprint, use of Wal-Mart type reading glasses makes reading easier. I'm still glad I had it done...ymmv

 

[jrm53]

Catarac surgery

I will give you some advice I wish I had known before having mine done on April 17 of this year. Tell whom ever does the surgery to make very very sure he does not leave any pieces of cortex or parts of the material he takes out of your eye, be very specific to check and check again, this material is easy to miss as they use microscopes to do the work. After my surgery on April 17 I never could see very good out of my eye, on the 8th of May they went back in to remove a piece of cortex that he missed the first time. It went on and on, I could not see anything but a blur, when he said this can be fixed but I cant do it, so now I'm set up for a corneal implant on the 20th of Nov. which was the quickest I could get. All surgerys are not like your friends and neighbors. some go the way of mine and it can happen to any surgeon, mine was as good as you could get but things happen. Good Luck with yours. Jeff

 

[Dennis The B]

I thought I'd update you about what's transpired in the succeeding ten days after my initial examination. My doctor and I narrowed the selection down to two toric implants options:

• Crystalens by Bausch + Lomb
• Trulign by Bausch + Lomb

In the last week, I've concentrated learning as much as the lay person can understand regarding the Crystalens and the Trulign.

I was in the office this past Wednesday for an additional set of measurements. This was the third set in the past year, with no differences in the results. We discussed, with his technicians sitting in on the consult, the final recommendation. He explained his recommendations, the impact, potential downside, percentage success for all the options, and the risks of any eye surgery. Because of my desire to try and eliminate corrective lenses for medium and long vision, I opted for the [/b]Trulign[/b] implant. He was in agreement with me, that this will be the best option, and will probably allow me to escape glasses for anything but reading. The Trulign implant has an amount of flex built into the lens, and allows the eye muscle to continue to do some of its job in moving between near and far vision. However, because of my presbyopia (+2.5 diopters), I will still need "reading" glasses. The good thing there, is that the correction is now at its maximum.

By the way, the spherical on each eye is +3.00, and the cylindrical is +4.00.

Wednesday afternoon, my doctor had a consult with a board consisting of six other ophthalmic surgeons who reviewed his findings, and there was a consensus of his two options, leaving me to make the final selection.

Yesterday afternoon I received a call from the doctor's office, and they requested that I come in today for one more set; the results being no difference.

In anticipation of the surgery, the doctor started me on artificial tears (QID), and asked that I use a warm compress at bedtime.

After the final measurements, and the doctor and techs answering any remaining questions, I signed the consent forms and paid the out of pocket for the first eye. I now have three more prescriptions to use, in addition to the existing drops. The Trulign has quite a bit more cost on my part, but the object here is to improve my vision, not just for shooting, but to get rid of the glare, flare, and slight night glare that has gotten worse in the last year.

The first operation is scheduled for November 13, with the usual pre-op preparation, including the start of post-op drops. Next day follow-up, and then two weeks until the next exam. The right eye is scheduled for December 4, with the same regimen.

My personal physician called me Wednesday night concerning a prescription he wrote (unrelated to the upcoming surgery). I discussed in full with him, and got his take on the option. While not an ophthalmic surgeon, he does see a lot of patients my age with cataracts. He was extremely supportive, and he asked that I keep him abreast of the upcoming operations. He also asked that the ophthalmic surgeon send him copies of all the reports. He told me that I would be asking myself why I waited so long.

I don't want this thread to turn into a personal "On The Road" chronology, but I'd like to keep you good folks apprised of the progress, and I'll let you know, good or bad, how things go. By Christmas time, the results should be pretty much finalized.

 

[T.L.R.]

My eyes had been getting bad ten years ago. Four years ago I finally had both cataracts removed. Was afraid at first of having someone cut my eyeball open. After I had them done it was like day and night difference.

Infact, my eyes are so good now that I can see right through ladies dress's.