Who has had Cataract Surgery?

[Ramfins59]

My eye specialist has me scheduled for Cataract Surgery on my left eye on March 19th. While I'm not overly concerned about it, I am just a bit apprehensive. I know it is the right thing to do because the vision in my left eye is getting progressively "foggier" as time goes on. I will also have to have my right eye done a little further down the road.

After everything I went through after having my stroke back in 2000 (3 months of Rehab, Carotid Artery Surgery, 8 teeth + pieces pulled for dentures) I'm not really fearful of the procedure because I know it will benefit me and my life and in my enjoyment of this hobby.

I was wondering if any other "old farts" on this Forum (I'll be 67 in early April) may have had this procedure done too, and how things turned out for them. Thanks guys.

[slusher]

Rich my mother who just turned 80 had it done on both eyes. She said it was lots easier then she thought. My aunt was so fearful her blood pressure would go to high to do it when she got to the doctors office and after time of not doing it she went blind. My mother at 80 has almost 20/20 vision and can read without glasses. I hope this helps you...

[Harry P.]

No personal experience, but I do know that it's practically a slam dunk as far as successful surgery goes. Pretty routine these days, and the outcome is overwhelmingly positive.

[ScaleDale]

Over the last six or eight months, I've lost track, I had cataract surgery with upgraded lenses to correct astigmatism done in both eyes. Here's the whole deal.

Over several months I had a total of four office visits and two procedures to prep for two surgeries. The procedures involved office "surgeries" to scrape rough spots off the surfaces of both of my eyes. These two visits were seperate and required a driver because of the pupil dilation and numbing drops that did a bit of a number on me. It stung for a day and that was pretty much it. I had prescription eyedrops to use every few hours for several weeks and that kept me busy.

The cataract surges themselves were one of those things where the worry was the worse part. They put you through what seems like a full surgery prep with monitors, IV, good drugs and the whole shebang. When you get to the actual surgery part it's over in about 10 minutes. For the laser stuff I had you look at three little lights and then they tell you it's over. Zero pain. I had the same pain killer prescription and took them for the first day but that was about it. The drop regime was like with the previous procedures. Word of warning: that stuff is expensive. Recovery involves using an eye patch at night and keeping your eye safe. And you have to lay off the pool and hot tubbing...

The vision change is the most oddest thing. With each procedure my vision changed and my glasses became more "off". When I had the one eye done for the corrective lens, I had one good eye and one bad. When I finally got the other done, well, now I don't wear glasses anymore except for a pair of $25 readers for typing and stuff. Even without the corrective part, which isn't covered by insurance, cataract surgery is well worth the time and trouble. You won't believe what red looks like.

BTW, I'm 66 have severe astigmatism and had worn glasses since I was around 14. Now I carry a card in my pocket to give to a cop if I ever get stopped because my license still has a corrective lenses restriction stamped on the back.

Dale

[Ramfins59]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your input.

Dale, thanks for the "blow by blow". I'm kind of looking forward to not having to wear glasses anymore, but I'm thinking it will be a little strange in the beginning. I don't know if I'll recognize me without them...LOL. I don't drive anymore due to peripheral vision loss after my stroke back in 2000 and either my wife or daughter play chauffeur for me. The peripheral thing will never come back, but seeing clearly will be wonderful.

[High octane]

While it is a "routine" procedure, there's a slim chance that something may go wrong, like getting an infection in that eye. Ask me how I know. I was sent to a retina specialist, and he said that if I had waited another day, I woulda lost sight in that eye. The infection can come from the surgeon, the hospital staff, or even yourself, so although it is a slim chance ( 1 in 700) it can happen.

[ScaleDale]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your input.

Dale, thanks for the "blow by blow". I'm kind of looking forward to not having to wear glasses anymore, but I'm thinking it will be a little strange in the beginning. I don't know if I'll recognize me without them...LOL. I don't drive anymore due to peripheral vision loss after my stroke back in 2000 and either my wife or daughter play chauffeur for me. The peripheral thing will never come back, but seeing clearly will be wonderful.

Like Nick says, it may be routine but it's still surgery. They take it quite seriously and expect you to do you follow up-s to the T. Just do it.

Not having glasses left me with residual glasses behaviors like reaching for them when they weren't there and going to find them when I didn't need them. Strange.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Dale

[Greg Myers]

Richard, no problem. I'm 66. I've had both eyes done and a surgery for a detached retina. and a new knee. I can tell you this, no two procedures, doctors or patients are the same. I found the cataract surgery no worse than going to the dentist. Remember, you know you are mature when you go to the dentist and fear the bill more than the pain.

Edited March 13, 2014 by Greg Myers

[Ramfins59]

Thanks Greg. I don't fear the dentist anymore. I have dentures...

[DrGlueblob]

I had a cataract removed from my left eye a few years ago at age 55 . Had to use a lot of Rx eyedrops for a couple weeks, otherwise no sweat. I did develop some "floaters" about a year after the surgery, but that's the breaks.

I elected NOT to have Lasik done to the other eye to end the need for glasses. Too many bad outcomes with that. Been wearing glasses since I was 12, so no big ting.