It's time to get my cataracts out. You?

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

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Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
As you age, you get old looking, your hair turns gray, and you get cataracts. Well, I can't drive at night anymore. The lights form oncoming cars blinds me. I feel kind of like Cinderella, I have to get home before it gets dark. So, I'm getting the surgery. Which is weird since when I was in the Navy 50+ years ago, my job was to assist in the same surgery. My neighbor ois having it done, too. How about you? Are getting blinded? Had the surgery, or thinking about it?
 
I had one eye done in my late 40’s. This is one of most successful procedures that are done to fix the problem. The ancient Egyptians actually performed cataract removal but had no replacement lens. It was better than doing nothing: Cataract surgery in ancient Egypt
 
Are you talking about getting your cataracts replaced?

If so, I've done it. It was great ... and, since the cataracts were yellow-y, colors are more true. Not only that, but the excess time I'd put in to make my computer monitor brighter turned out not to be needed at all!

That said, I do find that I need to use glasses here and there. But still, very glad I got the cataracts done.
 
seems vast majority of people (like 90%) will end u with cataracts by the time they're 65. once diagnosed, you have to wait until they're ready to be removed. i had one removed over 2 years ago... at height of covid stuff. a van picked me and 2 other ladies up and drove up to the eye center. was a little blurry on way home. drove myself to my ophthalmologist the next morning for a follow-up. i first got glasses (for distance) at he end of 2nd grade. now i don't need them at all for distances. the procedure is nothing to worry about.
 
Had the surgery several years ago, had near & distant correction done also. Monitoring the return of Cataracs probably going to need redone in a few more years.

With Medicare advantage my copay for cataracs surgery was $50.00. For vision correction zero copay. Distance corrected to 20/40 for reading still 20/20
 
I had both eyes done at 64. I did them 6 months apart in case something went wrong with the first one like it did for my mom. She never did the second one. They tried to talk me into doing them a week apart.

My friend had hers scheduled a week apart but after the first one her vision stayed blurry so she canceled the second one. She just had laser surgery a week ago and her vision is getting better. For most people it’s a minor surgery but it’s better to be cautious.
 
Knight said:
Had the surgery several years ago, had near & distant correction done also. Monitoring the return of Cataracs probably going to need redone in a few more years.

With Medicare advantage my copay for cataracs surgery was $50.00. For vision correction zero copay. Distance corrected to 20/40 for reading still 20/20
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My eye doctor said it’s impossible for cataracts to return because they remove your lense and give you a new one.
 
Had the procedure to both eyes back 2010. Surgically inserted lens. Medicare picked up part of the tab. About half of the expense came out of pocket. Never regret doing it. While about it, had lingering astigmatism corrected. This totally out-of-pocket expense, but it too well worth the expense.

If possible get a referral from your optician to a specialist. That's how it was done with me. Good luck. Cheers. arnold
 
The eye doctor said I could have one eye done for distance and one for reading. I said absolutely not because if you can’t adjust to it you are in trouble. Medicare doesn’t pay for the special lenses but that’s not the reason I didn’t want it.
 
I'll be 70 next month. So far, so good. The only problem I have driving at night is everything is darker than it used to be. I think that's normal loss of night vision. But I would definitely get cataract surgery if I needed it; most people say it really helps.
 
I had mine three years ago, and it was life changing. I was severely myopic, and now I only need glasses to read. My vision got so bad, I couldn’t read the menu boards at fast food restaurants, even with glasses. Now I’m still amazed at how well I can see.

Dave has his done in November. His correction was not so dramatic as mine. He was quite unhappy until the doctor told him to use some Drops for dry eye. Now he’s very pleased.
Good luck, and be sure to find a good surgeon.
 
Never had it done...whats odd is that eye places have been
telling me for 20 yrs I need it done!!! Sure i need new glasses
but until it blinds me no one is going to cut into my eyes.....
 
I have the cataract in my right eye being "watched" for about 3 years. It is still not ready per the ophthalmologist. However, the optometrist used it to justify why I could not see out of my new glasses. (I paid $1400 for them)

He wrote in my chart that I refused to have my cataract surgery. This was after I gave him a statement from my ophthalmologist saying the cataract was not ready for surgery. Return in one year.

I have worn glasses or contacts since age 9. I know when they are not right.

Being originally from Brooklyn, I made him an offer he could not refuse. Make new lenses that I can see with or expect to be reported to the NYS Office of the Professions. It took 6 weeks, but I can see. I let him save face by accepting his statement of "well these are special for those who have cataracts. they normally cost more, but I am doing a special for you" Yeah, right!
 
Teacher Terry said:
My eye doctor said it’s impossible for cataracts to return because they remove your lense and give you a new one.
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Different doctors different opinions. I tend to believe my doctor since my night vision is a tiny bit blurry now. Oncoming lights have that best way for me to describe is a slight aura instead of clear look.
 
Both eyes in my forties. The operation is trivial, as is the recovery. Absolutely no reason to fear or postpone. No problem with night vision, or any other vision. The DMV vision test is nothing. Couldn’t be happier.
 
I had both eyes done 3 weeks apart at Toronto Western Hospital. The Doctor who runs the cataract clinic has done over 20,000 of them over a 30 year career. He teaches other Doctors who come to Toronto from all over the world, to work under his guidance. The procedure takes about 20 minutes . My cost ? Nothing, all covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan. After my second eye was done I went to my eye guy, and he proscribed 2 pairs of glasses. One pair for general use, and a second pair for computer use. $500 for the 2 pair, which was 100 percent covered by my Wife's medical insurance as a retiree from the U of T. Greatest thing ever. I can see properly in all light conditions, with no problems. JimB.
 
Had my shingles infected eye done a couple/few years back.......initially great but now deteriorating due to further encroachment by the shingles on the cornea......when we return from our next trip the surgeon and I are going to discuss laser op.
 
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I had both eyes done just after I retired so I was 66 yrs old. A couple of weeks apart and opted to pay a little more than what OHIP cost so I paid $500 an eye (and claimed the medical expense on my income tax). I need to wear glasses to read but all is good and the drops were a bit of a pain but worth it as it is so nice not having glasses on my face ALL the time.
 
@fuzzybuddy, there are varying qualities of lenses. I‘m not talking about multi-focal or things like that. Just the quality of the lens. My ophthalmologist didn’t offer any choices, just the basics made by medical. When I had to see someone else, he commented that he was surprised that I hadn’t upgraded. Too late. Do a little research on what you’re offered.
 
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