Cataracts and I'm scared.

CeeCee

Well-known Member
Just got back from the eye dr. Add cataracts to my list of woes.

i had none a year ago at my last eye appt with another dr. Was going to one in Monterey but my insurance is a PPO and Medicare now so I was referred to this dr in Fresno.

do they pop up that fast? They don't seem to bother me. Dr said I can wait a few more months and I'm sure I will.

is it a simple surgery? Any bad experiences?

Thanks in advance for any replies...eyes are still kind of dilated and I need to relax.
 

My Husband had cataract surgery about 2 yrs ago and he said there wasn't any pain and everything went well. I was supposed to get mine done around the same time,but because of my Diabetes number being too high and my Thyroid number too low I have to wait. I wish I could get them done soon.
 

I had cataract surgery. Really clears things up. Hardest part is putting in the required drops before and after surgery. some people cant do it on their own. They have to get someone else to do it.
 
I've had cataract surgery on both eyes, one about 8 yrs ago and the other about 4. Very easy surgery.

Mine was corrected to mono-vision and I can read the newspaper and do fine needlework without glasses. With mono-vision, one eye sees short, the other sees long and the brain does the rest. BTW, I'm 84.
 
I' ve had both eyes done. The actual procedure takes about 20 minutes under a mild local anesthesia.

You're in and out and return to the Drs office the next day. Have someone else drive you there and back.

Sure clears up everything. Lotsa luck. No sweat.
 
My mother in law had cataract surgery on one eye only, she was unhappy with the results and never had the second eye operated on, but this was a long time ago, in the '90s. I have no experience with cataracts yet, but if your is not in the advanced stage, maybe some eye support supplements will help to avoid surgery. Just a suggestion but things like Lutein 20mg with Zeaxanthin 3.5mg may help your eyes get stronger, the brand I use is Natural Factors. Also things like vitamin D3, omega 3 fish oil and Turmeric (Curcumin) can help with aging vision. Good luck!
 
My optho mentioned at last year`s visit that my cataracts were still not bad enough for surgery.What??!? He had never mentioned that I had them! Just saw him again a few weeks ago and he said they are still not bad enough. My younger sister had hers done when she was in her mid 50`s. Said it was a piece of cake.
 
My ophthalmologist has been watching my cataracts for about 5 years now.. Every year, the are a little worse, but my vision is still good and he is not going to do anything yet. If and when my vision is impaired I will have the surgery.. until then, I don't even give it a thought...
 
My father had cataract surgery and he had no problems from it. He got through it well. I have cataracts now. They are increasingly getting worse every time I get new glasses. I can tell they are getting worse. I, too, would be concerned about surgery. It can be a scary proposition but I've heard so many get through it so well.
 
CeeCee.... cataracts are common.. even a normal part of aging eyes.. if they are not causing any vision problems.. they won't do surgery.. and it sounds like you are a long way from having to think about that. As I said.. my eye doctor has been watching my cataracts for the last 5 years.. I just had a check up in July. My left eye cataract has worsened... which is to be expected, but no surgery is necessary yet.
 
CeeCee.... cataracts are common.. even a normal part of aging eyes.. if they are not causing any vision problems.. they won't do surgery.. and it sounds like you are a long way from having to think about that. As I said.. my eye doctor has been watching my cataracts for the last 5 years.. I just had a check up in July. My left eye cataract has worsened... which is to be expected, but no surgery is necessary yet.


My dr said surgery in about 5-6 months. I never even thought that I have cataracts. My vision on the eye test hasn't changed from last year but I thought it would because I don't see signs far away that well, so just thought I'd need a new prescription for glasses, guess it's the cataracts.

This was my first visit with this dr and it took a long time so I hope he's good.
 
My father had cataract surgery and he had no problems from it. He got through it well. I have cataracts now. They are increasingly getting worse every time I get new glasses. I can tell they are getting worse. I, too, would be concerned about surgery. It can be a scary proposition but I've heard so many get through it so well.

I didn't even have them 2 years ago and now I need surgery in 5-6 months...that's what I don't get.
 
Here's one thing to remember.

If you can see close but not far and need glasses for distance.

If you have cataract surgery it's just the opposite.

You will need glasses for close but not for distance. I'm describing myself. My driver's license was restricted and I needed glasses for driving. That has been reversed. I no longer have to have glasses for driving.

What are cataracts in the first place. It's a film that grows over the lens. Cataract surgery replaces the lens.
 
I had cataract surgery. Really clears things up. Hardest part is putting in the required drops before and after surgery. some people cant do it on their own. They have to get someone else to do it.


Ive put drops in my eyes many times, is this different or have I been doing it wrong all this time? My eyes get dry so I use an OTC eye drop on occasion.
 
My mother in law had cataract surgery on one eye only, she was unhappy with the results and never had the second eye operated on, but this was a long time ago, in the '90s. I have no experience with cataracts yet, but if your is not in the advanced stage, maybe some eye support supplements will help to avoid surgery. Just a suggestion but things like Lutein 20mg with Zeaxanthin 3.5mg may help your eyes get stronger, the brand I use is Natural Factors. Also things like vitamin D3, omega 3 fish oil and Turmeric (Curcumin) can help with aging vision. Good luck!


Thanks Seabreeze and welcome back! :)

I will try the lutein. I already take vitamin D3, Omega fish oil and turmeric.
 

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