Cataracts and I'm scared.

Thanks for the information on the multi-focus lens, jujube. A local ophthalmologist is trying to push them, but it seemed kind of shady.

I found out last week I have a "nice thick" fully-formed cataract on one eye while the other is still developing. The eye with the worst cataract is my better eye; I have terrible vision in the other. What I've mostly noticed is the cataract eye has become light sensitive. Sunlight is almost painful and at night every outside light source has a big twinkling halo around it.

I called my insurance company (Medicare and BCBS) and was told my co-pay will be $300 for each eye.
 

CeeCee, my mother who was a total pain wimp couldn't stand for anyone to do anything to her eyes. She had to have eyedrops for some reason I can't remember and I had to lie across her chest to hold her down while I pried her eyelids open. I'm telling you this to let you know how phobic she was about her eyes.

A few years before she died, she had cataracts in both eyes. She breezed through cataract surgery. I figure if she did it, anyone can.
 
My borther had his eyes done a few years ago. I think he was over 60n nat the time and had no problem with them at all. My brother is one of the worst for fearing about his health, so if he had no problem with it, it cant have been too bad!
 
I do ALL I can to Avoid ALL surgeries even cataracts.

I was told about 20 yrs ago I had them forming and did nothing. And here I am 80 and doing fine, I can see well, wear glasses for reading and long distance but vision is clear.

I've been taking Grape Seed Ex, an antioxidant for many years and I know it works on the eye health.

Also take Lutein daily

And a couple yrs ago found Crystalline eye drops and use them daily...I'm good at 80...no surgery on eyes.

My neighbor had one rather botched recently and walks around holding her hand over that eye...Kaiser MD. She needs to change MD's or keep her hand over her eye.

Also wear Sunglasses outside even on cloudy days.

The Insurance industry loves me, I don't use them often. I have Medicare and use it only when absolutely need to see MD.
 
they cant remove the cataracts till they reach a certain size--i had mine done 2 years ago and never had any problems-- this year i had to have lazik done to remove the scar tissure that some times happens it was no problem either--i dont wear glasses for driving any more--i only use glasses for small print which came from the drug store--its really an easy procedure--i am 85
 
Well since I posted this thread last year, I still haven't had them done. They're still the same, nothing has changed with my vision in the last year.

My last visit with him was about a month ago and he didn't even mention the cataracts...so I didn't either.
 
CeeCee said:
Well since I posted this thread last year, I still haven't had them done. They're still the same, nothing has changed with my vision in the last year.

My last visit with him was about a month ago and he didn't even mention the cataracts...so I didn't either.
Click to expand...

Consider what I posted. I don't know your age but as I said I was told at about 60 I had cloudy formings and here I am 80 and all is clear...but I believe all I do is the answer, my answer for sure..unless one enjoys supporting pharma world as many many do. I don't.
 
I'd like to hear from people who've had cataract surgery without complications but who nonetheless had to cope do some adjusting afterwards. For instance, did you have to try some different eyeglasses configurations until you got ones that were comfortable? Did you find you were more sensitive to light? Did you suddenly need reading glasses when you hadn't before, or find that your low light vision didn't improve as much as promised or hoped? I'm writing a newspaper article about this kind of thing--the stuff they often don't tell you in advance. Please drop me a line with your experiences! Thanks. PS--Anyone out there have the procedure without sedation? In other words, just with a local anesthetic? Again, thx.
 
HudsonDan said:
I'd like to hear from people who've had cataract surgery without complications but who nonetheless had to cope do some adjusting afterwards. For instance, did you have to try some different eyeglasses configurations until you got ones that were comfortable? Did you find you were more sensitive to light? Did you suddenly need reading glasses when you hadn't before, or find that your low light vision didn't improve as much as promised or hoped? I'm writing a newspaper article about this kind of thing--the stuff they often don't tell you in advance. Please drop me a line with your experiences! Thanks. PS--Anyone out there have the procedure without sedation? In other words, just with a local anesthetic? Again, thx.
Click to expand...

Work with Crystalline eye drops and surgery COULD BE avoided.
 
HudsonDan said:
I'd like to hear from people who've had cataract surgery without complications but who nonetheless had to cope do some adjusting afterwards. For instance, did you have to try some different eyeglasses configurations until you got ones that were comfortable? Did you find you were more sensitive to light? Did you suddenly need reading glasses when you hadn't before, or find that your low light vision didn't improve as much as promised or hoped? I'm writing a newspaper article about this kind of thing--the stuff they often don't tell you in advance. Please drop me a line with your experiences! Thanks. PS--Anyone out there have the procedure without sedation? In other words, just with a local anesthetic? Again, thx.
Click to expand...

My husband had both of his eyes done about 4 years ago. He said that everything was much brighter (sky bluer, etc.) after he had his done. His distance vision is 20/40 and he has to use drug store cheaters for close up. It was a quick procedure and no complications whatsoever.
 
A number of years ago, a close friend who is an ophthalmologist gave me some good advice. I'd known I had cataracts for a long time and I asked him about the surgery. He said there is no harm in delaying ... cataracts DO NOT cause other damage if left untreated. More to the point, he told me "you'll know when it's time". He was right.

A time came when even new prescriptions wouldn't give me satisfactory vision. I had the surgery done about seven years ago on both eyes about a month apart. I agree with most of what was said here about the procedure itself - it was pretty much a non-event. Hooked up an IV, put me in a chair that resembled a dentists chair, very light "twilight" anesthesia, and ten minutes later it was finished and I was getting ready to leave. My wife and I stopped for breakfast on the way home. The new vividness of colors was astounding!!

I had been nearsighted most of my life and wanted to be able to drive without glasses, so I opted for lens implants that would make me farsighted. (Specifically, for any of you who are competitive shooters, I told him that I wanted to be able to see the front sight and the ten ring clearly at 200 yards.) I went from always wearing bifocals to only using drug store glasses for reading. We discussed the (supposed) variable implants and he told me he wouldn't use them. All of the feedback he'd gotten about them was poor at best.

I've found only one minor downside. At intermediate distances like in a small office or across the dinner table, I can find myself too close for my "distance vision" but too far away to use reading glasses. But even at that distance, my vision isn't all that bad; just not as crisp as I might like it to be. I've gotten used to it.

My advice - as long as you're happy with your eyesight the way it is, do nothing. Eventually, when the time comes that you're no longer satisfied with your vision, go for it. It's quick, painless, and will make a world of difference.
 
The thing is we can PREVENT them and none of us needs the surgery. Eye supports and antioxidants and SUNGLASSES. I'm 80 vision is as good as it was 40 yrs ago and reading.distance scripts have not changed in 10 yrs. Antioxidants have been my salvation.

Vit C
Grape Seed Extract
Lutein
Crystalline Drops.

As I said along the way an eye doc told me I had the formation of them 20 yrs ago. THen the antioxidants did their job.
 
very, Very simple- not sure I have the words to describe how simple and unterrifying it was -I was horrified at the thought -turned out the acutual deal was 30 seconds or so with a half day travel to and from -a few hours from start to finish at the facility then travel back home but the procedure was street clothes, and a relaxer which I did not notice, 30 or so seconds- maybe 20, bright light similar to eye exam and quicker same doctor for me....so nothing-- that is nothing uncomfortable but several days of drops several times a day and be diligent with that. I can easily see two miles...
 
paxtonstafford said:
very, Very simple- not sure I have the words to describe how simple and unterrifying it was -I was horrified at the thought -turned out the acutual deal was 30 seconds or so with a half day travel to and from -a few hours from start to finish at the facility then travel back home but the procedure was street clothes, and a relaxer which I did not notice, 30 or so seconds- maybe 20, bright light similar to eye exam and quicker same doctor for me....so nothing-- that is nothing uncomfortable but several days of drops several times a day and be diligent with that. I can easily see two miles...
Click to expand...

YAY!! Glad to hear it was a piece of cake :) My husband had both of his done (at different times) and he was nervous about it the first time, but he couldn't believe how quick it was and no problems after either. He now has 20/40 distance.
 
Had mine done nearly 8 years ago nothing to worry about. I am 89 now and still going.

Having looked through the postings on this site of where folks live I am curious as to how many other members reside in the UK.
 

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