Do you have experience with cataract surgery?

TinaM

TinaM

Member
I am 67 and live alone with no close friends or family. I’ve had blurry vision for about 1 1/2 years and at my eye exam this week, the optometrist said I have cataracts and referred me to an ophthalmologist for an appt.

Where I live, I could easily get deliveries and there are several senior ride share options so it wouldn’t be horrible. My son is visiting from overseas for a week or two in July. Should I do my surgery while he’s here or wait another year? My vision isn’t terrible yet and I’m tempted to wait for surgery.

Also, I wear a very strong prescription, can’t really see without my glasses. How will I be able to wear my glasses and see properly while I wait for the 6-8 weeks of healing afterwards before getting a new prescription? Does anyone have experience with that?
 

Tina, don't hesitate, go and get the surgery, there is no pain and the procedure is quick.

Like Bowmore, I too had cataracts removed and I no longer need distance glasses.

I can read the small print on the TV and I know now what my neighbours look like. 😊

Good luck. (y)
 

If you're having both eyes done, they usually do them three weeks apart. Take that into consideration.

When I had mine done, I had excellent vision in the eye that was done, so the doctor gave me contacts for the other eye til it was done. On the days I didn't want to wear the contact lens, I just knocked the lens out of a pair of my glasses on the "good" side and wore them like that for the three weeks. Not ideal but it worked.
 
jujube said:
If you're having both eyes done, they usually do them three weeks apart. Take that into consideration.

When I had mine done, I had excellent vision in the eye that was done, so the doctor gave me contacts for the other eye til it was done. On the days I didn't want to wear the contact lens, I just knocked the lens out of a pair of my glasses on the "good" side and wore them like that for the three weeks. Not ideal but it worked.
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Thank you. That helps answer my questions.
 
TinaM said:
Also, I wear a very strong prescription, can’t really see without my glasses. How will I be able to wear my glasses and see properly while I wait for the 6-8 weeks of healing afterwards before getting a new prescription?
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I had multi-focal lens for my cataract surgery. I asked the ophthalmologist about needing glasses in one eye and he told me that my brain would adjust/rewire to the good eye, in the interim. He was correct, although I occasionally have a short circuit, but maybe not eye related. :)
 
I had cataract surgery over a year ago. I had one eye done, then the other about 6 weeks later. The surgery only took about 5 minutes, after about an hour of getting a bunch of eyedrops. The affected eye itched a bit, when I blinked, for a day or two, then that went away. I removed the left lens on my glasses, and wore them until the 2nd procedure, then I was able to toss them. I now see distantly quite well, and keep some cheap reading glasses around for reading, using the computer, etc. The best thing is I no longer see a Halo around oncoming headlights when driving at night.
 
TinaM said:
I am 67 and live alone with no close friends or family. I’ve had blurry vision for about 1 1/2 years and at my eye exam this week, the optometrist said I have cataracts and referred me to an ophthalmologist for an appt.

Where I live, I could easily get deliveries and there are several senior ride share options so it wouldn’t be horrible. My son is visiting from overseas for a week or two in July. Should I do my surgery while he’s here or wait another year? My vision isn’t terrible yet and I’m tempted to wait for surgery.

Also, I wear a very strong prescription, can’t really see without my glasses. How will I be able to wear my glasses and see properly while I wait for the 6-8 weeks of healing afterwards before getting a new prescription? Does anyone have experience with that?
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good news...you may never need distant glasses just maybe reading glasses,
 
Had cataracts removed 3 years ago, still use reading glasses for close work (reading, computer monitoring,,,etc.) but can see well enough to drive or watch TV, I no longer need glasses for distance. My age and anger got the best of me, was becoming a menace on the road. Have annual eye examines, with no indication of problems. Would recommend it to anyone.
 
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I had a cataract removed from one eye at age 50; the other eye 10 years later. I see fine without glasses except for reading, and I only use OTC reading glasses for that.

Waiting too long for cataract surgery makes surgery more difficult and increases the risk of complications.

What you certainly don't want is a detached retina, which is a whole different matter. It is a small but possible long term risk after cataract surgery. I had that happen five years after my first cataract surgery. The recovery was long and problematic, and my eye was blood-shot looking for months.
 
MACKTEXAS said:
I had a cataract removed from one eye at age 50; the other eye 10 years later. I see fine without glasses except for reading, and I only use OTC reading glasses for that.

Waiting too long for cataract surgery makes surgery more difficult and increases the risk of complications.

What you certainly don't want is a detached retina, which is a whole different matter. It is a small but possible long term risk after cataract surgery. I had that happen five years after my first cataract surgery. The recovery was long and problematic, and my eye was blood-shot looking for months.
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The information you provided, above is REALLY helpful to my son and me, as Mom as well.
My son in his mid 50's developed Cataract just one and a half years ago. His Cataract progressively developed quickly to the point he said he made an appointment with one of renowned Optometrists this coming month.
His other eye, left eye is fine, but he'd like to have Surgery this fall if the Optometrist is available to get it done.
His employer's sponsor's Health Insurance is Cigna.
Just wonder how much the cost of Cataract Surgery and after care altogether?
 
Really important: Just make sure you do your due diligence about what kind of lens you are getting before you have the operation. I didn't and I sincerely regret it.

I went for some fancy multi-focal lens for which I had to pay $2500 per eye over and above what Medicare paid, because I wanted to not have to wear any glasses again. The surgeon highly recommended these new lenses. Of course he would, that's more money to him.

One of my pre-surgery problems was headlight glare at night and halos around lights. The new lenses made that problem worse instead of better. On researching it later, I found a LOT of people complaining about the lenses.

My fault for not having researched better before. My fault entirely. Don't make my mistake.
 
Amanda76 said:
The information you provided, above is REALLY helpful to my son and me, as Mom as well.
My son in his mid 50's developed Cataract just one and a half years ago. His Cataract progressively developed quickly to the point he said he made an appointment with one of renowned Optometrists this coming month.
His other eye, left eye is fine, but he'd like to have Surgery this fall if the Optometrist is available to get it done.
His employer's sponsor's Health Insurance is Cigna.
Just wonder how much the cost of Cataract Surgery and after care altogether?
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An optometrist examines the eye to prescribe glasses. An ophthalmologist does cataract surgery.

Cataract surgery is covered under most medical plans, like any other surgery. I don't remember what mine cost, but that was long enough ago that the numbers wouldn't mean anything now. I only paid the copay required by my medical plan.

I hope your son has insurance, because this link says the average cost of cataract surgery as of 2018 was $2,526 per eye. Costs have likely gone up a lot since then!

If his left eye is fine, he may not have a cataract, or if he does, he can wait if it's not hampering his vision too much. The people who posted they had one eye done, then the other a few weeks later, obviously had cataracts in both eyes at the same time, but not everyone does. I didn't.
 
MACKTEXAS said:
An optometrist examines the eye to prescribe glasses. An ophthalmologist does cataract surgery.

Cataract surgery is covered under most medical plans, like any other surgery. I don't remember what mine cost, but that was long enough ago that the numbers wouldn't mean anything now. I only paid the copay required by my medical plan.

I hope your son has insurance, because this link says the average cost of cataract surgery as of 2018 was $2,526 per eye. Costs have likely gone up a lot since then!

If his left eye is fine, he may not have a cataract, or if he does, he can wait if it's not hampering his vision too much. The people who posted they had one eye done, then the other a few weeks later, obviously had cataracts in both eyes at the same time, but not everyone does. I didn't.
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Thanks for correcting Ohthalmologist. Recalling over the phone he'd like to get it down this summer, not this fall. Also, thanks for the Link. I appreciate it.
Probably, even Employer's sponsered Health Plan, Cigna, he needs to expect to pay around $3,000 or a bit more$ for today's medical expense which has gone up and up again, ... never stop it.
He rarely wears Glasses except driving a long distance, unfamiliar places that he said. So, he may not need a special lens to accommodate his eye-sight.
 
jujube said:
Really important: Just make sure you do your due diligence about what kind of lens you are getting before you have the operation. I didn't and I sincerely regret it.

I went for some fancy multi-focal lens for which I had to pay $2500 per eye over and above what Medicare paid, because I wanted to not have to wear any glasses again. The surgeon highly recommended these new lenses. Of course he would, that's more money to him.

One of my pre-surgery problems was headlight glare at night and halos around lights. The new lenses made that problem worse instead of better. On researching it later, I found a LOT of people complaining about the lenses.

My fault for not having researched better before. My fault entirely. Don't make my mistake.
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Thanks for that information. I don’t mind wearing my glasses as I’ve worn them all my life. I’m just concerned that the blurry spots are affecting my driving.

I really thought I had dry eye for about a year or felt like my glasses were smudged all the time.
 
I had cataract surgery back in December. It was awful waiting the week after for my next eye surgery. I had near sightedness before hand but after wards I was far sighted. I couldn't read my phone or computer screen! I had to wait 2 days for progressive "readers" from Amazon before I could see anything up close! I got the ones with 2.0 magnification. I had to wait like you to get new glasses and computer glasses. Unfortunately, I'm still adjusting to the glasses. Seems like every day my vision is different. I wish you the best!
 
@TinaM Reading through this thread I only wish to add a couple of points

The surgery is not difficult. It is done under light sedation and recovery time is short. You will need transport to and from the clinic. Driving after sedation is not recommended.

I was offered different lenses. I chose the ones that were best for long distance vision and I asked that they eliminated astigmatism. This they have done.
 
@TinaM, I had my cataract surgery done about ten years ago when I was around your age. In a perfect world what others have said above is true. A quick, easy surgery, sharp distance vision (which is what I would recommend), and any astigmatism corrected. Buy yourself a few pairs of cheapo grocery store reading glasses to scatter around the house and get on with your life. Ophthalmologists differ in the time between eyes and the type of aftercare they require. Some want you to use drops, eye shields, limit your activities. Some don't.

But be sure you know everything that's wrong with your eyes before you start. If you have any retinal tears, macular pucker, glaucoma, or the beginnings of macular degeneration, cataract surgery won't fix any of those. That doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't go ahead with the surgery but talk this over with your ophthalmologist before hand.

After the surgery, your vision won't be as good as it was when you were young, but should be a darned site better that what it is now. The way you perceive will totally amaze you!! I can pass the drivers license eye exam without glasses. I still wear polarized, UV filtering, single-Rx sunglasses when outside in daylight because that's what the doctor recommended. I can read well with just $20 Foster Grant readers. The "middle range" (i.e., across the room) is somewhat fuzzy but I've learned to live with that.

Finally, stay away from any of the whiz bang "special" lenses that your ophthalmologist might suggest. Like those that supposedly will let your eyes "focus" naturally - NOT! I've heard nothing but horror stories about any of those.

Good luck. Let us know what you decide and how it turns out.
 
I have had both eyes done. I went from needing glasses full time to just needing readers. A thing I stress is to follow the dr instructions on the eye drops...very important. The clear eye shield you get is odd looking, but helps you from rubbing your eyes.
I am so glad I got the surgery
 
OregonGuy said:
Hi there, I’m really sorry to hear about your vision troubles, but it sounds like you're being proactive about getting the care you need, which is great. Cataract surgery is a common procedure, and it’s understandable to feel unsure about the timing, especially with everything else going on.


Regarding whether you should have the surgery now or wait another year, it really depends on your current quality of life and how much your vision is affecting your day-to-day activities. If your vision is still manageable, and you’re comfortable waiting until your son visits, that could be a good time for support. On the other hand, if you find your vision worsening or becoming a challenge, having the surgery sooner might bring quicker relief and improved quality of life. The ophthalmologist should be able to guide you on the best timing, based on how your cataracts are progressing.


As for the healing process and glasses, it’s a good question. After cataract surgery, many people experience improved vision, but since you wear a strong prescription, you might need to wear your current glasses during the healing period until your new prescription is ready. Some ophthalmologists might even suggest temporary lenses or glasses to help with vision in the meantime. It’s also important to follow your ophthalmologist’s advice regarding any restrictions post-surgery, as they’ll want to ensure the best recovery possible.


In any case, it’s totally understandable to feel a bit uncertain. It might help to talk through your concerns with your ophthalmologist when you go for your appointment—they can give you more tailored advice. And remember, you’re not alone—many seniors go through this and end up feeling much better afterward!


Wishing you the best with your decision and recovery! You’ve got this.
good news...you may never need distant glasses just maybe reading glasses,
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Another vote for the benefits of cataract surgery. I was as blind as I ever what to be before the surgery, and I have never regretted having the surgery.
 
Do not wait to have the cataract surgery. The worse thing about the surgery is getting a ride home, because you can’t drive.

I had mine done three weeks apart. The laser surgery is really slick. I was wide awake and didn’t feel a thing. I felt plenty good to drive myself but I was glad husband was there to drive me because I could not see from all the drops in my eyes. Not to mention the sunlight was not kind to my eyes, not even with sunglasses.

You will be given several prescription eye drops and check off sheets for the drops. DO ALL OF THEM - NO EXCUSES.

My eyes were at a two when I had the surgery. I was not waiting until the numbers got higher as the higher the numbers the better your chances of losing your vision.

Ditto a previous poster to discuss your lens implant options. I went with the standard IOL’s because Medicare paid 100% and am I ever glad I did. I still need glasses but no big deal as I have worn glasses since I was 12.

Maybe this link will help.

Do I Really Need Cataract Surgery?
 

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