I have a cataract

HoneyNut

HoneyNut

Well-known Member
Location
Maryland
Even though my eye doctor told me at my last year appointment that I was developing a cataract, I didn't notice anything from it until about a month ago. I just had my annual eye exam so I know that the impression of like-having-a-smudge-on-my-glasses is actually the cataract but nevertheless I'm feeling very 'woe is me' and 'I'm getting old!'.
The doctor did not give me any definite idea of the timeline cataracts worsen, but did say it had to worsen to a point that insurance would consider it needed surgery in order to have any insurance coverage for it.
I would love to hear anyone's experience with cataracts!
 

My husband had cataract surgery and he said it was the best thing he ever did. The improvement was so dramatic!

The procedure didn't take much time at all, and he came home a couple hours later. He managed the drops just fine, all in all, he was glad he did it.
 

Cataracts make you a bit color blind-at least they’re did me. I’ve had the surgery on both eyes and while the aftercare made me nervous I did fine. Plus, I can see colors much better now.
 
Honeynutt,
I had cataract surgery, both eyes. My biggest problem was the eye patch. I could never relax with that thing on at night and it had to be on at night in case you tried to scratch or rub your eyes. It requires that you put alot of drops in and my poor wife did that. It was a source of amusement at our house. No matter how hard I tried I could not keep my eye lid open. As soon as I saw that drop exit the eye dropper I would blink it and the meds would end up running down my cheek. SO the wife finally got to the point of holding my eye lid open. Other than that no really big deal. I had another complication with one eye so a special lens was made for it. Everything is fine. You'll do great.
 
I had cataract surgery on both eyes at the end of last year. About ten years ago my family doctor said I might be getting them. I was told about it by an eye doctor five years ago. They gradually got worse. What I began noticing was that I could not make out details in shaded areas under trees. About a year and a half ago when I went in to get glasses, my doctor told me that one of them was bad enough for Medicare to pay for it. I did a thorough search for doctors in the area. I found the one with the highest ratings in terms of being exceptional and made and appointment. He told me both were bad enough for Medicare to pay for it. He was right. It cost me nothing. One of the biggest initial improvements was how much brighter everything looked. The white tones now were more bluish, less yellowish. I realized I was truly going blind. Some of the oldsters in my family did. I highly recommend having the surgery when the doctors deem it's time. Have the standard procedures. They are proven to be safe. There are some treatments that are more risky - don't do it. Look online and educate yourself about it all. There is all kinds of information.

I put the drops in my own eyes. I took care of the things that needed to be done myself. They give you good instructions on what to do and how to do it.
 
The eye doctor at the VA told me I have cataracts, still in early stages. What I notice is that when there is bright and dark, I am blind as a bat. I seem to be needing brighter and brighter light to see any detail. The doctor said to wait a few years for it to progress before I get these things removed. I am fine with that.

Tony
 
Phoenix said:
Have the standard procedures. They are proven to be safe. There are some treatments that are more risky - don't do it. Look online and educate yourself about it all. There is all kinds of information.
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Absolutely. They were suggesting for me one eye for distance, one for reading. Never. If you lose vision in the eye for distance, you’re hooped.
 
Jules said:
Absolutely. They were suggesting for me one eye for distance, one for reading. Never. If you lose vision in the eye for distance, you’re hooped.
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It all depends. I had Monovision contacts for 30 years, so that's what I opted for when I had both eyes done for cataract surgery. For me, I wouldn't have done it any other way. I've been very happy 6 years later. Yes, I had to pay more, but it was worth it to me.
My understanding is when your cataracts are so bad your ophthalmologist can no longer improve your vision, you are qualified for surgery with Medicare.
It was a piece of cake, and no big deal at all.
 
I have several elderly friends who had cataract surgery. It was successful - they're all driving again & they're delighted with their vision improvement.
I've read that cataract surgery has the highest success rate of any procedure.
 
I had double cataract surgery 4 years ago in August. Best thing ever. Didn't know what I was missing. Prior to surgery, I wore glasses all the time for years. I had 2 new lenses implanted during the surgery and away went the glasses. Just wear them for reading. Down side for me is now a film has formed behind the lens in my left eye. Comes and goes, but can easily be lasered out which I will have done once we enter phase one in this facility.
 

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