Cataract surgery

[Muse]

Mine aren't too bad, but have been progressing to the point where it's a problem for me. More than anything because I like to roller skate the streets here in Berkeley, Ca, which are in pretty bad shape a lot of the time and all I have to do is not see a rock with my name on it and I'm literally fighting for my life to not get a serious injury. 20 months ago I had a serious hamstring tear and have taken 2 falls in the last 6 weeks that have my knees sore.

Had exam yesterday at UC Eye clinic and they think I'm prime for cataract surgery. My HMO is Kaiser Permanente, and my PCP is in downtown Oakland.

When there's much ambient light, I can't make out details well. I'm 20/20 if there isn't ambient light, but when there's a lot, I'm nowhere near that. I lose 2 lines on the eye charts. Doctor yesterday said it was because of my cataracts.

I figure get single vision implants similar to my current natural lenses which have me near sighted. I would need glasses for distance but that seems to me a good idea if only because they can have UV protection and even with artificial lenses in my eyes UV can't be good for eye health over time.

Kaiser has around 15 ophthalmologists at their downtown Oakland facilities. Some have specialties. What eye care specialty would make them a good bet for cataract surgery? I know, it's not that big a deal these days and the success rate is very high, but I figure I want to maximize my chances I will not regret this affair. What do you think?

 

[Mayne]

I currently have a bad one in my right eye and my left eye is pretty much fucked. I will be going into surgery hopefully in the next couple months. I went for a bike ride today and it was kinda nightmarish. Please let me know how it goes for you.

 

[Mayne]

any kiind of white makes me blind. I have dark backgrounds for all my computer needs and phone. black text on white background..forget it..which is kinda like right now..but i'm a good typer.

 

[Fern]

I was legally blind in one eye due to a cataract. I was anxious about surgery, the idea of someone 'stabbing' a hole in my eye is the stuff of horror films to me.

In my experience the surgery was quick, painless and totally worth it. Really not a big deal.

Fern

 

[Muse]

any kiind of white makes me blind. I have dark backgrounds for all my computer needs and phone. black text on white background..forget it..which is kinda like right now..but i'm a good typer.

Is there any reason you should hesitate to get cataract surgery? If not, seems to me you should find a doctor you trust and have it done soon. My affliction would seem to be very mild compared to yours.

If it were not for my skating, I wouldn't be so antsy to have it done. Honestly, my knees have been taking a beating the last 6 weeks, two pretty bad falls cause I didn't make out the hazard in front of me. I just hope my knees recover (probably will). The last fall was very painful for a couple minutes. I was in shorts, hit both knees and my head on the sidewalk, broke my fall as best I could with leather-gloved hands (never skate without gloves!!!!!). Skinned one knee in the process, and both are still sore.

For around 5 years I have been wearing a wide brimmed hat (bucket hat, I have one on right now!) everywhere and keep it on indoors because glare from windows obscures my vision. People probably think I'm weird wearing a hat indoors and I've had people come up to me in eating settings telling me I'm out of line, that it's bad form to wear a hat but I refuse to take off the hat.

I expect that after cataract surgery my vision is going to be waaaaayyyy better! I anticipate being thrilled. Still, I'm concerned that maybe my expectations won't be realized, that's why I posted here because before this I hadn't talked to people with any knowledge of this besides those in eye clinics. They treat you professionally, not anecdotally.

 

[Muse]

I was legally blind in one eye due to a cataract. I was anxious about surgery, the idea of someone 'stabbing' a hole in my eye is the stuff of horror films to me.

In my experience the surgery was quick, painless and totally worth it. Really not a big deal.

Fern

Yeah, I'm not worried about enduring the procedure although they do leave you conscious so I will have my thoughts while it's going on. I've endured far worse! Foot surgery, shoulder surgery. Recovering from those was pretty difficult, and they put you under.

I'm told it should be around 10-15 minutes per eye. I think my HMO is into doing both eyes at once recently. Except for recently, it was general practice to do one eye and wait until that eye was OK before doing the other but the doctor yesterday said they have perfected the procedures to the extent now that they figure the downside of having two separate operating sessions is outweighed by the convenience of doing both eyes at once. I won't complain about having both done at once. I will try hard to follow the post-op instructions (and pre-op), to the T. Aside from the cataracts, my eye health is really good, so the chances of my having problems is less than average, which is already pretty small.

 

[boomerang]

I have cataracts but not severe enough to warrant replacement yet. I have no idea what the cost difference is to go with multifocal lenses but the thought of not needing glasses at all is very appealing.

 

[thebestMAX]

Had mine done a few years ago, easy-peasy and a big improvement. Wish now I had sprung for the multifocal lenses. I was nearsighted, opted fro mid range lenses and now only wear glasses to drive, watch TV and read small print but could do without them if I wanted to. Just feel more comfortable with. Computer is great without also.

Have a big discussion with Dr. about how you see now and how you want to see after.

 

[Eno Safirey]

Had mine done a few years ago, easy-peasy and a big improvement. Wish now I had sprung for the multifocal lenses. I was nearsighted, opted fro mid range lenses and now only wear glasses to drive, watch TV and read small print but could do without them if I wanted to. Just feel more comfortable with. Computer is great without also.

Have a big discussion with Dr. about how you see now and how you want to see after.

I had this procedure done three weeks ago. The clinic offered three tiers of lenses. Basic, which requires reading glasses. Better, which is multi-focal, and the most expensive, which is a toric type of lens. My insurance only covered the basic and the upgrades were $1000 bucks higher at each level!

It's like having new eyes.

 

[boomerang]

I had this procedure done three weeks ago. The clinic offered three tiers of lenses. Basic, which requires reading glasses. Better, which is multi-focal, and the most expensive, which is a toric type of lens. My insurance only covered the basic and the upgrades were $1000 bucks higher at each level!

It's like having new eyes.

$1K for both eyes? Hope not for each eye...

 

[thebestMAX]

Yeah, each eye here. Insurance only covered basic, I paid $1200 per eye for laser incisions instead of manual but I dont feel it was worth it. Multifocus which included laser was close to 4K per eye IIRC.

 

[SKORPI0]

My mom at 85 years had her cataracts replaced about 10 years ago, March then Sept. It took 15 minutes for each eye. She wore a eye patch for a few days.
She still wore the same eyeglass prescription after the operation. Besides the reflection you see of the new lens looking at her eyes, she had great vision for her advanced age.

 

[Eno Safirey]

I paid $1200 per eye for laser incisions instead of manual but I dont feel it was worth it.

Hmm, I recall a conversation with my doctor discussing laser versus a scalpel and he admitted that he thought that was an option that was not needed. He explained that he would make a tiny slit, roll the lens up like a burrito, and slip it in behind the cornea. Then he would blow a puff of air to get it to unfold and adhere to the inside.

 

[bradly1101]

Mine aren't too bad, but have been progressing to the point where it's a problem for me. More than anything because I like to roller skate the streets here in Berkeley, Ca, which are in pretty bad shape a lot of the time and all I have to do is not see a rock with my name on it and I'm literally fighting for my life to not get a serious injury. 20 months ago I had a serious hamstring tear and have taken 2 falls in the last 6 weeks that have my knees sore.

Had exam yesterday at UC Eye clinic and they think I'm prime for cataract surgery. My HMO is Kaiser Permanente, and my PCP is in downtown Oakland.

When there's much ambient light, I can't make out details well. I'm 20/20 if there isn't ambient light, but when there's a lot, I'm nowhere near that. I lose 2 lines on the eye charts. Doctor yesterday said it was because of my cataracts.

I figure get single vision implants similar to my current natural lenses which have me near sighted. I would need glasses for distance but that seems to me a good idea if only because they can have UV protection and even with artificial lenses in my eyes UV can't be good for eye health over time.

Kaiser has around 15 ophthalmologists at their downtown Oakland facilities. Some have specialties. What eye care specialty would make them a good bet for cataract surgery? I know, it's not that big a deal these days and the success rate is very high, but I figure I want to maximize my chances I will not regret this affair. What do you think?

The cataract surgery was in just one of my eyes. At some point the implanted lens fell (the laser-welded? pouch edge failed). My vision in that eye is non-existent. They said my eye must've received an impact, but no.

To get it fixed they need to go in, lift out the falling lens, and remake the pouch. This was in my old, medically overwhelmed city just a few away. During the insurance approval process (I had to have crappy insurance there to be seen for the expertise I needed) they cancelled the surgery saying because of my platelets and eye pressure it cannot be done on a 56 yo. man. The surgeon who put it in had no problem with those numbers except at 48 yo., so I don't know.

New city, strangely much better insurance at the same price, it's so odd to me that levels of care are so radically different based on pretty close geography. Eek! We'll see what the new eye doc. says.

And yeah, these surgeries go well all the time. Are they pig lenses?

 

[Red Squirrel]

I'm super squeemish when it comes to eyes, even now I just can't imagine even doing contacts. Would not be able to. I was also super tired of dealing with glasses. Glare, always getting dirty, not able to do certain things like go swimming without being blind etc. So I grew some iron balls and went for LASIK. Best thing I ever did. I was told that it will increase my odds of getting cataracts though, so I'll probably end up having to go for that surgery too. As crazy and scary as these surgeries are, they are so routine now days that the odds of complications are super slim. it's still not pleasant actually going through it though, but thankfully it's rather quick. The eye drops are the part that really suck though. Never get used to that.

 

[Muse]

I have cataracts but not severe enough to warrant replacement yet. I have no idea what the cost difference is to go with multifocal lenses but the thought of not needing glasses at all is very appealing.

Do some research before you decide what type of lenses you want. Multifocal are for some, I guess, but you pay extra for those generally and the vision at any particular distance isn't as good as if you have single focal length lenses (which require you wear glasses for all but the distance they are specific for). An eye doctor I saw 4 years ago (he was 60) said that when he gets it done he will go for monovision, which IIRC means that one lens will focus at distance and the other eye will have a lens for a closer distance. Then, for example, he can drive and see his instrument cluster at the same time. I don't know if I want that, I'll have to research that some. It seems to me that if you do get monovision, glasses could get you sharp at the distance that particular set of glasses is designed for.

I did some research last night, looked at the resumes online for all the eye doctors at my HMO in my vicinity.

 

[boomerang]

Do some research before you decide what type of lenses you want. Multifocal are for some, I guess, but you pay extra for those generally and the vision at any particular distance isn't as good as if you have single focal length lenses (which require you wear glasses for all but the distance they are specific for). An eye doctor I saw 4 years ago (he was 60) said that when he gets it done he will go for monovision, which IIRC means that one lens will focus at distance and the other eye will have a lens for a closer distance.

You're right. I remember that I went back to contacts briefly a few years ago. I had all three varieties to try. Multifocal were OK but it was exactly as you said, neither correction was great, just good. I also tried monovision lenses and quickly adapted to them. But, it's greatly different using something that can easily be removed from your eye versus something implanted in your eye. Monovision cataract correction is for all intents and purposes, permanent. I'm not sure monovision is what I want for the rest of my days.

I'll probably end up with lenses for my nearsightedness and end up carrying around reading glasses. I guess I'll have to find out if my astigmatism warrants getting cataract lenses that will correct for that too. I seem to remember the contact lens doctor saying mine wasn't enough to be concerned about.

Finding the right doctor is going to be a chore. Cataract surgery is big business down here. Ads are being run everywhere for umpteen different doctors.

 

[thebestMAX]

Do some research before you decide what type of lenses you want. Multifocal are for some, I guess, but you pay extra for those generally and the vision at any particular distance isn't as good as if you have single focal length lenses (which require you wear glasses for all but the distance they are specific for). An eye doctor I saw 4 years ago (he was 60) said that when he gets it done he will go for monovision, which IIRC means that one lens will focus at distance and the other eye will have a lens for a closer distance. Then, for example, he can drive and see his instrument cluster at the same time. I don't know if I want that, I'll have to research that some. It seems to me that if you do get monovision, glasses could get you sharp at the distance that particular set of glasses is designed for.

I did some research last night, looked at the resumes online for all the eye doctors at my HMO in my vicinity.

Sounds exactly like my Dr speaking. Talked me out of the multifocal with the lack of sharpness issue and said he also was going monovision.

 

[Muse]

Sounds exactly like my Dr speaking. Talked me out of the multifocal with the lack of sharpness issue and said he also was going monovision.

Well, please correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that if you get monovision lenses inserted by way of cataract surgery you can still wear glasses... glasses that should give you as good vision distance or for whatever distance they are speced at as if you got lenses specifically for close up or distance. IOW, for example, if my left eye's lens focuses at 18" and the right eye focuses at infinity, I could get 3 pairs of glasses that should give me sharp vision at:

1. Infinity
2. 20" (for me, computer and around the house)
3. 14" (or whatever distance you want for reading)

I intend to have this discussion with doctors, of course, before making any decisions. Right now I figure either do this monovision idea or just have lenses that mimic what I have now, presurgery, which is natural focus of both eyes around 12".

If that monovision scenario were implemented, I figure I could drive without glasses, see my instrument panel at same time. Not as clear at either distance as with glasses, but maybe OK. Not that I drive a ton. Maybe more convenient than single distance lenses, though. I could maybe get along on most circumstances without any glasses at all, particularly if one lens is set so that I can read and do computer stuff without glasses. Funny thing is you could have special glasses made that you could try BEFORE SURGERY that would mimic this perfectly (except for removing the cloudiness in your natural lenses), if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Muse]

Had mine done a few years ago, easy-peasy and a big improvement. Wish now I had sprung for the multifocal lenses. I was nearsighted, opted fro mid range lenses and now only wear glasses to drive, watch TV and read small print but could do without them if I wanted to. Just feel more comfortable with. Computer is great without also.

Have a big discussion with Dr. about how you see now and how you want to see after.

I think you may have made the best choice for you.

None of the doctors I've talked to have recommended multifocal lens implants. You pay extra and your vision won't be as sharp... at any distance. I haven't made any decisions on this, but I'm going to make (I hope) a decision I won't regret. I wear glasses for everything now except real close up stuff. I can read or deal with other close up things without glasses. I don't figure I'll be able to dispense with glasses entirely, which is, I suppose, what multifocal lenses are supposed to make possible. But I want to see as well as possible, no compromise, and I figure that means that I will most of the time wear glasses. I figure multiple pairs of glasses will be necessary for that, at least 3.

 

[thebestMAX]

I think you may have made the best choice for you.

None of the doctors I've talked to have recommended multifocal lens implants. You pay extra and your vision won't be as sharp... at any distance. I haven't made any decisions on this, but I'm going to make I hope a decision I won't regret. I wear glasses for everything now except real close up stuff. I can read or deal with other close up things without glasses. I don't figure I'll be able to dispense with glasses entirely, which is, I suppose, what multifocal lenses are supposed to make possible. But I want to see as well as possible, no compromise, and I figure that means that I will most of the time wear glasses. I figure multiple pairs of glasses will be necessary for that, at least 3.

I think I answered this but if not, I wanted the sharpness and didn t mind wearing glasses to drive and watch TV and even for small print.. Im a perfectionist and as my Dr. said I might have not been happy with the multifocal results. Your eyes sound much like mine were. You shouldnt need more than 1 pair of glasses. I wear progressive lenses and they cover everything when I need glasses. My lifestyle has changed and I dont do intricate close up work as much anymore or even read as much so now I might have taken the multifocal route. How old are you and what you do should influence your decision. Making your vision as close to as it is now will let you know what to expect.
Hope this helps, its tough.

 

[Muse]

Met my cataract guy today. They dialated my eyes and did some basic testing. He's going to do both eyes at once on Oct. 8. We discussed options some but very quickly arrived at the idea of single focus lenses, same focal distance, i.e. not monovision or multi-focal. He asked me if I ever had monovision and I said no (forgetting that I do have a pair of monovision glasses but have never gotten in the habit of wearing them). He says if I've never had monovision I wouldn't like monovision IOL's. He really didn't want to spend time conversing about it. This is Kaiser Permanente, where they are famous for running you through the mill fast! This was no exception! He wanted to facilitate a decision and instead of my asking questions, he wanted to ask the questions and come to a conclusion, pronto. He basically said this! So, single focus it is, focusing close, around 40cm, evidently. Basically the idea is that I'll be able to read without glasses, likely, but need them for computers and distance and anything in between.... like now. The optometrist I saw 2 months ago said that too, it's what I'm used to, should have the least problem adjusting to it, obviously.

I don't want to mess with multifocal. Monovision seems like it might be best but I couldn't convince the Dr., and I figure big deal, I figure to wear glasses practically all the time like I do now, so what.

He said 1 in 5000 go blind from the procedure due to bleeding or whatever. 1 in 100 need a second procedure to fix a problem caused by the procedure. Multifocal would have cost me an extra $5000. There's another 1 in 100 contingency I can't remember. They tell me I should be pretty normal the next day, but I'll be on eye drops for several weeks.

 

[Mayne]

I wish you all the best of luck Muse. Please keep this thread updated. I am currently pretty fucked with my cataracts.

 

[sdifox]

ask about how many cataract surgery they have done and are they up to date

 

[Muse]

I wish you all the best of luck Muse. Please keep this thread updated. I am currently pretty fucked with my cataracts.

I spent a couple hours this morning researching cataract surgery options online. One site in particular was the last I read and just decided to get another couple hours sleep before my appt. It involved 5 ophthalmologists where were asked what IOL choice they would make if it were their own eyes. Their answers made it clear that it's far more complicated than I could imagine. Their reasonings and choices were way beyond me. I just figured I better put faith in my surgeon to make recommendations that are good or best for me. At the end of our meeting today I asked him what lenses he'd use for me, evidently there are many to choose from. He said "the best!" He assured me again that he'd use the best ones available for single focus.