topic Re: Another cataract surgery question in Wellness

Another cataract surgery question

patbz — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 23:35:59 GMT

I will be scheduled for my first cataract surgery in about one month and have a question(that I don't think has been answered). I wear progressives and understand I will still need to wear glasses sometime s even post surgery. Will they know what my post surgery script will be before surgery? I am thinking of buying 2 pair of frames only from Zenni now so I have them prior to surgery and having them fitted with left corrected lens in one (along with my current script in other eye) and second pair fitted with both revised scripts. If I buy them at Zenni, it's less than $10 pr. I would get lenses done locally to make it as fast as possible. How do others handle this?

Re: Another cataract surgery question

webbgarner1 — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 23:52:25 GMT

You will be lopsided with your sision until after your second surgery is completed. During your follow up exams your surgeon will most likely refer you back to the optemtrist for a new prescription. Every person is different. I had my first surgery in october and my second in november. It is now March and just today I got cleared for my new glasses., but I also have glaucoma and retinopathy.

You may be able to go to your optomistrist office after the first surgery and have them pop out the lense in your eyeglasses that has been corrected.

Since eyeglasses are rather costly a lot of surgeons will not ok the new eyeglass prescription until the work is completed and your eyes have healed properly. I think this goes back to Medicare rules that only allow for 1 pair of glasses after surgery.

I would check with your optomistrist about purchasing glasses now.

Best of luck to you. The proceedure itself is not bad. Just having to adjust to seeing differently again is the obstacle.

Re: Another cataract surgery question

Mz iMac — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 00:00:20 GMT

I also wear progressive. My fist surgery is next month. I do not like progressives. I requested for something other. My surgeon agreed w/my request. The surgeon will be doing my lens scripts. Also, he will not script me until after my 2nd cataract surgery which is 3 weeks after the first.

I really believe it depends on the type of setup your eye doctor has. Speaking for myself, it's 1 step shopping.....everything is done in one building. I call it "eye country."

ophthalmologist section (regular eye exams)

Molecular/Retina exam section. Surgery is done off site in another county at a major eye outpatient facility (hospital next door) that has all the latest eqipment.

Cateract exam section

Cateract surgery section

Frames store

Lens section

Re: Another cataract surgery question

Alsace Gal — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 00:05:02 GMT

By all means purchase your frames, but, wait until after surgery of both eyes to get your lenses.

I had my first cataract surgery on my right eye 2/13/1018, my left eye 2/27/2018. Pre-surgery my doctor told me, the Intraocular Lens he put into my eyes would allow my to see distance, and I would need corrected lenses for close-up. Also, he told me to have my eyes examined for corrected lense (eye glasses), I'll be wearing bi-focals (progressive). The upper part will be almost clear.

Patbz, the next day after surgery I could see, colors are bright and clear. I had a little discomfort the first night on my right eye, the next morning, all was well.

My left eye, I didn't have any discomfort, it was aweek ago.

I've worn glasses since I was two, and in the past 20 years I've worn my glasses to bed, cause I couldn't see to get up and find my glasses, I feel as if a miracle has happened.

I'm having my eyes examined Friday for corrective lenses.

I can now watch tv, see distance drive a car without glasses!

My right eye is partially blind, in my left eye I now have almost 20/20. My doctor told me he wants me to wear glasse to save my left eye from possible injury.

He did tell me until I get my new lenses to get me some readers, and he told me what magnifier I'll need, he was correct I got what he told me.

Listen to your doctor and take the eye drops exactly as he says to.

Wait until you have both cataracts removed and then have your eyes examined.

Good luck!

Re: Another cataract surgery question

millieshops — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 01:25:13 GMT

I think I know at least 100 people who have had cataract surgery, but I don't believe I know one whose doctor did any measuring/prescribing for new lens until several weeks after the surgery (or surgeries ) have not just been completed, but have healed.

It's been so long since I had my surgery that I forget the details and some aspects of the surgery have changed I know. I just haven't heard anyone among my friends/family say they got new lens immediately after surgery.

Re: Another cataract surgery question

sophiamarie — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 01:56:03 GMT

I had both eyes done two weeks apart. My doctor told me he would put "distance lenses" in both my eyes and I would need readers. I also wore progressives for many years.

After the surgery, I got "readers" from the dollar store. I think I got every power they make, all the way up to 3.25. Then, when my eyes were stable, I got an eye exam and a real Rx for glasses. I still wear progressives but I just wear them mostly for reading. Sometimes I forget I have them on. They are also "transition" lenses and I wear them as sunglasses when I am outside. I don't drive with glasses or watch TV. I just need them to see up close.

Do not do anything until after your eyes are stable and there are no changes in your vision. I don't really remember all the minute details because this was about 4 years ago and much has happened since then. But, it has made such a difference in my sight and I am glad it's over with. There were absolutely no problems. It took about 10 minutes and I could have driven home myself if I had to.

You will see your doctor the very next day and you'll be home free. It's like it never happened. That is - for me anyway. Good luck.......

Re: Another cataract surgery question

viva923 — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 02:02:50 GMT

I wore progressive before surgery and still wear progressive after surgery.

I believe it was about 4 months before I was able to go back to have eyes checked to see what my new script would be.

the biggest item I have found, I have to wear dark sun glasses every day of the year, sun and no sun.

Re: Another cataract surgery question

SXMGirl — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 03:57:13 GMT

@patbz, I also wear progressives, but only to drive or to read very small print. I was told before my cataract surgery that I probably would not need prescription glasses, and I generally do not; but, I picked up a pair of RX sunglasses at Walmart's optometry center and had my new prescription put in once I had the surgery and my eye exam. No matter where you get them, make sure that the glasses have RX on them and have them checked to make sure that your prescription will fit the lens'. Since I still have a prescription for my progressive trifocals, that was very important.

Re: Another cataract surgery question

patbz — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 18:38:34 GMT

Just got back from my eye appointment and surgery scheduled for April 2 and second eye 2 weeks later. I'm going with distance correction plus readers or whatever. The surgeon said they could pop a contact on my uncorrected eye until second surgery and the best news is I will need no drops!!! DH said I over think things and this is another example.

Re: Another cataract surgery question

highmaintenancejan — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 11:57:47 GMT

I think we all overthink things!! But, I was told you couldn't wear contacts 4 weeks before your surgeries!!??? SO HOW CAN THEY "POP" A CONTACT INTO YOUR UNCORRECTED EYE?????

Re: Another cataract surgery question

hckynut — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 19:33:42 GMT

@patbz,

I had a Multi-focal iol put into my left eye, and a Mono-focal iol, in my right eye. After wearing both bi-focals and tri-focals for over 25 years, I was told by my surgeon that I would no longer need to wear glasses, for distance or for reading.

He was right. I can see all distances, from arms length to street signs in the distance, and also some very small font sizes on things like ingredients and prescription meds. I chose to pay the "out-of-pocket" for the Multi-focal iol, because I preferred not to need to always have glasses with me, and in the long run, save getting new prescription lenses every couple of years.

To this point after my surgeries, that "out-of-pocket" has been more than recovered, and then some, by not needing any kind of correction lenses to be able to see just fine. I would make that same choice were I to do it again.

hckynut(john)

Re: Another cataract surgery question

patbz — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 19:39:58 GMT

@hckynut: If your choice of lenses would have worked with my prognosis I would have done the same as you. Unfortunately, I may still need readers -- thank God for Zenni! I'm looking forward to my surgery.

Re: Another cataract surgery question

hckynut — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 19:51:44 GMT

@patbz,

I only put my choice on this post for information for others, who in the future, may look into this when they need cataract surgery. Everyone is different, but I feel the more knowledge one has prior to "decision time", the better. The old proverb(?) " Knowledge is Power" applies.

I hope all works out with your plans as well as mine have. Best to you,

hckynut(john)

Re: Another cataract surgery question

webbgarner1 — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 22:27:45 GMT

I hear you. I wanted to get the more advanced multifocal implants as well, but my surgeon did not recomend i go that route due to other eye conditions I have. I just ordered a pair of glasses and sunglasses today for a total cost of $600.

Re: Another cataract surgery question

BeccaLou — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 07:26:16 GMT

@patbzwrote:
I will be scheduled for my first cataract surgery in about one month and have a question(that I don't think has been answered). I wear progressives and understand I will still need to wear glasses sometime s even post surgery. Will they know what my post surgery script will be before surgery? I am thinking of buying 2 pair of frames only from Zenni now so I have them prior to surgery and having them fitted with left corrected lens in one (along with my current script in other eye) and second pair fitted with both revised scripts. If I buy them at Zenni, it's less than $10 pr. I would get lenses done locally to make it as fast as possible. How do others handle this?

Becca Lou wrote : No, so be patient and it takes time to see where your vision was at be fore the cataracts. Also the healing. That way you won't have buyers regret. Just try store readers for a while.

Re: Another cataract surgery question

BeccaLou — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 07:33:44 GMT

@patbzwrote:
Just got back from my eye appointment and surgery scheduled for April 2 and second eye 2 weeks later. I'm going with distance correction plus readers or whatever. The surgeon said they could pop a contact on my uncorrected eye until second surgery and the best news is I will need no drops!!! DH said I over think things and this is another example.

Becca Lou Wrote : Yes, try not stress over it, it will not be good to do this. I've heard nothing but good things after surgery. I'll Be praying for YOU !!! Also if you do wonder or have concerns please ask as many questions to the eye care facility, that is why they are there. Others can scare you with their stories sometimes. And make a list of questions to take with you. Get your money's worth with them to aswer you questions..Special Hugs !!

Re: Another cataract surgery question

highmaintenancejan — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 11:58:42 GMT

@highmaintenancejanwrote:
I think we all overthink things!! But, I was told you couldn't wear contacts 4 weeks before your surgeries!!??? SO HOW CAN THEY "POP" A CONTACT INTO YOUR UNCORRECTED EYE?????

I'm not understanding this???

Re: Another cataract surgery question

sophiamarie — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 01:18:19 GMT

I don't know anything about contact lenses but are you sure you don't need drops after your surgery?

If I remember correctly, I used anti-bacterial drops for about a week after my surgery and then anti-inflammatory drops for at least another 2-3 weeks after that. You surely don't want an infection after cataract surgery.

Please make sure you heard the doctor correctly and I would like to know why you would "not" need drops if he says you don't.

TIA and please keep us informed as to your progress.

Re: Another cataract surgery question

patbz — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 02:21:22 GMT

The Ophamologist said there would be no need for drops as he is giving me an antibiotic shot (which replaces drops). He further said that he has had over five hundred patients who have been done this way and one who insisted on the drops. The downside is that with this method there are some floaters during healing. I heard him correctly, we had a discussion about this change in methodology.

Re: Another cataract surgery question

highmaintenancejan — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 16:23:10 GMT

I had the shot in the eye....but also followed up with 3 weeks of drops in the eye also!!