topic Re: Eye exam question.... in Wellness

Eye exam question....

sarahpanda — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 10:12:50 GMT

If the eye dr. tells you (me) that you have 20/20 vision - why do I need to still wear glasses or contacts to see?

Re: Eye exam question....

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 10:22:44 GMT

Some possibilities are that you may have 20/20 for distance but need help with reading, you may have an astigmatism or balance problems that eyeglasses could help with. Just some initial thoughts but I'm no doctor.

Why didn't you ask the opthamologist at your appointment?

Re: Eye exam question....

qualitygal — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 10:32:08 GMT

JLF above, is right. My husband is one down one to go, next week on getting his other eye done. Cataracs that is. His is 20/20 now in the one eye, but will need glasses for close things.

Re: Eye exam question....

OKPrincess — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 11:17:55 GMT

DH had cataract surgery in January and February and now has 20/20 vision but needs readers for closeup.

Re: Eye exam question....

nyc1 — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 11:22:07 GMT

At our last eye exam, my husband and I were told that we still have 20/20 vision, but I use readers. I'm in my 60s and started wearing them around 10 years ago when I noticed that the print on all the charts I was looking at in the office was getting smaller and smaller. I need anything from 1.5 to 2 in reading glasses.

Do whatever makes you comfortable. Don't strain to read just because a doctor says your sight is 20/20. There are some cool readers out there.

Re: Eye exam question....

phoenixbrd — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 11:48:18 GMT

@OKPrincess @qualitygal If your husbands still need readers, were they offered lens at the same time as the cataract surgery? I'm just wondering why someone opts for the lens implant at the same time of the cataract surgery and others don't? Maybe more risky? Appreciate any insight on this subject.

Re: Eye exam question....

CinNC — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 12:30:50 GMT

I found that my ability to see clearly after my cataract surgery depended on the room lighting. If it's poor, then I need to wear my "cheaters" - but my opthalmologist office has the best lighting and I'm always 20/20 when I get my eyes examined.

Re: Eye exam question....

OKPrincess — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 12:37:56 GMT

@phoenixbrd wrote:
@OKPrincess @qualitygal If your husbands still need readers, were they offered lens at the same time as the cataract surgery? I'm just wondering why someone opts for the lens implant at the same time of the cataract surgery and others don't? Maybe more risky? Appreciate any insight on this subject.

He said he wasn’t offered lens but was told he may need readers by the doctor. DH need them for books and menus but nothing else.

Re: Eye exam question....

millieshops — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 13:13:56 GMT

Maybe 20/20 with a prescription?

Re: Eye exam question....

Sooner — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 13:35:36 GMT

@sarahpanda wrote:

If the eye dr. tells you (me) that you have 20/20 vision - why do I need to still wear glasses or contacts to see?

@sarahpanda Did you ask? If not, go back or call them up!

Re: Eye exam question....

2blonde — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 13:48:11 GMT

@phoenixbrd wrote:
@OKPrincess @qualitygal If your husbands still need readers, were they offered lens at the same time as the cataract surgery? I'm just wondering why someone opts for the lens implant at the same time of the cataract surgery and others don't? Maybe more risky? Appreciate any insight on this subject.

@phoenixbrd I think maybe you don't quite understand what cataract surgery is. I've had it done. They can never just remove the cataract. They always have to completely remove your natural lens along with the cataract because the cataract is attached to it. So, a replacement lens is always inserted.

The difference is in what type of lens you choose. The standard lenses are pretty much a fixed focus......usually for far vision, so you will need readers with those. With my surgery, I opted for the premium multi-focal lenses so I wouldn't need any glasses at all. They work very much like a natural lens with good vision. That option, however, cost me $3,000 per eye.

Re: Eye exam question....

phoenixbrd — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 14:27:56 GMT

@2blonde Thank you so much for the clarification. I was told the multi-focus lens is a higher risk surgery than the cataract so I assumed there was just a removal of the cataract rather than a lens replacement. It makes me feel more confident regarding this surgery knowing that so many on the board have had successful outcomes. Appreciate your input.

Re: Eye exam question....

Allegheny — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 15:43:24 GMT

@phoenixbrd "I was told the multi-focus lens is a higher risk surgery than the cataract so I assumed there was just a removal of the cataract rather than a lens replacement."

Gee I am wonder who told you that. As another poster explained when the cataract removal surgery takes place a lens is placed while you still under sedation.

The type of lens available is what differs. This decision has to be made before surgery and is discussed with the patient prior. Whether basic or premium multi focal both are prescription.

In my situation I would have loved to have the multi focal lens, but because of previous eye surgeries I was not a candidate. With the standard lens implants my distance vision is now 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other. I still must wear readers. If I was able to get the multi-focus lens I may not have needed to wear readers.

Just a note: Not all people have their cataracts removed consecutively. (Meaning one eye done, then the other eye two weeks later.) I had my worst eye done, then two years later the other eye was done. My surgeon favored this practice and I agreed with her.

Re: Eye exam question....

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 16:09:01 GMT

@sarahpanda, this is a question you should ask your eye doctor.

Re: Eye exam question....

Carmie — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 16:17:33 GMT

@Allegheny wrote:
@phoenixbrd "I was told the multi-focus lens is a higher risk surgery than the cataract so I assumed there was just a removal of the cataract rather than a lens replacement."

Gee I am wonder who told you that. As another poster explained when the cataract removal surgery takes place a lens is placed while you still under sedation.

The type of lens available is what differs. This decision has to be made before surgery and is discussed with the patient prior. Whether basic or premium multi focal both are prescription.

In my situation I would have loved to have the multi focal lens, but because of previous eye surgeries I was not a candidate. With the standard lens implants my distance vision is now 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other. I still must wear readers. If I was able to get the multi-focus lens I may not have needed to wear readers.

Just a note: Not all people have their cataracts removed consecutively. (Meaning one eye done, then the other eye two weeks later.) I had my worst eye done, then two years later the other eye was done. My surgeon favored this practice and I agreed with her.

I had a cataract removed from my right eye around 10 years ago. My left eye never had any surgery.

Re: Eye exam question....

Nightowlz — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 16:19:40 GMT

If you see fine without them you don't need them. You should be able to tell if you have issues reading seeing far or up close.

My vision is still 20/20 but I have a slight astigmatism. My doctor told me it was not enough to warrant the price of glasses.

I don't use reading glasses as I don't need them yet. I'm 61.

I have had 2 eye doctors tell me I needed glasses when I did not.

They are in business to make money & some of them are crooks.

Re: Eye exam question....

Scooby Doo — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 16:22:13 GMT

@Allegheny wrote:
@phoenixbrd "I was told the multi-focus lens is a higher risk surgery than the cataract so I assumed there was just a removal of the cataract rather than a lens replacement."

Gee I am wonder who told you that. As another poster explained when the cataract removal surgery takes place a lens is placed while you still under sedation.

The type of lens available is what differs. This decision has to be made before surgery and is discussed with the patient prior. Whether basic or premium multi focal both are prescription.

In my situation I would have loved to have the multi focal lens, but because of previous eye surgeries I was not a candidate. With the standard lens implants my distance vision is now 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other. I still must wear readers. If I was able to get the multi-focus lens I may not have needed to wear readers.

Just a note: Not all people have their cataracts removed consecutively. (Meaning one eye done, then the other eye two weeks later.) I had my worst eye done, then two years later the other eye was done. My surgeon favored this practice and I agreed with her.

Two years? That's very unusual. My surgeon does the surgery two days apart. He said it was medicare that made them wait two weeks, but that's not the case anymore. I had mine done almost 3 months ago, and I don't think I could have adapted to the lousy vision I had for any longer than 2 days. One eye is seeing good and the other can't see across the room. Your eyeglasses don't work any more.

Re: Eye exam question....

qualitygal — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 17:09:47 GMT

@phoenixbrd I know in the paperwork we filled out prior to seeing the eye doctor, they had questions on the degree to which you would want to have to use glasses if necessary. We both said, glasses would be fine (bifocals.)

Re: Eye exam question....

qualitygal — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 17:11:37 GMT

@2blonde wrote:
@phoenixbrd wrote:
@OKPrincess @qualitygal If your husbands still need readers, were they offered lens at the same time as the cataract surgery? I'm just wondering why someone opts for the lens implant at the same time of the cataract surgery and others don't? Maybe more risky? Appreciate any insight on this subject.
@phoenixbrd I think maybe you don't quite understand what cataract surgery is. I've had it done. They can never just remove the cataract. They always have to completely remove your natural lens along with the cataract because the cataract is attached to it. So, a replacement lens is always inserted.

The difference is in what type of lens you choose. The standard lenses are pretty much a fixed focus......usually for far vision, so you will need readers with those. With my surgery, I opted for the premium multi-focal lenses so I wouldn't need any glasses at all. They work very much like a natural lens with good vision. That option, however, cost me $3,000 per eye.

That is the good answer.

Re: Eye exam question....

Scooby Doo — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 18:12:36 GMT

@qualitygal wrote:
@phoenixbrd I know in the paperwork we filled out prior to seeing the eye doctor, they had questions on the degree to which you would want to have to use glasses if necessary. We both said, glasses would be fine (bifocals.)

They ask those questions so that they know whether to set your vision for near or far distance. What are your hobbies, what do you do most of the time. I know most people just automatically have their vision set for far distance and then use readers. I did just the opposite and had mine set for near. I've been so nearsighted all my life that I'm used to wearing glasses for distance. If I had set them for distance, it would have turned my world upside down. I'd have to reverse everything I did. But I found afterward that I can now see pretty good for far distance anyway. I need a little correction for driving and a little for reading. I don't neeed any glasses for around the house. I didn't get the multi focus lens, but I did get a toric lens to correct astigmatism.