topic Re: Cataract Question in Wellness

Cataract Question

Chicagosuburbangirl — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 22:33:45 GMT

Anyone who has had cataract surgery, can you please tell me if you had a different lense in each eye: one for all distances and the other for close distance?

Was this a good choice?

Have read up a little on this and found that some find using two different lenses provides comprehensive vision, i.e. less need for readers.

Re: Cataract Question

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 22:42:57 GMT

My husband has the same lense in each eye...he continues to wear glasses.

Re: Cataract Question

Kachina624 — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 22:49:52 GMT

No, same lenses both eyes. Never heard of what you're describing.

Re: Cataract Question

Helen852 — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 22:57:18 GMT

I have the same in each eye as well. When presented with the options there were 3, the basic lens which I would still need to wear glasses with, the HD lens which I would need for close up reading and then the one for astigmatism. Ended up not needing the one for astigmatism. chose the middle one. Only need to wear glasses for reading. Of course, the middle and up grades do cost extra, Medicare will not pay for those, at least with my plan it didn't. Still paid my deductible though.

I found though that with my left eye, it sometimes clouds up, but my vision is still 100% better than it was.

Re: Cataract Question

sophiamarie — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 23:05:44 GMT

I think the most common lenses after cataract surgery, are "distance" lenses, where you will need reading glasses.

I have heard of people getting one lens (progressive) and one distance lens. The cost of the multifocal lenses are very high. My doctor wanted $2,500 PER eye. I chose what Medicare paid for - the plain distance lenses, where I need readers.

Google "lens choices after cataract surgery" and you will find out everything you want to know.

But, to answer your question - yes I have heard of one Multifocal and one distance lens after surgery. I don't think glasses are needed with this choice.

Re: Cataract Question

Chicagosuburbangirl — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 23:10:16 GMT

@Helen852 The consultant mentioned that most patients have to come back a few weeks or months after surgery due to cloudy lenses.

She said they just laser the lenses for about 30 seconds to clear that film.

May or may not be your specific issue.

Re: Cataract Question

Cal22 — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 23:26:52 GMT

@Chicagosuburbangirl

Have had cataract surgery. I especially instructed surgeon to place a distance lens in one eye and a near sight lens in the other eye as the goal was "no readers". With his skill, he was able to make the adjustment and to this day, 7 years later, I do not wear readers. And I do not wear distance glasses for driving.

If that is what you want, you have to be insistent and not "cave" to the "nay sayers".

If your doctor is relucant, find someone who will do what you want. It can be done!

Good Luck!

Re: Cataract Question

willdob3 — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 23:33:25 GMT

@Chicagosuburbangirl wrote:
Anyone who has had cataract surgery, can you please tell me if you had a different lense in each eye: one for all distances and the other for close distance?

Was this a good choice?

Have read up a little on this and found that some find using two different lenses provides comprehensive vision, i.e. less need for readers.

@Chicagosuburbangirl

Like wearing monovision contacts! I haven’t had it done but, if I have cataract surgery, this is what I will have done. I used to wear monovision contacts and loved them! You are correct about less need of readers. It is pretty common to have one’s eyes done this way but I don’t think most eye doctors mention it as an option.

Re: Cataract Question

misscecille — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 23:36:22 GMT

So strange I saw this thread with one eye. Just had my second cataract removed today. With my procedure they removed the cataract and got rid of my astigmatism. I will still need to wear glasses though. I'm sitting here waiting for the funny flying bats in my eye to dissolve. Good luck to you!

Re: Cataract Question

jlkz — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 23:37:55 GMT

@Chicagosuburbangirl

I have the same type lens in each eye. I wear readers.

Remember, eyes can change over time. You may still need readers at some point.

Re: Cataract Question

sophiamarie — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 23:45:36 GMT

About a year after my cataract surgery, I had what is called "secondary cataracts", a cloudiness in the eyes. I went in and sat down and he zapped my eye with a laser(numbs the eye first)... It took seconds. I had the other eye lasered 2 months later. No more problems......

Re: Cataract Question

lulu1 — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 00:12:13 GMT

@Chicagosuburbangirl wrote:
Anyone who has had cataract surgery, can you please tell me if you had a different lense in each eye: one for all distances and the other for close distance?

Was this a good choice?

Have read up a little on this and found that some find using two different lenses provides comprehensive vision, i.e. less need for readers.

I wore one contact lens for years. Eventually I had Lasik surgery and had a monovision correction. When it came time for cataract surgery, I learned I had astigmatism so needed toric lenses. Because my brain had been on monovision for 15+ years, my surgeon thought it best she continue with it. I do have 2 different strength lenses.

Occasionally I need readers, most often when my eyes are tired or I'm doing a lot of reading.

Re: Cataract Question

Meowingkitty — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 00:23:04 GMT

Before I had mine removed I had the worst vision. Something worse than 20/800. I couldn’t read the E on the wall. I chose to fix everything. My astigmatism and I told the doctor I wanted the best vision I could get. I had been wearing glasses since I was 12. Yes I paid for the laser to eliminate astigmatism and yes I paid big bucks for the multi focal lenses. I no longer have to wear glasses of any kind, except sunglasses. Was it worth it. You bet.

Re: Cataract Question

pdlinda — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 00:31:50 GMT

@Meowingkitty wrote:
Before I had mine removed I had the worst vision. Something worse than 20/800. I couldn’t read the E on the wall. I chose to fix everything. My astigmatism and I told the doctor I wanted the best vision I could get. I had been wearing glasses since I was 12. Yes I paid for the laser to eliminate astigmatism and yes I paid big bucks for the multi focal lenses. I no longer have to wear glasses of any kind, except sunglasses. Was it worth it. You bet.

I did the same 7 yrs ago. Still have perfect vision in both eyes. It was the best money I ever spent!!

Re: Cataract Question

1Snickers — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 00:59:01 GMT

I had the regular surgery years ago, only wear readers for small print. I did have the cloudiness removed later.

I just had a yearly eye exam and told my Dr that my cousin had one distance and one near. He told me “Your eyes are great, you have one up on her”. I don’t know what he meant by that!

Re: Cataract Question

patbz — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 01:18:08 GMT

I got both eyes done last year and opted for the free lens (paid by Medicare). I had decided to do this before I found out I wasn't a good candidate for two different lens. Quite a while ago I tried different contact lens (closeup/distance). I just couldn't get used to feeling off balance. After surgery I opted for progressives (I multitask and it's a pain putting on and taking off glasses constantly. I bought last pair from Zenni optical and they were $110, progressives including cute frames.

Re: Cataract Question

SeaMaiden — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 01:21:32 GMT

@Chicagosuburbangirl I could have chose the option you speak of......but instead chose the Toric lense....it gives me 20/15 distance in both eyes ...but I need readers for close up.

Before surgery I a bad astigmatism and was very nearsighted... 20/400)

The Toric lense I thought was the best choice for me.

Re: Cataract Question

KKWA — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 03:27:52 GMT

@Chicagosuburbangirl I wore a single contact for 50 years for monovision, and my brain was trained to it so my Dr. agreed that was best for me when it came time for cataract surgery. I really recommend it because I hate to wear glasses. If you relax and let your brain figure it out, I think it is a miracle! Good luck, let us know how it worked out.

Re: Cataract Question

Carmie — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 04:06:28 GMT

I have only had cataract surgery on my right eye. I chose the distance lens. I also wear a prosthetic contact lens on the right eye as well due to a medical problem caused by Lasix surgery. I cannot see anything close up with my right eye unless I wear readers.

My left eye is surgery free. I can still still see up close with my left eye, so I wear no readers for that eye. That eye also has 20/20 vision for distance.

If I ever need cataract surgery on my left eye, I will chose the lens to see close up.

I like using one eye for close up vision and the other for distance. I never thought I could do it, but because of eye issues, I had no choice.

It took two years and several doctors to figure out why I couldn't see out of my right eye after Lasix, cataract surgery and laser surgery. Without my contact lens, I see very little with my right eye.

Re: Cataract Question

Mothertrucker — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 11:42:03 GMT

I am blind in one eye so this was not an option for me- but I will say, I do not need glasses anymore except readers for very, very small writing, very close up- About 4 yers after my surgery I developed the "film" some have described but 5 minutes with a laser poked a hole in it and now i am perfect again! I LOVE not having to reach for glasses to se the TV in the middle of the night or to drive! Also love not having to hassle with contacts, which I had been wearing since 14- and wearing glasses since age 8!!

Cstaract surgery is the best thing that ever happened to my eyes...eye...