topic Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens in Wellness

Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

FireInTheSky — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 22:38:13 GMT

Hi all! I'm scheduled for cataract surgery in early October. I'll be getting a light sensitive lens implanted which will require me to go back once a week for 3-4 weeks to adjust the prescription.

Has anybody had this lens implanted? If so, how were the follow up appointments? Was it hard to avoid exposure to light during the adjustment period? Were you happy with the end results?

I'm nervous about the whole thing, so I'd appreciate any input. Thanks!

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

missy mouse — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 22:47:16 GMT

I just read up on it because I had not heard about it. The Cleveland eye clinic has a great explanation for how the lens works. Very interesting. I had mine done 10 years ago. I have 20/20 with both eyes. One eye was done with a little less correction so I could read something. Sometimes I can read my phone if i am in good light. Wear reading glasses with a prism in both lenses so I couldn't have one eye for distance and one for reading. Good luck. It does sound great to me.

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

Shelbelle — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 23:16:27 GMT

I dont know about this, had both eyes done in last few months, I never wore glasses before and still dont, this makes me very happy. I assume you still need to use drops for a month after, mine were compounded so only one bottle to use, that was a pleasure.

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

FireInTheSky — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 23:25:24 GMT

I've worn glasses or contacts forever. The surgeon said because I'm SO nearsighted, I'd have a better chance of 20/20 distance with these kinds of lenses. Pretty sure I'll still need to use glasses for reading.

Thanks for your responses.

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

pdlinda — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 23:57:32 GMT

@FireInTheSky I had cataract surgery with implantation of Tri-Focal lenses on both eyes 11 years ago. One eye was nearsighted, one eye was far sighted. My vision was so bad I didn't think I'd be able to have my driver's license renewed.

I had one eye done with a follow-up appt the next day and the other eye done 3 weeks later with same follow-up appt the next day. I had a course of treatment with drops for the next 4-6 weeks (forget exactly). I never had problems with light sensitivity and never had any other post-surgery appts. Never had any complications.

I've had 20/20 vision since the surgery without ever wearing eyeglasses.

There is an issue with dry eyes after this procedure; however, I manage it with using a eyelid cleanser and a ampule of drops (from Costco) in the AM and Refresh Celluvisc ampule drops (from Amazon) in the PM.

This procedure has changed my life in extraordinary ways! I see vivid colors and enjoy the beauty of nature around me. I can also read tiny print that I NEVER could have imagined doing before the surgery.

I go for my yearly follow-up appts and always express my sincere gratitude to my wonderful surgeon. It was an expensive surgery that wasn't covered by insurance but worth every penny!

Good Luck!!

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

FireInTheSky — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 00:06:01 GMT

That's encouraging to hear. Sounds like you had great results. I hope mine are as good.

I'm nervous about the surgery itself, but it sounds like it's not a big deal. I'm a worrier.

Most of mine will not be covered by insurance either, so it will be very expensive. I want to give myself the best chance of getting an excellent result, though.

Thanks for the encouraging words!

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

spumoni99 — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 00:14:01 GMT

My husband is having cataract surgery in early October also, we are paying 2 thousand extra for one of the eyes but I can't remember what that is for, it isn't what you describe though. He is having both eyes done at the same time.

He has lots of drops he picked up from the pharmacy for before and after.

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

pdlinda — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 00:21:58 GMT

@FireInTheSky

The surgery took 7 MINUTES for each eye!

My surgeon had performed over 5,000 of these procedures when I had my surgery. He was EXCELLENT!!

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

Rosebud 06 — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 01:07:48 GMT

To Fireinthesky. I had my first eye done on Aug.16th and the second done on Aug.30th. I have a distance lense so I don't need glasses for distance. I still need reading glasses but over the counter. I always needed readers. I am a avid reader. I was a nervous wreck worrying about something going wrong. Thank God everything went well. The worst part was all the drops, I had 3 different kind and was putting them in both eyes after both surgeries. I still have 2 weeks left on the second eye. It is only 2 times aday. It was a lot easier than I thought. Such a short operation. I wish you well . No matter what everyone tells you I couldn't help but worry. It turned out to be a piece of cake. Good Luck

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

granddi — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 03:02:57 GMT

@FireInTheSky

The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) is the first intraocular lens (IOL) whose power can be adjusted after cataract surgery. It is designed to improve how well you see without eyeglasses compared to a standard single focus lens implant."light

changcataract.com (edited to remove live link)

The Light Adjustable Lens is one of the newest and most expensive IOL options for cataract surgery patients. There is a lot of information if you just search "Light Adjustable Lens IOL"

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

Carmie — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 02:09:40 GMT

@FireInTheSky I had cataract surgery a month ago on my left eye and over 20 years ago on my right.

I have never heard of a light sensitive lens. I was offered single vision to see near or far or one to correct astigmatism. I am not a good candidate for other types of lenses.

I chose the one to see close because my left eye has always had great close up vision. The day before surgery I threaded a needle with no glasses. I didn't want to have to use bifocals to see up close.

The surgery both times was a piece of cake....no pain and no discomfort...in out in no time at all. I drove myself to the doctor's office the next morning after surgery both times.

Today is the last day I need to use the drops....yeah, that was the worse part.

I did not opt to get a lens that cost extra. Reasoning....I had LASIX on my right eye and now I am legally bind in that eye... 20/400. I paid thousands only be be blinded.

My sight can be correct to 20/30 with a huge medical hard contact lens...medically necessary and paid for by Medicare Part B. $850. It is difficult to insert...sometimes I have to place and remove a couple of times to get it right.

I prefer to stick with what I know will work. I am 100% happy with my decision for the close up lens. I do need glasses for driving, which I always have used since I was 16.

Best wishes for a good surgery and speedy recovery. Don't worry. The surgery is easy.

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

FireInTheSky — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 02:47:36 GMT

Thank you all for the encouragement and for the additional information about these lenses. I'm amazed you were able to drive yourself to the follow-up appointment the day after surgery! My son has arranged to drive me on surgery day and the following day for each eye, but if I can drive myself that would be even better!

I'm feeling better now about the actual surgery. If people are interested in hearing about those light adjustable lenses, I'll report back afterwards!

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

Lilysmom1 — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 08:27:55 GMT

@FireInTheSky I had cataract surgery on both eyes this summer. I had four choices for lenses and chose the one my Opthamologist recommended. I am very happy with the outcome.

I had the first surgery at the hospital and the second one at his clinic. At his clinic they do not give an anesthetic but an ambien if you choose to take it. I did. Both surgeries were fine. I was not allowed to drive until I had the follow up surgical appointment a day or so later.

They gave antibiotic drops post surgery and I then used OTC drops (I used Sustane) as required to alleviate the gritty feeling.

I have 20/20. Vision in both eyes. Adjusting to the new lense on the second surgery took a little longer than the first but I am very happy with both procedures.

Good luck!

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

YanksFan — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 11:46:58 GMT

I'm having the same surgery in a few weeks. My surgeon is thrilled with the results with these lenses on his other patients. We've gone back and forth over which lens to use and this type of lens seems to be the best by far. It sounds like the "hardest" part will be to remember to wear the glasses to avoid light exposure. Best wishes to you for your surgery and I hope you get the results you desire.

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

Shelbelle — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 13:53:12 GMT

I also drove myself the next morning to my follow up appt, of course one eye was bandaged, but I trusted the vision in the other eye to get me thru.

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

BoxersRock — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 19:09:12 GMT

@FireInTheSky @This sounds like the way to go. Do u have Medicare? Will they cover the surgery?

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

meem120 — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 20:36:44 GMT

My husband is having the surg in Oct also. $3500.00 for the lenses for each eye. $7000.00 total. Hell have it done by laser and will have 20/20 vision.

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

Shelbelle — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 21:16:40 GMT

Wow, I am on Medicare and my 2 surgeries didnt cost me a dime, had it done is a very proiminent hospital too. They even supplied with the eye drops for free, but I wanted the compounded ones so they cost me 40 each time.

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

ID2 — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 10:03:51 GMT

Never heard of light sensitive lenses. I had cataract surgery in both of my eyes early this year. Am I supposed to have light sensitivity after? I always wear sunglasses anyway and haven't had any sensitivity. I am a type 1 diabetic and have been being treated for my diabetic retinopathy. I noticed after my cataract surgery my retinopathy really kicked in. I got my last cataract surgery in February and am still getting treatments for my retinopathy every 6 weeks! Not fun to get injections in my eyes so often! I'm hoping it begins to dwindle down soon. Good luck with your surgery, hope you get the results you are looking for!

Re: Cataract Surgery..Light sensitive Lens

Nuttmeg — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 18:02:26 GMT

I wore glasses my entire life until my cataract surgery in 2020. It cost about $5000 to have two tri-focal lens implanted. It is so nice not to need glasses for reading anything but fine print.

My doctor uses a procedure that doesn't require eye drops. A patient might need drops anyway. I did not need them.

This surgery is done 2 Million times a year in the US.

So, please try to relax.

You may want to look for information on Chat GPT or OpenAI. Org. This is original chat site. The data only goes to 2021.

Bing.com has a Chat GPT search which is up to date and will provide YouTube links.