topic Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices in Wellness

Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

tansy — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 21:12:39 GMT

Did anyone go with the basic lens that Medicare covers?

I am getting a hard sell for two different types of lenses that are quite pricey. 💰 While it would be nice not to wear glasses, I could buy a lot of fancy glasses with that money.

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

Shelbelle — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 21:24:33 GMT

I had both eyes done in 2023, I dont wear glasses, never did. My doc chose my lenses, never even mentioned any choices to me.

Are you having dropless, if you are having drops, I highly recommend paying for the compounded ones, so easy !!! And only one bottle to work with instead of 3. I had no anesthesia, just numbing eye drops, piece of cake

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

Carmie — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 21:30:37 GMT

I have the basic lenses. I have really bad astigmatism and many of those up sell lenses wouldn't work for me.

They do make a lens for astigmatism, but the cost was high and the eye doctor couldn't guarantee it would be better than the basic lens.

I had cataract surgery on my left eye about a year ago. I have never needed reasing glasses. My left eye has always been good enough to thread a needle. The doctor suggested a lens for distance, then bifocals to use for reading.

I read a lot and do not want to have to wear glasses to read, so I chose the lens to see close up. The doctor told me I would have to wear glasses for distance...for me that means driving. I was okay with that.

Well, I can still see close up and with the cloudy cataract gone, my distance vision in that eye came back. I don't need glasses for close up or distance in that eye.

My right eye has had numerous surgeries....long story. I wear a huge medical contact lens in that eye. I am legally blind without the contact lens. I use that eye for distance only. I can't see close up for reading.

If I had two good eyes, I would choose basic lens....close up for one eye and distance for the other one. I could always tune up the vision with glasses if needed.

My husband has the basic lens too. He does wear reading glasses only.

My eye doctor has never pushed for the upgraded lenses. He said most people are happy with the basic models.

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

patbz — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 21:43:57 GMT

DH and I had both eyes done several years ago. Our Doctor didn't recommend upgrades for either of us. I got a minimal prescription and had them done as progressive lenses

constantly switching between reader and distance would drive me nuts. I buy really cute progressives from zennioptical and they never cost more than$100 for lenses and frames.

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

GingerHead — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 22:20:52 GMT

@tansy I don't know if this is what you're asking but my eye doctor always said, even though I don't have any indications of needing it, if I ever needed surgery and had to choose near sighted over far sighted lenses to choose near sighted.

I am currently near sighted and don't need readers and it's fantastic. I can see up close and just keep my glasses for distance (I don't really need them unless I want to see at a distance more clearly, which really isn't often....maybe when driving and watching tv, mostly). I need to see clearly up close way more often.

My mother in law had cataract surgery and was always nearsighted but decided she wanted far sighted lenses, even though I warned her what my doctor said and now she really regrets it.....

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

Puggywuggy — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 22:48:56 GMT

I have needed glasses since I was in the 6th grade and I also had astigmatism. My doctor didn't recommend the special lenses. Instead, I had one long distance lens for driving in one eye & one mid distance for computer and reading & I no longer need glasses other than when reading fine print & for that I simply use reading glasses. Hope this helps!

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

Nightowlz — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 22:57:19 GMT

My sister had that done earlier this year. She did buy one of the other lens so she should would not have to wear glasses.

She said her eye is worse now. She wishes she never had the surgery. She does have astigmatism.

Now her option is to replace the lens with the other one to see if it helps?

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

tansy — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 23:31:28 GMT

@Puggywuggy wrote:
I have needed glasses since I was in the 6th grade and I also had astigmatism. My doctor didn't recommend the special lenses. Instead, I had one long distance lens for driving in one eye & one mid distance for computer and reading & I no longer need glasses other than when reading fine print & for that I simply use reading glasses. Hope this helps!

How long did it take for you to adjust to having the two different lenses, @Puggywuggy?

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

tansy — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 23:34:17 GMT

Lots of info in your post, @Carmie. Thanks. 😊

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

tansy — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 23:35:46 GMT

@Shelbelle wrote:
I had both eyes done in 2023, I dont wear glasses, never did. My doc chose my lenses, never even mentioned any choices to me.
Are you having dropless, if you are having drops, I highly recommend paying for the compounded ones, so easy !!! And only one bottle to work with instead of 3. I had no anesthesia, just numbing eye drops, piece of cake

I plan to ask for the compounded eye drops, @Shelbelle. Thanks.

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

Meowingkitty — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 23:40:29 GMT

My vision was 20/800. Yes that bad. I told the doctor I wanted the best lens I could get so I never have to wear glasses ever again. I paid to upgrade my lenses and very happy. For the first time in over 50 years I don't have to wear any type of glasses other than sunglasses. No readers either. My vision is 20/15.

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

tansy — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 23:41:05 GMT

I have astigmatism in both eyes. I am far sighted so I am interested in seeing better up close. This probably explains why I like audiobooks so much now.

I will keep in mind what your doc said and your MIL's experience, @GingerHead 😊

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

Desertdi — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 23:47:01 GMT

I followed the opthalmologist's recommendation.

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

tansy — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:26:50 GMT

We are talking several thousand dollars per eye, @Desertdi And insurance only pays for the standard lens. That might affect the doc's recommendation. 🤷‍♀️ From viewing the videos he sent me, I am not convinced. We are talking again this Friday.

Did you upgrade?

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

Scooby Doo — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:30:45 GMT

I had mine done a couple of years ago. I have always had lots of astigmatism and am near sighted. Yes, my doctor recommeded the toric lens for me and I'm very glad he did. It's amazing to be able to see without all that fuzz. I paid an extra $900 for each lens which I would do again. He also recommended that I have my eyes set for close up because I have always been able to see close up. He said that if I changed that situation it would turn my world upside down. I had lousy eyesight but now I can function around the house without any glasses. I only wear them to drive.

He recommended that I NOT get the multi lens. In my situation I would be trading lousy vision for mediocre vision.

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

Desertdi — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:45:28 GMT

@tansy

Yes. I got lenses that corrected nearsightedness and astigmatism. I also opted for LASER. I am also having YAG to "polish" the lenses and correct "fog" and glare.

When I considered HOW MUCH I have paid for glasses and contacts all my life...I decided this is a "bargain" to have great eyesight in my old age.

Besides, I live in an area where I HAVE TO DRIVE (even to get my mail). di

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

tansy — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 01:03:07 GMT

@Desertdi When I buy a top or a pair of shoes anymore, I try to figure out the cost per wear. I am wondering if I have enough years left to justify the cost 💲🙄👀😜

I get why you arrived at your decision.

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

elated — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 01:12:42 GMT

When I moved to Kentucky, I went to an ophthalmologist and he wanted to do cataract surgery. I was hesitant because the prior year my ophthalmologist from Colorado never mentioned surgery. My eyes had not changed much from the prior year. Also, the one in Kentucky sounded like a car salesman. He gave me different prices for different procedures.

I left and never went back. I went to another eye doctor and she said I didn't need cataract surgery. My vision with my glasses is 20/20. She said she will let me know when I need surgery. I was so happy that I went for a second opinion. She said that eye doctor tends to rush into surgery.

I agree with you about the prices. I almost fainted when he started giving me prices. The people I have known have gone with one paid by Medicare.

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

tansy — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 01:23:39 GMT

I definitely have cataracts, @elated, and my vision issies are due to the cataracts. Hopefully, I will have a better feeling about my options when we talk again on Friday.

Re: Scheduled For Cataract Surgery…Lens Choices

mrshckynut — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 01:55:38 GMT

@tansy i have not had the surgery however my husband did over 15 years ago he chose to pay for 1 multi focal lens in one his eyes the other was mono focal he has not worn or bought glasses over those years over the years he has saved not buying his tri focals saving that extra money has more than paid for his costs of his multi focal

mrshckynut