topic Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery? in Community Chat

Has anyone had cataract surgery?

Shorty2U — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 01:56:11 GMT

Has anyone had cataract surgery? Any complications or smooth sailing? I just found out I have cataracts. Yes, in my 50s. Why? Because of the steroid shots from my back all these years. I am not thrilled. I expected this in my 70s maybe?

I must call the eye surgery place tomorrow for an appointment.

My dad had cataract surgery but it was long ago so I don't remember the details. At the time my sibling took him. He did well but that's all I remember. But I have a friend whose mom went blind in one eye after the surgery.

In addition my husband has Fuchs eye disease and his eyes got worse and they cant make his script perfect anymore. Eventually he will need a cornea transplant. I am VERY worried about him going blind.

Im so upset today. I deal with enough w my back issues and other health problems. I did not expect this on top of things.

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

tansy — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 02:01:20 GMT

I'm sorry you are dealing with this on top of everything else. I have not had the surgery but I know at least ten people who have had it done with ZERO problems. No one I know had any problems with it.

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

FLBB — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 02:02:54 GMT

I had cataract surgery in both eyes. A month apart. Just follow the doctor's orders and you'll be fine. Rest as much as possible the day after surgery.

Good luck to you.

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

ShowMe — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 02:05:59 GMT

Yes, I had it done on both of my eyes about 8 years ago now. But since then the procedure has even improved. I went smooth sailing all the way through it. And was so thankful when both eyes got done. You just have to make sure you have someone go with you when it is done......because you should not drive right after that is done.

It is very easy to go through.

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

Shorty2U — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 02:14:44 GMT

Thank you for the kind replies, and I am glad your surgeries went well. The only good thing I heard is after maybe I wont need glasses or just reading glasses? So maybe I will be able to wear cool sunglasses (If I don't need glasses later). I am a nervous wreck, been through a lot. But, Im mainly more worried about my husband.

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

JaneMarple — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 02:16:08 GMT

My sister who is in her mid 50's will be having her first eye done next week and she's jumping for joy because her eyesight will be so much better. Her other eye will be done two weeks later.

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

AnikaBrodie — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 02:19:42 GMT

DH had cataract surgery on both eyes in 2007. The surgery was done two weeks apart. The only restriction he had the day of surgery was driving. He had no complications and his vision returned to 20-20 after surgery. He was told to always wear sunglasses when in the sun. He now uses glasses only for reading and buys them over the counter, not prescription (local pharmacy, etc.)

I'm sure cataract surgery has improved even more in the last seven years.

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

lulu2 — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 02:33:41 GMT

My father was over 80 when he had his eyes done. After the second eye, he was able to give up his glasses.

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

qvcaddition — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 02:51:08 GMT

I had both done in 2007 and it was a piece of cake. They did one just before Thanksgiving then the other a month later just before Christmas. Before the surgery, I thought I was aging pretty good, no wrinkles, after surgery, I could see so well, I thought I aged overnight., LOL

Seriously, it was very easy and nothing to fear.

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

hckynut — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 03:09:42 GMT

Has anyone had cataract surgery?

Yes, both eyes about 2 months apart a few years ago. For my left eye I decided on a Multi-Focal lens(iol)and for my right eye I went with the standard Mono-Focal lens. Cost extra for the Multi lens but now I no longer need to wear glasses for anything and I had been wearing tri-focals for over 25 years.

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

shoptilyadropagain — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 03:37:37 GMT

I had it done about 5 years ago when I was 48 or 49. it was a piece of cake. I could have easily driven home after the first one. I had a lot more burning with the second one (and the cataracts were not as bad in that eye) but it was still basically nothing. They were both early morning procedures and we went out for breakfast after each one.

Just follow directions. The hardest part was all the eye drops and the timing of them all every day (before and after the surgery).

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

Shorty2U — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 03:51:45 GMT

On 4/16/2014 qvcaddition said:
I had both done in 2007 and it was a piece of cake. They did one just before Thanksgiving then the other a month later just before Christmas. Before the surgery, I thought I was aging pretty good, no wrinkles, after surgery, I could see so well, I thought I aged overnight., LOL

Seriously, it was very easy and nothing to fear.

Now that made me laugh that you thought you aged over night after you could see yourself so well. lol. Im sure you look just fine.

Thanks for the replies, I am glad you all are doing well since your surgeries. You are easing my mind. I hope my surgery goes this well.

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

Kachina624 — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 04:00:57 GMT

I've had both eyes done, there's nothing to it these days. I had the first one in the morning and went to the dentist in the afternoon. You'll have to use drops for several weeks, but there are no restrictions.

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

ShowMe — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 04:01:36 GMT

On 4/16/2014 Shorty2U said:
Thank you for the kind replies, and I am glad your surgeries went well. The only good thing I heard is after maybe I wont need glasses or just reading glasses? So maybe I will be able to wear cool sunglasses (If I don't need glasses later). I am a nervous wreck, been through a lot. But, Im mainly more worried about my husband.

Whether or not they turn out to be cool, they are really a necessity. You will be given a pair upon departing for home......at least I was with each eye......so, I had 2 pair. I do keep one of them in my car at all times.

You will definitely notice a difference in clarity and color....... That was something I was so happy about. They will give you drops you need to take that will help with clearing up the vision and antibiotic......this is necessary for you to take. They will give you instructions on what you can and cannot do when you go home. Make sure you abide by them.

Know you are concerned about your husband, but right now it is important that you take care of your eyes so you will be ok for when the time comes to take care of him.

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

ShowMe — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 04:05:19 GMT

On 4/16/2014 kachina624 said: I've had both eyes done, there's nothing to it these days. I had the first one in the morning and went to the dentist in the afternoon. You'll have to use drops for several weeks, but there are no restrictions.

My, how times have changed. I was instructed not to do any heavy lifting of anything over 10 lbs, and no bending over. They didn't want my eye to hemorrhage. But of course, I was working at Dillard's at the time and had to lift those heavy suits to the rounders and up to the higher racks. So maybe that was why......

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

Rainbows and Roses — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 04:40:13 GMT

I so sorry about your husband and you. I have cataracts but my retina specialist said not to worry until I have seeing problems........he said sometimes we never need surgery and only we can let our doctor know when it is needed because if we need it we will have issues with seeing good........the doctor I saw in this small town said I would need surgery in 1-2 years but that was a lie.......I trust my retina specialist.......so I may never need catarack surgery. My elderly friend had one in one eye and she was down for two weeks....no driving and she had to put drops in her eyes and for a few days or week she could not blow her nose or keep her head certain ways so it is not as easy as people have always said it was but it is not too bad just not comfortable to her and I hope I never have it........I would get a second opinion. I trust my doctor in that I will let him know when I need the catarack surgery. Please keep us updated.

My elderly friend is going to have a cornea transplant also and she is ready to see again in one of her eyes. Praying for your husband and you.

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

Rainbows and Roses — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 04:42:45 GMT

My friend did have restrictions........no driving and no lifting and watching her head and had to use drops and could not blow her nose........so I don't know why it is easy for some and not others and she just had it a month ago.

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

Rainbows and Roses — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 04:45:16 GMT

One thing my friend did find out is that she had wrinkles and she thought she did not have it all these years.......she is really upset how wrinkled she is..........I would want my eyes fixed right away.........surely people know when they can't see good and I can't get my neighbor who is 75 and has never been to the eye doctor to go..........it is serious to keep our eyes taken care of........my goodness I know they will give her glasses. AND SHE IS OUT DRIVING. Ugh

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

stilltamn8r — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 05:18:17 GMT

I actually had mine done in my late 40's=- kept going to the optometrist and thinking i needed a new prescription- at one point he had told me I had a cataract, but they don't do surgery till they "get really bad" - He kept having me get new glasses and contacts, which never seemed to wok-well you know your eyes are bad, but you keep thinking i"I just need new contacts"- Finally,I called Kaiser and said i needed to see an ophthalmologist- i got an appt same day( Who would have thought with Kaiser) - well my cataract was SO bad, that she could see it as she APPROACHED me with her flashlight!

Had the surgery that month, piece of cake! I have NEVER seen so well, been wearing glasses since I was 8- now only sometimes need readers for close up- get those at the drugstore!

Wish I would NOPT have listened to the optometrist, and had seen an Ophtho earlier!

It changed my life! no pain, no complications

DO IT!

Re: Has anyone had cataract surgery?

Kachina624 — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 05:26:31 GMT

Most people don't know they have cataracts and need surgery. We adjust to poor vision and learn to live with it. I had a developing cataract for 20 years before my doctor said I needed the surgery. I reiterate, I had absolutely no restrictions although my mom did when she had surgery years ago. A lot has changed.