topic Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery in Community Chat

Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

Just Me Too — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 15:23:36 GMT

I have to select the type of lens for my eyes after cataract surgery. I am so confused! What type did you choose and like. The doctor said if I choose the near, far and arms length there will be halos around lights. If you chose this type what is your experience and would you do it again?

Thanks

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

I am still oxox — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 15:28:39 GMT

I had cataract surgery in both eyes and I was never give a choice, my opthopologist decided which lens would be the best for my needs

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

hckynut — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 16:13:27 GMT

I have a Multi-Focal "iol" in my Left Eye and a Mono-Focal "iol" in my Right Eye. I can see good at all distances, including reading all the smallest fonts on my prescription bottles. This option works well for me. It cost me $1700 out of my own pocket for the Multi-Focal "iol", the other was all paid for by Medicare. ETA: I was given several options!

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

Just Me Too — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 17:18:59 GMT

hckynut(john)

Thank you so much this is very helpful. This is what I am thinking about and I have one friend that agrees with you. My Doctor said some people complain about halos so I am trying to find out from people that actually went in this direction. I need all distances so it doesn't make a lot of sense to me to choose only 1. Thanks again.

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

sophiamarie — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 17:34:07 GMT

Last August, I had both eyes done, two weeks apart. I was given an option also - at $2,500 for EACH lens - OR the doctor would give me his own Rx for each eye. I thought about it and then wondered what would happen if I picked the expensive ones what would happen if, some day, my vision changed a little and they wouldn't do me any good anymore. So I would have these expenses "permanent" lenses and still need glasses....

He said he would order them just in case I changed my mind at the last minute and I did, right before they "put me out"... I told him I wanted to go with whatever he did. He gave my right eye a Rx for near and the left eye for far....... He said I might need "readers" from the dime store. As it turned out, I don't need glasses (after wearing progressives for years). I did buy a pair at the Dollar Tree, just to see if there was any difference in the small print, and there isn't.

So, it's really up to you. Medicare (if you have it) doesn't pay for the fancy lens but they will pay up to $200 for your first pair of glasses, should you need them. He also told me about the halos and something else, which I wasn't happy about.

Let us know what you decided and you'll be surprised at how much better you will be able to see everything.

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

Just Me Too — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 17:44:15 GMT

sophiamarie

Thanks for you comment. I tried the contacts with the combination you mentioned and my brain didn't like it at all. I tried real hard to adjust but finally gave up. I am so worried about making the wrong decision since I can't go back and change my mind.

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

sophiamarie — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 17:45:09 GMT

I found this online. You can google multi-focal IOL and risks and decide for yourself if you want to go this route.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the diffractive multifocal IOL?

The diffractive multifocal lens implant provides excellent reading vision and very good distance vision. The intermediate vision is acceptable but some patients who do lots of computer work find they need to sit closer to the computer, make the font size larger on the screen, or get a pair of intermediate vision spectacles to make intermediate work more comfortable. In addition, 25% of patients note glare and haloes around lights at night with the diffractive multifocal IOL, a feature that is inherent to multifocal lenses. These effects may interfere with your ability to drive comfortably at night. However, most patients find that they get used to this phenomenon with time and the glare and halos become less obvious. Night driving spectacles may assist in reducing this phenomenon. You should know that approximately 7-8% of patients implanted with monofocal lenses also notice glare and halos.

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

sophiamarie — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 17:49:14 GMT

On 3/22/2015 Just Me Too said:
sophiamarie

Thanks for you comment. I tried the contacts with the combination you mentioned and my brain didn't like it at all. I tried real hard to adjust but finally gave up. I am so worried about making the wrong decision since I can't go back and change my mind.

Sorry - but I don't understand what you mean. Do you wear contacts???

I think, if you trust your doctor, maybe he will be honest with you and help you decide what is right for you. I don't know your age, your state of health, etc. Just make sure that whatever you decide, it will be permanent. Once they're in - they are in for good.....

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

HiLo — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 18:23:03 GMT

I don't need glasses now after having this surgery.

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

Just Me Too — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 21:09:03 GMT

sophiamarie, Thanks for the link. I read several on the web but missed that one it is helpful. No I do not wear contacts, I tried them but they did not work for me. I tried near in one eye and distance in the other and it was terrible. I wear progressive now. I do trust my Doctor however she told me about each and left it up to me. The permanent thing is what I am so worried about. I tend to worry way to much but that is just the way I am.

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

Big Sister — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 23:14:01 GMT

Just Me Too, you said "I tend to worry way to much but that is just the way I am."

In this situation I don't think you are worrying too much. This is a huge decision to have to make on your own, I think.

I am facing that surgery in the next year or two and unless my doctor says there is only one way for me to go as far as the lenses, then I will be worrying about making the right decision. I have thought about it a lot and right now I don't know what I will choose. Like you, I don't want to make the wrong decision.

Good luck and please let me know what you decided to do.

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

stargazer — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 12:40:39 GMT

Just Me Too, you are not worrying too much. It's an important decision. I will be making it soon and please let us know what you decide.

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

tishkins — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 16:05:39 GMT

I had my surgery last year. The doctor asked me - would I like to see far without glasses as nd use glasses for reading. I chose this option since I was used to it. The other option was the reverse.

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

qvcaddition — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 16:08:21 GMT

Didn,t have to wear glasses after it for about three years, but was not told what kind of lens to choose. I know Medicare paid 150 dollars toward the first pair. The surgery was the best thing I did. One eye first, then the second a month later. Opened up a whole new world to me. I almost could not see anymore. I had to stay in town when I drove. Could not read street signs, even with glasses on.

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

Shorty2U — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 16:37:17 GMT

I don't remember what the lens is called now but it was the free one. Because my Dr. said the one you pay extra for corrects vision and my vision couldn't be corrected due to bad astigmatism.

So I still wear glasses after having cataract surgery. I need the glasses because I cant see to read without them and due to that astigmatism. But my seeing far away is much better since cataract surgery. (Although this computer screen bothers me at times).

Good luck with your surgery! I can tell you that its a piece of cake. I was so worried when I went to get it but it really was easy. The worst part is having to use all of those drops before and after surgery (for weeks).

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

Montana — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 03:37:07 GMT

On 3/23/2015 tishkins said: I had my surgery last year. The doctor asked me - would I like to see far without glasses as nd use glasses for reading. I chose this option since I was used to it. The other option was the reverse.

I want the opposite - glasses for far and no glasses for reading. I have been near-sighted all my life and that is what I am used to. I will probably be having surgery in the summer.

ETA: Or if possible, no glasses for anything.

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

AnikaBrodie — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 22:37:49 GMT

Just Me Too ... I can understand your confusion in selecting your lens implant. I had cataract surgery in January, one week apart, and was given three options: Distance Vision Correction; Near Vision Correction; and Blended Vision Correction. Mono Vision Correction was not an option.

I have worn glasses full time (first thing in morning, last thing at night) since a very early age and was happy to get rid of them. I chose Distance Vision Correction and that works well for me. It's also what my surgeon recommended based on my history. That means I can see very well at a distance but must wear reading glasses (I call them cheaters) for reading or close work. For anything closer than arm's length I use my cheaters. I can see at distances better than ever in my life and that includes not only distance but a lot of detail at distances. It's awesome!

It took me a while to get used to wearing reading glasses only. I used to take my glasses off to read (prior to cataract surgery) and now must put them on to read. So, that's a big change for me and is hard to get used to. Regarding seeing halos with distance correction, I do see some halo on car lights, especially when they are on high beam. But it's not the halo that fills the entire width of the car as it was before surgery.

Just choose your options carefully and select the one that will be best for you, in consultation with your surgeon. Just make sure you make the best choice for yourself; there is no going back once the lens implant is in.

Re: Need Advice.. Cataract surgery

AnikaBrodie — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 17:31:05 GMT

Just Me Too .. When is your cataract surgery and have you made a decision on the implant lens you'll want after cataracts are removed? Just curious. I know this can be a difficult decision, and you have to weigh all options.