topic Re: Cataract surgery in Among Friends

Cataract surgery

CalminHeart — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 12:01:27 GMT

Now I'm starting to get nervous. I'm having my first cataract fixed tomorrow and the second one in a couple of weeks. One of my biggest fears in life is losing my sight. People tell me it's not as bad as they imagined but I'll feel better when it's over.

Re: Cataract surgery

ciao_bella — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 12:09:21 GMT

@CalminHeart Let me be the first to tell you all will be well. I had both eyes done that had cataracts and it's a breeze. Nothing to worry or fear. You will do just fine!

Re: Cataract surgery

phoenixbrd — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 15:03:06 GMT

I haven't had cataract surgery so I can't speak from experience. I have read so many success stories regarding cataract surgeries on this board. I just want to wish you well and glad that you chose to share here as I know you will have lots of support and positive feedback. Keep us posted and wishing you a speedy recovery.

Re: Cataract surgery

Mary Bailey — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 12:34:18 GMT

@CalminHeart DH had left eye done a week ago today. He was reading street signs on the way home. He's very happy.

He doesn't need his other eye done yet.

I'm sure you will be happy with results too. All the best to you!

Re: Cataract surgery

OKPrincess — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 12:36:27 GMT

DH had both eyes done last year and he was very apprehensive too but it was a breeze he said. Wasn’t scared when they did the second eye. I believe it’s a normal reaction.

I’ll have to do the same thing in the near future too so I will feel the same as you.

Good luck to you.

Re: Cataract surgery

KingstonsMom — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 12:40:20 GMT

@CalminHeart

I've had both eyes done and it really is a breeze, you'll be amazed at how much better you can see!

Colors are brighter, images are clearer, the only thing you'll wonder about is why you waited so long!

The day of my surgery I felt like I had a tiny grain of sand in my eye, but by the next morning that feeling was gone.

You'll use a couple of drops several times a day and I highly recommend using a sleep mask to ensure that you don't rub your eyes while you're sleeping.

Also, make sure you have sunglasses, as your eyes will be a bit more light sensitive for a while.

I was given a 'kit' to keep the drops in and it included a pair of sunglasses, not the cutest, but functional, LOL!

Re: Cataract surgery

Carolina925 — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 12:43:46 GMT

I had both done last year, the absolute best thing that I've ever done for myself. I went from 320/300 to 20/20, wearing either glasses or contacts since I was 8 years old. I was so scared, thinking my bad eyesight would be better than a possible mess-up and losing sight altogether. Mine were done one at a time, two weeks apart. Take the pain meds before the pain begins, it takes a while for them to kick in when they start hurting right after the surgery. Don't be brave, eye pain is bad after the anesthesia wears off, but mine only hurt the afternoon after surgery. Please try not to worry, this is a procedure done every day and they know what they're doing. Good luck and follow directions the doctor gives you. When it's all done, you'll be amazed at what you've been missing. I couldn't stop looking at the tree tops and the individual leaves! Prayers for you!

Re: Cataract surgery

KingstonsMom — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 12:47:12 GMT

I had no eye pain at all after the surgery, just that feeling of a grain of sand in my eye that day and no pain meds were offered, nor needed by me.

Re: Cataract surgery

hopi — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 12:51:15 GMT

Prayers that you can rest easy. The word surgery is just scary. Looking forward to your smooth recovery and posts.

Re: Cataract surgery

KACEE1115 — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 12:51:18 GMT

All will be well, I too was worried about losing my sight because my mother was blind from glaucoma. I had one I done one week and the other one the next week. Only trouble I had was not being able to use my glasses to see for a week or so. I went to the dollar tree and got readers for one dollar and several different designs and strengths.

Re: Cataract surgery

stuyvesant — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 12:53:43 GMT

I had both my eyes done too several years ago. The first eye was very serious, multiple cataracts, my doctor said I had baby cataracts growing on top of cataracts, it had to be done right away! I went in thinking I needed glasses.

So a date was set. I was nervous but I knew it's a routine procedure and a lot of people go through it. I decided not to think or brood about it.

But the day arrives and you're sitting there and it's going to happen and you have to think about it. It did seep into my mind that everybody in the waiting room was there pretty much for the same thing. That somehow helped.

I will say it's the easiest unpleasant experience you will probably go through, and the results are almost miraculous.

There's no pain. No unsightly cuts or wounds that have to be dealt with. (Three different kind of drops though for several weeks.) You walked in, you''ll walk out.

They know exactly what is going on with your eye already. And they willl fix it for you just like they do for millions of other people.

All the best to you, and enjoy your improved sight.

Re: Cataract surgery

I am still oxox — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 13:01:33 GMT

I had mine done over 25 years ago so things might of changed, your eye might be covered for a day and you will have drops to put in the eye several times a day, also you will have to wear the covering on your eye at night for a few weeks

Re: Cataract surgery

SharkE — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 13:17:29 GMT

I just had mine done in Nov and Dec. No pain. I also had astigmatism correction done at the same time. Medicare pays for cataract removal, you have to pay out of pocket for astigmatism correction. Cost me 1600. Well worth it.

Now, I can see without fishing out the glasses every whip stitch in Walmart, I can read coupons, I don't have to hold out sheets of paper 5 ft ahead of me I can read like I did when I was younger.

Only takes about 20 minutes. Longest wait is in the Dr.'s office sitting around waiting with everybody else. LOL

They will give you sheet of directions the day before, sheet of directions after the procedure. I had to keep drops in the eyes 3 times a day for 21 days, that's for each eye.

Had one eye done one week, next week the other eye.

In my case, you get up from surgery go back to Dr. office and they check you before you go home, start putting in drops 3 times a day, go back the next week, get that eye done, go back to Dr. office have that one checked before you leave, go home start putting 3 drops a day in that eye for 21 days. Make sure you use the drops ! I put mine in when I got up in morning around 2 and again before bed. Had no

trouble at all.

I got follow up the 23rd of this month then it's all over.

It's always scary if your Dr has a website really research it I had no

surprises really knew what was going to be happening. They will

comfort you they have seen it all before, etc.

You'll do fine !

Re: Cataract surgery

Meowingkitty — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 13:19:12 GMT

I had mine done 2 years ago and yes it's a bit scary but the second eye will be better because you know what to expect the second time around. There is no pain, just a bit of gritty feeling for awhile, the biggest inconvenience is the eye drops. My glasses were very thick. In fact the optician was having difficulty making them because of the astigmatism, poor vision etc. I went from 20/700 vision where I couldn't even read the big E on the wall to 20/20. I got everything fixed that I could get fixed. I had been wearing glasses since I was 12 and now I don't need even readers.

Re: Cataract surgery

shy bobcat — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 14:16:49 GMT

I am 4 days post second cataract surgery. The first was done two weeks ago.

The only thought I can add to what has been said here is, try not to worry if you do not see well right after surgery. My vision was blurry until the morning after surgery. Your eye will be dilated. The saying, "what a difference a day makes" applied to my recovery. It's also worth saying that it takes 4-6 weeks to fully recover but, you will be amazed after just a day or two.

Re: Cataract surgery

hennypenny — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 15:59:53 GMT

I had mine done a few years ago.

I remember waking up and looking down at the sheets on the bed. They were ditzy floral print and I was able to see all the little flowers. It was such fun.

The surgery made a huge difference. I have optic neuritis in one eye, so having vision in the other was wonderful!

Re: Cataract surgery

shoptilyadropagain — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 16:31:54 GMT

I understand the nervousness. However, as others have already told you, it's a relatively minor surgery and, in the end, you will be so glad you did it. My cataracts developed earlier than most peoples and I had my surgeries 10 or 11 years ago. I felt so good afterwards that I could have easily driven home. I didn't but felt like I could. We went out for breakfast afterwards.

Re: Cataract surgery

BlueFinch — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 16:32:58 GMT

My mom, now passed, was blind in one eye from youth. As cataracts began to rob sight in her 'good' eye, she was terribly worried.

The doc wanted to wait, since there are some risks, until he didn't want to wait any longer.

He patched her eye, afterwards, and I had to lead her home and stayed with her to administer drops. The next day, I was able to remove the patch.

Her vision was a little distorted, when the patch came off, but began to come into focus. That scared me, for a moment.

I led her to her garden window. I'll never forget the smile on her face as she gasped: "You just can't imagine how beautiful this is to me."

Well, hopefully I'll find that beauty soon, myself. I'm about ready for the surgery, as well.

Re: Cataract surgery

KingstonsMom — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 16:43:07 GMT

@shoptilyadropagain wrote:
I understand the nervousness. However, as others have already told you, it's a relatively minor surgery and, in the end, you will be so glad you did it. My cataracts developed earlier than most peoples and I had my surgeries 10 or 11 years ago. I felt so good afterwards that I could have easily driven home. I didn't but felt like I could. We went out for breakfast afterwards.

@shoptilyadropagain

As a blue eyed 'beach bunny' most of my life, mine were done in my late 40's and we went to IHOP for breakfast on the way home too!

My Dr. explained that blue eyes were more susceptible for cataracts at a younger age, as well as spending lots of time in the bright sun.

Re: Cataract surgery

Carmie — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 16:50:29 GMT

I had a cataract removed from my right eye when I was around 50. Yes, I was scared, but afterwards I felt I worried for nothing.

I went back to the doctor early the next morning, then drove myself to work. I worked all day and my job involved paper work.

I only "lost" one day...the day of the surgery.

So far my left eye is good, but if I need cataract surgery on that eye, I know what to expect and I am not worried or scared at all.

I have also had surgery for a torn retina. My doctor has told me that the retina in my other eye might tear as well...it's just a matter of time.

Now that scares me. That surgery is not one I want to repeat...ever!