Among Friends

[Jordan2]

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@ciao_bella wrote:

@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!

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@ciao_bella  I hope you don't mind me asking, did you opt for the more expensive lens? I am getting cataract surgery the doctor mentioned the better lens, it's $1600 and it is an out of pocket expenses, insurance doesn't cover it. I don't think I'll get it, I'll be paying my deductible plus.

[BklynKinsey]

I had cataract surgery recently -- right eye 12/2, and left eye 1/13.  I opted for laser cataract removal (not blade), a special laser system which takes measurements during the surgery and premium trifocal lenses.  I asked (actually begged!) for some type of anesthesia, but because I was having all these laser procedures I could not have any because you have to follow commands to look at the lights, etc.  So, I was fully awake and aware, nothing to even take "the edge off."  For me, a worrier, it was very stressful.  The one good thing it that there was no pain because the eye is numb and there is something they put to hold your lids open, so you don't have to worry about blinking.  I've had to go back for additional laser treatment because I developed cloudiness or secondary cataracts behind the new lenses (lucky me).  Usually this takes years to happen, but mine developed immediately.  I'm glad this is behind me, but I have to say, I'm glad I don't have a third eye!

[SharkE]

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@Jordan2 wrote:

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@ciao_bella wrote:

@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!

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@ciao_bella  I hope you don't mind me asking, did you opt for the more expensive lens? I am getting cataract surgery the doctor mentioned the better lens, it's $1600 and it is an out of pocket expenses, insurance doesn't cover it. I don't think I'll get it, I'll be paying my deductible plus.

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I had the 1600 out of pocket astigmatism correction procedure. It's worth it.  My supplement insurance plan F paid my Medicare plan B deductible too.

Medicare always just pays the basic.

[ciao_bella]

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@Jordan2 wrote:

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@ciao_bella wrote:

@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!

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@ciao_bella  I hope you don't mind me asking, did you opt for the more expensive lens? I am getting cataract surgery the doctor mentioned the better lens, it's $1600 and it is an out of pocket expenses, insurance doesn't cover it. I don't think I'll get it, I'll be paying my deductible plus.

@Jordan2   The first eye, which was done in 2018, I had opted for the expensive len which was around $1400.  I have an astigmatism in that eye and the type of lens (Toric) allows for 'adjustment' in vision as opposed to the fixed lens which is covered under Medicare. That's why I went with that lens.  The other eye, which was done this past October I opted for the fixed standard lens which is covered by Medicare.  There wouldn't have been any beneficial vision difference in choosing the more expensive lens for that eye.  

You would have to ask your doctor what, if any, benefit you would receive if you opted for the expensive lens over the standard.  Some people have the benefit of not wearing glasses any longer by choosing the expensive lens. That was not my case.   Each person is different and each situation is different.  

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[Jordan2]

@ciao_bella  I had cataract surgery on my left eye in 2016, the doctor never mentioned to me the better lens, so I got the standard ( I now need the drugstore type of eyeglasses for reading, I didn't need them prior to the surgery). I am now seeing a different doctor ( the practice is like a factory), he mentioned the $1600 lens. I really can't afford it, besides how would it be having this lens in my right eye and the standard lens in the left?

[CalminHeart]

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@Jordan2 wrote:

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@ciao_bella wrote:

@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!

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@ciao_bella  I hope you don't mind me asking, did you opt for the more expensive lens? I am getting cataract surgery the doctor mentioned the better lens, it's $1600 and it is an out of pocket expenses, insurance doesn't cover it. I don't think I'll get it, I'll be paying my deductible plus.

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I would have loved to get the extras.  It was $1600 per eye just to fix the astigmatism.  It was $3500 per eye to fix vision and astigmastism.  I'm retired and couldn't afford the extras since they aren't covered by insurance/Medicare.

[ciao_bella]

@Jordan2   I still have to wear over the counter reading glasses and I had the expensive lens in one eye and the standard in the other.  The doctor told me prior to getting the  expensive lens that I would still need reading glasses due to my other eye.  As far as having one of each type of lens and if it matters as far as the outcome of your overall vision, it's fine.  There is no problem having one standard lens and one expensive lens.  My vision is 20/15 (better than normal) in my right eye and 20/30 in my left eye.  The 20/30 is because I have what is called a 'wrinkle' in my retina.  The eye doctor did tell me prior to the cataract removal that I wouldn't get 20/20 in that eye due to the retina wrinkle. 

Your doctor might not have mentioned the more expensive lens when you had your first surgery because the eye didn't have any reason to benefit from a more expensive lens.  Does the eye you're having done now have more problems than the other eye?  Sad to say, I've heard that some eye doctors are pushing the more expensive lens because they make more  money on them. 

[PilatesLover]

@CalminHeart  - thank you so much.  You helped me to feel a lot better.

I started my regimen of eye drops yesterday and cleaned off the big Stevie Wonder sunglasses they gave me.  They seem way too clumsy, I'll probably wear my own.

[Jordan2]

@ciao_bella  my right eye ( The one I'm having done) is so much worse than the left when I had it done ( my fault because of my ill mother I neglected myself). I can't afford the more expensive lens as I have a high deductible and high out of pocket expenses). I will probably pay a good deal of money for the surgery alone. If I'll have to wear glasses to read anyway, what's the point. Anyway getting my eye done will be a vast improvement of how I see now.

[ciao_bella]

@Jordan2  If your doctor gave you a choice of standard or expensive lens, then the standard should be sufficient and do what it's supposed to do.  I wouldn't be concerned that it would be less effective.  Go with what you can afford and I'm sure all will be just fine.  Like I said before, I have one of each and still need over the counter reading glasses and that's fine with me.  As long as the cataract is taken care of and your sight improves that's what's important.  When is your surgery?