Community Chat

[Catlady Nicole]

I also had cataract surgery relatively young, 39 at the time, due to previous surgery to repair a retinal detachment.  I don't think it was laser assisted so I can't speak to that, but the whole process was very easy.  In and out in a few hours.  The most noticeable change is the clarity and brightness of colors and whites.  I used to be near sighted in both eyes, and now I only have to wear a contact in the other eye.  I will say though, that I do have to wear readers for pretty much everything now.  That's kind of a bummer, but at least I have vision!

Both my parents, in their late 70's, have had the surgery and have fared well also.

There will be some days of pre-op and post-op eye drops required, so if she needs help doing that, be prepared.  You will also have to take her in for a few follow up visits, so be sure to plan for that in addition to the actual surgery.  

Best of luck to your Mom and let her know she's got lots of cataract company 

[Sassealassea]

I had both eyes done via laser in my late 60's.  It is a painless procedure and results were immediately noticeable.  The choice of premium lens (IOL) over the standard is a personal decision depending on other factors with vision.  Because my eyes would not be 100% corrected for reading with premium IOL's I elected the standard which was 100% covered by Medicare and secondary insurance.   Bottom line I can drive without glasses, distance vision perfect and have no problem wearing reading glasses as needed. 

After care only requires use of eye drops for a couple of weeks.  Sunlight sensitivity means sun glasses.  

Investigate the credentials of the ophthalmologist and ask how many procedures he or she has done in career.

I could not be happier with my results.   Best of luck to your Mom.

[RedTop]

My mother had one eye done several years ago, and did very well. 

The current specialist who does this in our area is known as THE best.   His staff thoroughly explained the procedure, with visuals, to Mom during her consult appt.   They were extremely thorough, and covered absolutely everything before we could even think of anything to ask.   

Mom came home wearing a patch over her eye.  I took her back to the specialist the next day, where the patch was removed, and then the eye drop schedule began.  There was a lot of light sensitivity, so she needed sunglasses outside.  She had 2 drops to put in her eye several times a day---she was able to do that on her own, and saw the specialist in another week.   Everything was good at that appt, so she continued the eye drops for another week before a 3rd recheck.   She was good to go, with instructions to discontinue one of the eye drops at that point, and use the other one till it was gone.   

Since Mom only had the one eye done, she had to remove the lens from that side of her glasses until the healing was complete and she had a new set of glasses made.   

The only person I know who did not have success with cataract removal was my grandmother, and that was due solely to her diabetes.   

Best wishes to your mom!

[shoptilyadropagain]

I had both eyes done when I was 47.  The surgery itself was a piece of cake.  I could have driven myself home (if they would have let me) after both eyes were done although the second eye burned and watered a "little" more.  The hardest part is the prep several days ahead of time.  There are two or three different eyedrops and one is so many times a day, the second is so many (but different) times and day and the same with the remaining drops.  That got slightly confusing to keep it all straight and I would imagine its worse for someone who is older than I was.  Maybe they've changed the preop eyedrops to something more simple by now though.

[LilacTree]

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@Havarti wrote:

My mother was a voracious reader from the time she was a little girl – she dearly loved her books and felt like they, and the characters in them, were her personal friends. She could get lost in the story in a matter of seconds and become so immersed in it that she didn’t hear what was going on around her. Each story seemed to magically transport her to the time, setting and location portrayed within the pages. She loved the feel of a book in her hands and never took to audio books – she said the introduction of that one voice changed her imagination and perception of so many aspects of the story. It was a much loved relationship between her and the characters only. Books would comfort her when nothing else could – she lived to read. Her eyes were the key to her very treasured joy.

When she was in her early 80’s she needed cataract surgery on both eyes. The doctor never discussed “options” with her and she didn’t know there were “options”. When she could not see clearly after the first eye surgery was done her doctor told her that was normal, to wait for the other eye to be done and then give both eyes time to adjust & heal. She so missed her reading and could not wait for it all to be back to normal, just clearer – it seemed like forever. Well, it was forever; that day never came for her because the doctor had decided (all on his own – without discussion) to put a lens in one eye that favored nearsightedness & the other eye to favor farsightedness. If it worked out well she would likely never have to wear glasses (bifocals) again. They often do this with contact lenses and for many people their eyes adjust to balance each other out and give better clearer overall vision. That never happened for my mother, she never adjusted to the differences (some never do and unfortunately she was one of those). She was never able to read again and it broke her heart and she also lost confidence in her doctors.

So, be sure your mother and her doctor talk through all the “options” and possibilities and that she has a say in what decisions are made. It would have been so simple in my mother’s case…she would never have gambled and taken the chance – she was content wearing her reading glasses – she just wanted to read.

Wishing your mother well and for a happy outcome!  You are smart to be exploring all the details.

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@Havarti

Thanks for this post.  Coincidentally, I have an appt with the eye doc tomorrow to assess whether it's time for the removal of my cataracts.  Your post has given me very important information that I will cover with him. 

What happened to your mother is so sad.  I am 79 and love to read also.  So this information is a godsend since I already know my ophthalmologist is not talkative.  Thanks again!!

[Tyak]

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@Andreatoo wrote:

My boss had it done as did a good friend of mine in her early 50s.

Both said it's painless and were very pleased with the results and virtually no down time. The downside is that there's no guarantee they wont come back...

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You're wrong, they cannot come back because your natural lens is removed and replaced with a man-made lens.  

[sophiamarie]

I had both eyes done, two weeks apart.  I don't remember anything.  I was "out" one minute and "wide awake" the next.  I was given VERSED.

I was told to remove the strip of gauze taped to my eye, at 7 pm that same night.  The next day, I had my follow-up visit with the Ophthalmologist and everything was A-OK.  Perfect vision.  No pain - no nothing.  Just drops for a few weeks - no problems there either.

Two weeks later, I had the second eye done.  Same thing.

You should have no problems.  You could ask what kind of sedation (if any) you will be given.  I have read where people aren't given anything, which I don't believe.  You will hear horror stories too.  Don't believe them either.  Some people just can't help themselves.  

This should be a piece of cake.  Make sure to ask your doctor all the questions you can think of.  Then, there will be no surprises.

Good luck and come back and tell us all about it.

[sophiamarie]

@Tyak  You are correct.  They don't come back.  I think what the poster meant was what they call "secondary cataract" where the eye again gets a little cloudy.  In that case, they use a laser and zap (a few seconds) the cloudiness out of the eye.  I had this in both my eyes, a year or so after my surgery.  I swear, I wasn't in there five minutes.  He zapped my eye, took me out into the hallway and told me to look down the hall.  Everything was clear again.

He said this will never happen again.  It never did.  It was all so worth it.

If people are looking for problems, believe me, they will find them.  JMO  If you have faith in your doctor, then there shouldn't be any problems.

[KingstonsMom]

I had mine done, 1 month apart, in my mid 50's.

My experience was just like the one @sophiamarie had.

I knew nothing of the actual surgery and surgery recovery was a breeze too.

The day of the actual surgery I felt like I had a speck of sand in my eye, but the next morning, I had no discomfort at all.

I had no idea how much I wasn't seeing clearly until I had it done!

Sunlight sensitivity is to be expected, in fact I was given sunglasses in my 'prep kit' for surgery.

Good luck to your Mom!

[sophiamarie]

To the OP:  Sorry, I didn't see where it is your mom having the surgery.  At her age, please don't let the doctor talk you into the expensive lenses that Medicare doesn't pay for.  Where I live, (Florida) they are $2,500 EACH.  Medicare paid  in full for both my surgeries and I couldn't be happier.

My doctor implanted "distance" lenses in my eyes,(I think that's standard) so all I need are "readers" from the Dollar Store.  I don't know if your doctor will mention this at her age, but if he does, ask many questions.  Knowledge is power.

I think someone here on this thread had a bad experience with them.

I hope all goes well for her.  Please come back and let us know.