Wellness

[NigelSparkles]

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@sophiamarie wrote:

I had both eyes done, two weeks apart.  If I had to, I could have driven home myself.  One minute I was talking and the next minute, I heard the doctor say, "everything went well, take the patch off at 7 pm and see me tomorrow"..... I was given VERSED.  One minute you're awake and alert and the next minute, it seems you are awake and alert.  No groggyness at all.  I don't understand anyone saying they felt the cataract "breaking apart"....????  What does that even mean???

As for the implant - my surgeon gave me the option of the multi-focal lens (which Medicare does not pay for - for $2,500 each) or the IOL and I would "probably just need readers afterwards".... I chose the IOL.  He implanted "distance" lenses in my eyes and I need Dollar Store readers (+2.50 to +3.00 power) to read and for the computer.  Otherwise I don't need glasses at all.

Dollar Store glasses or $5,000????  

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I did not say I FELT the cataract breaking apart. There was a laser procedure to break the cataract before anesthesia was given. Only numbing drops at that point.  I said it was scary and it was. I also said there was no pain or even discomfort. Perhaps the procedure for my surgery using a laser method was different than yours. Every experience is not the same, there's no need for you to be snarky. The purpose of our posts on this subject is to tell the O/P what our experience has been.

[sophiamarie]

@NigelSparkles  Sorry you thought I was being "snarky".  I wasn't.  It was just a question/statement.  I'm sorry you had a scary experience.  Cataract surgery should not be scary at all and even if it was, I certainly wouldn't post it to someone who is about to have it.

About a year after my surgery, I had what is called "after cataract cloudiness", for which I also needed a laser procedure, which took probably 5 seconds, a few zaps and that was it.  I had it done in both eyes and it certainly was not scary.  I realize not everyone has the same outcome but I find doctors who don't do scary things and I have good outcomes.

Better luck next time.

[hckynut]

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@Scooby Doo wrote:

Went to the doctor today and got scheduled for catarac surgery in 10 days.  He gave me two choices and I'm having an issue deciding which one to do.  First is the standard procedure that insurance will pay for, but I'll still need to wear glasses for distance.

Second is the special lens that will correct both distance and near vision but the cost for that lens is $2850 per eye.  I'm having a hard time justifying the cost of that, mostly because (1) that's a lot of money and (2) I'm used to wearing glasses.  Also, I have astigmatism and that would probably need to be corrected for another $1600 per eye.

Anyone have the special lens put in, and is it worth all that money?

I've heard the surgery is pretty easy.  Was that your experience?

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@Scooby Doo

Read my 1st post in this thread. While my cost was much less than you stated, what I spent was worth every penny to me. 

Only you know if yours is financially affordable, I can say mine is all that I imagined it would be.

hckynut(john)

[sophiamarie]

@NigelSparkles  I just noticed where you "edited" your initial post where you said you talked about the "scary part where you felt the cataracts breaking apart."  

[Moonchilde]

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@sugar22 wrote:

The procedure was a piece of cake.  Got tired of all the drops you have to use for several weeks afterwards, but otherwise no problem.  My opthamologist did not recommend the fancy extra cost lenses.  He said most of his patients who got them were not happy, so he just usually goes with the ordinary ones.

I have one lens for distance, and one for reading.  I see no halos at night, but I still use glasses for distance.  

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I'm genuinely finding it interesting how many doctors are not recommending the progressive IOLs as the be-all and end-all, and rather indicating they're Not All That.

My doctor pretty much assumed that all his patients would want them and have them, and indicated before surgery that they were, or "should" be, the answer to everyone's problems.

When I did NOT have them, he blamed ME for "not having a brain that processes vision correctly" (say WHAT?) when he mis-prescribed my after-surgery eyeglasses. Subsequent ophthalmologist said "say what!?" to that and said prescription was simply WAY off (which I told him at the time and he ignored, blaming it on "my brain", lol. Except it really wasn't funny at the time.

I'm so nearsighted, with one eye greatly astigmatic, that I would NEVER be able to go without glasses. He sold me a huge package of b*lls*** because he didn't want to deal with eyeglasses and only wanted patients who had progressive implants so they could recommend him to their friends.

It's great to be able to trust your doctor. I had no reason to distrust mine until after the fact when it was all too late. I do wonder, now, if laser could improve things, but probably not.

[hckynut]

@Moonchilde

Sorry to hear about your experience with the surgery. I had not heard of progressive iol lens before reading this. Hopefully there will be some type of procedure that can help correct this.

hckynut(john)

[Moonchilde]

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@hckynut wrote:

@Moonchilde

Sorry to hear about your experience with the surgery. I had not heard of progressive iol lens before reading this. Hopefully there will be some type of procedure that can help correct this.

hckynut(john)

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Thanks, John. If I had understood clearly going in I would have had realistic expectations. I think the doctor was just honestly not a very good ophthalmologist, from what I hear of others in the multiple cataract threads.

He promised things he should not have, then denied it, then blamed me - and never offered any type of laser after-correction which I now know is pretty common.

But I was working, my insurance was an HMO - and I was about to retire. I didn't have the chance to seek another opinion/surgeon. Sometimes ya learn the hard way. That's why, when people ask if this or that will solve all their problems, I can only say "maybe - it depends."

[Moonchilde]

As far as any nerves or fear during my surgeries - my doctor, with constant questioning, wanted me to tell him at any time during the procedure if I was feeling anxious just to let him know and they would make sure I was relaxed and happy - all I had to do was ask. So they were very on top of the patient getting anxious. I know I didn't ask the first time; I can't remember if I did the second time. I think I told him I was just tired of OR delays, and get on with it!

I was completely aware of what they were doing both times, but I honestly felt nothing. I had NO feelings, sensation of tugging or anything. My anesthesia level was perfect. After all, they REALLY don't want you to move.