Just had cataract removal...one eye in mid December, the second eye a couple of weeks ago. I too was sort of freaked at the thought of any kind of surgery without being completely sedated. I needed the surgery. I had bad cataracts in both eyes and the very real potential of issues with glaucoma if I didn't have them taken out. But the thought of someone completely removing my eye's natural lens and replacing it with an artificial lens was every bit as scary as glaucoma. After all, the first eye that was done was the one that had always worked the best and what if something went wrong???? And surgery after having been given only "something to relax you" just sounded wrong!
I did it anyway and it was amazing! Apparently cataract surgery (by someone who specializes in cataract surgery and who has an excellent reputation re the results) has become a very routine outpatient procedure. I was given something to relax me, but there were also IV meds given that produce something called "conscious sedation". I remember a little of the surgery but certainly not all of it and there was no pain at all. No pain during the surgery, no pain after the surgery, no pain at all unless you count the pain of ripping out a couple of hairs that stuck to the tape holding the eye shield in place! And I wasn't even "goofy" feeling after...at least no more goofy than I usually am! I did take a nap once we got home, but after being awake a lot of the night before worrying, I was tired! Had to sign a pre-op paper that I wouldn't drive or sign important legal documents for 24 hours after due to having had the IV meds, and had to wear the eye protector and had to be careful to not bend over or sleep on the surgery side for the same time period. Also was to not lift anything heavy for a week. My interpretation of all that was, "BONUS! I don't have to do the laundry for a week!!!"
And I can now see better than I've ever seen, and I don't need to wear my glasses to read or for everyday activities. Colors are more vivid, no more cloudy vision, I don't need to put things under a light to read them, my world is a brighter place than I thought! I've worn glasses since I was in kindergarten, and this is a major improvement. I do have some difficulties focusing at a distance of about 10 feet, but past that is good and closer than that is good. I don't exactly know why I have good close and distant vision now since I received a single focus lens, but I'm not complaining. I may get some glasses for watching tv across the room, but I can't think of anything else I'd need them for.
I hope you consider having the surgery. I'm sure I was just as worried as you are, but it truly was the best thing I could have done for my vision and a truly miraculous procedure from start to finish!
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