Cataract Surgery Questions

bootsanne · ‎01-21-2011

My husband is scheduled for cataract removal late next month. The eye being done also has wet Macular Degeneration that is being treated every 10 weeks. The eye surgeon has recommended standard removal for his right eye but laser for his left. He has had the EKG, the physical and the drops are being mailed to us. Can any posters here tell us what to expect? Is there pain? Do the drops burn or sting? Because of the MD, we know he will still have the dark spot but dr said his vision will improve. I've taken care of him through many difficult surgeries, but I'm really squeamish about eyes even though I have had vision issues since I was young and have no problem taking care of my eyes.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@bootsanne I have had both eyes done and both were a piece of cake. I was marginally awake, enough to sometimes hear what was being said in the OR, but as squemish as I was it was party time as far as I'm concerned! The drugs were great!

They gave me valium when I got there so everything was smooth sailing. I did not get sick at my stomach and was awake and do remember being wheeled out of the OR to to the recovery room.

Some of the drops sting some, but not too bad. My doc is very regimental, so I have to use them longer than some people do. But I could see so much better eveing in the recovery room I was elated!

I hope all goes well, and I know some people know a lot more than I do.

Meowingkitty · ‎06-19-2010

Mine were removed earlier this year and it was easy peezy. Slept through the entire surgery. My surgeries were scheduled for 7:30 and I was home by 9:30 both times. One of the drops after stung a bit but not horribly. I now have 20/20 vision for the first time since I was 12. My vision was 20/700 before the surgery. No need for readers and they also fixed my astigmatism.

NigelSparkles · ‎03-20-2010

I had both eyes done in 2016 using the laser method. I was terrified with the first eye because I'm a chicken baby about all things medical. I worried for nothing, although the first part where tey use a machine to break up the cataract is scary. There is ZERO pain involved and I felt fine immediately after getting off the table. They give a valium before they start and another IV anesthesia that knocks you out for a minute or so while they prep your eye to numb it. Sometimes the surgeon will give a little extra if the patient is very anxious or if he's afraid you'll move around. The surgery only takes a few minutes, then they give you some juice and send you home. Your husband will have to see the surgeon the next day to have it checked and the eye guard removed, although some doctors let you remove it yourself. Mine didn't. It's only to protect the eye while sleeping. I had to put it back on to sleep with for the first week.

His vision may be very slightly blurry until he's finished using the drops - they can cause that. I had some shimmery halos which disappeared as soon as the drops stopped. One of them does sting a tiny bit, but not much. Not any more than some of the allergy eye drops do.

For me, this was a very easy surgery even with all my angst over it. The second eye was a breeze since I already knew what to expect. Anxiety over the unknown can make you crazy. Good luck to your husband - he'll be surprised at the difference in his vision.

lulu1 · ‎03-29-2011

I had both my eyes done in May. Unfortunately I was awake for both procedures. I remember wanting to blink and the strain of keeping my eye open was discomforting. My first eye was a stressful day. (for numerous reasons in the surgery center) I expected improved vision right away. For me it was about 2 days. The second eye was so much easier.

The drops were many in number. I needed a chart to keep things straight. I do not remember them being painful.

Good luck to your husband. I have astigmatism and the surgeon chose NOT to use the laser.

Yesterday I had my 5 month check-up. Before and again after, I had/have terribly dry eyes. I am back on a prescription eye drop. I'd do the surgeries again in a heart beat.

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

Cataract surgery on both eyes this past May. Piece of cake!

No pain

Eye drops sting a little

Eye drops are cold as ice!

My cataracts were medically induced from the Macular Hole surgery I had on both eyes Nov-2017.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

marip · ‎07-24-2016

I had cataract surgery done in the right eye 15 years ago and now I have 20/20 vision in that eye. I had the left eye done 8 years ago also had 20/20 vision afterwards until now my IOL implant moved a tiny bit and now I have some vision problems in that eye.

I may need eye surgery done again because of the lens being displaced. I had no idea this can happen with the artificial lens after cataract surgery or years later.

kze · ‎03-09-2010

As others have said "piece of cake"! Went out to lunch after. I don't remember the drops stinging but that wouldn't have been a problem for me.

sophiamarie · ‎08-08-2013

I also have wet AMD in one eye and had cataract surgery on both eyes, two weeks apart. No problem at all.

I was given Versed and was "out" for the 12 or so minutes. One minute I was awake and the next I heard, "all finished"......I could have driven home if they let me.

I am getting injections of EYLEA every 8 weeks for the MD. No problems there either. In fact, I kind of look forward to going and seeing my Retina Specialist. He's on the young side, shows us pics of his new baby and house and we talk while I am getting numb. I'd rather look forward to this visit, than dread it. I will be getting my 30th injection on Monday.

Good luck to your hubby. I hope things go smoothly for him.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@bootsanne

I had both of my eyes done several years ago, but I had no eye issues, other than the Cataract. For me nothing about the procedure itself, or the follow up drops were anything close to painful. An annoyance? Yes! Pain? No.

hckynut(john)