Reply
Super Contributor
Posts: 265
Registered: ‎03-03-2014

Re: Cataract Surgery and Implantation of Intraocular Lens

I need to chime in here, as this is my field - have worked in ophthalmology for well over 30 years. 

 

Someone mentioned that the implants (or IOL's) last about 10 years.  Wrong.  They are permanent and in most cases never, ever need to be replaced and do not "wear out".  It's very, very uncommon for them to ever dislocate.  It does happen here and there, but again, it is not a common occurence.  

 

As for what IOL to select - that is a very personal and subjective choice.  Please keep in mind that NOBODY can ever predict with 100% certainty that a person will never need glasses again.  If anyone has told you that, you need to seriously question it.  There is no way of knowing how or even if your eyes will change down the road, or exactly where you will end up after surgery.  The measurements and tests that are done beforehand allow the dr to select the lens power that is most likely to fully correct your vision, but everyone is different and you may need glasses to fine tune your vision afterward.  Realistically, you should be able to expect to perform at least 80% of your day to day activity without glasses if you choose the multifocal IOL option (that is usually the priciest option).  That does NOT mean that realistically you will be 20/20 80% of the time, but that you will see well enough to do what you like or need to do without glasses the majority of the time.  Some people will need readers to read small print for long periods of time for example, or for driving at night, etc.  Many people don't and are happy with their vision the overwhelming majority of the time.  But the fact remains that NOBODY can GUARANTEE 20/20 vision afterward.  If you have been told that, you need to seriously question it.  Think about it - surigical results for anything can never be "guaranteed".  

 

About half of the patients I see opt for the standard surgery (which is what insurance will cover) and do very well with that, and are fine with needing reading glasses afterward, or even a lesser prescription for distance vision. A reasonable approach is to expect you will likely be much less dependent on glasses after than you were before surgery.  You will likely have to use eye drops for a few weeks afterward, and most drs will advise no swimming for 1-2 weeks.  Nobody should really be rubbing their eyes (excessive rubbing can theoretically alter the shape of the cornea after a period of time) but you will be able to treat your eyes just like you did prior to surgery after the healing period (that varies from surgeon to surgeon with what they consider your healing period).  

 

Keep in mind that cataract surgery is the most commonly performed outpatient surgery that is done in the U.S. and it has the lowest complication rate of any surgery done in the U.S.  So while it IS surgery, it is generally safe.  Cataracts are an aging change (like gray hair and wrinkles), and virtually everyone develops them as they age.  They may never really bother the vision of some people, and never be removed, but if they live long enough they will develop cataracts to some degree. Of course you have apprehension - it's eye surgery and most people do.  It likely will be much easier than you anticipate.  Be confident your surgeon is qualified and capable and experienced, and do what they tell you post-operatively, and chances are you will be great.  It is not recommended you drive the day of or the day after surgery, and your eyes may be irritated or hazy for a day or two (sometimes longer) after surgery.  

 

Hope this has helped a bit.  Good luck.

Super Contributor
Posts: 265
Registered: ‎03-03-2014

Re: Cataract Surgery and Implantation of Intraocular Lens

Must add that not everyone has their eye patched after surgery.  In fact, most surgeons i have worked with in the past 20 years or so do NOT patch the eye afterward for the vast majority of patients.  That really is surgeon preference and somewhat depends on what exactly anesthesia is used, etc.  Question your dr. about that beforehand.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,237
Registered: ‎03-29-2011

Re: Cataract Surgery and Implantation of Intraocular Lens

No eye patch for me. Rather I had wrap around sunglasses and a night eye shield.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,237
Registered: ‎03-29-2011

Re: Cataract Surgery and Implantation of Intraocular Lens


@Big Sister wrote:

I will be facing cataract surgery in 2018 or 2019 and reading all these replies has  been somewhat helpful.

 

I do have one question for all of you:  Will I be able to drive home after the surgery, or do I have to have someone drive me home?


@Big Sister

My surgeon will not allow you to drive home. I could not drive until she cleared me.  My first eye it was 2 days; my second eye was the next day.

Valued Contributor
Posts: 713
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Cataract Surgery and Implantation of Intraocular Lens

Insurance pays for the implant and surgery.   You only have to pay extra if you wanted an enhanced version.  Check with your insurance first. 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,574
Registered: ‎06-19-2010

Re: Cataract Surgery and Implantation of Intraocular Lens

[ Edited ]

@Big Sister wrote:

I will be facing cataract surgery in 2018 or 2019 and reading all these replies has  been somewhat helpful.

 

I do have one question for all of you:  Will I be able to drive home after the surgery, or do I have to have someone drive me home?


You cannot drive home by yourself after surgery. They won’t let you. You will probably have what they call soft focus vision for about 24-48 hours after surgery. I had mine done on a Wednesday and drove Friday. I didn’t drive between my first eye and second eye (3 weeks) simply because my eyes were so bad (think 20/1000) and I simply didn’t feel comfortable driving with only one good eye even though the doctors said I could. I didn’t want to get into an accident and have someone say I was driving with impaired vision. If your eyes aren’t as bad as mine you could drive within a couple of days.

Super Contributor
Posts: 279
Registered: ‎03-17-2010

Re: Cataract Surgery and Implantation of Intraocular Lens

[ Edited ]

:  I don't know how you directly respond to a post.  The $10,000 option was for correcting both near and far plus astigmatism.  The option I am choosing will be $1450 ea eye correcting near sightedness and astigmatism (my age was the deciding factor).  I will still need readers.  My testing was probably 2 1/2 hours testing going from one machine to another.  A good part of the rest of the 3 hr time was spent with person giving me tests explaining my options in detail, answering my questions (however, I wasn't prepared for the options so I didn't have all my questions at that time.)  I did not feel rushed or feel like I was on an asembly line.  The Doctor spent a good amount of time with me requesting yet more pictures and talking about what he thought would be best for me.  I do have a benign "freckle" (non-medical term) that I have had for many years and have been seen by specialists but forgot to mention.  He picked up on that where others have not.  I feel a lot better after reading everyone's responses here.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,913
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Cataract Surgery and Implantation of Intraocular Lens

 

cdh to directly respond put it down like this in your post @cddh. As soon as you type the @, a list will come up. If you are responding to a specific post, that will be at the top of the list, just tap that nic.

 

My 1 IOL Multi-focal lens, in my left eye, corrected astigmatism/near sightedness, and I can also see all distances very well. Right eye was the regular Mono-focal lens. Total out-of-pocket for me for both was $1700.

 

 

 

hckynut(john)

hckynut(john)