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Honored Contributor
Posts: 35,538
Registered: ‎08-23-2010

Re: Cataract surgery...........


@Hoovermom wrote:

Again, many thanks for all your help.  I have enjoyed reading your experiences and know that I will be happy when this is over...........now to relax and enjoy my new sight.  My doctor is the best and am comfortable with his practice.  Thanks so much all of you.


@Hoovermom 

 

Be sure to keep everyone updated, so we know what happened .... and for message board posterity, of course.   lol.

 

I was very glad to see your thread, because I just booked my appointment for the first eye on Feb 9th.  I was surprised to realize I had confused the cataract surgery, prep, etc with lasik surgery!   I thought I'd be able to drive home afterwards and have the second surgery done a day or two later.   Good grief.   Woman Surprised

Super Contributor
Posts: 350
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Cataract surgery...........


@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

@RooRoo wrote:

 


@Hoovermom wrote:

Thank you all for these encouraging replies.  I have an astigmatism and also am farsighted, so one eye at a time.  I did choose to have the lens implanted where I should not have to wear my glasses or contacts again.  Since I am doing this, they need to space out the other eye surgery in case they need to some some tweaking.  Yes, it does cost additional money 


@Hoovermom  You'll do great. I had mine done this past summer & was a little nervous beforehand. I don't have an astigmatism so I went for the regular lens. After decades of wearing glasses, I don't need them anymore except for very tiny print. The couple things I wasn't expecting were increased sensitivity to light and exacerbation of 


 

@RooRoo 

 

Is this ongoing and permanent ... or will the sensitivity subside over time?  


@Tinkrbl44  Hi Tink, it has gotten a lot better but I think I will probably always be more sensitive to light than before  & need sunglasses to be more comfortable.  Not sure of course since it's only been 6 months but initially it was extreme,LOL. Opening my refrigerator doors and the bright white lights in there, I was like, whoa 😎! It's so worth it though, no more expensive glasses and I can see!!  I think you'll be happy to have it done. 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,715
Registered: ‎06-15-2015

Re: Cataract surgery...........

@RooRoo @Tinkrbl44 

 

As for "sensitivity to light". This is only my opinion from my 2 surgeries. Right away colors were sharper, some caused by better contrast, and the other because everything was much brighter.

 

My non-medical belief is this. Had those about 10 years ago and they have remained pretty much the same. I spent so many hours in waiting rooms between 2002-2016 I couldn't give you a number.

 

After my cataract surgeries, I thought they had put new lighting in the waiting room where I spent most of my hours. By then I obviously knew every employee there as a friend. They had not changed any lighting, yet the room to me was brighter. I always wore a baseball type hat to shield my eyes from the lights, which I never did pre-surgery.

 

And driving at night?  My left eye with the Multi-focal "iol" is much more sensitive to oncoming lights than my right eye, with the Mono-focal "iol". Throw in more new headlights that are much brighter, and on the front of pickup trucks or high SUV's?  Drive as little as possible now at night. No stars or halos, just plain ole glare.

 

If this sensitivity is suppose to dissipate or disappear or time? 10 years later, I'm still waiting. I however will take the tradeoff of not needing glasses anymore, to the driving after dark, any ole day.

 

Remember---This has nothing to do with a Medical claim, just my own experience and opinion, along with the Cataract Surgeries for me.

 

 

hckynut 🏒

 

 

hckynut 

hckynut(john)
Super Contributor
Posts: 350
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Cataract surgery...........

@hckynutjohn   @Tinkrbl44  Hi hckynut & Tink,  I agree with everything you said, I didn't know if it was just me!  In the beginning, I had to wear sunglasses INSIDE my house & would wear a baseball type hat to shield myself from overhead lights.  Quite the sight, LOL  Everywhere I go, everything seems quite bright.  A light or two went out in our kitchen & ordnarily I'd ask DH to replace, but not now, LOL.  Makes sense though, since cataracts are cloudiness of our God given lenses.  I love sunglasses & now have a good excuse to have a few pairs!  They are pricy though.

I see so well though, it's amazing.  

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,428
Registered: ‎03-19-2010

Re: Cataract surgery...........

Thank you all for continuing this conversation.  I am going to call about the light sensitivity that I have read here but not addressed thoroughly with my Doctor.  Like you @Tinkrbl44 I thought I could have both done at the same time LOL and drive away on my own.  Yes, I was disappointed but ok with it.  I will keep all of you updated as my surgery is two weeks away.  

Super Contributor
Posts: 402
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Cataract surgery...........

I just took my 86 year old dad to have both eyes done two weeks apart durring the end of October and November and it was a breeze and he's so happy he can see better.  

 

Just listen to the post procedure instructions of not touching or rubbing your eyes and using the prescription drops and you'll be fine.

Highlighted
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,892
Registered: ‎07-16-2021

Re: Cataract surgery...........

Make sure if you get sunglasses to get polarized lenses. They are really the only lenses that will help your light sensitivity and will make your vision brighter and more vivid. I need to have a cataract in my left eye removed but need to find a new ophthalmologist. Amazing. I have several issues with my eyes so have to see drs with specific specialities...one retired two years ago and the one who replaced him passed away a couple of months ago. I am batting 1000 on finding and keeping an eye dr. I know cataracts are usually done at the assembly-line clinic here so not looking forward to it at all. I am definitely springing for the better lense.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,892
Registered: ‎07-16-2021

Re: Cataract surgery...........

Check Costco for polarized sunglasses. Their Kirkland signature brand is great and I have a couple of pair. I bought a backup pair since I liked them so much.  Very high quality. Mine are non-prescription lenses. They also sell Ray-Ban in the optical debt. DH has a pair. Am told years of exposure to sunlight without wearing proper sunglasses causes cataracts to form....and 100% of people will get them if we live long enough! 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,316
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Cataract surgery...........


@Mumof2 wrote:

I just took my 86 year old dad to have both eyes done two weeks apart durring the end of October and November and it was a breeze and he's so happy he can see better.  

 

Just listen to the post procedure instructions of not touching or rubbing your eyes and using the prescription drops and you'll be fine.


@Mumof2

The doctor who did my surgery does not have a patient use eye drops before or after surgery. Some of the prescription drops can be very expensive. 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,316
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Cataract surgery...........


@Duckncover wrote:

Check Costco for polarized sunglasses. Their Kirkland signature brand is great and I have a couple of pair. I bought a backup pair since I liked them so much.  Very high quality. Mine are non-prescription lenses. They also sell Ray-Ban in the optical debt. DH has a pair. Am told years of exposure to sunlight without wearing proper sunglasses causes cataracts to form....and 100% of people will get them if we live long enough! 


@Duckncover

I found some very nice polarized sunglasses with a case on Amazon for $25. These were large glasses for anyone. They had 10 - 15 selection.