This has been discussed multiple times here in recent times. Just put cataract surgery in the search box at the top of the page and they will all come up. Good luck

Something I didn't know beforehand is that my operated eye sees an enlarged image. Perhaps this is only true for me, because the lens I was given was supposed to correct for astigmatism. (It didn't adequately address that; I still need glasses to correct that eye.)

I'm faring OK with one operated eye and one 'original'. The original equipment can still change focus, which is nice.

If I had this decision to make again, I would wait until my lenses were *much* more cloudy. The difference between my two eyes is not THAT extraordinary. I think the surgery is being pushed to Seniors because Medicare will pay for much of it.

My husband and I both had this done last year. We use to wear glasses all the time.Now we use readers that we use just for reading. We had such good luck that our Cousin-in-law had this done a few months ago and is also very pleased.

My cataract surgery was wonderful, painless and a true blessing - I have wonderful long distance vision, but it's not that great up close. Television and computer screens are blurry most of the time for me, because I am so close to them. If they were across the street, I could see them perfectly! Feel free to email me with any questions and I'll tell you what my experience was.

I don't believe the doctors push it because Medicare pays. Medicare reimburses the doctors about 1/10 of what they bill. It is almost as bad as what Medicaid pays.

Thought it was quick & simple, and very beneficial. No driving for a day, immediate check up next morning.

I just had both eyes done several months ago. First was the left eye. When the patch was removed, everything was sooooo bright and I had flashing lights for a while, but they finally stopped. Right eye, no problems. Left eye seemed cloudy, like I could see a shadow in the lower outter corner. It was scar tissue buildup and the doctor did a painless laser treatment on it. It took a second treatment to finally get it to be better. I do find that my eyes seem to tire more easily. I opted to keep my good closeup vision, so my distance vision is still not good. I could get glasses for distance if I want them.

Rose first of all, don't be afraid. There is no pain in having them removed. You will go to the center where it's being done and, upon arrival, they will put drops in your eyes and you sit and wait at least a half hour or more. Then you're given some more drops and taken to the surgical site where you'll put on a johnny but undress only from the waist up. They will mark the eye being done with a magic marker. When you get to the o.r. table the anesthesiologist will put a needle in your arm and that's it. You'll wake up and be sent to a recovery for an hour where you'll be given a drink and some type of muffin or cookies. They will patch your eye and you have instructions for the rest of the day, you'll get your rx and use the drops and then have to see the dr. the next morning so he can check it all. I've had both eyes done and both times we went out to eat after the surgery so, you can see, it's not painful. My dr. gives his patients something to relax when you get there but not all do. I really didn't need it, I wasn't nervous as I knew no pain was involved. I was soooo thrilled at the prospect of no glasses that I was counting the days to get it done.

Yaya, that was a perfect description of the procedure!

I realize this is obvious, but:

You will have to have someone drive for you after the surgery - they won't let you leave without someone taking responsibility to see you get home safely. You will need to have this person with you, and they will have to provide information on a driver's license/picture i.d.

Had the surgery a few years ago...I wore glasses from age 3 to 15, then had contact lens (the hard ones) for the next 47 years....Glad I had the surgery...I still wear glasses for reading and the computer, the Dr. said that was normal.

My Dad had it done in November, then December for the other eye. It was a Yaya wrote, but he was very sleepy/loopy from the sedation. No going out to lunch for him. He was given Valium and not a general anestic during the procedure, as it was safer for an 86 year old.

Be sure to wear the dark glasses the first few days to avoid problems, even indoors if the sun is out.

At his 2 week check up, he was able to read street and store signs again!

Good luck and remember, no pain involved.

linda -- Doing cataracts is 'found money' for doctors and hospitals. It's quick. It's scheduled. It's profitable. Seniors don't think twice about opting for it when a doctor offers it. It's quick, painless, with no difficult 'recovery' ...and FREE!

IMO 'way too many cataract surgeries are being done 'way too early. I'm just one example. I know a doctor in my small town who does cataracts all day three days a week -- exclusively billing Medicare and Medicaid. From seeing some of the Medicaid patients in his waiting room, they lack the mental ability to choose to have this done.

Only the uninsured or underinsured working poor pay those grossly inflated bills from MD's and hospitals. The poor get charity care. All insurance pays negotiated rates. If Medicare is your primary insurance, you pay 20% of the Medicare approved rate -- but not for cataracts, where Medicare and Medicaid pay 100%

Add it up. An MD can complete a cataract procedure in 30 minutes or less.

Thanks for all the responses. I need this done because I can't read street signs until I am right up to them. My daughter is going to take me for the surgery and my sister is taking me to the next day follow up visit.
Reading the signs wasn't an issue when my husband was alive because he did most of the driving, especially on a trip. Not I have to go it alone.

Good luck to you. It's not a procedure to be fearful of. The post surgery eye drop routine got a little old, truth be told. I had both eyes done a few years ago and opted for distance vision. I use inexpensive cheaters for reading and close up work now.

It wasn't a too soon deal for me - for fun I went to our DMV office on a slow day and asked the clerk to give me the little eye test. (I could see the color fields, but not the numbers or letters on them.) They would not have renewed my license when the expiration came up.

I have the distance vision of an eagle and I can see colors in all their glory.