I had cataract surgery and had the Crystalens implants. They correct your vision and you need to pay cash for them. The regular lenses that Medicare covers do not correct your vision and you need glasses afterwards. I had my right eye done the end of November and the left eye done in early January. My timing was stupid because that made the payment which might have been tax deductable in two different years. I should have had them done in the same calendar year. The doctor numbs the eye with drops and actually open the capsule and removes the lens under a microscope type instrument. No driving the first day but can drive after that except my vision was blurry in the operated eye for about a week to 10 days. Afterwards you need to apply drops four times per day. Even though I have the multifocal lenses I still need glasses to drive because in order to give me the correction I need to read the doc can't correct totally. My nearsightedness was so bad plus I have astigmatism. The lenses I have also do not correct for the astigmatism. Hope this helps. Oh and I should have had them done in the summer when it stays light out till later...it is easier to see when it is light.
Joann

Hi Lindsey - I had the surgery two years ago. I was badly nearsighted with astigmatism. My doctor recommended the type of lens implants that correct astigmatism--actually, I think I had astigmatism in only one eye, so I had two kinds of lenses implanted. Sorry I don't remember more of the details.

I now have what they call "mini-mono" vision. My right eye is corrected for perfect distance vision, while my left eye enables me to use the computer, read appliance dials, etc. So the only time I need glasses is when I'm reading small print or larger print in very poor light. I have an assortment of $1 "cheaters" from the dollar store for this. No glasses needed for driving, gardening, playing the piano, etc. It's great!

I wore glasses since first grade, so it was exciting to take them off forever. The first time I was outside in the rain I couldn't believe it--no raindrops in front of my eyes! lol

I had one eye done at a time, one week apart. As Joann said, lots of drops before and after th surgeries. Wasn't supposed to drive at night during the week between them, probably because at that point I had excellent distance vision in one eye, but the other eye was uncorrected. I could drive during the day though.

The only problem I had was with the drug they gave me during the surgery: Versed. I wrote about it here. It was a big problem for me, but obviously not everyone experiences it.

My doctor has issues with the Crystalens implants, by the way; he won't use them.

My husband just has his left eye done yesterday. He is farsighted with astigmatism. The doctor used a new lens that was just approved in May. It is a Bausch & Lomb Trulign. We are going for his follow up in a few, will let you know how his results are later.

wish I could be of help...my mom had her eyes done but long ago when they still did one stitch...I actually still have her vcr tape (that old of the operation) but fil has had his done and always one then the other...sadly he also has macular degeneration, and receives some sort of treatment (he says a shot in the eye?) and still has vision problems although the state of il reissued him a license at 90! he passed the driving test...if i'm not mistaken they don't wait anymore for the procedure...

i'd take someone with you to the dr appts and between the 2 i'm sure you could get more personal information than here...that's what dh and I do now...

I had my cataracts done in 2011. One eye done and then a week later the other one. No restrictions on driving except the day of the procedure. I had mono vision lenses installed, Medicare paid for everything. I even got the glasses restriction taken off my license after I passed the DMV eyetest. I still need glasses for reading and tried the readers but found it a hassle to keep putting them on and taking them off so I got new bifocals which Medicare paid for.

I am having cataract surgery at the end of the month and I have astigmatism in my left eye. My doctor wants to do a procedure called Limbal Relaxing Incision. This is supposed to reduce the astigmatism.
Has anyone had this done? I agreed to have it done but, I am having second thoughts?

I had both eyes done a month apart and now have 20/15 vision. I chose the multifocal and they work wonderfully, no more glasses except sunglasses for protection. The surgery was done by laser robotic type and I was completely out of it. We actually went to a restaurant to eat after each procedure. No pain or discomfort that I would cause me to complain. That was two years ago and I'm a happy camper.

I had it done about two years ago. The procedure was easy. I had one eye done with the laser incision and the other done by the doctor. To this day I don't know why the difference, but it made no difference to me. I was supposed to be able to drive the next day bit there was no way I could have done that. By the second day, I could drive. I probably could have gone back to work but I'm retired.

Really, the procedure is so simple. I did make one mistake that I continue to regret. I had intended to get the distance only lenses and at the last minute the doctor recommended getting one eye for distance and one eye for near vision (reading). It has not worked at all for me. My brain simply could not adjust to the difference in the two eyes.

To make up for it, I wear glasses that give distance vision to the near eye and also have bifocal lenses. So, I am pretty much in the same boat as before the surgery, except no cataracts. My night vision has improved dramatically.

I also have a contact lens for the near vision eye. I have to use readers over the contact lens.

I had one week between the two eyes. I really wish I had just gone for distance in both eyes. The doctor has said that he can change the one lens, but I would rather not mess with my eye again as it has healed nicely.

I also am told that I will have to have the laser treatment for a "posterior capsular opacity" sooner or later, hopefully later. It is a minor procedure done in the office and you don't need anyone to come along with you. Not everyone will need that.

So -- the procedure is easy-peasy, just be sure what kind of vision you will have after. Some people love the multi-focals and others don't.

Had both eyes done, month apart, 15 years ago and had multifocal implants. Couldn't believe the clarity of things afterwards.

Had worn glasses for over 45 years and should have had them earlier than I did, and now just need 'readers' for small print. Can read without them but does make things a little better and have only needed them the last couple of years.

I was working at the health dept. when I had them done and couldn't read the tiny print on the information inserts in the vaccine packages and would have to put them on the copy machine and enlarge them so I could read them. Right after having the first one done, first thing I did the next day at work was get one of the those inserts out and could read it with no problem.

I go back every two years for a checkup and always get a good report.

I have multi-focal lens in both eyes. First one was done around 2007 and the second one in 2012. Doc used the ReZoom or ReStor lens the first time (forgot which one!). I didn't like it at first - there were circles around lights and some other things that bothered me. However, over a period of months these disappeared, and my vision improved considerably.

I grew to love it and by the time my other cataract was ready, I decided to let the doc implant a multi-focal in it, as well. By then the doc no longer used the same lens. She now used the Crystalens. There were no circles around lights or any other bothersome effects following the surgery, but something bothers me to this day in the Crystalens eye. It just feels different. I never had this feeling in my first eye. My vision is excellent, however, and I do not use glasses now.

I meant to add that after the surgeries my night vision was still not great. I lived with it for a couple of months, and then I called the doctor. I was told I needed a simple laser procedure--the name escapes me now, but at the time several people at the KT knew what it was. It puts a tiny hole in the lens. Takes no time at all--it's done in a chair. It made a huge difference in my night vision.

I wish they had mentioned to me at the time of the surgery that some people need this second procedure.

Thank you so much for all of the responses.

I didn't even know I have cataracts until I went in for my annual eye exam and new contacts. I was surprised when my optometrist said that I've got a small cataract on each eye. I had noticed that there seemed to be a "blurry spot" in my vision which I attributed to my left eye, but didn't think there was anything particularly wrong with my right eye. Well, other than the fact that I can't see without correction!

I'm 63 now, and started wearing glasses when I was 10. When I was about 22, a medical doctor (but not an ophthalmologist) told me that I should get contacts because if I didn't, I would end up with skin cancer on the sides of my nose. Why? Because the "nose pads" of the glasses caused raw spots on both sides. I didn't want contacts, but ended up getting them because I didn't want skin cancer. Ended up with contacts AND skin cancer!

Anyway, when I went in for my eye exam this year, I told my optometrist that my close-up vision was shot -- I couldn't read small print at all and it was really bugging me. After the "which is better - 1 or 2? This way, or this way?" for what seemed like eons, it turned out that nothing was helping my close-up vision. And, it's because of the cataracts. So, he referred me to an ophthalmologist. This ophthalmologist is the same one who did cataract surgery on my optometrist.

I am nearsighted and do have some astigmatism, but I don't know how bad the astigmatism is. I do know that I would want the multifocal IOL, and this doctor does offer the Bausch & Lomb Trulign lens. I'm eager to hear how Terilyn's husband does with his!!

The soonest I could have the surgery done would be early September -- the doctor is booked that far out. And I'd want to have both eyes done as closely together as possible since I can't see beans without correction and it would be weird to have a contact lens in one eye and no correction on the other...

And since I know I'll be having the surgery, I'm not getting new contacts (besides, they wouldn't give me any better close-up vision than I have now)...

Best of luck with it, Lindsey. And September will come all too soon....for those of us who love summer. :-)

Thanks, Susan. I'll let you know how it goes. :-)

Two years ago, I had my cataract removed from my right eye...and tomorrow, I go for my evaluation on the left eye and if everything is right, I will have it done on Tuesday.

About 20 years ago, after sight had become unmeasurable and wore glasses that looked like the bottom of a coke bottle, I elected to have RK surgery on my eyes...that was before LASIK was approved in the US...seven little slits in the cornea of each eye...and in 7 short minutes, I went from not being able to see the chart, let alone read it, to better than 20/20! WOW..

Now because of the RK, it takes a very skilled surgeon who understands RK to do the cataract surgery....therefore, I need to make a 4 hour drive to the city where I can get this done.

To give me perfect surgery in my previous eye, I had to make another trip back to Tulsa for a lens exchange plus a local surgeon needed to do a laser capsolotomy.....but all is well with that eye now.

I am hoping that my next one gives me perfect vision with the first lens implant and expecting the best.

Oh, my goodness, Phoggie. I will be thinking of you tomorrow and Tuesday! Please let us know how everything goes for you.

Lindsey,
DH is doing well, still has some discomfort on the outside of the eye. Drove to work today, spent the entire day in front of the computer. Probably not a great idea! Goes for his one week follow up on Wed. Scheduled for the next eye next week. He is pleased.

On another note, sons fiancée had a skin graft to rebuild her eyelid from their car accident today, day surgery! I thought they old keep her to watch for rejection at least a day or so.

Phoggie, so you had a lens exchanged? I have been toying with having my near lens removed and replaced with a distance lens. It's encouraging to hear it worked for you.

My friend also had RK a long time ago, but she had no problems with cataract surgery. She wished she had not done RK because the had such awful glare and could not have LASIK.

My sister also went with the two different lenses, her contacts had been that way so she thought it would be the same. She is so sorry she did that now and wishes she had taken my advice to go with the multi focal lenses. She would have had to pay quite a bit more over what was covered, but even if she had gone with the regular lenses same in both eyes she would be much happier. She just has a hard time with the two lenses and still has to wear glasses at times.

I will have the multi focal lenses when it's time. I am legally blind with count fingers vision with out correction, I also have extreme astigmatism in both eyes. So I have never qualified for any type of surgery. I actually look forward to the day when I have the surgery and get the implants. It will be the first time in my life I will be able to open my eyes and see, especially waking up and being able to see will be a miracle. I can not move out of the bed with out my glasses on and if for some reason they have fallen off my bedside table I am then forced to call for help or try to crawl around and feel for them. Basically I see light and dark and blobs of colors.

I go to the eye doctor tomorrow, each time I say is it time yet, so far nope not time. Some of the medication I take can cause damage so I have to get checked every few months.

Good luck to everyone!

My sister's neighbor has cataracts and wants the surgery, but her doctor (she has Kaiser) said he wants to wait until the cataracts are "more mature." From everything I've read, the older the cataracts are, the more dense and stiff they are, and the surgery is then more difficult. I was surprised when I was told that I have cataracts because when you look at my eyes you can't see them. But, the doctor can, when he looks with his "tools." And, I can tell they are affecting my vision -- at least, in my left eye. I always have a sensation of something (like mucous) impeding my vision.

I'm glad to hear, Terilyn, that your hubby is doing well. :-) So he likes the Trulign lens? I know that I want the Trulign, even though it will cost me more than $3,300 per eye (over and above what the insurance will pay).

Like Raven, I am SOOO looking forward to waking up and being able to see!

Raven, I have known people who got the multifocal lenses (ReStor) and could not adjust to them. They were miserable with them. So, give some thought to it if before you decide to go the route.

Had both done, but years apart. Surgery, no laser. Quick & simple, if you need it. One day of no driving, then back to work. First thing noticed was seeing the brilliance of colors. Spectacles are now clear glass, but do need/wear bifocals for small print. Hope your procedure went well.

My husband is having cataract surgery next week. I know more from reading these responses than I found out from him. Typical man....doesn't ask questions and doesn't retain info when he hears it.

I had both of my eyes done about a year ago and I'm doing fine. I still wear my glasses with a low prescription for reading. I didn't want to have a lens implanted in my eyes so since I already wore glasses for over 50 years I didn't want to change. Just had an eye exam last week and with glasses I have 20/20 vision. My surgery was done 6 weeks apart. I have had no problems with my eyes. I did everything the doctor told me to do.
Mary

My situation is probably different because of my astigmatism. Others may have better outcomes.

I am unhappy with the Toric lens I had implanted Sept. 26. I was told I needed this special lens to correct my astigmatism. It didn't correct the astigmatism. I will still need to wear glasses full time. (I see 'shadow' images. For instance, each letter on a street sign has a blurry shadow of itself to the right. You sometimes see this when a newspaper or magazine is printed with the different colors not properly aligned. They are 'out of register'.)

I'm out $1245 for this special lens, and, of course, have lost the eye's natural ability to change focus, near to far. I'm not having the left eye done, as I had planned.

I've recently had two people comment that they were told by doctors that they *needed* cataract surgery, but have did not have it, and subsequently were told by other doctors that their cataracts were not serious enough to warrant surgery. Everybody HAS cataracts eventually, but I'd urge people to consider for themselves if theirs *require* surgery.

I do have more light IN the operated eye, but I don't see an enormous difference. I think I was persuaded to act prematurely. (I'm 72.)

This is a quick, very safe procedure for a surgeon to perform, and Medicare pays for single-distance lens surgery. I imagine there is a profit on 'special' lenses too.

Well, update on DH, his first lens failed, they redid that eye. He still can't see. They have two different surgeries scheduled. For this eye. Poor thing still needs his right eye done. Not having the best luck.

Oh, Terilyn, sorry it is not going well for him. If I had it to do over again I would definitely get another opinion rather than going right into it. I still feel like I could have gone another few years before surgery, which is especially annoying considering that I am not so satisfied with my outcome.

What happened that the lens failed? I've heard of people not being able to adjust to certain types of lenses but I had not heard of a lens failing. I'm sorry that happened.