Back from Cataract surgery

13 years ago

After spending three days away from home, I am back home. Since my surgery was not routine because of the RK eye surgery I had 20 years ago, I had to have a surgeon who specializes doing this. It turned out that I had three different types of cataracts on that eye...something I had never known even existed. I was fortunate my DD was able to take time from her busy life to go with me to do the driving the 4+ hour trip and she already has sent me a message...no bending, no lifting, and meds 3,2,1...love that gal!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (19)

ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
Oh glad you are ok. How was your surgery? Listen to your doctor and daughter!
kayjones
13 years ago
I'm happy to hear it went well.
Related Discussions
Cataract surgery -- need to make a decision
Q
Comments (25)
I'm almost 65 years old, wore contacts for 40+ years, had lasic surgery done on both eyes in 2002 (with stellar results, although I suffered from presbyopia, so wore the small, over-the-nose reading glasses when necessary), and in 2008 and 2009 I had cataract surgery performed, one eye each year. Because clarity of vision is exceedingly important to me, because I absolutely did not want anything to do with the mono-vision approach, and because I'm physically active, with lots of outdoor activities, I decided it was worth the money to purchase the special lenses that would allow me to see long distance as well as read. In 2008, I had the ReZoom lense inserted into my right eye. Here's its link: http://www.rezoomiol.com/ In 2009, I had the ReStore lense inserted into the left eye. I think you must have information on this lense, so I've not included a link. With both lenses, there was a "learning curve" while the brain adjusted to the different "readings" on the lense, and learned where to go on the lense to view things in the distance or read. I rarely use "reading" glasses, except in situations where the light is very low or the print is very small. Reading the newspaper or books without my glasses, reading recipes without glasses are just some of the pleasures of using these lenses. Similarly, I can easily see the computer and engage in other mid-range tasks, without using glasses. And my distance vision is very good. I golf, and can easily see the golf balls. When I'm outside, I often am the first to spot a deer or some other sight, and have been frequently complimented on my vision. When I do drive at night, I do so without any qualms. I don't detect any halos around on-coming lights, but I confess I never had this problem with either my contacts or the post-lasic surgery, so maybe my eyes aren't sensitive to lights??? For me, the better reading lense is the ReStore lense, which is why my doctor recommended that lense instead of the ReZoom lense when it came time for the second surgery. But this is really a matter of personal adjustment. As my right eye adjusted to the ReZoom lense, I kept complaining about the reading print being a bit blurry -- I am VERY picky about clarity of vision. So, when it came time to select the lense for the other eye's cataract surgery, we went with the ReStore lense. I think my eye dominance switches between the right and the left eye. Normally, I'm right-eye dominant, and I think this applies for long distance vision. When I'm reading, I think I become left-eye dominant, because I see with excellent clarity...it's like the left eye's ReStore lense over-rides the right eye's ReZoom lense. I can tell you that I have never regretted spending the extra money for these lenses, and that the quality of my vision is very, very good. Each year I test out at 20-20 at my eye exam. Also, in my own case, I'm very glad I had each eye done 12 months apart because that gave me an excellent opportunity to determine how well the first lense was working. I would not have been happy had both eyes had the ReZoom lense, with its less-than-perfect clarity for reading. But I want to emphasize that these are my results, only, and every patient is bound to have her own unique experience. The final point is the importance of a thorough and skilled surgeon. My surgeon obtained many, many readings from the opthomologist that did my lasic surgery in Virginia. In fact, he would not schedule the surgery until he had those readings to ensure he was ordering the correct readings for the implanted lense. And this was on top of the lengthy and many measurements performed on my eyes during the pre-surgery sessions in the office. I hope this information helps.
...See More
Cataract surgery follow up
Q
Comments (9)
Thanks again. I have to admit that I was kind of upset with the monovision for the first day as my eyes felt so strained by the difference. I thought I had made a real mistake by going that way rather than both for distance. Now my brain is beginning to "get it" and I am more satisfied every day with the result. Some of my friends had told me cataract surgery "Was nothing." It's not nothing, believe me. The actual procedure was a piece of cake, but learning to see differently takes time. There is a learning curve, for sure.
...See More
Anyone Have Cataract Surgery?
Q
Comments (52)
The surgery is really simple, isn't it? As I mentioned above, I had both my eyes done last December. I have monovision -- one eye for distance and the other for closer. I've had a hard time adjusting to it and if I were to do it again, I would go for the very best distance vision and wear readers at the computer or when reading. I had to get glasses to help "even out" my distance vision. I was hoping I would not have to wear glasses after the surgery, other than readers. The glasses I got are bifocals. I can actually get by okay without the glasses, but I do feel a little eyestrain and slightly off balance. I also have to have the YAG laser procedure as there is some clouding resulting from the surgery. That will happen in May. Almost everyone I know who got simple monofocal lenses for distance is very happy with their result. I wish I were one of them. I would NEVER get the Restor multifocals. Too much risk. My night vision is greatly improved and I am happy with that.
...See More
After cataract surgery question
Q
Comments (7)
Thanks everyone. I had to pick up a prescription at the pharmacists , which is part of the same office space as the surgeon. I asked her what she thought. She said that she had heard of it before but felt I should get it checked. I stopped and told the nurse and she immediately made an appointment for this Wednesday. Thanks everyone for edging me on. ivamae
...See More
nanny98
13 years ago
That is good news....now be good and follow orders! (I get mine done Aug 7.... so your good news is extra good news to me!) Are you seeing better? THAT is the challenge for me and I so look forward to that.
Lindsey_CA
13 years ago
Phoggie, I am so glad to hear that everything went well and that you're back home. As the others have said, listen to your doctor and daughter!! Don't do anything that you shouldn't do. Your eyesight isn't worth the risk!
jannie
13 years ago
Glad it's over. My hubby had cataract surgery on both eyes. I remember he had a lot of different eye drops he had to use on a regular schedule afterwards.
chisue
13 years ago
Good for you, phoggie! I've been postponing making an appointment. Had a run-in with one MD, then this colonoscopy and resultant appendectomy. I really need to get started on it again. AFAIK my cataracts are just the plain vanilla kind. LOL

Are you enjoying your house?
dedtired
13 years ago
Glad to hear all went well. How is your vision??
dedtired
13 years ago
Glad to hear all went well. How is your vision??
ruthieg__tx
13 years ago
If you are putting off the surgery, don't...the final results are wonderful...It's like being young again...Just reading glasses...
yayagal
13 years ago
Follow the dr's orders and do the drops faithfully. If you have any pain tylenol works fine. You probably notice a difference right away. I'm sitting here typing with 20/15 vision and boy, am I happy I did it. For years I was rooting for the cataracts to grow. I feel like I have young eyes again. Now if we could do something with the rest of me lol lol. Good luck in your healing. Don't bend over either for the first week.
patti43
13 years ago
I'm sure you're happy to have that behind you. You surely do have a sweet daughter. Remember her message ;-)
susanjf_gw
13 years ago
after all that? you'd better behave!!! (((hugs))) to your dd for the long trip and to you for following thru!!
chisue
13 years ago
Is it a shock to see the state of yourself, your spouse, your house *clearly*? LOL Maybe I'm just afraid to really *know*!
phoggie
Original Author
13 years ago
For all who are afraid of doing this....don't be. I did not choose to have any sedation, but you can have a sedation and when you wake up, it is all over!....then you put on your dark sun glasses and walk out of the office. Don't expect prefect vision right away...it takes time for all of the swelling to go down...that is very natural. As with my first one on the other eye, I did not have the vision I wanted and I did go have a lens exchange and now I have perfect vision in the other eye...and I expect no less from this one ~ If you are of Medicare age, I would urge you to do this before all of the Obamacare changes come into effect...my optometrist doesn't like what he sees coming our way.
lefleur1
13 years ago
phoggie..when you say you had a "lens exchange" does that mean you had the whole operation over again; including all the expenses etc. of the first attempt?
phoggie
Original Author
13 years ago
lefleur1...yes, I did it all over again....but it was well worth it to have 20/20 vision in that eye.

Thankfully, I had Medicare and they took care of any expense there was....so I do not know if I was charged the full amount or not......but I did have the trip/motel expenses again~~
phoggie
Original Author
13 years ago
I had my first week eye check with my local optometrist today and he was pleased with my recent cataract surgery...yoohoo! He did say that I still have a lot of swelling, but that should keep improving and as it improves, so should my eye sight. At this time, he does not see that a lens exchange should be necessary....so it was what I was wanting to hear. I go back in 3 weeks for another check up.
mary3444
13 years ago
Phoggie, It is great about your cataract surgery. I am going for my 1st eye on Mon & then in 2 weeks the 2nd eye. This Dr puts in the drops at the time of surgery so there is no need for drops before or after.

How is that new house?
phoggie
Original Author
13 years ago
Mary, good luck to you on your cataract surgeries .... You are much braver than I was..I wanted to make sure my first eye was completely cleared before I got the other one done.

I am so surprised you will not have to put drops in your eyes....mine are for inflammation, a steroid, and an antibiotic and will use them 3x a day for two weeks or until they are gone.

The house is great..except we are having to cut down 7 of the beautiful willow trees because of last year's terribly hot dry summer....thanks for asking!

Back from Cataract surgery

Comments (19)

ravencajun Zone 8b TX

kayjones

Related Discussions

nanny98

Lindsey_CA

jannie

chisue

dedtired

dedtired

ruthieg__tx

yayagal

patti43

susanjf_gw

chisue

phoggie
Original Author

lefleur1

phoggie
Original Author

phoggie
Original Author

mary3444

phoggie
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Back from Cataract surgery

Comments (19)

Related Discussions

phoggieOriginal Author

phoggieOriginal Author

phoggieOriginal Author

phoggieOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

phoggie
Original Author

phoggie
Original Author

phoggie
Original Author

phoggie
Original Author