I'm not the cataract candidate you wanted to hear from... my having had mine done several weeks apart. I'm kind of surprised a doctor would agree to do both at once despite the procedure being routine and quite safe and effective. There is always a remote chance of a complication, an infection... as there could be with any surgery. And yes, the eye drop routine is annoying and prolonged with separate surgeries, but immediately coming away both times with the eyesight of an eagle was worth the annoyance.

Good luck with whatever you decide; having virtually perfect vision again (distance for me, cheapie drugstore cheaters for close up) opened up a world of color and detail I hadn't seen for a long time.

Looks (no pun intended) like doing this is beicoming more common. Following are links to some medical literature regarding this.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3420060/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3420059/

http://www.reviewofophthalmology.com/content/d/cover_story/c/54144/

http://www.healio.com/ophthalmology/cataract-surgery/news/print/ocular-surgery-news/%7B6b9588ce-f9ef-48ed-af46-e5ce25aa9ca9%7D/same-day-bilateral-cataract-surgery-gains-ground-but-obstacles-remain

http://www.omic.com/policyholder/what-is-omics-position-regarding-simultaneous-bilateral-cataract-surgery-sbcs/

I had my done weeks apart. Mine turned out well. I'm not sure I would want both eyes done at the same time. Do you have help at home? Because you have to keep the eyes covered for at least 24 hours and then return to the doctors office to have the eyes checked and the bandages removed. That would be my only comment.

My parents had them done separately & if you are alone it would be difficult getting drops in. They had 3 kinds of drops each day, some also before surgery so used paper to keep track of which drops went in when. With a good helper at home I'd probably go for it. I couldn't believe it when 80 yr old man told me he was having both hips replaced at same time. His dr. said he didn't think at his age it was good to put him under twice in 1 year. He did amazingly well, better than most folks I know that had 1 hip done. Might be good for patients too as it's over, no more worry & waiting. Just be sure you know the dr. has a really good success rate.

My father had them done separately and was very frustrated when his glasses didn't work in the in-between time. One eye no longer needed correction but the glasses still had the correction.

Thanks for all of your comments!

Yes, the double procedure is being done here occasionally & the doctor (older now) that will do mine was brought here from the east some years ago ... the 'top' cataract surgery specialist then to come here and train others .

Insurance is the same price for one or both done at the same time ('two for the price of one' paid for by my insurance guess!).

I liked the idea of getting the month of drops (two kinds) out of the way for both eyes at the same time ... but yes, I don't like the idea of BOTH eyes covered right after the procedure either! As for the vision afterwards, since I needed glasses BEFORE the cataracts, I know I will need another Rx afterwards for that vision problem & I WANT to wear glasses all the time as I did before as I see so many of my friends have to 'hunt' for their glasses to read something .... no, I want the glasses on my face as did before the surgery!! I think my vision now is just 'OK' but I realize the loss happens so slowly that one become used to the loss gradually & it isn't til the same day after the cataract surgery that one is now aware of what an improvement has taken place!!

Even now Drs. are replacing BOTH hips, both knees, etc. at the same time esp. on elderly patients as the stress is less from one surgery than for two ... The Dr. told one friend that if she experienced the pain from just the ONE knee surgery, she wouldn't ever agree to have the other knee done at a later date!!!

Thanks for everyone's thoughts & opinions on this procedure... I may decide on just one eye at a time instead of both at the same time. I have a month to think about it!

socalgal:

Like your father, a relative found the same problem after the surgery on one eye.... he broke out the lens on the that eye so he could still use the remaining glass on the non- operated on eye to see!

I read somewhere that they didn't do both eyes because if there is an instrument that was not cleaned well or any sanitary problem that could cause an infection you could lose the site in both eyes.

Ditto what Emma said. I know someone who recently had both knees done at same time and contracted MRSA and they may not be able to save his legs. The drops are a bother, but losing sight in both eyes wouldn't be a gamble I would want to take.

I had no problems with the drops. Years ago a friend had an ointment to put in and that is a problem. You almost have to have someone else to do it.

It's me again.....

I had the cataract surgery a week ago on ONE eye! Couldn't believe how the pre- surgery prep that morning took longer than the 10min. surgery itself & I was home in 3 hrs.! No, I didn't have the eye covered at all but did use the plastic eye covering while sleeping for a few nights to protect the eye in case I tried to rub it while asleep. I was surprised (& a bit disappointed! ) though that I didn't immediately see the drastic change as I walked out of surgery that so many had described- but guess my vision wasn't as impaired by the cataract as others had. Yes, the two different drops are not fun and they decrease gradually over the course of a month- & then I will have it to do over again for the other eye ... and then, go for a regular eye exam to be fitted for glasses to correct for the regular vision problem I had before the cataracts! I do want to wear the glasses all the time & not have to fiddle looking for them when I want to read something!

My brother-in-law couldn't put the drops in his eye after surgery.. as each time he got close to the eye, it would involuntarily SHUT!!! .... so his wife had to administer the drops to his eye as he held it open!

I read that as generations now live longer, that it is almost a 100% chance that everyone will develop cataracts, & in the sunny southwest: pterigiums, as Nature tries to protect the eye from the sun's rays.

Thanks for all of your thoughts & encouragements ... the first surgery was a 'breeze' & glad I decided out of the cheaper ('two for the price of one' by my insurance) but ?riskier surgery (I have had herpes eye infections in the past!! )

-Vieja

Glad 1 surgery is over! Just watch for infection, matter in eye, hurting, etc. I know couple of people had some trouble & had to take drops for that too.

Well, sunnyca_gw

when I went on the decreasing drops for the rest of the month I noticed my eye a bit red but blamed it on the preservative in the Rx drops ( I can't use some otc lubricating drops because of that ..have to make sure they are ? benzalcomium ... free). The second post surgery visit w/my doctor showed the latent herpes virus I have had for years in both eyes, had come out of dormancy in the surgical eye!! Now on very $$$ drops & acyclovir tabs again to try & get the darn virus 'asleep' once more! I had no idea til I was infected years ago that this herpes virus in the eye is so common.

Now, the cataract on the other eye is 'on hold' for awhile ... or maybe I will decide not to have it done now .... sure glad I took everyone's advice & NOT having both done at the same time! Eyes are too precious to take any chances.

Thanks!

-vieja

Glad you got treated for the infection or could possibly lose your eyesight in that eye!