I've known two people with cataracts-my (late) Mom and my husband. Mom did nothing about her cataracts except take vitamins (lutein). She was totally blind at the end, "pretended" to watch TV and would spread a newspaper in front of her. She kept TV on a news channel so she knew what was going on. Hubby had two cataract surgeries. Both went well-good healing, minimal pain. Docs implanted different lenses in each eye to give him "acceptable" vision without glasses-one eye good for reading, the other for distance vision.The brain is supposed to sort things out. He no longer drives but WAS able to pass DMV's vision test. He was very happy. One warning, after the surgery, don't move your eyes around. Don't try to read or watch TV, anything that would make you move your eyes. Just rest and keep your eyes as relaxed as possible. And use the prescribed drops as ordered! Good luck!!!

HU - I had my right eye done at the end of Jan 2018 (the left done last April). I still see some flares in the right from my outside flood light (that I turn on when I take the dog out). I go in next month for a 6 month check up and plan to ask the doctor about it. I quit most night driving numerous yrs back. I decided I didn't need to do that anymore and with the crazoid drivers here in AZ and I just plan around it. I do sometimes go to the W down the road in the evening and it's dark out when I come home - but I stay on my back roads and off of the HWY where the nuts are...I have no problems with that. I have no restrictions on driving tho - just my own preference not to get into the craziness at night. I did hear or read recently that there are glasses available now that do away with the flare / glare of lights from other cars, street lights etc. Don't know who makes them or how much they are tho. something to look into if the streams/flares continue. And be sure to let your doctor know about them. To others who might be interested, I found the pre-op preparation the worst. that was me knowing I wouldn't drive for a few days, shouldn't bend or lift either so I prepared things around the house so I wouldn't need to. Turned my gal water jugs into half gal and sat them up higher (for ease of filling my counter water filter). Same with dog food - put into a few smaller containers to use those few days and prepared some meals to have in the fridge / freezer so I wouldn't need to do that either. I normally slept on my left side, so that part worried me some, but I had no problem sleeping on the right side for a few nights. I find now that I more often sleep on the right side since that time. I'm now a bi-side sleeper! and I can even sleep on my back. I just took it easy for a few days after each surgery and all was fine. but I am so glad it is over! I do have glasses I wear while on the computer or reading, but don't need them for TV anymore and can read print on the screen (like news prog or shopping channels).

rhizo_1 - I just want to say that the procedure is done under a local - at least in Ontario, Canada. My husband had cataracts removed (he still wears glasses - with a strong prescription - but apparently sees better than he ever did?!). Wonderful, I guess. But I am terrified of having to have cataract surgery because I burn off locals and generals very quickly. I saw my husband being given the pre-surgery local - and they wheeled him away a short time later. If it had been me, the local would have worn off before the doctor left my bedside. I am far from being the only person with this issue. I can't take anything that would make the normal person drowsy - it has the opposite affect (and of course the non-drowsy products double that affect). Tylenol 3 is out because of the codeine. Sleeping pills are out for same reason. I once had the Cdn. equivalent of Ambien - well, 5 days later I was still up. So just in case you are one of the people who are very sensitive to being sedated I just thought I would mention it. Procedures in themselves do not scare me. I had a large mole removed from my face - the doctor told me I wouldn't feel anything for at least 2 hours - well it was 5 minutes. The "happy shot" before general surgery does not take and so on. I hope all goes well with your surgery and that you are not like me! But have it done - to both eyes.

haha....don't think you will need more than 5 mg Valium LOL. I am a retired RN and I can assure you it is plenty. Your MD will make sure you are comfortable and they ask you to tell them how you are and adjust accordingly. I chatted with the anesthesiologist and the surgical RN ( they were friends) for the whole first part...you will be GOOD. Stop worrying. If you look up Vicodin and codeine you will see they are both part of the opioid family and that Vicodin is the most strong of the two. Look at the side effects of Vicodin and there you have it. The most common side effects of Vicodin include lightheadedness,dizziness, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, drowsiness,constipation, headache, mood changes, blurred vision, ringing in your ears, dry mouth, and difficulty urinating.Apr 25, 2015 Side Effects of Vicodin (Hydrocodone Bitartrate and ... - RxList www.rxlist.com/vicodin-side-effects-drug-center.htm As it happens an anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen combined with Tylenol ( 2 of each) taken every 12 hrs will give you MUCH more relief as the opioids only mask a problem and do not stop the inflammation that is causing the problem . Too bad that so many MD's reach for the high powered narcotic rather than the OTC that is actually doing something and is cheaper and way fewer side effects. Not sure about the insistence on unbalance etc with mono-vision. When prescribed by the Opthamologist it isn't a random occurrence as suero is describing. It is a very well thought out ratio. I won't say any thing further but it certainly doesn't lead to unbalance etc or forcing of the eyes...it is extremely subtle and the brain gets used to it almost immediately except in a small percentage of cases. Enough said :) Good Luck and you WILL be fine. c