Posted on 05/16/2018 2:41:09 PM PDT by CaptainPhilFan
Hey FReoples! I'm too young for cataracts, but so is my sister so apparently it's a genetic condition.
Went to the Ophthalmologist earlier today on a referral from my Optometrist who discovered them a month ago.
Was expecting "Oh, yeah, but you can wait a few years" but got "Oh, the right eye is pretty bad, you should do this now".
Then I got the impression this was a production line deal, the Doc wanted me to file for insurance approval and make all appointments on the spot more or less, and THEN went into his sales pitch about lasers and upselling and various lenses and what did I think ..... He was talking out of pocket expenses between $2000-3000 - for one eye.
I thought to ask you guys about your experiences; anyone have Catalys Laser for astigmatism, Symfony "Better" Lenses, any troubles? Mono or multi vision?
I'm barely mid fifties, so whatever I decide now should last a few decades, God willing. So I have to make the right decision. Or least not a bad one.
Just doing the right eye now, left may come later as the cataract there is not as bad.
I can still see close up fairly well, all but the tiniest of print. Glasses are for driving and movies and to help the astigmatism.
Also, I have bottle of MSM sitting on my counter, ordered a month ago when I first found out. People claim it breaks up the protein clumps and gets rid of the cataract naturally. - Anyone here try that??
Thanks for sharing your experiences and wisdom with me. If we can't change the world maybe at least we can help each other's lives. :)
Cataract surgery is easy and usually very effective. Nothing to fear.
My results have been excellent. So I recommend the procedure, unless one of your docs gives a persuasive reason not to have it.
That being said, I think you should get a second opinion from a surgeon not affiliated with the one you saw today. And even a third opinion might not be a bad idea. Can’t hurt, apart from the cost.
By the way, my surgeon recommended against implant lenses that correct for astigmatism. He said the technology was not yet good enough. But that was almost ten years ago. Maybe the new version of these lenses would be a good choice.
My mother, at 90, was told by her eye doctor that she needed cataract surgery. She called Life Extension, where she is a member (lef.org) and they suggested some eyedrops to use to improve her situation.
A few weeks later, at the appointment to schedule the surgery, the eye doctor again examined her eyes and was surprised to see some improvement, so surgery was put off for another year. She is hoping that in this next year there will be further improvement.
Do no exhaust all options. It is possible that improvements can be made with dietary, supplemental and/or non-surgical options.
It was amazing, I read the posters 10 minutes after surgery. I wore glasses for 50 years and those posters would just be a blur.
Best wishes whatever you decide...
Captain, I had both eyes done 8 months ago and it’s now outstanding. Vision is better than 20/20. I’m 75 and had regular lenses implanted. I can’t believe how clear and vivid every thing looks. Sure I have to use reading glasses but a small price to pay for my vision.
I have Medicare and Blue Cross plan F. Didn’t have to pay anything. Oh I’m so happy.
This is the second one we’ve had here recently. FR is getting old.
You’ll be fine. I haven’t known anyone who has regretted the surgery.
I’ll send you a private message.
He's very satisfied.
Things to consider:
Getting it done “early” means that your body is better able to heal from the procedure.
Never hurts to get a second opinion.
Always contact your insurance company first so that you are aware of the charges and how much they will cover.
I had one eye done a couple years ago, the the other this year. Paid a premium for Baush+Lomb Crystalens both times.
The Crystalens uses your own eye muscles to adjust focus near and far quite like the factory equipment. Anything more than about 18” away is clear as a bell.
If I had it to do over again I think I would have gone for a closer Rx on one lens, as I still need cheaters for close work.
Had both procedures done fully awake with only local anesthesia, no problems.
Prep and post-op is eye drops to ward off infections and speed healing, about a week’s worth on either side. No big deal.
Occasionally the back of the lens capsule will flop forward and adhere to the back of the implant and blur the vision in that eye. It takes about 3-5 minutes of zapping with a YAG laser to fix this, and that possibility was included in the cost of the original procedure.
Hope this helps.
my aunt had this done, and she told me not to be afraid if i ever had to do it. Good luck with whatever u do.
Had both eyes done in Nov 2017. I still need glasses for distance, reading and computer. Have a hard time focusing.
Yes. WOW in blue and near UV!!!
I’ve been told I need cataracts removed and intraocular lenses inserted in both eyes. Have Medicare. Anyone have advice on what questions to ask the doc, laser versus incision, whether the procedure can correct astigmatism? What about reading vision? Any advice gratefully received.
I wore glasses since I was 19. Twenty-two hundred in left eye. Had cataract surgery and when the bandage was removed the following day I could see so well I darn near bawled.
Get a second Opinion.
I had Cataract Surgery in my late 40’s on both Eyes, This was due to me having a Genetic Condition called Reiger Syndrome.
Even with that, my Opthamologist never told me to have the Surgery. He always said, have it done when you feel it’s the right time. I made the decision, not him.
I feel uneasy about the way your Doctor is pushing it.
If it is causing you issues, get it done. It is simple and is pretty much painless.
You won’t realize how bad your Vision was with Cataracts until you get it done. It’s like you were looking through a layer of Gauze and then it’s gone.
My Great Grandfather was blinded by Cataracts (probably a Reiger sufferer too) because there was no Medical treatment for them.
Good luck. If you have the stomach, you can view you tube videos of the procedures.
My wife experimented with regular and multifocus contact lenses for several weeks under the supervision of the Dr. before she decided which lenses to implant.
She is 64 YO and was going to need cataract surgery within the next 10 years, so she had it done last year, with excellent results.
I had to have the YAG laser done on both eyes maybe a year after the cataract surgery.
Talk about a piece of cake! It literally only took a few seconds.
Other than getting a second opinion, I’d tell you “no sweat.” Four years ago, at 70, I had both my eyes done 2 weeks apart, with lens implants I’d worn Coke-bottle lenses since age 10. Now, only readers. I’d rather have two of these surgeries than have my teeth cleaned, and I’m no dental coward.
The lady that did mine has done thousands of these, and semi-retired, she does 8 every Wed.
Good luck!
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