Cataract Surgery

[Jorja]

Go for my Plaquenil eye check . . . all is good . . . until the doc says I have to have cataract surgery on both eyes.  I've known I had them for about 7 yrs but they didn't need surgery.  Now, I am faced with having it twice.  Maybe I'm a big baby but I can't help but be concerned since he said Sjogren's patients sometimes have more difficulty.  And to top it off . . . I don't qualify for the lens placement that would have me not needing glasses . . . again because of Sjogren's.  Good news . . . Pulmonary testing was good.  Now waiting on Heart Echo results.

Sorry for whining folks but I know you will actually understand.

Blessings,
Jorja

[gold55]

Jorja,
I can only think that your doctor meant more difficulty due to dryness.  Often times patients experience dry eyes after cataract surgery or any eye surgery for that matter.  I have NO idea why you would not qualify for one of the premium lenses?  That makes no sense to me and I have never heard that at my practice.  I will ask around and see if I can find out something.  Also, the cataract incisions are so minute these days that they really shouldn't cause post-op dryness.  Perhaps he's talking about healing and that it might be a bit slower due to dryness...I don't know how bad your dryness is but, as I said, the procedure is so perfected now, don't see why there would be any problem.  In fact I asked my eye doc about cataracts as soon as I found out I had SJS and he said there should be no problem.  They don't put you to sleep, they give you versaid which allows you to be aware of what's going on but once it's over you really don't remember.  There may be slight issues with dry mouth after it's over but not like a surgery where they would put you completely under.  Everything is done in an outpatient surgery center where you go in and out in just a couple hours. 

[eyeamdry]

Jorja--all of us will be faced with having cataract surgery if we live long enough.  I had cataract surgery in one eye 6 years ago but didnot know I had Sjogrens.  One important thing I must say if that I had cataract surgery in 2000 and have had eye problems ever since, including dry eyes.  I will never know how much is from Lasik surgery and how much is due to Sjogrens.  I do know that having Lasik will probably cause some trouble from cataract surgery.  My vision was far off, but that was because of the previous surgery.

I did have a little extra dryness after the cataract surgery, but not enough to cause any problems.  The incision is so tiny that it's unlikely the surgery will cause you any problems.  Remember you will have one eye done and that will give you a chance to experience it without committing to both eyes as they don't do both at one time.  I have had cataracts for 10 years and have held off on the remaining one because I know how the Lasik surgery caused me problems and I am almost getting pushed to the point where I have to have the other eye done.

I am like Goldand cannot believe that your dr told you you wouldn't be eligible for for "lens replacement that would have you not need reading glasses.  I had to read that again.  Your insurance will pay for a lens replacement (an IOL) but not one that will take care of reading glasses.  You'll still need reading glasses.  The kind of surgery you are talking of is probably close to $10,000 and not covered by any insurance but your pocketbook.  Lucy

[Jorja]

Thank you ladies for your assurance.  The reason my doctor said I wouldn't qualify for the 'lens' is because my eyes are so extremely dry and you need some moisture to use them.  They would be $1,500 extra per eye and that amount would not be covered by my insurance or Medicare.  Since there is such a great probability that I'd have more trouble . . . he recommended that I not get them.

Thanks again for your support.

Blessings,
Jorja

[olmphoto2]

I did have both eyes done last year with good results---except that I 'mourn' losing my near vision. I was terribly nearsighted all my life with a large degree of astigmatism. There are lens to correct astigmatism and lens that are a bifocal type. Both do cost big bucks that not even the best of insurance policies pay for at this time. Not every one has good results with these lens. And there is no remedy (maybe not even another surgery?) if they don't work for you.  I heard of an architect who can only use one eye for near vision and the other for far distance.


I didn't experience any increased dryness since the surgery.

I did have a problem after the first surgery with lung issues. I wish I would not have taken pilocarpine before the surgery. I think I inhaled some of my increased secretions. (For many surgeries they actually give you medicine to dry you up a bit to prevent this.) For the second surgery, my doc agreed that I could remain fully awake. It was slightly scary but I'm a nurse familiar with these settings. My eye was cold and a bit achy, there was lots of very bright flashing lights, but the surgery was well under ten minutes, even with the little extra procedure that my doc did that decreased my astigmatism by half.

One week after my second surgery my doc noted by testing that my eyes were healed enough, my vision clear enough, that I could actual drive without any glasses if I choose to already.

Prior to surgery: In addition to a large degree of astigmatism, my vision was beyond measurable with glasses---in other words, greater than 20/400 in each eye.

Lucy...your reminder is a good one. I'm sorry to hear that you had the 'wrong' kind of surgery. I've heard there are two types of Lasix surgery, only one of which provides good results for someone that develops Sjogrens. I'm afraid for my daughter, niece and nephew---you know, the young ones who don't listen. They don't want to believe they are at risk for Sjogrens so I'm sure everything I've said has gone in on ear and out the other about possible Lasix surgery. They all wear glasses, are in their twenties. And DD and DN are even nurses!

[jstroble]

I recently had cataract surgery on both eyes a week apart.  I did wonderfully - no problems whatsoever.  My vision is now 20/20 but I do need reading glasses.,  My insurance wouldn't pay for the lens either.  In fact,  I had to pay 800$ per eye  just so I wouldn't need glasses 24/7.  It was worth it though.  I love not having to wear them all the time.  My eyes are not any drier at all.  It was the easiest thing I ever have had done.  I hope this eases your mind a little.         Joyce

[gold55]

Yayyyy Joyce!  That's the reply I'm used to hearing at work!   There should be no problems with cataract surgery, dryness or otherwise.  Yes, there is dryness after Lasik.....cutting the flap on the cornea destroys a lot of the nerves and results in dryness.   It doesn't matter if you have SJS or not, Lasik can result in dry eyes.

[slccom]

When I had my cataracts done, I informed my doctor that I do NOT want the lasik to give me 20/20 vision precisely because I rely on my close-up vision without my glasses. The surgery was so easy, and it only required one Tylenol after surgery. I could see clearly immediately afterwards without any problems.

The capsule behind the lens did darken, and I had to have the lasering done the next year.

Sharon

[eye2dry]

Yes....the people I know that have had cataract surgery said it went easy...they were worried beforehand too. Yes, when both are done..it is usually done I week apart.

My mother did have a complication a couple years down the road from her cataract surgery...she developed Fuch's Syndrome and is now on a cornea transplant list...she is losing her vision slowly. Apparently (per my sister) it is a genetic predisposition that she had to develope this and the cataaract surgery triggered the event.

Not sure what the percentages are for this syndrome....Gold55 may know. However...out of all the people that I know (I see alot of people thru my job) my mom is the only one that had any problem worth mentioning.

Good luck with your surgery...let us know what you thought of the whole ordeal.

eye2dry