Cataracs

[jpd54]

Just went for my six month eye exam.  I was told my cataracts are worse.  Like I couldn't tell!!! 
Said he could do the surgery and insert new lens in.  I am petrified.  Has anyone had this?? He says it would make such a difference - That my vision would be so much more clear - no more clouds!!!  I don't know whether I can do this.  I need somebody to tell me what to do.

Thanks!!!!!
    jpd

[Cheryl]

Jpd,
  Cataract surgery is in my future, too.   I say go for it.   You will only do one eye at a time, and the improvement in vision is said to be amazing.  Best wishes!
Cheryl

[beentheredonethat]

My Husband recently had Cataract Surgery and He is totally delighted with the results and wishes he had no waited so long.
I Have SjS and Cataracts and mentioned my husband's successful results but she told me that "in my case" things might not go so well because of my SjS and serious corneal erosion, my results might not be as successful, but still worth the effort when the time came.

My advice to you is to talk to your Ophthalmologist and get in depth answers about what the problems might be, but unless it comes up with something like my corneal erosion scars, you probably will be delighted with the results.

good luck, btdn

[Shashi11962]

My 72-year-old mother-in-law had cataract surgery on both eyes (separately) last year and her results were amazing. She doesn't even need glasses anymore. The surgery wasn't that difficult for her either. She said she'd do it again in a heartbeat.

My boss at work just had the same surgery and doesn't need glasses anymore either. She's very thrilled with the results.

I have congenital cataracts, but was told by my ophthalmologist that they will never be bad enough to need surgery. She said they were like little stars in my lens. (She actually told me that I had the prettiest cataracts that she'd ever seen. Pretty cataracts? Is there such a thing?)

[Pegasus47]

I had cataracts done in both of my eyes 2 years ago.  I was very near sighted.  It made such a difference in my life.  I don't wear glasses or contacts anymore.  Still use glasses for close up reading.  I see well driving at night.  Initially I see halos at night, my brain eventually adjusted for them.  I love it.

After the surgery, the dry eye tends to get worse.  That is the negative.  But I soon recovered from it.

I had a very good eye surgery who does cataracts full time. 

So go for it.  Good luck!
Pegasus

[Epson]

I had Cataracs, but traded them in for Hondas.

[jpd54]

Thanks for all the replies.  It sounds like I need to have it done, still scary though.

Epson,  I have 4 Toyotas, I probably need to trade in for Hondas!!!!

  jpd

[jpd54]

Finally had my first cataract surgery Monday.  I didn't realize how bad my eyes were.  Dr. said they were getting worse all of time.  Everything is so clear and distinct now.  Can't wait to have my other eye done in two weeks. 

jpd

[Cheryl]

JPD,
Wow, I'm happy for you!!!!
Have an easy recuperation and second surgery!
Cheryl

[eyeamdry]

I have had one eye fixed for cataract.  Tht was 5 years ago.  Because of prior Lasik surgery, the surgery came out badly.  The iol (lens) was way off because it's hard for them to calculate replacement lens after refractive surgery.  This would not be applicable to you because you've not had Lasik.

I'd say your chances of a successful operation would be very good.  The surgery itself is nothing.  You may wear a patch overnight and have it removed the next morning by the doctor.  Lucy

[sewandsew]

Cataracs are on my list too.  Just waiting for them to get "ripe" as they say.  Tell  me about the pain.

Epson      thx

[jpd54]

I had no pain with the surgery or so far afterwards.  They gave me IV anesthesia just to relax me, but I don't remember a thing.  Wore a patch overnight.  I am walking around with my one lens out of my glasses because they put the new lens in.  My prescription is changing but my vision is better without the lens.  I can see!!!  I can't lift yet and I cannot sleep on my right side for at least a week (the right eye was the one done).  I can handle anything to have my vision this much better. I feel like the Clariitin commercial it is so clear now.

Thank goodness because of my SJS and being on certain meds, I have to go to the opthamologist every six months.

jpd

[ohiolady]

What about those of us who have severe dry eye?   How does it affect the dryness?  I'm just curious.  I would be so afraid it would make the dryness unbearable.

Anna

[Carolina]

Dear JPD54,

Cataract surgery?  A walk in the park!

I had cataract surgery 8 plus years ago.

Really pretty painless.

In fact the second surgery was done with NO sedative, so I remember the entire procedure.

I won't go into why there was no sedative, but it wasn't painful and neither I nor my Ophthalmologist knew that the anesthesiologist was going to leave out the sedative!

i had a reading lens put in one eye and a distance lens in the other eye.  It was like putting my contacts inside my eyes!

I couldn't wear contacts any more because of the dryness of my eyes.

He did the the eyes two weeks apart.   The difference between the treated eye and the untreated eye was amazing.

White was white with the treated eye, and yellow/ivory with the untreated eye.

So I didn't need glasses for 8 years, then the SHAPE of my corneas changed (go figure) and now I need glasses.  Pooh.

But the cataract surgery was fine compared to most stuff I've had.

That said, of course, any procedure in any facility has a risk with it. 

But this is a pretty low risk procedure as procedures go.

Keep us posted.

Kisses

Elaine

[Pisces24]

I am due for that in my right eye this year or the next.

My mother had cataract surgery in both eyes. The first time was eith stitches and the 2nd time was the stitchless kind.  The stitchless kind was a heck of a lot better - much less pain, quicker recovery time and the results were better.

I understand your concern. When I have the eye surgery for the cataracts it will be only the 2nd surgery I've had in my entire life.  If you need it, I'd say go for it - especially if insurance covers it like mine does.