Who knows anything about catharact surgery

[NastyWoman]

I need surgery on my left eye and I am freaking out. Next week I'll have a pre-op appointment and I don't know which questions to ask. 
Has anyone had this surgery? What should I expect? Good/ bad experiences? I am not looking for "the surgeon poked mom's eye out". Eyeballs galore is a Halloween subject and not what I am looking for.

[Jaguar]

You're meaning cataract surgery ? I've had both eyes done and it was just fabulous. I used to wear glasses all the time, now it's only for computer and reading.

They done both eyes but a month apart, and there were no issues at all.

I done my left eye first in March 2012 and I had to go back to the eye doctor the day after and another appointment the week after. I remember I needed sun glasses and I had to do pre-drops and after drops in my eyes.

The right eye was done 3 weeks later and I seen the eye doctor one week later. And that was it.

Ask about :

Any after appointments.

What drops you'll need to do before the surgery and post surgery.

What time you'll need to take off.

When can you drive.

When can you go back to work.

Get sunglasses.

[cronewitch]

Dad had them without problems. Later someone showed him a video of how it is done. He said he was glad he didn't see it first. I would avoid questions and just let them do it. My brother got his fixed by the Air Force and was told he was that doctor's first waited a year. No problems, mom also had no problems.
Grandma had them very bad pretty much blind and everyone told her to get them fixed. She was in the hospital with a broken leg and the doctor told her she didn't have to if she didn't want to. She died two years later nearly blind but the family quit telling her to get it done.

[suesinfl]

Crone, remember that your dad and g-ma probably had them done years ago and the procedure was new. My mom had hers on the early 90s and had a hard time.

This past year alone, I know of 6 people who had the same experience as Jag and all say they wish they had done it earlier.

Good luck and remember that technology changes and it’s usually for the best.

[debthaven]

My friend (my age, 57) had one eye done a few months ago. No details I'm afraid but I know it went very well and she was thrilled with the result.

[Bluerobin]

Two years ago, I had cataracts done on both eyes!  Best surgery I ever had done.  The biggest concern is picking the right replacement lens.  My doc got me "normal" ones, so I no longer need glasses.  I too worried like heck up to the operation.  It was such a non event, I was surprised.  You stay  in your street clothes.
Day of surgery, they give you a shot to relax you - not needed.  Then they take you into the OR.  You lay down and looking into this thing.  The doc says focus on the 3 dots of light.  Next thing he says is you're done!  It is really THAT simple.  No worries when I went for the second eye.  I stopped wearing glasses the day of the first surgery.  The "good" eye compensated for the other. 
Don't dread it - look forward to it!
Do have someone drive you though because your eye will be tear filled for a couple hours.

[NancysSummerSip]

I had mine four years ago. I had CLE done because of cataracts, but I was also nearsighted, farsighted and had severe astigmatism.

One eye done one day, then the other seven days later. Best thing I ever did. I can do things now I could never do before.

You will be awake for the surgery (it's necessary because the surgeon will ask you to focus on stuff and move your eyes) but no pain at all. None. Zero. And none after surgery. I was a little blurry-eyed for a few weeks, but it cleared up. No eye makeup allowed for a month.

[swamp]

My dad had both eyes done. He says it's the best thing he's ever done and he doesn't need glasses anymore

[janee]

My Dad had both eyes done a few weeks apart.  He was in his late 70's.  He said it was the best thing because he could see so much better.  There was no pain.  He wore an eye patch for the rest of the day, put in drops.  It was great.  After the first eye, he was looking forward to the appointment for the second, his eyesight was that much better.  

If I had not know about his experience, I would be freaked too.   Hope you're feeling more comfortable now that you've heard from a few of us.

Good luck and let us know how you do!

[weltschmerz]

Oct 17, 2017 21:59:06 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

I need surgery on my left eye and I am freaking out. Next week I'll have a pre-op appointment and I don't know which questions to ask. 
Has anyone had this surgery? What should I expect? Good/ bad experiences? I am not looking for "the surgeon poked mom's eye out". Eyeballs galore is a Halloween subject and not what I am looking for.

I went to an ophthalmologist for cataract surgery about two weeks ago. He looked into my eyes with his scope, and immediately sent me to the ER.
He won't touch me until I'm cleared medically. Wants to rule out a lung lesion, a stroke or a brain tumour.
The CAT scan at the Jewish General Hospital ruled out lung lesions, and now I have a bunch of neuro appointments coming up.
Consider yourself lucky. I was looking forward to the surgery.
Everyone I know who had it done said they wish they had it done sooner. No problems.

[TheOtherMe]

I have had cataract surgery on both eyes.  Unfortunately, my doctor refused to do both eyes.  By not doing the other eye 3 or 4 weeks later instead of 2 years later, I will always need glasses.  Doctor in Colorado said the second eye wasn't quite ready.  Doctor here said it should have been done at the same time and a doctor who says the eye wasn't quite ready was very close to malpractice. 

Had the paperwork sent to doctor here and he said there was no reason both eyes were not done when the first eye was done.

Surgery was not bad at all.  I was working when I had the first eye done and only missed a couple days of work.  Think it was done on Thursday because I had to go back the doctor.  Also done on a Thursday for second eye. 

[NastyWoman]

Oct 18, 2017 15:41:17 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I have had cataract surgery on both eyes.  Unfortunately, my doctor refused to do both eyes.  By not doing the other eye 3 or 4 weeks later instead of 2 years later, I will always need glasses.  Doctor in Colorado said the second eye wasn't quite ready.  Doctor here said it should have been done at the same time and a doctor who says the eye wasn't quite ready was very close to malpractice. 

Had the paperwork sent to doctor here and he said there was no reason both eyes were not done when the first eye was done.

Surgery was not bad at all.  I was working when I had the first eye done and only missed a couple days of work.  Think it was done on Thursday because I had to go back the doctor.  Also done on a Thursday for second eye. 

That is good information to have, My doctor said I might need the second eye done as well and I was thinking "not even maybe if not 100% needed" → that's where the scared to death comes in. But I may need to reconsider that.

ETA: Jaguar the "h" in cataract is actually the Dutch spelling of the word

[spartan7886]

My dad had the surgery on both eyes a few years ago. The first eye, the lens somehow rotated about 10 degrees after he had it put in, so he wound up having to repeat the surgery to fix it, but it wasn't a big deal and he still went ahead with the second eye. It's so weird to see him without glasses now.

[zibazinski]

I had PRK done in 1997, a year later it was even easier. Mine had to do one eye one week and the other the next. Now it's both and no down time. My dad had cataract surgery done and had a bad time but this was in the 70's. In Florida with so many seniors, it's practically a wham bam thank you ma'am, it's so simple. Don't sweat it at all.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

My great uncle had a cornea transplant a long time ago.  He said it was one of the best things he ever did.    It was very straightforward and quick.

[TheOtherMe]

I did get scar tissue in one eye that was found at a routine eye test.  Off to the ophthalmologist I went.  They used a laser on the eye with the scar tissue and I had psychedelic floaters for about a week. 

[NastyWoman]

Oct 19, 2017 7:54:03 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

I had PRK done in 1997, a year later it was even easier. Mine had to do one eye one week and the other the next. Now it's both and no down time. My dad had cataract surgery done and had a bad time but this was in the 70's. In Florida with so many seniors, it's practically a wham bam thank you ma'am, it's so simple. Don't sweat it at all.

Yeah, but they are going to poke in my EYE!!!

Thank you for the support though I really appreciate your and everyone else's input

[Anne_in_VA]

I had both eyes done about 1-1/2 years ago.  I'd worn glasses most of my life and had very poor eyesight (20/450 or so).  My doctor prescribes pre-surgery drops as well as post-surgery eyedrops.  IIRC I had to use the drops for about a month after the surgery.

 The surgery was really easy and virtually painles.  I did have a corneal abrasion from the surgery, but that was because the nurse kept touching me uand telling me I was doing fine.  I have an exaggerated startle threashhold and him touching made me move which caused the abrasion.  The doc finally told him to stop!  They put a bandage contact in the next day which helped and I had to leave that in for a few days.

I now see at about 20/25, so no glasses except for driving.  I was never a candidate for lasik and couldn't wear contacts.  My glasses looked like coke bottles.  It was really strange not to have to put my glasses on as soon as I woke up in the morning.  BEST THING EVER!

[weltschmerz]

Oct 19, 2017 11:57:33 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Oct 19, 2017 7:54:03 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

I had PRK done in 1997, a year later it was even easier. Mine had to do one eye one week and the other the next. Now it's both and no down time. My dad had cataract surgery done and had a bad time but this was in the 70's. In Florida with so many seniors, it's practically a wham bam thank you ma'am, it's so simple. Don't sweat it at all.

Yeah, but they are going to poke in my EYE!!!

Thank you for the support though I really appreciate your and everyone else's input

They'll give you a Valium first if you want it. At least, they do here, to relieve the anxiety.

[whispering17]

I had my left eye done and its easy.  You can see better right after the surgery.  I was amazed how much brighter colors seemed to be.

The hardest thing is to choose weather you want to be near sighted or far sighted!!

Good luck!!

[NastyWoman]

Oct 19, 2017 18:53:15 GMT -5 whispering17 said:

I had my left eye done and its easy.  You can see better right after the surgery.  I was amazed how much brighter colors seemed to be.

The hardest thing is to choose weather you want to be near sighted or far sighted!!

Good luck!!

I have been both for many years now

[dannylion]

My dad had cataract surgery at age 91, and everything went fine.   I think most cataract surgery now involves replacing the lens, and the replacement lens can be shaped to improve eyesight. Dad never needed glasses after his cataract surgery.

My ophthalmologist has said I'm about 5 years from needing cataract surgery, but she said "you'll love it when we do it because now we can fix your vision at the same time."

I'm actually looking forward to it. 

[NastyWoman]

My stomach is in knots. Tomorrow I'll meet with the surgeon for the first time. At least I assume an eye srgeon will do the job right? Then I will hear when, what... 

[Bluerobin]

Oct 24, 2017 0:52:38 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

My stomach is in knots. Tomorrow I'll meet with the surgeon for the first time. At least I assume an eye srgeon will do the job right? Then I will hear when, what... 

Well, he will pop your eye right out of the socket.  Then he will lay it on your chest, and slice it!  All while you get to watch with the good eye!  You won't believe the pain.  AND every time you cry he and his assistant will laugh!  Does that make you feel better about this?

Re-read this thread.  All of us didn't lie above.  It is a nothing operation.  You feel NOTHING and it only lasts a few minutes.  Stop worrying!!!

[Green Eyed Lady]

It takes longer to prep you with an IV than it does to have the cataract removed and new lens implanted. It is nothing. You feel nothing. No pain afterwards - just drops.  If it weren't for the drugs they give you, you could go back to work immediately afterwards. There is nothing to be afraid of and everything to look (get it?) forward to.

[NastyWoman]

Oct 24, 2017 9:12:36 GMT -5 Bluerobin said:

Oct 24, 2017 0:52:38 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

My stomach is in knots. Tomorrow I'll meet with the surgeon for the first time. At least I assume an eye srgeon will do the job right? Then I will hear when, what... 

Well, he will pop your eye right out of the socket.  Then he will lay it on your chest, and slice it!  All while you get to watch with the good eye!  You won't believe the pain.  AND every time you cry he and his assistant will laugh!  Does that make you feel better about this?

Re-read this thread.  All of us didn't lie above.  It is a nothing operation.  You feel NOTHING and it only lasts a few minutes.  Stop worrying!!!

Thanks Bluerobin. You are right of course and I know that on an intellectual level. Not that this helped but your support is appreciated. I only had a pre-surgery meeting this morning and I was so tense that, now, every single muscle in my body hurts like I went to the gym and overdid it as much as I could  

Since they had no open slot for me until December, I postponed until January (because of December travel) for the left eye and the right one will follow four weeks later. Until then I am just going to ignore that this is in my future.

[Bluerobin]

In January I expect you to come back into this thread and say "I should have listened"!!!

[TheOtherMe]

Oct 24, 2017 15:11:46 GMT -5 Bluerobin said:

In January I expect you to come back into this thread and say "I should have listened"!!!

[NastyWoman]

Oct 24, 2017 15:11:46 GMT -5 Bluerobin said:

In January I expect you to come back into this thread and say "I should have listened"!!!

Make that February after the second eye is done. Right now I have a tension headache...

[kadee79]

A friend of mine had it done on one eye last week, doing great & driving by the end of last week.

Her other eye is scheduled in mid Nov.  She can see so much better and everything is brighter, especially her computer screen.