Spoke with the first doctor’s scheduler. About $16k all in for surgery out of pocket.
I thought that was something that used to be true, but isn’t today due to advances in surgical technique.
But while cataracts can develop quickly, if it IS just cataracts, that can be fixed, and while there’s no benefit to waiting, the cost of waiting is just n months of crappy vision, it’s not damage to stuff that can’t be fixed.
Unlike a torn retina or glaucoma, where waiting might mean you never restore the vision.
I’m inclined to just shell out the $16k. Insurance would save me about $10k of that, or less b/c detectibles maybe $6k covered. I’ve got a surgeon who will operate in 2 weeks on first eye, I want to get this done.
I had a cataract that advanced very quickly, over 6 months, but that was an effect of retinal surgery, which can induce/speed cataracts, so yes, they can advance rapidly, probably for a number of reasons.
Even so, that’s not an emergency. You have time to research and choose a surgeon for the procedure.
Right. It’s just a massive inconvenience.
True.
I am glad to be on the other side of cataract surgery. In fact, today was the last time I was dribbling eyedrops into my face. Wednesday I go to my optometrist for a new prescription for glasses, which will be much lighter, less complex, and cheaper than what I used to wear.
My visions may still not be perfect but it is a hell of a lot better.
One thing the scheduler couldn’t answer:
$12k for basic surgery. What does that get me?
It seems most people pay $ for interesting lenses. What does that get me?
I have an appointment on Friday with the Ophthalmologist to gather info on this. She’ll do measurements, it’s a “pre op” appt, but she can explain this stuff.
The scheduler was completely unable to explain any of it. “If I go for basic $12k surgery, what do I get?” was beyond her.
I mean, $12k basic and I still need to wear glasses counts as a win for me. If I can see across a room and not have my face 9" from monitor to read. Glasses are great, sign me up.
True enough, but driving at night is very problematic because of the coronas that appear around every street light, stop light and headlight.
I ended up with one eye nearly 20/20 and the other eye somewhat worse because it has an astigmatism. So the scrip is very mild and I do need the reading glasses, so bifocals.
That was for the basic, no fancy lenses, cataract surgery?
Honestly, I’m suspicious of fancy lenses. I’ve tried multifocal contacts and didn’t do well. I did better with one-eye-close, other-eye-far and was happy with those contacts when I wore them, which was briefly because contacts generally suck.
I’ll prob steer my doc toward the same scheme, one eye close, other far. This is common I’m told in LASIK setups.
Yup. Nothing fancy. I’ve heard complaints on the fancier ones, but I’m assuming they’re in the minority. I did have a relapse on one eye, which happens to some people. When that happens, you do a walk-in procedure where they use a laser to . . .do something. Cleared it right up.
If it’s just cataracts, one week surgery date difference isn’t gonna cause you to go blind.
Slow down, take a breath.
Where ever you go you’ll need a driver. To appts and the surgery.
If you’re still working inform them.
Call your PC, go in and ask them if you’re going down the right track.
Certain prescriptions cause vision disturbances. They’ll also be able to tell you names of Optho surgeons.
Call your insurance company ask for referrals.
There’s so much info about this online.
To be sure, there are charlatans as well.
(Never ever allow this be done in an office. Surgical center, only)
Don’t be sold on any fancy stuff/lenses you don’t need.
I was not thrilled at people poking at my eyes, especially when I was going to be awake, but I did it anyway. Glad I did. I don’t remember anything about the procedure, though the doctor said I was awake and cooperative. I might just as well been fully under. So you should go ahead and do it.
Thank you, I truly appreciate the encouragement! 2025 will very likely be my Big Year for cataract surgery! I guess it’s time for me to make an appointment with my local ophthalmologist for a reassessment and referral.
She is, incidentally, an attractive young lady who, when I visit her office, turns down the lights and looks deeply into my eyes in what my fevered imagination perceives to be a sensuous fashion. 
Part of my hesitation is that despite being an official Old Fart of Advanced Years™, I’ve had almost no experience of serious medical interventions. Dave Barry used to describe it as “having medical care inflicted on me”, which sounds like, as an Old Fart of a similar age, he didn’t want it any more than I do! 
I’ve had much surgery. Eyes included.(Not cataracts)
Most surgical intervention is made as least pleasant as possible.
The biggest thing is the uncomfortable feeling of being exposed, at their mercy(usually they’re merciful) and some embarrassment for some procedures.
And then there’s always the scream, you’ll get attention then…at least the first couple of times.
After you stay in the hospital (if your procedure requires it) you’ll be so happy to leave.
If you’re like me, the most fearful time was the first night at home.
My understanding of cataract surgery is there’s no real after pain, if all is well.
Me too, but in the event they had (of course) all the techniques to minimise the anxiety - two-stage local anaesthetic (or three if you count the “just look over to the far corner” for the injection you barely notice before it’s over), face covered except for the eye to be operated on (so you can’t see any actual implement). Honestly, I’ve had far more uncomfortable dentistry.
Then I probably wouldn’t bother. My step-mother went for progressive lenses and regretted it - she’s never fully adjusted to them (they don’t drive her crazy or anything, but she does find them slightly awkward). My father opted for far vision for driving and vistas, since he felt that since he was already used to using reading glasses he might as well just keep doing that. Worked for him - he’s back to 20/20 with full color vision.
I will attempt to answer your questions as I had to do some research myself, with the caveat that I am not a doctor and you should rely on professional medical advice for any medical decision you make.
It gets your old, cloudy, crappy lenses removed and replaced with an artificial lens that is clear. As a bonus, the new lenses can also correct some or even all of your refractive errors (depending on your particular situation).
The basic lens does not correct astigmatism. It has one focal range so you could, for example, “tune” your vision to distance and not need glasses for driving, but you would need them for computer use or reading. Or you could tune it to computer-screen distance. Or for reading. If you opt for basic lenses you will have to chose (or at least you should be the one choosing and not your doctor). This was something I discussed with my surgeon as part of the pre-op planning.
Better in-eye correction, at least in theory. There are “interesting” lenses that can correct astigmatism, for example, or have more than one focal distance. There is a slightly greater chance of problems with these lenses, and insurance does not cover their costs, but the success rate is still well into the 90’s percentage-wise. For some people they can be the difference between needing glasses post-op and not needing glasses post-op.
As this involves medical things it is entirely possible she was not allowed to discuss these things. They really are something you should talk to your surgeon about, after he or she does a thorough examination of your eyes.
That was my feeling. I opted for near-to-computer screen vision because 90% of what I do in a day is in that distance range. I do need glasses for driving, but they’re a hell of a lot cheaper now. For very close up craft work or fine print I do need readers, but heck, I was using magnifiers before the surgery anyway for some of that.
So yeah, if that’s what you want you can have that.
Tomorrow I go to an optometrist to be properly fitted with prescription lenses which should “fine tune” my vision even better than it was during the healing stage.
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you tell your surgeon your experience with multifocal contact lenses. If you didn’t do well with them it’s my understanding you won’t do well with multifocal implants.
Again, another thing to tell your surgeon. That is very much an option if you have reason to believe you’ll adapt well to that set up.
Well… you might want to listen to what the doc who thoroughly examines your eyes has to say. Sometimes it’s not a matter of what you want to hear, it’s a matter of what you need to hear whether you like it or not.
But… so long as there is nothing that would indicate a problem you should be able to get that set up. I think there’s some bit about determining which is your dominant eye to figure out which one to set far and which one to set near but I don’t know much about that as I am an individual for whom this arrangement would NOT have been a good thing at all so I did not research it past the point I was told “don’t do this”.
For one of my eyes there was no problem at all. For the other there was about a half day of unpleasant discomfort/soreness which a regular Tylenol took care of and was gone by the next morning.
Ditto.
I was offered a range of sedation/anesthesia. I opted for “just take the edge off, but don’t put me out” so I remember the whole procedure, but at the time I just didn’t care/wasn’t bothered by someone poking around/operating on my eye. Others get heavier sedation and don’t remember it. Again, something to discuss with your surgeon who will take into account variables I’m probably not even aware of.
Fwiw, my doc encouraged me to consider this, and gave me a lot of contact lenses so i could experiment with it at home. Sadly, i found reading stressful when one eye couldn’t focus, so i don’t think it will work for me. But it’s a great option for a lot of people.
Not the ones I’ve had, admittedly minor, since I’ve only spent one night in a hospital for me in my 73 years. (More nights staying with my father and when my first kid was born.) And hospitals have gotten a lot nicer in the 30 years or so from my last visit. The menus are way better.
Not a tad. The only annoying thing is the eyedrops three times a day.
The last thing I remembered was them giving me the shot. I’m sure they did the mask and all.
It seems like how they did deliveries 70 years ago. The woman giving birth was given something to make her forget the procedure, and then the doctor did what he wanted. The father was exiled of course, not being sturdy enough to be able to stand watching the birth.
I glad you got my meaning “as least pleasant as possible”
This morning it looked off. Unclear.
I mean to say “they try to relieve you of any discomfort, the best they can”.
Obviously you will have some post-op pain.
My first question to a surgeon is, always "how will we manage pain, afterwards?
I’ll walk in two minutes if they get huffy about it.
At this point in my life, I do not want anymore pain.
I’ve had 3 brain operations. They hurt the least of anything I’ve ever had. Small headache.
I’ve had facial reconstruction(including inter-eye surgery). Fairly painful. I was basically kept knocked out in some sort of stupor (sedated) for a few days after.
I’ve had abdominal stuff. The only thing was the inability to move like I wanted. Managed well with oral pain meds.
Bone surgery hurts like hell. Right after they’ll keep you juiced up with IV pain meds. But you eventually have to go home and physical therapy is the absolute worst crap ever invented. I hate hate it. But that’s me.
Like I said, as a last resort, kick up a fuss. You’ll get results. A few times.
Cataract surgery, during, shouldn’t be a big deal. After, a bit uncomfortable.
I’m trying to say with all this, get your surgery plan made. They should explain all this to you.
And expect mild discomfort, and being discommoded a day. Maybe sensitive to light.
No driving.
I understand there are surgeons who don’t have the eyedrop situation after. It’s oral. It’s to prevent infection.
AFAIK.