I went to an opthamologist, thinking I’d walk away with a prescription for glasses. Instead, I find out I have some fast-growing cataract in my left eye that needs to be removed now (actually, in September). My right eye is in better shape and will likely hold out until next year.
I’m only 48.
In addition to the information the doctor gave me, I’ve been checking out websites on this particular procedure (IOL implant). The whole idea of someone cutting into my eyeball doesn’t really appeal to me, but the idea that I’ll likely be awake and have to make sure I stare :eek: at some spot…good grief! At least the procedure is pretty common and has a good sucess rate.
So, have you had any eye surgery stories to share? Any suggestions or considerations I should think about? (I have checked up on my opthamologist - he’s board-certified and on staff at Robert Woods Johnson.)
I had LASIK. All went well, I see better than 20/20 now. Headlights seem a bit brighter then before, but now I can see them without glasses, so hey, it’s worth it.
I haven’t had the procedure done myself, but my mother, then in her early 80s, had both eyes done, about a year apart, and I was the one who took her there, got her home, etc.
The surgery itself goes very quickly. They give you a local anesthetic, and also something to make you very relaxed. This does mean that you’ll need to have someone drive you home. My mother experienced no particular discomfort, and the eye bandage came off within a few days, IIRC. My mother still needed bifocals after the procedure, but I know that a lot of folks end up with 20/20 vision (distance only - they still need reading glasses).
In short, they’ve got this procedure down to a simple routine, on a par with having an ingrown toenail taken care of. No reason to fret over it, thankfully!
You might, a year or two later, have to return for a capsulectomy. In the initial cataract surgery, they remove the lens, but leave the capsule that surrounded it. Sometimes, that capsule will begin to cloud up within a couple of years. To clear it up, they simply shoot a laser into the middle of it to clear a path. It’s a five-minute procedure, done in the ophthalmologist’s office, and it doesn’t involve any anesthesia or recovery time - all they do is dilate you so they can get a clear view of what they’re doing.
Both my grandparents had cataract surgery and the results were satisfactory for both of them. This was many years ago, so with improved technology you shouldn’t have anything to fear.
IIRC, my grandmother was only about 50 when she had her surgery.
Luckily, I didn’t inherit the cataract trait so I don’t have any first hand knowledge.
My wife had a cataract removed from her left eye several months ago and had a synthetic lense attached. They did lasik on her right eye at the same time. She didn’t need her glasses after that. She was going to have some follow up work done this summer. She experienced some minor pain afterwards but they gave her something for it. My grandmother had the same thing done also. It seems to be a very successful procedure from what I’ve witnessed. I’ve also had several other friends and family that have had similar experience in this area. I’d say go for it. Just make sure your doctor has plenty of experience. Good luck.
She just turned 39.
IIRC she had a choice as to whether she preferred better vision at near or far. They couldn’t guarantee her 20/20 and she didn’t get perfect sight but it was much better than before.
I had a procedure similar to LASIK. Eye surgery sounds really scary, but it’s really not. You can’t feel anything, and you can’t even really see what’s going on all that clearly. It’s no big deal, really.
I was born with mild to severe cataracts in both eyes and had them removed (with IOL implant) when I was a teenager. The difference it made was extraordinary.
Yes, that freaks everyone out. If your surgery goes like mine you’ll be really messed up on drugs anyway, so it’s all good.
The procedure is quick (it takes a couple hours) and is usually done under local anesthetic. (I was barely conscious the whole time and all I remember is not really being entirely aware of what was going on.) These days, a very small incision is used and the plastic replacement lens unfolds to its proper size within your eye. No visible scar or disfiguration is left. You have to wear a stupid looking plastic eye-patch for a few days to make sure nothing touches your eye, and your doctor may want you to wear one at night for a few weeks (to ensure that you don’t rub your eyes in your sleep.) You’ll also need to take some antibiotic eye drops for a few weeks after the procedure. After that, everything should be groovy.
It’s gotten a lot quicker since you had it. Down to something like 15 minutes, not counting prep time. When my mother had her second cataract surgery, they took her inside to get her ready, and I went out for a walk. When I came back about an hour later, she was sitting in the recovery area drinking coffee, wondering where the hell I’d gotten to!
Thanks for the replies! It’s reassuring hearing others go through eye alterations.
Early Out, I’m glad to hear that your mom was not in too much discomfort. My mom too, had this procedure done a few years ago (she’s 85) and she’ll be driving me home. She had some very bad halo effects with her cataracts, and the implants took most of that away. She says she can live with the halos she continues to see. My cataract seems to be of a different flavor - everything looks simply foggy out of my left eye. I’m trying to get her to spill the beans about the process itself, but she’s in mother-mode now - “Everything will be just fine, dear!”
I believe I’ll be getting the multi-focal IOL and the doc said I might not need glasses afterwards. That’d be nice, but reading glasses would be no big deal as I’ve been using them for the past few years.
John Carter of Mars and friedo, you both addressed a point that’s been at the back of my mind - how long do these things last? It sounds like this is not an issue. Thank you!
Yikes, plnnr! Don’t spare! I can take it. Tell us, tell us, tell us!
