Anyone Familiar With Cataract Removal Surgery??

[sorcerormickey]

Hi Fellow DISers!

We found out today that my Mom (54) has to have cataract removal surgery in both eyes. What can you tell me about this? I don't want details about the procedure itself Just generic info about what happens after, etc... All we know so far is that she will have both eyes done, but one at a time, a week apart.

As you can imagine, my Mom is very scared and I am very scared for her. She is much braver than I! I don't think I could do it!

TIA for your help!

 

[monarchsfan16]

All I know is that the surgery is very much worth everything. My grandfather had it a few years ago; he can now read the stock pages of the newspaper without glasses, and he's nearly 90. Now he only needed reading glasses before the surgery, but still, that's really good.
I also know that recovery is pretty quick now. The procedure is nothing like what it used to be.
Sending good thoughts out. I'm sure everything will go smoothly and be fine. Sorry I don't know major details.

 

[mtblujeans]

To be vague, the lens is cleaned of whatever may be growing on it. It does require a surgical cut on the eye and the person has to take it easy for more than a week. They cannot hold their head a certain way or fall down as it could cause damage to the eye. I have known a couple of people who have had it and they were tickled with the results. One said she did not realize how bad her sight had gotten until she had the surgery. They only do one eye at a time, from what she told me, but that could vary by patient and their health, I would imagine. The surgery itself does not take long so they are not "out" for very long....which, I think, helps them feel better than they expect after the procedure. If the patient is deemed healthy enough to be put to sleep for the short amount of time the surgical procedure takes, they will be happy with the result and should be encouraged to not be anxious about it. Good Luck, but you don't need it!!

 

[Snowysmom]

My father had cataract surgery last year and it was not bad at all. The surgery did not take long at all. The first day he had a patch over his eye and had to use eye drops every so many hours. He saw the ophthalmologist the next day and the patch was off. He did have to be careful not to bend over or put his head in certain positions for a while. He said it made such a difference in his vision. He had one eye done a few months before the other one and the difference between the vision in the 2 eyes was amazing. When he had the second one done, he was thrilled. I hope everything goes well.

 

[skuttle]

My grandpa had the surgery about a year ago. He scheduled his surgery for early July since my due date was late July, but then DS decided to arrive 4 weeks early on July 2nd...which either the day of or the day after my grandpa's surgery! He made it to the hospital...had to get someone to drive him and he had those big sunglasses on, but he made it. He's doing great now.

 

[aunties]

My dad had both eyes done about ten years ago. With the first surgery, he was irritable for weeks before. Couldn't even say good morning without him snapping. He went into the operating room a little after noon, and by three we were walking him out of the hospital as he kept asking, "So where are we going for the lobster dinner. I am starving." The hardest thing for him was learning to take it easy for a couple of weeks each time. I bet your Mom will be glad she had it done. Dad wished he hadn't put it off as long as he did.

 

[sorcerormickey]

Thanks for the input guys!

The doctor's said it looks like she will have 20/20 vision when both eyes are done. (Insert jealous eyeglass-wearing me here!) I know the procedure is much simpler than it used to be, but it is still so scary!

Thanks again!