Cataract surgery

[wifeofjack]

I just finished with cataract surgery on both eyes. Had the right eye done and 3 weeks later the left eye. I had so much anxiety about the procedure as I hate anything to do with the eye, but it went very well. My surgeon was so good, he understood my situation and I was given something to calm me down and lower my blood pressure so he could do his work. I am so happy I had it done, I can now see distance without glasses, colors are far more vibrant, and I see so much better than I have in years. I do need readers, Hubby had his done several years ago and has an abundance of readers all around the house so he is sharing with me. I need to get out and find my own more feminine styes but for now will use what is available to me. The drops are a bit of a bother but will continue them as prescribed and hope for the best. Good luck to you.

 

[Dan Murphy]

the difference in colors, sharpness and clarity is amazing. I have to have readers for close up and I still have pretty sharp vision for distance but because of an astigmatism and I continue to wear glasses simply for the convenience of not having to carry readers with me. My glasses are trifocals but it is ever so minor a correction.

My experience also. Done last year.

As for glare at night, I do find the newer car have horrendously bright lights. Not so bright before the surgery.

 

[Disneypeach]

How are the toric lenses at night? You experiencing the glare some complain about with them?

I haven’t had a big issue with them. Only see halos when the light comes in from the side and hits the edge of the lens. Tho, to be honest, I don’t drive a whole lot at night.

 

[Silver saucer]

Im going to need cataract surgery within a year or so. Im totally freaked out at the idea of being completely awake for the procedure. Did anyone get IV sedation or just an ativan or something similar?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Im going to need cataract surgery within a year or so. Im totally freaked out at the idea of being completely awake for the procedure. Did anyone get IV sedation or just an ativan or something similar?

I got Vicodin, they just handed it to me to take beforehand. That was all for sedation. However, I have a friend who asked, and received, general anesthesia.

 

[Disneypeach]

Im going to need cataract surgery within a year or so. Im totally freaked out at the idea of being completely awake for the procedure. Did anyone get IV sedation or just an ativan or something similar?

They gave me versed (spelling?). You don’t feel anything because of the numbing medication they put on your eye. I wish I had done it when my eye doc said I should. Took me a year before I did it.

 

[tvguy]

Im going to need cataract surgery within a year or so. Im totally freaked out at the idea of being completely awake for the procedure. Did anyone get IV sedation or just an ativan or something similar?

They told me the anesthesia process I went through for my pterigium removal was the same as I will be having for the cataract removal. IV sedation, some call it twilight sedation, the Anesthesiologist told me it was similar to drinking three strong alcoholic drinks. I was awake for the entire procedure, but the anesthesia made it so I didn't care what they were doing to my eye.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

You don’t feel anything because of the numbing medication they put on your eye.

It's not the "feeling" part of the surgery that freaks me out. It's the being aware of keeping my eye open and instruments coming at me, cutting, removing, replacing parts, that I'm afraid of.

 

[Disneypeach]

It's not the "feeling" part of the surgery that freaks me out. It's the being aware of keeping my eye open and instruments coming at me, cutting, removing, replacing parts, that I'm afraid of.

I totally get that. One aspect you don’t have is to keep your eye open. They have an instrument that does it for you. I knew they set it in my eye but didn’t feel anything from it.

After they used sonic waves to bust up my natural lens I couldn’t see anything but light and dark so didn’t see any sharp tools. Super blurry! Other eye was covered by heavy plastic sheeting. I suspect it was for both eye protection and to help keep my head still.

 

[Ning Ning]

Im going to need cataract surgery within a year or so. Im totally freaked out at the idea of being completely awake for the procedure. Did anyone get IV sedation or just an ativan or something similar?

I think it was Versed that they gave me via IV. I was in-between for my first surgery, but for the second surgery he was running so far ahead of time, they must have give a milder dose, because he and I had a conversation the entire 10 minutes!

 

[goofyernmost]

Im going to need cataract surgery within a year or so. Im totally freaked out at the idea of being completely awake for the procedure. Did anyone get IV sedation or just an ativan or something similar?

It sounds worse than it is. Yes, you're awake and I'm sure they give you something to calm you down or what we once called "take the edge off". That said, however, I recall being quite alert and listening to the banter of the room. It was absolutely painless, just weird. Recovery was quick when completed and even though I had a couple of problems (minor) a little while after the fact, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. It put a little youth back into two old tired eyes. From speaking to friends and family that had the procedure I am the only one that had any problem at all. Call me special.

 

[gmi3804]

Reviving this thread.

First of all, @leebee , how's it going? All better?

I'm having the surgeries in early April, 3-1/2 weeks apart due to the surgeon's and my schedules. I can wear one contact lens in the other eye between surgeries. I was given the option of monofocals, different strengths in each eye, or multi-focals (like built-in bifocals) which will ostensibly cease my dependence on glasses/contacts (might sell need readers for very close-up). Can anyone here share experience with either?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Reviving this thread.

First of all, @leebee , how's it going? All better?

I'm having the surgeries in early April, 3-1/2 weeks apart due to the surgeon's and my schedules. I can wear one contact lens in the other eye between surgeries. I was given the option of monofocals, different strengths in each eye, or multi-focals (like built-in bifocals) which will ostensibly cease my dependence on glasses/contacts (might sell need readers for very close-up). Can anyone here share experience with either?

While it wasn't following cataract surgery, I did do the "different strengths" option when I wore contacts. I didn't adjust well to them. My brain can separate what I see in each eye generally (always has), and it couldn't figure out how to just easily switch between which eye was in charge at any given time. I did better with the multi-focals but finally wound up with just getting bifocal glasses..

 

[SueInBoston]

Before Cataract surgery, I also tried the "different strength" contacts and couldn't get used to them and went with multi focal contacts. However after cataract surgery, a friend told me to try one reading prescription contact in one eye and it has worked really well for me. I can read a menu or price tag without readers. I still use readers when I'm working on a laptop or read but I can get by without them when I'm out and about.

 

[tvguy]

I FINALLY had my exam to determine what lenses would be best three weeks ago. Monofocal basic lenses in both eyes, with dime store readers for close up. I was told they would hear from them within two weeks to find out when I will be scheduled and to call if I did not hear within that time frame. I didn't hear back, and I did call and I am still waiting to hear anything. So still in a holding pattern. Original surgeon did not want to remove my pterygium, so referred me to a cornea specialist. I WAS scheduled for the cataract procedure in May and June of 2025 but could not get the pterygium removed until October. So IF I am lucky this has ONLY pushed my cataract surgery back a year. Both the cornea specialist and my primary eye Doctor are baffled as to why the original Doctor did not want to handle the pterygium removal. Original Doctor told me it was too big. Cornea specialist said it was tiny. Actually, the original Doctor's staff were in the process of scheduling me for him to do the pterygium removal, so they were caught off guard that he did not want to do it. Oh well, hopefully 2026 will be the year I finally get this resolved.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I was severely nearsighted when I had my cataract surgeries.
I love not having to wear glasses to drive or watch tv…do need reading glasses but that’s fine. Get cheap ones from Costco or Walmart.

But do you find that after so many years of having to wear glasses that you still reach for glasses (maybe your reading glasses) when you get up in the morning? That's what I do, even though it's been about 2 years since my cataract surgery. Since I'd worn glasses since I was 7 yo, it's a very hard habit to break, even though DH makes fun of me doing it.

 

[Mrs.Milo]

My cataract surgery was 2 years ago with typical results from the basic lenses. No glasses required for distance vision now, yay. It’s great to wake up in the morning and see just fine without reaching for glasses. While I can use dollar store readers now I prefer the ones from my eye doctor with blue blocker @ 2.5 strength, it seems to feel better for my eyes especially reading in bed. But I always carry dollar store readers in my purse, they’re great for shopping just in case.

 

[leebee]

Reviving this thread.

First of all, @leebee , how's it going? All better?

I'm having the surgeries in early April, 3-1/2 weeks apart due to the surgeon's and my schedules. I can wear one contact lens in the other eye between surgeries. I was given the option of monofocals, different strengths in each eye, or multi-focals (like built-in bifocals) which will ostensibly cease my dependence on glasses/contacts (might sell need readers for very close-up). Can anyone here share experience with either?

Thanks for asking. The surgery went well as did the healing, but my vision isn't good. I can't see in a mid-range, so I can't see clearly to chop veggies, cook on the stove, hand sew, read labels in the grocery store, etc. It's weird- I can't see my feet clearly so when I walk downstairs, I have to curl with my head bent down, otherwise I can't see the steps that I'm putting my feet on. I think I'm going to have to consider trifocals.

OTOH, my night vision is perfect- provided I don't need to see the speedometer!