Cataract surgery??

[Growin'upDisney]

I am wondering if any of you have had any experience with cataract surgery.

I am 29 and have the eyes of an 80 year old. Several years ago I had to have detached retina surgery in both of my eyes. One of the side effects of that surgery is that I have now developed cataracts. The left eye is much worse than the right (I don't notice anything in the right). The eye doctor said I should wait for both eyes to even up before the surgery. But the left seems to be getting worse. Computers and reading are becoming unbearable.

I have worn contacts for nearsightedness since I was 12. If I have the surgery, I have to wear contacts for distance and then wear glasses for reading. I am dreading having to do this. I cannot even correct the nearsightedness with LASIK because my corneas are not thick enough.

Any one have any experience they can share??

 

[sorcerormickey]

No experience yet...but soon. My Mom will be having the first eye done next week, then the other 3 weeks after that.

Good luck and PIXIE DUST to you!

 

[Rutt and Tuke]

My FIL recently had the surgery and he was quite worried because in his other eye he is completely blind. He is thrilled with the results though. The first 30 days or so his vision is supposed to vary quite a bit. He says some days he can see perfectly and other days he can't even see the TV screen. He'll be fitted for new lenses once the 30 days are up.

The other thing he noticed was that everything is now so bright with the yellow filmy haze gone.

Oh, and he said it was a very quick surgery.

 

[doxdogy]

My dad just had the surgery about a month or so ago. He is extremely pleased with results. He doesn't need his glasses any more!

 

[Christine]

I was in the opthamologists office last week for my severe dry eye. I sat in the waiting room for close to an hour with 4 patients who were all there for follow-up cataract surgery. They made it sound like a piece of cake and ALL were very pleased with their results.

 

[bruin]

I work in this field, and I can tell you that with the right surgeon, you can have amazing results. I am a little confused about your comment on needing cls for distance and gls. for reading after the surgery. The implant that replaces your lens is usually your current prescription for distance. Therefore, in most cases, all you need are reading gls. after surgery. Obviously, since I have not seen you, there could be other things going on with your eyes that may cause you to have a different outcome. Advice? Make sure you do your research. Get all your questions answered. As for Lasik, there are other refractive procedures out there to explore, it may be the fact that you have had retina problems that this is not an option for you. Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[Growin'upDisney]

Thanks everyone for the advice/info. Bruin - My rx for distance is very very strong and I do believe the surgeon said they would likely not be able to insert a lens that would get me to 20/20.

I will definately do more research and ask more questions. Thanks again.

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by Growin'upDisney
I am wondering if any of you have had any experience with cataract surgery.

I am 29 and have the eyes of an 80 year old. Several years ago I had to have detached retina surgery in both of my eyes. One of the side effects of that surgery is that I have now developed cataracts. The left eye is much worse than the right (I don't notice anything in the right). The eye doctor said I should wait for both eyes to even up before the surgery. But the left seems to be getting worse. Computers and reading are becoming unbearable.

I have worn contacts for nearsightedness since I was 12. If I have the surgery, I have to wear contacts for distance and then wear glasses for reading. I am dreading having to do this. I cannot even correct the nearsightedness with LASIK because my corneas are not thick enough.

Any one have any experience they can share??

my Mom had both eyes done back in January/February, they did the surgery 2 weeks apart, I took her to all her appointments and talked with the Dr, and staff, I would question the thought of waiting for the other eye to catch up, my understanding was that if you wait too long the surgery isn't as effetive...

the surgery seems so simple compared to what it used to be, it was outpatient and only took 30-60 minutes if that, it actually took longer for the series of eye drops in prep. for the surgery...