slo’s WEDNESDAY 5/7 poll - Single, Bifocal, Trifocal Lense

[leebee]

I have worn glasses since 3rd grade for overall awful vision, including astigmatism. I went to traditional bifocals maybe 20 years ago; long enough ago that I don't really remember when I got them. There's no way I'd try progressives. I get motion sick in the bathtub and have issues with vertigo, so I know better than to consider progressives.

Now, I need to have a cataract removed from my left eye. I'm not worried about the surgery, I'm concerned about how I'll see AFTER the surgery. Vision in my left eye will probably be far better, but my right eye will still have my old, terrible, astigmatic vision. How do you work around this? Without my glasses, I have to hold my hand about 2" from the end of my nose to see the lines on my knuckles, so I can't imagine that I'll just use the glasses as they are now. I suspect that eventually they will put a different, new prescription lens in the left eyeglass, but how do I see UNTIL then? I know some of you (@Micca, @Dan Murphy ) have had cataract surgery. What did you do to "see" until your eye healed? I'm really worried about this. I do all the driving, my job depends on my ability to use a laptop approximately 5 hours a day, AND I have some vacations planned, hahaha. How am I going to SEE???

 

[Debbie Jean]

I have worn glasses since 3rd grade for overall awful vision, including astigmatism. I went to traditional bifocals maybe 20 years ago; long enough ago that I don't really remember when I got them. There's no way I'd try progressives. I get motion sick in the bathtub and have issues with vertigo, so I know better than to consider progressives.

Now, I need to have a cataract removed from my left eye. I'm not worried about the surgery, I'm concerned about how I'll see AFTER the surgery. Vision in my left eye will probably be far better, but my right eye will still have my old, terrible, astigmatic vision. How do you work around this? Without my glasses, I have to hold my hand about 2" from the end of my nose to see the lines on my knuckles, so I can't imagine that I'll just use the glasses as they are now. I suspect that eventually they will put a different, new prescription lens in the left eyeglass, but how do I see UNTIL then? I know some of you (@Micca, @Dan Murphy ) have had cataract surgery. What did you do to "see" until your eye healed? I'm really worried about this. I do all the driving, my job depends on my ability to use a laptop approximately 5 hours a day, AND I have some vacations planned, hahaha. How am I going to SEE???

You need to gave this conversation with your doctor. My ophthalmologist tracked the cataract in eye one waiting for my other eye to catch up so I wouldn’t have to deal with an eye that was still 20/220 after surgery. Waiting was tough because my vision worsened… but the biggest issue I had in the end was waiting the two weeks between eye one and eye two. If your doc is only doing the one eye you will need to make a plan for handling your glasses… obviously you can pop out the old lense but will likely need a new one put in. Honestly, healing begins immediately and I was actually seeing later in the day with my new eye.


I also had astigmatism… still do though maybe not as bad as you. My vision went from 20/220 to 20/20 and 20/30 in each eye. Just need reading glasses I can snag at any drugstore. It has been life changing.. got my first pair in 1st grade. Best of luck with your surgery!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have worn glasses since 3rd grade for overall awful vision, including astigmatism. I went to traditional bifocals maybe 20 years ago; long enough ago that I don't really remember when I got them. There's no way I'd try progressives. I get motion sick in the bathtub and have issues with vertigo, so I know better than to consider progressives.

Now, I need to have a cataract removed from my left eye. I'm not worried about the surgery, I'm concerned about how I'll see AFTER the surgery. Vision in my left eye will probably be far better, but my right eye will still have my old, terrible, astigmatic vision. How do you work around this? Without my glasses, I have to hold my hand about 2" from the end of my nose to see the lines on my knuckles, so I can't imagine that I'll just use the glasses as they are now. I suspect that eventually they will put a different, new prescription lens in the left eyeglass, but how do I see UNTIL then? I know some of you (@Micca, @Dan Murphy ) have had cataract surgery. What did you do to "see" until your eye healed? I'm really worried about this. I do all the driving, my job depends on my ability to use a laptop approximately 5 hours a day, AND I have some vacations planned, hahaha. How am I going to SEE???

I had one eye done and then the other one month apart. I did not recall having a real difficult time during that month. I also have an astigmatism, so the doctor did the procedure that is not fully covered by Medicare. I'm doing well now. I had follow up laser procedure of some sort about several months after. t Still wear trifocals, night driving is a lot better.

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

I started wearing glasses in 2nd grade and contact lenses in 5th grade. I have horrible vision....like can't see the big E on the chart at all bad starting in high school. I wear contacts 99.9% of the time. Peripheral vision is so much better in contacts. But I always do keep a back-up pair of glasses in case of an eye infection or something like that. I'm 45 and don't need readers or bifocals so that's so far so good on that front. I actually just had my eye exam yesterday so it's funny this question came up today.

 

[tvguy]

I had one eye done and then the other one month apart. I did not recall having a real difficult time during that month. I also have an astigmatism, so the doctor did the procedure that is not fully covered by Medicare. I'm doing well now. I had follow up laser procedure of some sort about several months after. t Still wear trifocals, night driving is a lot better.

I am waiting to have mine done. They will do my bad eye first, then the other eye a month later. Everyone I know has had both done. My Doctor said because it makes no sense not to do both. Only variation I have heard of among my friends is that if they have Kaiser health insurance, Kaiser does both eyes the same day.
So you got the one of the optional lenses that cost extra. I felt like I was at a car dealer at the cataract surgeons office getting the upsell for fancier lenses. Three upgraded options...the first costs $2,000 an eye more, the second costs $3,000 an eye more, and the third, light adjustable lenses cost $6,000 an eye more. I have a rather large astigmatism and my eye Doctor said with the basic monovision lenses that Medicare pays for, I would likely need Drug Store reading glasses. The surgeon agreed. I might not with by upgrading, but I might not be able to adapt to having one lense for distance and one for close up. And the toric lenses can cause issues with night vision. At this point, I'm going with the basic lenses, which apparently is what 90% of all cataract patients get. And an amazing number of people pay the higher price, and end up having to have them removed and the basic lense implanted.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I am waiting to have mine done. They will do my bad eye first, then the other eye a month later. Everyone I know has had both done. My Doctor said because it makes no sense not to do both. Only variation I have heard of among my friends is that if they have Kaiser health insurance, Kaiser does both eyes the same day.
So you got the one of the optional lenses that cost extra. I felt like I was at a car dealer at the cataract surgeons office getting the upsell for fancier lenses. Three upgraded options...the first costs $2,000 an eye more, the second costs $3,000 an eye more, and the third, light adjustable lenses cost $6,000 an eye more. I have a rather large astigmatism and my eye Doctor said with the basic monovision lenses that Medicare pays for, I would likely need Drug Store reading glasses. The surgeon agreed. I might not with by upgrading, but I might not be able to adapt to having one lense for distance and one for close up. And the toric lenses can cause issues with night vision. At this point, I'm going with the basic lenses, which apparently is what 90% of all cataract patients get. And an amazing number of people pay the higher price, and end up having to have them removed and the basic lense implanted.

My upcharge was $950 per eye. So far, things seem good. Still have glasses though, trifocals. Eyesight is improved, less light is needed to read, night driving is better. Best wishes with yours.

 

[Micca]

As Dan mentioned above, I had one eye done at a time. It was a couple of weeks between the two procedures. When I got the first eye done they removed the lens from my glasses on that side. It was a minor annoyance trying to navigate life for a couple of days until the the side with surgery started to clear up. Also there's a regimen of eyedrops for a week or so post surgery.

Your surgeon and your regular eye doc will work together to make sure your vision is at its optimum during and after your recovery. As regards working, I think I had a short time where I wasn't supposed to drive, but I'm sure I was ok on the computer--probably hangin' around here.

 

[TippyThomas]

I wear reading glasses for up close things these days, but I don't wear any prescription lenses yet.

 

[tvguy]

My upcharge was $950 per eye. So far, things seem good. Still have glasses though, trifocals. Eyesight is improved, less light is needed to read, night driving is better. Best wishes with yours.

Everyone I have talked to......with the basic lenses......says they are amazed how blue, blues are now, and how crisp and sharp their vision is, especially on things like the Guide on the TV. They all now only need glasses for really close up stuff. Like 18 inches or closer. They can see computer screens fine without, and cell phones at arms length too.

 

[rndmr2]

I have glasses and am supposed to wear them all the time but I don't. I wear them to drive most of the time and to go to a movie or show and sometimes for TV. Mainly to see the guide, LOL. I can see like a normal TV show fine. I don't wear them at work because they almost make it worse to see the computer at the desk or on my Med cart. I have bifocals but I really only need/wear them for distance.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I had one eye done and then the other one month apart. I did not recall having a real difficult time during that month. I also have an astigmatism, so the doctor did the procedure that is not fully covered by Medicare. I'm doing well now. I had follow up laser procedure of some sort about several months after. t Still wear trifocals, night driving is a lot better.

Funny you mention the follow up laser procedure. I also needed this done about a year after my surgery…posterior capsule opacification… film forms over the lense. Doc said this was a one and done but likely the other eye would need it as well. Looks like that will happen within a few months. It’s apparently fairly common though I don’t hear many mention it. Good news is once the lense is cleared using the laser, the film doesn’t re-form.

Although I had an astigmatism, I also have glaucoma, so was limited to only the basic replacement lenses… no upgrades. They worked out well for me in the end anyway.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Funny you mention the follow up laser procedure. I also needed this done about a year after my surgery…posterior capsule opacification… film forms over the lense. Doc said this was a one and done but likely the other eye would need it as well. Looks like that will happen within a few months. It’s apparently fairly common though I don’t hear many mention it. Good news is once the lense is cleared using the laser, the film doesn’t re-form.

Although I had an astigmatism, I also have glaucoma, so was limited to only the basic replacement lenses… no upgrades. They worked out well for me in the end anyway.

Doctor said it is quite common, about 40%.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Everyone I have talked to......with the basic lenses......says they are amazed how blue, blues are now, and how crisp and sharp their vision is, especially on things like the Guide on the TV. They all now only need glasses for really close up stuff. Like 18 inches or closer. They can see computer screens fine without, and cell phones at arms length too.

I could watch TV without glasses but prefer with. Still a bit sharper. Colors are more vivid, yes.