Well, This Sucks: Cataracts :(

[ChiliPepperGarage]

Went to the eye doctor a while ago and was referred to an eye surgeon because he said it looked like I have cataracts. Went on Monday and was confirmed that I need surgery. Both my parents had to have it done but at a much later age (I'm only 63). The good news is that they replace the lens with an artificial one so should be good after that. No bionic eyes yet though.

I also have macular pucker which is bumps on the macula behind the retina. I may need surgery for that too but they will wait and see how the cataracts go.

My insurance has a $6500 max out of pocket per year and this will exceed that so I'll be meeting my max for the year. because of that, I'm thinking I'll go ahead and do the macular surgery this year so it won't cost me anything. They told me that even if I was okay after the cataract surgery over time the macular pucker would get worse and I'll need it done. They can also get ride of "floaters" which I have, when they do it.

The cataract surgery takes only about ten minutes and is a pretty safe procedure as they have thousands of them. The macular is a little more risky but still pretty standard now. Higher risk of infection and some other stuff. Anything done to your eyes is pretty scary to me as if I lost my vision my life would pretty much be over. Just wouldn't know what to do with myself if that happened. Plus, I live alone in a remote area so that would be impossible to continue.

Anyone else had these done? How did they go?

No matter what, it's going to cost me $6500. Maybe I should think about voting for one of those "free healthcare" candidates!

 

[rivermobster]

I just had one eye done a few months ago. Kaiser did it for me at their state of the art new surgery center.

Yeah it took ten minutes, but the prep/waiting time was a whole lot longer than that!!!! lol

Zero pain. Went in the next day and they took off the bandage, and I could see like I was 18 again. Totally stoked with how it turned out.

I'll get the other eye done someday. It's not as bad as the first one. I'll be 63 this year.


P.S. Didn't cost me a dime

 

[pronstar]

My dad has always had shitty eyes and coke bottle glasses.

He had cataract replacement lens surgery a rpfew years ago, and has 20/20 vision...just needs readers for close-up, as the new lenses don’t allow for your eyes to focus that close.

We hardly recognize him without glasses.
He’s super happy with the results and laments that he should have done it sooner.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Bpracing1127]

Had both eyes done a few years ago I am 34 now. Easy. Don’t sweat it!!!! You will be driving next day. Don’t bend over to fast and no heavy lifting. You will be amazed at what you will be able to see again

 

[sintax]

my dad has had both of his done, and has nothing but great things to say. Hes really glad he went trough and did it. He opted for the distance tune, and just uses reading glasses.

 

[mash on it]

I had my left eye done in 2011, (I was 41).and knew my right eye wasn't far behind. 20/20 out of the doctors office. I had my right eye done in 2017, same lens, also 20/20 afterwards. Only readers for small print. Go to a specialist, I went to Shepherd eye center, in Las Vegas. Dr. Montgomery (10 Surgeries every Tuesday). I've heard horror stories about 'traveling' doctors/surgeons. Due diligence is required here.

Find experience, not prices.

Dan'l

 

[musicFunsun]

Sister & I went to the health fair at our work? Stopped in the Laser eye surgery both, the gal looked at us (61 & 67 respectively) and said “save your money, wait and have cataract surgery which is totally covered by our insurance ”! I had no idea cataract surgery improved eyesight like laser surgery and it would be covered.

 

[TPC]

It used to be bloody horrible.
It's all good now.

 

[coolchange]

Ya, no way. Afraid of what I'd see in the mirror in the morning.

 

[BTR]

What do I know about eye injuries?

Warning, pretty nasty. Scroll at your discretion.

 

[boblins]

Recently had molecular hole surgery. Did not take long (hour) but recovery is taking a while. Depending on the gas used to fill eye can be up to 12 weeks before vision returns in that eye. Now at 5 weeks and starting to get a slit of vision but still basically blurry. Looking at the ground for a few weeks is also a pain.

 

[rivermobster]

Ignore the two posts about. They have zero to do with cataracts! LoL

 

[RichL]

Had both eyes done about a month apart several years ago. Developed a macular edema in the one eye that required an additional surgery. Chances of that happening are super slim but I managed to do it anyway. I did have a 20 lb. lifting limit for a while. Now. 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 (?) in the other but still improving slowly. Lifetime wearing glasses is now reduced to readers only. This is a very common surgery anymore. Good luck.

 

[BTR]

Ignore the two posts about. They have zero to do with cataracts! LoL

Mine healed with a cataract, does that count? Full thickness of the cornea though so it can’t be repaired. I’m good though. They saved the eye and exciting medical advances are happening regarding cornea replacement. Makes for a great bar story at the least.

 

[boatdoc55]

I'm up against this now. Doc has been watching them for 3 years and said I'm just about ready. A buddy just had his done and can't believe what he can see now. Medicare kicks in at the end of the year and hope I'm able to wait it out until then.

 

[lbhsbz]

 

[G. Faulk]

I'm 5 weeks in on the left and 4 weeks in on the right. 54 years old and was tired of glasses. I opted for the PanOptixs lens and as of 2 weeks ago am 20/20 and got 3 letters at 20/10. What I like about the PanOptixs is there designed for close mid and far, I do not wear glasses at all. Like the super fine print on a bottle, no problem reading. The only thing I really dont like is the halos at night. There pretty bad but the doc says by 5-6 months will be a lot better if not gone. Evidently my sight is also supposed to get better, right now its 85% better, it'd be 95% if not for the halos. Operating on your eyes aint no joke, the night before I was nervous. Its one of those things in life that your not looking for the deal but the right specialist. PanOptixs are not covered under insurance or at least mine, its the only thing I paid for the rest was covered. Super easy no pain and your seeing decent in the recovery room. Research Dr Shannon Wong on youtube he has some great comparisons.

 

[CarolynandBob]

Had both done 7-8 yrs ago. Did not have cataracts. I had been wearing glasses or contacts since I was 1 yr old. Just plain hated it, so I went and had prescription lenses put in. Has been awesome. Can read the finest print as long as there is light. Was 7k per eye back then.

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

Seems like a lot of positive outcomes so that makes me feel better. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[LakeMeadLavey]

Seems like a lot of positive outcomes so that makes me feel better. Thanks for all the replies.

I was diagnosed with advanced Glaucoma in both eyes at 41. Go get you eyes checked guys if you have not! I had no idea I had Glaucoma.

I've had three Trabeculectomy surgeries and have been stabilized for 5 years now. These surgeries are very similar to Cataract surgery just a little more invasive as they cut a small section of your inner eye out.

After these surgeries it causes cataracts to grow much quicker so I will now have cataract surgery in both eyes. You have nothing to worry about it is a very quick/easy painless surgery. As others said, you will go home with a patch and the next day they remove and your vision will be back. Takes a few weeks for healing and on my surgeries, I had micro stitches that felt like I had something in my eye for about two weeks.

I've had all of my eye issues and surgeries handled at UCLA Stein Eye. I would highly suggest going to UCLA or a very reputable Ophthalmologist/eye surgeon. The Dr I see at UCLA is Dr Joseph Caprioli. He is one of the best in the country and director of Ophthalmology at UCLA. He does the cataract surgeries as well.

If you have any questions feel free to shoot me a DM.

 

[BONER]

Cataract?! No, I drive a Rinkin!!