jonyrot

I have been told by the dr that it is time to address the cataracts that have formed (they can't see the back of my eyes anymore). Anyone have suggestions on the lenses (corrective or corrective/bifocal)?
Always been uncomfortable with people messing with my eyes...

Thanks for any replies.

srat50 Loc: Ware, Massachusetts

I've Had cataract surgery in both eyes have the best eye sight I've ever had in my life. painless also you won't regret it.

jimvanells Loc: Augusta, GA

Had my done several years back and love the results. They will examine your eyes several times b-4 surgery and the new lenses will fix any nearsighted or farsighted issues. That of course depends on the degree of correction needed. I ended up with 20/20 in one eye and 20/30 in the other. Good luck, don't fret about it, it's painless and you will be out in no time.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

When I had mine done years ago, my ophthalmologist highly recommended against bifocal lenses. She said that about 50% of people receiving them regretted it. I use reading glasses when needed, no problem.

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

Don't be afraid. If I were to do it again, I would get the lenses that correct for both distance and near, so I wouldn't need to fool with readers. An alternative is what they call "mom-vision" where the implant in the dominant eye corrects for vision, and in the other eye, for reading.

relie Loc: Western Massachusetts

Had both of my eyes done a few years ago. Don't regret it a bit. It's like finally finding the auto focus on your camera.LOL! I just buy the readers at Walmart every now and then. Beats the higher cost of the other lenses.
Good luck.. You won't regret it.

Dave

fjdarling Loc: Mesa, Arizona, USA

As the others have stated, the procedure is painless...you're awake but it doesn't bother you that someone is messing with your eyes. It's quite an interesting experience. I had cataracts in both eyes removed, one at a time. A reputable company will perform many tests before the procedure to ensure they get the prescription right. I suggest you follow the doctor's orders both before and after the procedure to minimize chance of infection and speed the healing process.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Also, I don't think insurance or medicare covers bifocal lenses.

pendennis

There are no "corrective lenses", and surgery is mandated.

However, the other posters have given you sage advice. Get it done. Over time cataracts not only blur your vision, but they diffuse colors.

The surgery is really easy. Not only do the ophthalmologists numb your eyes, but the anesthesiologist will also give you a sedative which ensures your relaxation. I had mine done almost eight years ago, and it was the best thing I could have done. I also have terrible astigmatism, and it was corrected with a toric lens. I do have some remaining presbyopia, but that's fixed with 1.5d cheapo reading glasses.

My ophthalmic surgeon gave me quite the examinations and tests, and a board of certified ophthalmic surgeons agreed 7-0 that I needed the surgery. There's no such thing as cataracts being "ripe"; it's all about your quality of life. Mine were done three weeks apart because of the astigmatic correction, but that was my doctor being very cautious. I still have my eyes checked annually, and my vision runs 20/16 in both eyes.

The color rendition is absolutely phenomenal. Colors virtually leap out with clarity and acuity. I do wear sunglasses outside unless its night time. The natural UV protection goes away with the natural lenses, so I wear high-UV protective lenses, even on cloudy days.

For years I had myopia/astigmatic correction, with lenses thick around the edges and wafer-thin in the middle. That's in the past. Now I can wear all the cool sunglasses that I couldn't for years. Ray Bans, AO, Oakley, and Wiley-X, to name a few.

You'll be glad you had the surgery; and don't put it off for another day.

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

I agree with what all the other posters so far have stated. But there is one other factor: Cataracts can impair your peripheral vision, making driving dangerous; they also cause lights to flare at night, again affecting driving. I am really happy I had mine done years ago.

charles tabb Loc: Richmond VA.

I had my lenses replaced a number of years ago and after the procedure my eyes tested 20/20 in both eyes.
However I was told by a number of friends that sometime afterward I would be more comfortable after a time with reading with glasses. Sure enough I now use reading glasses with better sight. I use them mainly for the newspaper and my PC monitor. I also before, had a stigmatism which caused me to loose my place reading when I had finished one line and dropped down to the next line. The replacement lenses corrected that impairment.
I wish you luck and hope every thing comes out OK for you.
Charles

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Had both eyes done about 6 weeks ago. No problem. No pain. I used to be nearsighted and my vision is now 20/20. The worst part was the anticipation.

They did one eye at a time, a week apart. I have astigmatism so I got lenses that correct that. They cost a bit more but less than a couple new pair of prescription glasses. Medicare covers most of the cost.

After the first eye your vision in the new eye is blurry for a day or two but it recovers. The first thing you will notice is the color shift. Everything used to have a yellow cast but it happened gradually so your brain corrected for it. When you have one new eye the two eyes will see slightly different colors. Based on my experience, the brain shifts its correction so that by the end of a week the color shift between eyes is probably only 20% of what it was originally. Auto white balance is slow, but it works.

After they did an eye I got a transparent plastic patch to protect the eye from getting bumped. I had the sensation of having a small eyelash stuck in my eye but it wasn't really bad and it was gone after one night. I took off the patch the next day.

I got a prescription for some special eye drops to take for 5 weeks (plus the day before surgery).

I was nearsighted so I needed glasses to drive but I could read without aid. The worst part of the surgery is that I now have to invert my habits. I have to remember to take my glasses off to drive and I have to look for my glasses when I need to read. The good part is that the glasses don't need to be prescription since there's no astigmatism. Costco occasionally has a sale and I can get 3 for $13. So far I've bought 9. I have 5 left, which I spread around the house (and one in the car). I never lose my car keys, but glasses are a whole nother matter.

Do it. You'll be happy.

jonyrot

Thanks everyone. Feeling less anxious about the procedure now.

Najataagihe

I had the PanOptix lenses implanted (tri-focals, mine are also toric).

Now, I don't need glasses for anything.


WELL worth the extra cost.

DavidPhares Loc: Chandler, Arizona