Bobbee

As for the date. I travel. We scheduled my surgery for December when I am off for the whole month on vacation. My doctore did not want me flying or picking up anything heavy or bending over during that month. Maybe that is crazy to others who have had this done. But I REALLY trust my eye surgeon and when someone is that restrictive with something that means as much to me as my eyes and they are not replaceable I do not question their concern for me. Too many things can go wrong with that surgery, no need to add to the list. Mine came out absolutely 100% perfect. Dr. Greta Friedman, Wesley Chapel Florida. People love her. SHE IS GREAT!!!

NH Mitch Loc: Southern NH

As an optometrist in practice for 38 years, I wanted to give my professional opinion.

* Cataracts are "ripe" when they are ready for surgery but ripe is a relative term, it's different for each individual. A small opacity (cataract) may be ready for surgery if the patient is symptomatic, where a larger opacity may not be ready if the patient is asymptomatic.

* When cataracts are removed vision is corrected with implanted lenses in one of 3 ways, both eyes for far vision, one eye for near and the other for far (called mono vision) or with lenses that correct near and far which is gaining popularity over the past several years.

* In my experience if your main interest is the best,sharpest vision possible then both eyes corrected for far vision is the best option.( you will need reading glasses.)

* If you absolutely hate wearing glasses and are willing to compromise clarity a bit then consider the other two options.

* About 50% of those that try mono-vision adapt very well but 50% do not.
We usually do a trial with contact lenses before the cataract surgery to see if the patient can adapt.

* The newer near/far lenses are getting better and gaining in popularity but in my opinion the sharpest vision is still with the first option.

* Typically surgeries are done 2 weeks apart.

* The success rate of cataract surgery is very high,as several Hogs have noted, with quick recovery, good vision and only the inconvenience of using drops for a short time.

Good luck Zuzanne, I'm confident you will do well with your procedures.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

That's easier said than done.... (pushing up the date). I waited six week between surgeries - all because of the sheer number of people needing cataract surgery; six more weeks to see optometrist, and finally 2 more weeks for glasses to be ready.

Would I do it again? You betcha! Was it a nuisance while waiting? Oh yes. But I can drive again without glasses, and the car-, street- and traffic lights no longer have huge halos around them. I can read the fine print on medicine containers again. And I feel ready to go back to using manual focus!

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Zuzanne, I can't speak for the different lenses being inserted. My eyes were both corrected for distance vision, and I'm now back to no-line trifocals. Still got a very slight correction for distance.
I'm reading between the lines that you're using the LCD screen for focussing and not the viewfinder?

After the first eye is done, you may be told to remove the lens for that eye from your spectacles. Ask your ophthalmologist about that. Beyond that, be faithful in taking the prescribed drops and put up with all the little nuisances - they will go away!

WAL

I have recently (5 months) had cataract surgery done on both eyes. Both eyes are focused at infinity. In general the results are good results.
I am however frequently seeing double. Has any one had a similar problem?

steveg48

After the surgery, figure out which is your dominant eye. You can Google how to do this. Then adjust the diopter on your camera for that eye, and look through the viewfinder with that eye.

maverickk41 Loc: Farmington New Mexico

A year ago I was told by my doctor you have a small cataract, maybe 5 years or so we will look at taking care of it. I go back in a year later and the tech asks if I am having any problems with my vision? I said well at nite the headlights of cars bother me, she said a sign of cataracts sure enough she could see the cataracts with out using the scope. I had 20/300 in my right eye so we did it first a month later the other one. I now have 20/20 in left eye and 20/30 in right eye no glasses which I had worn for 30 years. I do use a pair of cheap reading glasses my wife had picked up prior to her surgery for computer and reading newspaper. The surgery was painless and was over before I realized it had started.

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

My right eye will be done first for distance vision correction. My left for close up in July. I currently wear no line bifocals.

I had both of mine done for distance and couldn't be happier. I wear reading glasses for the really close stuff. My "distance lenses" cover everything from about 30'' out to infinity. The people I have talked to that had one for distance and one for close-up were not real pleased with the result! Give this some careful thought and talk with people who have had it done if possible.

relie Loc: Western Massachusetts

I had mine done a few years ago. It changed my life, for the good. I now read road signs on the highway with no problems. I can focus without issue. The only slight problem that I have is changing settings on the camera, where I have to look at the top or back of my camera. You'll get used to it. Good luck!

ps.. Cheater ( reading) glasses are real cheap at Walmart etc.

Jamers Loc: Michigan

I am presently going through post cataract surgery problems. I have never needed glasses for reading and only had a slight prescription for distance but could get by without glassed. A year ago I had my left eye cataract done. I explained to the doctor "I do not want to rely on glasses for reading", I would rather wear glasses for distance like I have always done. Well..to my unfortunate surprise, the doctor put in the distance lens and not the lens we agreed on. I had other issues with him as well, and went to another ophthalmologist and he concurred with me the lens that was used was not to my benefit, to help correct that error he could install a piggy back lens with some laser technique, because trying to remove the first lens could result in eye damage. My right eye was done six weeks ago for nearsightedness, OK for camera and reading but still needs laser twinking (which insurance will not cover), because I am in a low percentile category that sometimes occurs. I know this is lengthy, but be advised of all the options, try contact lens first before having permanent lens put in, that is what I am doing at this time. I advise against having the "MONO" lens, (one eye for distance and the other for close up). Good luck, and make sure your doctor listens and understands your needs.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Before my surgery I was using my "good eye." which was the left one.
After the surgery I began to use my right eye which has always been my best eye.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I just carried on as usual. If you absolutely have to take pictures before the bandage gets taken off - probably within 24 hours - use your left eye. With the bandage taken off my eye the next day, I could see fine. There was a marked difference in colors. The surgery clears up a color cast you probably don't realize is there.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Avoid asymmetrical lenses. My cataracts were fixed 2 years ago. Best move ever.

My physician, who I know very well, warned me against having one lens for near and one for far vision. She stated that she sees many patients in consultation that have had this performed (at another provider's clinic), and they hate the result.

relie Loc: Western Massachusetts

The best way that I can explain the difference is by quoting the little old lady sitting next to me when I got my right (first) eye done. She told me that when she had hers done it was like going to Disney Land for the first time. Lol
She was right..

GeneB Loc: Chattanooga Tennessee

Just had surgery on both eyes. the right eye was the normal surgery and the left eye was a laser assisted surgery to correct astigmatism. Could not use the laser assist on the right. Right eye is now 20-30 and left eye is 20-20. I only need to use reading glasses now. the 2nd surgery was about one month later. I think it was mostly a scheduling issue.