Cataract Surgery Anyone? (Page 2): Two days after the cateract surgery, I experienced a detached retina. No one's fault, but it can happen. Surgery fixed the retina, but it will never...

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

flyguy wrote:

Just as with other kinds of operations there is risk of a botched surgery or infection,etc. and that may be why it's not done when the patient would like.

I'm 78 yrs old, the VA informed me eight years ago that I was beginning to get them, so I have to go in every 6 months for a check up and the condition still isn't at a point where it would be appropriate.

Two days after the cateract surgery, I experienced a detached retina. No one's fault, but it can happen. Surgery fixed the retina, but it will never be the same.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"Stongly recommend you seek qualified medical advice, not the advice of this mixed bag of Dr. Welby wannabes.
This is about the vision you will have (or not) for the rest of your life. Take it seriously! /Ralph"

Tenured wisdom from rjaywallace...
I would also suggest you seek a second opinion on your perceived aforementioned issue...
I did and was informed by a second doctor (with considerable tenure) that this surgery actually wasn't germane nor appropriate at this juncture... Reason? I wasn't to the point where my cataracts would begin to interfere with my day to day... That was six years ago, and I'm still doing fine...

btw, the initial doctor's primary revenue stream was from her cataract surgery practice... The second doctor actually didn't preform cataract surgeries... It's like ask a barber if you need a haircut... Look closely for hidden agendas when dealing with medical professionals especially if irreversible risks are latent within the equation... Enough said...

I wish you well on your vision issues rando and trust you'll find an effective course of action with a successful outcome...

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

First, realize that if you now need bifocals or progressive lenses, your ability to adjust your vision from distance to near is compromised. Mine was and is. Consequently, I was given a choice of single or double lenses. By double, I mean they could focus both near and far, but neither as well as single focus lenses. I had been wearing progressive lenses in my eyeglasses, so I decided to go for the better IQ far focus, and wear progressive lenses after the surgery. As it turned out, the far focus was off, focusing closer that infinity, but with eyeglasses, all is well. I was amazed how well I could see after.

Wrongway Loc: Hewitt Texas

I just had cataract surgery one eye at a time when I was first seeing the doctor who would do the surgery this is a VA doctor he told me that it was recommended that I go for distance in both eyes and to get a pair of reader glasses at Walmart or one of the drug stores. After the second surgery which was 3 weeks ago the doctor discovered that I have mono vision which I have 20/15 in my left for distance and 20/15 in my right for close up I don't need glasses at all I need to allow my brain to adapt to the difference and life would be great. All of this was by accident not on purpose. It turned out I have one eye smaller than the other. I guess the moral of the story is go for distance and expect to use reading glasses and maybe strange things happen and you get the unexpected. I wore progressive bifocals before the surgery

Rongnongno Loc: FL

I had it three years ago. It does not matter what the existing problem you may or may not have.

You will see the world in its pure color but you also will be far sighted and need reading glasses, several of them depending on the distance.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

I had the same quandary, opting to do both eyes at the same time for far vision. I have reading glasses for PC and reading, and a bit stronger pair in my camera bag for reading menus, etc. However, the diopter adjustment for the viewfinder took care of all issues looking into the camera. Added that I know my camera button placements and can view and change most settings I need while shooting, I find I really need the readers only when reviewing shots and going into the menu.

For me, it was the best choice. Readers are inexpensive and I can now wear sunglasses with or without a reader lens at the bottom, so I am covered throughout my normal day.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Rongnongno wrote:

I had it three years ago. It does not matter what the existing problem you may or may not have.

You will see the world in its pure color but you also will be far sighted and need reading glasses, several of them depending on the distance.

Existing problems DO matter. Speak with the doctor about that.
I speak from experience.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Kmgw9v wrote:

Existing problems DO matter. Speak with the doctor about that.
I speak from experience.

You are correct. My statement was too generic.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I went for distance vision and reading glasses. It's a pain. My wife went for one eye distance and one eye close and it works quite well. I wish I hadn't been so cheap and had gone with the more expensive lenses that actually adjust and handle both. They're expensive but I think they would be worth it in the long run.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

I use distance vision far more than seeing close up. After surgery I elected to pay for a high tech implant that gave me 20/25 without glasses. Consequently, i can't see much of anything close up. It hasn't been a problem pulling out reading glasses when I'm shooting. Being lazy, I wear regular glasses most of the time now which gives me 20/20 distance and 20/20 near and I don't have to mess with digging out a pair of glasses to read. Good luck on your surgery and your decision. /George

Photocraig

I have had both eyes done for Cataracts plus another condition. As a life long glasses wearer, I might relate my experiences while using Contact lenses years ago. I chose a regular pair of glasses frames with the "Upper" portion clear and my tri-focal reading corrections cut into the lenses as usual. This allowed me to always be ready to read or work at a Computer screen or look through your viewfinder and STILL avoid the "Chuck Schumer" look.

It is not for everybody, as my wife keeps telling me, but you always have them on and always are ready. It helps driving when you can read all the dashboard dials and buttons--knobs are SO analogue!

Amazingly, I was able to pass the DMV test without my glasses.

krl48 Loc: NY, PA now SC

flyguy wrote:

Just as with other kinds of operations there is risk of a botched surgery or infection,etc. and that may be why it's not done when the patient would like.

I'm 78 yrs old, the VA informed me eight years ago that I was beginning to get them, so I have to go in every 6 months for a check up and the condition still isn't at a point where it would be appropriate.

How do you feel about it? Are they interfering with your quality of life? I know, it's the VA, but remember this - it's your life, and your eyes. The doctor probably sees just fine, and his job is to ensure you can see just fine, too.

Best of luck, sir.

pendennis

rando wrote:

I've been told I need cataract surgery. My doc asked if I wanted to improve distance or near vision. I told him I was a photographer so my initial response was distance vision. But then I thought about all the menus and buttons on the camera that would near close-up vision. My goal would be to not have use glasses at all when out shooting. How did other UHH handle this quagmire?

I had mine done almost four years ago, and I'm really glad I did. My vision loss "crept" up on me; i.e. the symptoms tend to build up over time. I also have severe astigmatism (4.50), and the severity was at the maximum that could be corrected with a toric lens. Along with the cataracts and astigmatism, I also have presbyopia. So the surgeon would have to tackle all three. I had a fairly new B&L lens installed, and the change was instantaneous and for the better.

My surgeon took my symptoms and examination data, plus my quality of life survey, to a panel of seven surgeons, who would make the final determination. The vote was 7-0 in favor of surgery. Because I opted for a toric implant, and not a "standard" lens, I had to pay an upcharge. It was $2400, and worth every penny. I didn't want to end up wearing anything other than reading glasses.

I also had the same decision you face. The doctor and I opted to have slight nearsightedness in my left eye, and "normal" vision in the right eye. I also shoot rifle, pistol, and shotgun, and I'm right-eye dominant, so my right eye has distance power. No lens can do everything, and I ended up with 1.50 diopter reading glasses. The shooting has presented some complications. My left eye tries to take over when shooting shotgun sports, and my left eye has now become dominant. Solution? - Since I'm a natural left hander, I switched to shooting leftie for pistol. My left eye sees front sights much easier now. However, I now use scotch tape inside the left lens of my shotgun shooting glasses. I shoot rifle and shotgun right-handed, so I must aim with my right eye. The tale of right-hand rifle and shotgun shooting goes back to military days.

He also advised, and I rigidly obey, that I wear sunglasses outside all the time during daylight, sunlit or cloudy. Your eyes' natural lenses have superior UV filtration. Replacement lenses don't do as well. I wear polarized lenses all the time. Downside here is that polarized sunglasses will "black out" your viewfinder images if you have a polarizing filter on the lens. (Ask me how I know this!) I'm now able to wear all the cool sunglasses that I couldn't when I wore glasses for astigmatic correction.

Now, for photography, I tried continuing to use reading glasses and my right eye. Easy change here. I can see viewfinders easily and clearly with my left eye, so now I shoot my cameras with the left eye, without any diopter correction. I tried my reading glasses, and all they did was mess up things.

Upshot - If you have slight nearsightedness after surgery, view through that eye. Be sure that your doctor understands what your lifestyle will be. He should know how to help.

pendennis

krl48 wrote:

How do you feel about it? Are they interfering with your quality of life? I know, it's the VA, but remember this - it's your life, and your eyes. The doctor probably sees just fine, and his job is to ensure you can see just fine, too.

Best of luck, sir.

I was originally under the impression that cataracts had to be "ripe", for surgery. My doctor gave me a "quality of life" questionnaire to fill out, and the answers would be the determining factor. The night time glare and other conditions tipped the balance quickly. Mine were mostly paid for by Medicare, and they readily accepted the doctor's recommendation.

linsee69

rando wrote:

I've been told I need cataract surgery. My doc asked if I wanted to improve distance or near vision. I told him I was a photographer so my initial response was distance vision. But then I thought about all the menus and buttons on the camera that would near close-up vision. My goal would be to not have use glasses at all when out shooting. How did other UHH handle this quagmire?

I've had this op several years ago now but after radially kt made it more complicated but every thing is still fine @20 and 25 brain figures it out computers cameras tv etc 1 caution tho when driving with air bags keep eyes covered with sunglasses or safety lens etc to protect. Other than that good luck .lin