Cataract Surgery

[critter_bill]

For some time my vision has worsened and I just accepted it as part of aging. The loss has effected my work as well as my shooting hobby. Then I found out that, at age 58, I have a cataract in my dominant eye.

I have an appointment with an eye surgeon to discuss lens replacement in a couple of weeks. In the information packet that his office mailed to me, it seems that I have three options for lenses: single distance vision, multi-focal, and Toric single distance vision with astigmatism corrections built into the lenses.

Since I have astigmatism, I guess my only real option is the Toric with reading glasses for close vision.

I dread having this done as we only have one pair of eyes but the time has come. Has anyone had this surgery and care to offer some advice or opinions on your experience?

Thanks in advance.

Bill

 

[GerryM]

Yes both of my mothers were done. One at a time and she threw
Her glasses away after a while. Check out your surgeon Make sure he has plenty of experience and a great Track record first. It's not painful at all and Basicly its an out patient type surgery. With the right surgeon you will see better then ever before' Good luck and i hope all goes well for you.

 

[DOGCAPPER]

I have had both eyes done by an excellent surgeon.....20/20 results one eye 20/30 other eye...20/30 eye was 20/ 400 before operation... probably worse...400 was limit on scale...
No pain...no swelling...no discoloration...
Better than some hacker on my friends eye...GET A GOOD SURGEON...
Good luck....FIND A EXCELLENT SURGEON......
LT

 

[critter_bill]

Thanks, Gerry and LT. The surgeon is highly recommended by my neighbor who works in sales for TLC (The Laser Center). She chose him for her mother's surgery. I prefer hearing first hand accounts rather than relying on polished ads.

I've worn glasses since grade school and really won't mind reading glasses at all. I just look forward to better distance vision.

Your experience is encouraging. Thanks again.

 

[rchouser]

I went from 20-400 to 20-25 with the catarac surgury. I didn't get a "lens choice" and frankly never heard of this for the catarac surgury (not lasic stuff, but catarac)
That said, this was the greatest single thing to happen to me in years. I can now shoot my garand again. I can shoot pistol sights.
No Pain from the procedure, Only down time was that I couldn't shoot any recoil type guns for a few weeks (No IPSC Shotgun etc).
Truely an amazing gift. I couldn't see out of my right eye (like vaseline on a glass) to 20-25.
Very cool.
rc

 

[tenring]

Had a cataract removed from dominate right eye two years ago. But cannot say it improved finding bullet holes at 500 thru my NF scope. Did change my eyeglasses lens.

Then, 5 months ago, I began to notice blurring in the same eye. Returned to the surgeon and - another cataract in the same eye. He said about 15% of patients have a secondary cataract which shows ulp about 2 yrs later. He removed it, and vision seems OK now, but had to change my lens again.

 

[critter_bill]

RC, that is encouraging to hear. Thanks.

Tenring, that is described as a "secondary" cataract in the info the doc sent. He indicated that, if it occurs, it is correctable with laser. However, it is good to know that the lens can be replaced.

Again, thanks to all for the feedback.

 

[soplattspoonie]

I recently had both lenses replaced because of cataracts. I too was nervous, but all was handled with profesionalism and an understanding of my concerns.I now can see like a hawk. I hope and am sure that all will go well for you also. My best wishes
As others posted, ask for credentials and experience and references from others as well.

 

[critter_bill]

Cataract Surgery---Update

Update: I had my dominant right eye surgery done on Tuesday. No problems at all so far. NO pain whatsoever. Went from 20/400+ to 20/25 on next day follow-up. Some swelling so vision will change as swelling reduces.

Only irritation so far is the flood of eye drops: 5 different drops---4 prescription and 1 OTC. There is an itch caused by one of the drops to the point that I wish I could scratch it with a wire brush but, hopefully, this will soon pass. Probably part of the healing process.

I have the left eye done on Dec 22 so, sadly, I'll soon need another excuse for poor shooting.

Thanks for the encouragement. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

critter_bill
Bill Adcox

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

Happy Thanksgiving Bill. I had to chuckle as I read your post. My second catarack surgery was completed back in April and I vividly remember the itching. I had to continue wearing the metal patch I was given so that I would not scratch that sucker!! In this eye (my dominant eye) the doc put a new ceramic lens in. He said that this would eliminate some problems if they had to go in and do work on the Macular problem I have. Hopefully that will be a long way down the road.
Again, have a great Thanksgiving! The vision may not be as good as it once was but we still have a lot to be thankful for.

Barry