 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
my mum had them done.
after the 8 week dodgy period while eyes settle, there was much improvement.
but it is important to get temp glasses and then get the pukka ones.
|
|
|
|
|
|
My Dad had them.
It's a quick, easy operation, a day procedure, but I think you have to wait until they've developed a bit before they attempt it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Posted: |
Mar 29, 2015 - 7:18 PM
|
|
|
|
By: |
Marko
(Member)
|
Sorry for long winded post that follows but I did have cataracts myself.
4 years ago I started to have issues reading small print so my Optometrist prescribed bifocals. After a year my eyesight continued to worsen and at my next appointment he told me me I was starting to develope cataracts, which was a bit concerning for him since I was still in my early 40's. Well he gave me a stronger prescription but it didn't do much good.
When I went back for my yearly appointment last year I told him my eye sight was even worse, he told me my cataracts had reached the point where they needed to be removed so he referred me to one of the opthomologists on staff. He agreed and did the surgeries.
He performed them two weeks apart. The actual surgery for me was about 10 minutes, I woke up in the middle of the first surgery and was awake during the entire second surgery. They knocked me for about 10 minutes (or longer)before each surgery to numb my eyes. After each surgery I was in recovery for about an hour then they sent me home.
I had to take 2 sets of eye drops for two weeks on each eye after the surgery, starting about 3 hours after I got home, and continue one of them for another two weeks.
The next day I had a follow up in the morning and was cleared to resume driving, working, with certain restrictions. No real strenuous activity for about 4 weeks after each surgery. No bending over for about a week or so. I had to wear an eye patch for two weeks on each eye when I took a shower and slept at night.
The first 3 days are the worst because your eye will be irritated the worst during those days but you can see fine, in fact 3 hours after each surgery I could see much clearer. You may also have to wear sunglasses for a couple of weeks because your eyes may be very sensitive since more light is coming into your lenses. I had to wear them indoors at times.
But I'm glad I had them done, the only drawback is that I have to wear reading glasses to read although it's only for small print like books or cellphones. Anything more that 12-18 inches from my eyes I can see fine. Plus my eyes aren't as moist as they used to be but I believe that is a natural side effect.
I just had the standard lenses put in, which most insurances cover. They do make bifocal lenses but my doctor recommended that I not have them put in, one they're expensive, two most insurances won't cover them and three he said quite a few patients have issues adjusting to them.
Like I said I need reading glasses but I can see a flea at 500 yds on a hilltop. ?? well I'm exaggerating just a bit.
After my recovery I immediately scheduled an appointment with my regular physician and all my tests came back good. No explanation as to why I got cataracts. My eye surgeon said it just happens from time to time.
I will give a warning, I did have slight issues after each surgery. About 4 hours after each one I started to get headaches, which is a possible side effect. However these were different, they would come in waves, my wife and I thought it was a result of the surgery. The night of the first one I ended up vomiting before I went to bed so my wife called the on call opthomologist and she had me come up to hospital. Turns out my eye pressure was off because there is a slight chance of fluid build up after surgery. She drained my eye, it's really simple and not as bad as it sounds, as soon as she did it was immediate relief, my headache and nauseau went away.
It happened again after my second surgery but this time recognized the symptoms and had the same thing done but instead of going all day I had it done within an hour of it starting. Unfortunately it raises my risk for glaucoma as I get older but as long as I go once a year to see my optometrist it shouldn't be an issue.
Oh and I do have an Astigmatism in one of my eyes so it's not 20/20 and I do have a prescription for glasses but all I need is a cheap pair of reading glasses. In fact for the first time in almost 30 years my drivers license says I don't have to wear corrective lenses to drive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Did any of you get a second opinion about surgery vs. not getting surgery?
I'm thinking of getting a second opinion from another optometrist to make sure surgery is the only solution to cataracts.
I'd be quick to question anyone who offers an option to surgery, given what cataracts are (as I understand them, anyway).
Since they are a general clouding of the lens, not just some layer of crap or something invading like a virus/bacteria thingy , I'd have grave doubts that there's any way to clear up that given how the lens is set up (with no blood vessels to maintain the cell structure).
Since so much of the population gets cataracts, and how routine the treatment is, it's less scary than most things (but admittedly still spooky in general, just like when I had to get a tooth ground off and replaced).
Good luck, Dragon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I know very few people that have been able to postpone surgery.
Among the relative things supposed to help:
Avoid smoking
Two raw carrots per day
Lots of spinach
And a few other things you can find in HOME-REMEDIES.com.
I wouldn't put ANYTHING they recommend as eye drops though.
Best of luck
Alex
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Posted: |
Mar 31, 2015 - 5:53 AM
|
|
|
|
By: |
Ian J.
(Member)
|
You sound unhappy about the idea of surgery. May I ask is that for ethical or financial reasons? Of course, don't answer if that's too intrusive a question.
I have a back condition that's been getting steadily worse over the last year, and it might take surgery to fix it. The pain I sometimes feel means I have no doubts about having an operation to 'fix' it should that be required, even if afterwards I might lose some mobility. However, I am in the U.K. and we have the NHS to fall back on, and that's free (despite the stresses it's currently under from population increase and lack of associated increase in funding). I might have more problems if I were in the U.S. from having to pay for health insurance. As for the ethics I have no problem with surgery, but I know there are some beliefs in the world that really don't like the idea of it. I can't answer to those, unfortunately, except to say that if the condition gets bad enough that you simply can't see, then an operation may be your only option.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IAN J:
I have never had major surgery before (only a root canal), and I told the optometrist I want to avoid cataract surgery if I could. The thought of any surgery and the possibilities of complications gives me the heeby jeebies.
Financially, the cost would be out-of-pocket for me. I didn't ask the optometrist how much it would cost, but any surgery these days is expensive, but I think I can handle it.
In a perfect world, hopefully only new eyeglasses are needed and not surgery to solve my vision problem.
This has given me a good idea on your perspective of both eye disease and surgery in general. Thanks for being willing to reveal this.
I'd say that if you read up on what cataracts are, you'll get an even better perspective on what can and cannot be done to aid your vision. Essentially it's like your vision will get more and more "milky" or "yellow" as the lens clouds further and further. (The rate that it does this is probably different in different people.)
Delaying surgery is certainly an option. Plenty of people live with compromised vision (or none at all) and cope with strategies for activities of daily living. What is troubling about delaying the decision is if you do things that require really, really good vision (like driving). You could endanger yourself or others with compromised vision, in ways you might not recognize in advance.
Depending on your age, you also might be developing other vision conditions (like macular degeneration), further complicating how well you see, and again you might not be aware of them in advance.
Taking your time is important to you, so I say do that. I just hope that you will take appropriate precautions while you wait.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: |
Mar 31, 2015 - 12:16 PM
|
|
|
|
By: |
Ian J.
(Member)
|
IAN J:
I have never had major surgery before (only a root canal), and I told the optometrist I want to avoid cataract surgery if I could. The thought of any surgery and the possibilities of complications gives me the heeby jeebies.
Financially, the cost would be out-of-pocket for me. I didn't ask the optometrist how much it would cost, but any surgery these days is expensive, but I think I can handle it.
In a perfect world, hopefully only new eyeglasses are needed and not surgery to solve my vision problem.
When it comes to eyes I can certainly understand your 'heeby jeebies'. I feel much the same way, but if I was in your position and if the condition got bad enough that vision was considerably compromised then I think I'd feel the surgery risk was worth it anyway, as I believe that I'd have pretty much lost my eyesight to the cataracts by then and if the operation failed I wouldn't, arguably, be any worse off.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: |
Mar 31, 2015 - 10:21 PM
|
|
|
|
By: |
Nightingale
(Member)
|
I was the EXACT same way as you when my doctor said something to the effect of: "You've got cataracts (about 7 years ago, AT 45!), it's about a month out scheduling for surgery, you can make the appointment." I was like, WOE, WOE, WOE, HOLD ON JUST A MINUTE!!! I looked at all the shady Russian eye drop sites and options (none really) and just waited until night driving was just too tough (all lights had severe halos or double images), so I got it done.
I went from being near-sighted to far sighted overnight (one eye at a time) and my distance vision has NEVER been better and sharper. Even better then 20/20 in my left eye. I do miss the close up vision thing but you just keep a lot of "cheaters" of various strengths (1.00 power for looking at the computer, 3.00 for reading a book). They're a buck each at the dollar store (that's redundant isn't it?).
For some reason, each eye will likely cloud up again slightly after a number of months/years and they will then zap it with a laser to clear it up, but it will only happen once per eye. I LOVE driving without glasses and not needing glasses most of the time. I enjoy movies more, scenic sights are so much more gorgeous. My distance vision is virtually flawless.
A modern medical miracle when you consider in the old days (of my grandmother) they just took the cataracts out and you had to wear coke bottle bottom glasses for the rest of your life. Assuming you have access to first world medical facilities, you have nothing to fear.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
