Cataract Surgery

Today's the cataract consultation. I'm nervous because I have recently noticed another large floater and those "optical migraine" zig-zags in my peripheral vision in my bad eye...again. I'm concerned that they will find another bleed or problem with that eye, and then I won't get the cataract surgery till that is resolved. SIGH

Of course I am projecting and have no idea what the issue is with that eye, so I guess I'll find out today. I'm actually glad to be seeing another doctor for a second opinion on my eye problems, but I'm worried that the existing problems will mean no cataract removal.

I've been reading cataract surgery discussions and watching Youtube videos; it's really kind of scary and confusing. There is information overload on all the types of surgeries and lenses that are offered, and I'm worried I'll chose the wrong one.
 
Beth Gallagher said:
Today's the cataract consultation. I'm nervous because I have recently noticed another large floater and those "optical migraine" zig-zags in my peripheral vision in my bad eye...again. I'm concerned that they will find another bleed or problem with that eye, and then I won't get the cataract surgery till that is resolved. SIGH

Of course I am projecting and have no idea what the issue is with that eye, so I guess I'll find out today. I'm actually glad to be seeing another doctor for a second opinion on my eye problems, but I'm worried that the existing problems will mean no cataract removal.

I've been reading cataract surgery discussions and watching Youtube videos; it's really kind of scary and confusing. There is information overload on all the types of surgeries and lenses that are offered, and I'm worried I'll chose the wrong one.
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I chose just the plain non prescription ones. That allows me to use glasses to adjust for changes. There is nothing to it and not really a surgery to be afraid of if you use the drops and follow post surgery instructions. I would think that getting the cataracts removed, will help in treating other eye problems, but getting a couple of opinions is a great idea.
 
My friend went to have his lens taken out and a new one put in.. I guess they put in a plastic lens...

So Far I think he is seeing better out of it.. He came to take me out on friday (2 days after surgery) and I wasnt sure if he should go out so soon but he was ok all day...

Beth I hope yours gets better soon!!
 
My wife is next! She had an appointment for an eye exam yesterday. I waited for her to come out, and when she did, she told me that the doctor told her that she needed cataract-stigmatism surgery. The doctor will have the surgeon call us to arrange a meeting with him/her here in Loveland. She was told three years ago that cataracts were forming in her eyes, but not bad enough for surgery yet. At her last eye exam in Henderson, NV, she was again told about the forming of cataracts in both eyes, but they sold her glasses anyway.

Guess some things have changed since I had my Laser Eye Surgery back in 2018. Like I did, she will have each eye done separately, within a few days (?) of each other. Will have to wear swim goggles for a while when she takes a shower. Wear a plastic eye cup over the eye that had surgery on it for a few nights when she sleeps. That's so she doesn't touch the eye. I had to use three or four different kinds of eyedrops for a few weeks, but her eye doctor told her that, today, only one eyedrop is used for a month. She will also have to take a few days off of work. I read that, those that work with computers, can go back to work within a few days of surgery. However, she will have to take more breaks away from the computer screens than she currently does.

So, she took care of me when I had my cataract surgeries done and I will do the same for her.
 
Yesterday went for the cataract evaluation. They will do the right eye on 9/28. I have full details on paper as to what they are going to do, how much each process costs,including lab fees the whole thing. I have a print out of each day and time to do the eye drops. They are very efficient I think. This is same place hubby had his done in Feb.
My doctor gave me options as to what he thinks best then asked which did I want to do?
Having to do all the drops is standard at this clinic, a pain but necessary.
So going with the standard lens replacement. I will have to wear glasses, which is fine with me,long as I can see better.
The left eye will be done 10/19.
 
Hedi Mitchell said:
Yesterday went for the cataract evaluation. They will do the right eye on 9/28. I have full details on paper as to what they are going to do, how much each process costs,including lab fees the whole thing. I have a print out of each day and time to do the eye drops. They are very efficient I think. This is same place hubby had his done in Feb.
My doctor gave me options as to what he thinks best then asked which did I want to do?
Having to do all the drops is standard at this clinic, a pain but necessary.
So going with the standard lens replacement. I will have to wear glasses, which is fine with me,long as I can see better.
The left eye will be done 10/19.
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Best of luck! Will you please keep your progress posted?
 
Could somebody who has completed the process give a blow-by-blow of the process in terms of assistance with driving and care for each step?

It sounds like there is the exam/consultation, then the surgery itself, plus follow-up exams. I'm pretty sure each eye gets done separately.

When do you need a driver? How much "hand-holding" is required (recovery?)? What sort of intervals are involved? Does it all take weeks? Months?

With no local relatives I have some begging ahead. There do not seem to be any medical transportation services I might avail myself of.
 
Jacob Petersheim said:
Could somebody who has completed the process give a blow-by-blow of the process in terms of assistance with driving and care for each step?

It sounds like there is the exam/consultation, then the surgery itself, plus follow-up exams. I'm pretty sure each eye gets done separately.

When do you need a driver? How much "hand-holding" is required (recovery?)? What sort of intervals are involved? Does it all take weeks? Months?

With no local relatives I have some begging ahead. There do not seem to be any medical transportation services I might avail myself of.
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Jacob--you have the process correct in my experience. You will need someone to drive you to the original exam because they dilate your eyes. Then you'll need a driver for the day of surgery. I'm not certain about the follow-up visit since I haven't had my surgery yet.

Typically the eyes are done separately except in rare cases.

The timeline depends on your surgeon and how booked they are. Mine says they are booked for 4-6 weeks out. That means after the initial exam and consultation, my actual surgery will be in 4-6 weeks but I have not called them back to schedule it yet.
 
@Jacob Petersheim - Beth's answer holds as same here. I am scheduled 9/28 for the right eye, then following day I see the eye doctor in Dodge so that we do not have to spend another 3 hour trip to surgeons place. This happens after each surgery.
Sunday the 27th I start the three eye drops 4 times a day for next 2 weeks. But you can drive next day!
 
Hedi Mitchell said:
@Jacob Petersheim - Beth's answer holds as same here. I am scheduled 9/28 for the right eye, then following day I see the eye doctor in Dodge so that we do not have to spend another 3 hour trip to surgeons place. This happens after each surgery.
Sunday the 27th I start the three eye drops 4 times a day for next 2 weeks. But you can drive next day!
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How long does each surgery take, from walk in to (I assume) walk out? A couple hours, half a day?

Are you a zombie for a while until the stuff wears off?
 
Bobby was only there for a couple of hours, and most of that was the waiting in line . He said the actual operation went pretty fast. He was alert and doing fine when I took him home afterwards, but it might be different from one place to another.
If you have a Medicare advantage plan, some of those include transportation to doctor appointments, so you might check you Medicare benefits and see what is covered in your area.
Also, if there is a senior center in your town, they might have some ideas for transportation . We have handicapped bus here, but it is a larger city that has both regular busses and the Handi-Ride bus.
 
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