Cataract Surgery - How did you know it was time

[jtp1947]

I should have been more clear, my fault. I paid the $3300 doctor's fee as he doesn't accept Medicare. I will have to submit and see what they will pay.

 

[DebBrown]

I just had surgery at 60. I'm not sure age is relevant. It's when the vision gets bad. My left eye needed surgery; the right one did not. But after the left eye surgery, I had trouble focusing because the right eye needed a strong prescription. I ended up having the second eye done.

Do your research. There are a lot of options other than the single focus lens. I did opt for the single focus and don't need glasses inside. I need glasses for driving and reading. It's an adjustment!

 

[isisdave]

I saw the doctor again today. We agreed to plan for monovision, leaving the left eye and its contact alone for now, as that cataract is small and not central, yet. January 22 he'll put a standard lens in the right, looking for good focus at arm's (monitor) distance. Fortunately my astigmatism is less than I had been led to believe, and mostly in the lens, which of course will be replaced.

 

[Passepartout]

Well, resurrecting this old thread. I guess it's my turn now. Late May we were in Maui, and I'd had some aching in (behind) my right eye. At a luau, it hurt like crazy, and kept me from sleeping. Next day, I went to a 'Doc-in-a-Box' and saw a Nurse Practitioner- it was Saturday, we were flying Sunday and I didn't want to go darn near to Kahului to see an opthalmologist.. She prescribed some antibiotics and the pain settled down.

By Monday, we were home and I saw my regular opthalmologist. He prescribed some steroid drops and some to dialate it. BTW- travel insurance will be reimbursing all the Hawaii charges.

Long story short(er) I had to ramp down the prednisone, and finished it yesterday and saw the doc today. Inflammation is gone, but that eye is blurry. Doc says it's leftover effects of the steroid AND cataracts. I have known that I had the beginnings of cataracts, but had been letting them 'ripen'.

Over the last 72 years, my poor old eyes have been punished. I've had steel pieces dug out of them. I've had LASIK, RK, PRK, I've worn glasses since I was about 9, and have astigmatisms in both of 'em. Through all that- and after the LASIK, I can wear glasses optionally- I can pass a driving exam, read menus, and most of a newspaper.

Anyway, doc says it's time. So in a couple of months we'll put a new lens in one and a week or two later we (OK- HE) will slip a new lens in the other eye. He says the recovery time is minimal because we are going to Japan/Korea/China the next month.

Jim

 

[Luanne]

Just had my annual eye exam. My cataracts are progressing slowly, so still no need to do anything. I am a little pissed about the exam, or rather the billing. The exam for cataracts (and I'm still trying to figure out what that was as I didn't think they did anything different) was separate from the refraction (or the actually testing of vision). In order to have both covered I would have had to do them at separate times! What the heck? I really didn't want to come back so I paid the $49 for whichever part they decided not to cover.

 

[rapmarks]

Just had my annual eye exam. My cataracts are progressing slowly, so still no need to do anything. I am a little pissed about the exam, or rather the billing. The exam for cataracts (and I'm still trying to figure out what that was as I didn't think they did anything different) was separate from the refraction (or the actually testing of vision). In order to have both covered I would have had to do them at separate times! What the heck? I really didn't want to come back so I paid the $49 for whichever part they decided not to cover.

They don’t cover refraction, Medicare does cover the examination of your eyes.

 

[rapmarks]

Well, resurrecting this old thread. I guess it's my turn now. Late May we were in Maui, and I'd had some aching in (behind) my right eye. At a luau, it hurt like crazy, and kept me from sleeping. Next day, I went to a 'Doc-in-a-Box' and saw a Nurse Practitioner- it was Saturday, we were flying Sunday and I didn't want to go darn near to Kahului to see an opthalmologist.. She prescribed some antibiotics and the pain settled down.

By Monday, we were home and I saw my regular opthalmologist. He prescribed some steroid drops and some to dialate it. BTW- travel insurance will be reimbursing all the Hawaii charges.

Long story short(er) I had to ramp down the prednisone, and finished it yesterday and saw the doc today. Inflammation is gone, but that eye is blurry. Doc says it's leftover effects of the steroid AND cataracts. I have known that I had the beginnings of cataracts, but had been letting them 'ripen'.

Over the last 72 years, my poor old eyes have been punished. I've had steel pieces dug out of them. I've had LASIK, RK, PRK, I've worn glasses since I was about 9, and have astigmatisms in both of 'em. Through all that- and after the LASIK, I can wear glasses optionally- I can pass a driving exam, read menus, and most of a newspaper.

Anyway, doc says it's time. So in a couple of months we'll put a new lens in one and a week or two later we (OK- HE) will slip a new lens in the other eye. He says the recovery time is minimal because we are going to Japan/Korea/China the next month.

Jim

The time is minimal, I went for my follow up the next morning then went and played bridge right after and played 18 holes of golf the next day.
I have had a lot of pain in my eye though, opthamologist says nothing wrong, but pain continues

 

[Luanne]

They don’t cover refraction, Medicare does cover the examination of your eyes.

Yes, I know that. But I have eye care coverage that I pay for separately. It covers the exam, and part of the cost for frames and lenses. The exam was billed to someone. On the statement it says "Billed Novitas Solutions". I paid for the refraction and Optos (which is instead of dilation and very worth it). Luckily I didn't need new frames and lenses.

 

[rapmarks]

Optus. I am going to look up, I hate my eyes being dilated

 

[Luanne]

Optus. I am going to look up, I hate my eyes being dilated

It's wonderful! It's a machine that takes a picture of your eye. So much better than dilation.

 

[rapmarks]

Speaking of eye exams, cataracts, etc., I believe I am getting that film on my lenses that comes after cataract surgery. Thing is, I can’tt let someone near my eyes and have a terrible time getting the eye pressure test. I am worried about the yag laser procedure. That is with a capital W.

 

[HudsHut]

Hi jtp1947:

Thanks for the added info. I have to have my left eye done, and the Dr said due to astigmatism that he recommends an ORA lens, which he doesn't do. So I have to find another Dr.
https://www.clevelandeyeclinic.com/cataracts-ohio/ora-system/

 

[Krteczech]

How did I know it was time? After I had two pairs of new glasses made from new prescription I didn’t notice an improvement and ask “in house doctor” to exam my eyes and prescription they worked of. Total match - except he told me that my vision in not correctable with glasses any more due to cataracts on both eyes. After very detailed paperwork (for Medicare coverage) I had one eye done and noticed huge change in green color perception. Second eye surgery followed in one month. I have single vision lenses, don’t wear glasses around the house and read without glasses as well. One pairs of self tinting glasses to wear outside and one pair clear progressives which I seldom wear is all I need. I can find my way around the house even at dark, finally.

 

[GetawaysRus]

Speaking of eye exams, cataracts, etc., I believe I am getting that film on my lenses that comes after cataract surgery. Thing is, I can’t let someone near my eyes and have a terrible time getting the eye pressure test. I am worried about the yag laser procedure. That is with a capital W.

If you can sit still at the slit lamp (that's the gadget your doctor uses to look at the front of your eyes), you shouldn't have trouble with the YAG.

Measuring eye pressure requires either that (1) your eyes are anesthetized and an instrument then touches the surface of the eye or (2) you feel a puff of air blown onto the surface of the eye.

For YAG laser treatment, you're just sitting at the slit lamp. Nothing touches your eye and there is no puff of air.

 

[Beach57]

I am 67. Have cataracts in both eyes. Eye doctor says it is up to me when to have it done, he is fine either way. I work full time, don't do much night driving. Do need brighter lighting to see better at home. Hate the idea of surgery but will need it at some point. Just not sure if I should hold off or have it done.

I had surgery last September at 57. My distance vision is greatly improved, but I lost all close up vision, and am now married to reading glasses. Totally worth it though. My confidence driving is way up.

 

[isisdave]

There is some new kind of tonometer where you really cannot feel anything at all. If there's a puff, it's so small it can't be felt. For some reason they rest part of the device on your forehead.

ORA isn't a lens, it's a technology to measure the needed refraction after your old lens is removed. It helps determine the precise strength for the new lens. Medicare doesn't pay for it, and mine was $300 (one eye). I kinda think it's not really necessary, you know, like undercoating your car. Would you care if your vision was 20/19 instead of 20/20? How far off can it be without? Anyway ... https://www.berkeleyeye.com/cataract-surgery/ora-technology/

I corrected one eye in January to computer distance -- about +1.0. I think I'm going to do the other one this fall, and the goal is for distance vision. Right now, with that contact out, I can read in bed, but I know I'll need reading glasses when it's replaced. That's what's slowing the decision. I really don't mind the contact lens. But now that I have one old and one new lens, the tan color in the eye with the original lens is much more apparent.

 

[OldGuy]

How do you know it's time?

For my wife, it was simple . . . as soon as she got medicare.

Never heard of a cataract business not accepting medicare.

Big business in SW FL, with several major cataract centers, always busy all day long.

 

[pedro47]

Thanks for sharing everyone, your information on this very important topics. It has been an eye opening.

 

[Luanne]

How do you know it's time?

For my wife, it was simple . . . as soon as she got medicare.

Never heard of a cataract business not accepting medicare.

Big business in SW FL, with several major cataract centers, always busy all day long.

I have Medicare. I'm still waiting until it's really necessary for me to have the surgery. Now, if I'd been suffering prior to being on Medicare maybe that would have been the trigger. But, if I'd really been suffering I would have found some way to have the surgery any way. I imagine my medical would have covered it at that point.

 

[Passepartout]

There is some new kind of tonometer where you really cannot feel anything at all. If there's a puff, it's so small it can't be felt. For some reason they rest part of the device on your forehead.

ORA isn't a lens, it's a technology to measure the needed refraction after your old lens is removed. It helps determine the precise strength for the new lens. Medicare doesn't pay for it, and mine was $300 (one eye). I kinda think it's not really necessary, you know, like undercoating your car. Would you care if your vision was 20/19 instead of 20/20? How far off can it be without? Anyway ... https://www.berkeleyeye.com/cataract-surgery/ora-technology/

I corrected one eye in January to computer distance -- about +1.0. I think I'm going to do the other one this fall, and the goal is for distance vision. Right now, with that contact out, I can read in bed, but I know I'll need reading glasses when it's replaced. That's what's slowing the decision. I really don't mind the contact lens. But now that I have one old and one new lens, the tan color in the eye with the original lens is much more apparent.

That's very interesting. I will bring it up to my doc. So far, this whole process seems a bit hurried, and with a shortage of input from me. He said, OK, let's do this in a couple of months. I sort of thought there would be some input on what type of lenses would be inserted. I know that he will have to do some mathematical gymnastics to determine this because the LASIX and PRK have removed and reshaped my natural lenses. Anyway, I suspect (hope) they there will be a preliminary exam and discussion, as I have no interest in just showing up cold at the surgery center the day of the dirty deed.

Jim

 

[rapmarks]

That's very interesting. I will bring it up to my doc. So far, this whole process seems a bit hurried, and with a shortage of input from me. He said, OK, let's do this in a couple of months. I sort of thought there would be some input on what type of lenses would be inserted. I know that he will have to do some mathematical gymnastics to determine this because the LASIX and PRK have removed and reshaped my natural lenses. Anyway, I suspect (hope) they there will be a preliminary exam and discussion, as I have no interest in just showing up cold at the surgery center the day of the dirty deed.

Jim

You will be on drops several days before the surgery, and they aren’t cheap either

 

[Passepartout]

You will be on drops several days before the surgery, and they aren’t cheap either

Thanks. I'm no stranger to eye drops. I just finished a month of 'em and 20 years ago, post LASIK, there was a lot of them too. I can put 'em in with one hand while driving. Just not a big deal.

 

[rapmarks]

Thanks. I'm no stranger to eye drops. I just finished a month of 'em and 20 years ago, post LASIK, there was a lot of them too. I can put 'em in with one hand while driving. Just not a big deal.

Seriously, your doctor isn’t going to miss the opportunity for an extra office visit