Cataract Surgery
Contributors to this thread:General Topic
From: 12yards
11-Dec-24
I've got a cataract in my right (aiming) eye. It has progressed to the point where I need to do something. I'm looking through a fog. Dr. said he could put lenses in my eyes that would also correct my vision. In other words, no more contact lenses. Anyone ever done this? I've been wearing contacts since my sophomore year in high school. I'll be 62 in a couple weeks so a long time. I'm kind of excited about this, but a little apprehensive. I'll have to pay for the lenses as insurance won't cover these special lenses. But I think I can get reimbursement through my HCSA. Any experience with this?
From: dnovo
11-Dec-24
I had cataract surgery 13 years ago. I swear it's the best thing I ever did. I wore glasses since 4th grade and my eyes were bad. I had him put in a Toric lens in my right eye and it's good for distance. I can see clearly into about 4 ft with that eye. He put a standard lens in my left eye and I can see to read to about 2 ft. I do use readers but it was an inconvenience I was willing to accept after not seeing well at any distance for so long. You can do a different lens in one eye that will let you see up close and have the other for distance. I only had to pay extra for the Toric lens.
From: Brian M.
11-Dec-24
Do it! Wore glasses for 38 years. Cataracts changed my life. It was terrifying for me due to long time phobia, but WOW, vision was/is amazing afterwards. I still wear readers, but distance is pretty awesome.
From: 12yards
11-Dec-24
I will be getting Clearview lenses. Supposed to fix close, medium and far vision. Thanks guys, this gives me confidence and peace of mind.
From: bghunter
11-Dec-24
I finally had mine 4 weeks ago this Friday. All I can say is the surgery is a piece of cake. Not sure about my vision yet as my surgery was in the same eye as my corneal transplant for Keratoconus, so they said it will take about 2 months to see how it turns out.
Definitely speak with your Dr about the lense as there have been some new and approved lenses by the FDA recently, which is what I have, that may work for you.
Good Luck,
From: t-roy
11-Dec-24
Good luck with your surgery, Steve!
From: nchunter
11-Dec-24
One of the best things I have ever had done to me. I have worn contacts for years and reading glasses since my early 40's. I had the far distance lens done in both eyes. I was nervous that I would make my pins fuzzy. after surgery from my pins out to infinity were perfect. I still wear reading glasses but I have fantastic vision now. About a year after surgery I had to have a little build up zapped off each lens and they said I shouldn't have to do it again.
From: Shug
11-Dec-24
Good luck… I went through it recently also on my dominant eye. It’s better but vision isn’t 100% focused but definitely better than prior
From: annonymouse
11-Dec-24
I had cataract surgery a little over 5 years ago. Had to do both eyes. Had been wearing contacts for over 50 years. Had started using readers and lost one lens. While waiting for a replacement lens, I discovered that I didn't need the readers. My eye doctor introduced me to monovision where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near. The brain is amazing that it can adapt to two different inputs.
When I had my cataract surgery, I had my cataract lenses done with monovision. Best thing was that medicare covered the cost (regular lenses). I have excellent vision...both near and distance. Having had to wear glasses most of my life, I wish I could have had cataract surgery years ago. If you want to see if monovision works for you, an eye doctor can prescribe some regular glasses with monovision to see if it works for you
From: bad karma
11-Dec-24
I had cataract surgery in 2010. 20-15 vision in my left eye, 20-20 in my right. Some of the best money I have ever spent. last September, I noticed I could not see well out of my left eye. The outer sack of the IOL clouded up. Easy, permanent fix took 5 minutes of laser zapping the cloudy parts. Back to 20-15. The doctor says it's a permanent fix.
Long story, do it. You'll see so much better in the woods.
From: luckychucky
12-Dec-24
I remember opening my eyes for the first time after cataract surgery and exclaiming "wow I have new high definition eyeballs!"
From: Kurt
12-Dec-24
Very happy with the Toric distance vision lenses (both eyes) I had put in last February and March. Corrected my astigmatism and near sighted vision to 20/20 or better without glasses. I need to wear drug store readers for anything closer than about 26" but can clearly see bow sight pins and the target now. Peripheral vision is much better than before. Amazing how much brighter white and colors are too! Nice to get full binocular field of view too!
Good luck with your surgery!
From: IdyllwildArcher
12-Dec-24
12yards, this is easy peasy fresh and squeezy. Just go do it.
There are literally thousands of these things done each day in the USA. I've seen hundreds upon hundreds, maybe thousands of people post cataract and I've yet to see someone that said "I wish I didn't do that." Most people say "I wish I hadn't waited so long."
From: gobble50
12-Dec-24
My goodness yes! Don’t wait! Contacts/glasses for 40+ years - getting cataracts best thing ever happened. I’m 20/20 or better!
From: 12yards
12-Dec-24
Had an appointment today and they said I'm not a candidate for the fancy lenses that can fix my astigmatism. Apparently my astigmatism, although not severe, is not symmetrical. Apparently the topography of my eye isn't even. So I just get a new clear lens, which will be way better than what I'm dealing with now.
From: Ursman
13-Dec-24
I wore glasses for 80 years. Can’t tell you how many pairs of glasses l lost or broke as a young lad playing sports and the like. Finally had to have my cataracts removed last January. Don’t have to wear glasses anymore. .Best move l ever made. I was shocked on how bright and crystal clear things were. Don’t have to worry about my glasses fogging up when hunting in cold weather! Go for it , it’s great to see the world so sharp and clear. Would l do it over again? You bet your ———— l would!
From: grape
15-Dec-24
Get it done …..amazing. I also have astigmatism……had!! They fixed it. Might want to check why they say they can’t fix it. There are lots of lens options out there. Plus, there are lots of surgeons that are doing it. Might want to get a second opinion. You’ve gone this long. Make sure you’re happy when it’s done!!
From: Don K
15-Dec-24
Easier and faster than getting a tooth filled at the dentist. You will love the results, I had both eyes done and didnt realize how bad they where. You will love it
From: Paul@thefort
15-Dec-24
Same as Kurt. I did right eye (aiming eye) first, perfect. I still wear reading glasses. Left eye two years later, same lens, same doc. Not as good. I might have thought that both eyes are exactly the same in makeup but they are not so the end results may not be the same for both eyes even with the same lens as before. Yep, $2000 for the better lens, out of pocket.
From: wyobullshooter
15-Dec-24
What grape said. I had astigmatism correction done at the same time as my cataracts. Although insurance didn’t cover the astigmatism correction, since it was considered cosmetic rather than medically necessary, it was a game changer. Post-surgery I was 20/15 in both eyes. So thankful I had it all done.
From: Tracker
15-Dec-24
I just had my right I done this past week. Because to the astigmatism I opted for an upgraded laser surgery and upgraded distance lens. I was 20/20 the day after the surgery and the doctor said it should improve in 7-10 days. I was ecstatic when I looked thru my peep and the pin was round. Been a long time since I saw clear round pin.
From: RedHeadLover
15-Dec-24
Do it! You will be able to see better and possibly not need glasses. Maybe readers like I use. Had my right eye done first with scapel surgery. I wasn't a candidate for laser surgery due to not having astigmatism. Plus the laser would have costed $1500 up front for each eye. Scarlet was $495 each. I ended up having 20/10 vision and my peripheral vision greatly improved. My surgeon was so impressed he got almost everyone that worked at his office to see how good I could see. It was all him as he picked which lens to put in. I was awake for both surgeries. Really odd sensation.
From: RedHeadLover
15-Dec-24
Okay...cost not costed Scapel not scarlett
From: Tracker
16-Dec-24
The Laser option is not just for persons with an astigmatism. Laser is less invasive and usually results in a quicker recovery but it does come with an added cost.
From: 12yards
31-Dec-24
Well, I had it done yesterday morning and all went well. The rest of yesterday definitely felt like I had a sand bur in my eye, but already this morning my vision was better. Thank you all for the comments and shared experiences.
From: bad karma
01-Jan-25
That feeling lasted for about 5 days with me. You've been looking at the world through crushed ice, so this hunting season, Bambi is in trouble.
From: bghunter
01-Jan-25
Glad it is working out for you so far.
From: 12yards
01-Jan-25
I knew I needed to get my eye fixed when everyone in here started to be better looking.??
From: t-roy
02-Jan-25
How’s your eyeball doing today, Steve?
From: 12yards
02-Jan-25
Eye is much better. Fog is gone, pain is gone, vision is much improved. I do think that my peripheral vision is not as good in that eye now. Unless that will change with time. Night vision at this point I have some weird glare around lights. There appears a streak of glare from upper left to lower right of any light source. Hoping that goes away, although I'm sure I could live with it ok. It is almost like I can see the edge of the lens they put in it seems. Hoping my brain will adapt and it will all sort out. But I'd rather have what I have now than what I had by a long shot.
From: BC173
02-Jan-25
Steve, I have the same glare in the eye I had a cataract on, my left eye. Seems like light reflects off the lense but other than that, no problems. It did take a bit of getting used to though, especially driving at night, in the rain. It’s been 18 months so I guess it’s gonna stay that way.
