Cataract surgery

[rogdeb]

Pending the outcome of an appointment with an Ophthamologist next week, looks like I may be a candidate. I'm not too worried about the surgery but I've had some strange stories fed me about what to do post surgery. I realize I'll get the info from the Doc, but can any of you guys give me real world experience?

Thank ya, thank ya

 

[SacramentoMike]

Detached retina surgery, so it's not really directly on point, but I'll say they're pretty good at what they do. Mine was in about 2002 and I didn't have a m/c then, but I'd been riding my bicycle to work every day. Since I was operating with only one eye for several months, I stopped that and unfortunately never went back.

I think both surgeries involve the replacement of your natural lens. My vision was blurry in the affected eye for quite a few weeks, but there was steady improvement almost from the beginning. Good luck with the surgery if you have to do it.

 

[juniorfjr]

Our surgeons will send you home after the surgery and you come back the next day for a 24 hr post op check. Some will patch the eye after surgery, some don't, but send a patch home to protect your eye while you sleep. The next visit is in one week, then the final is at 1 month to 5 weeks. At that time if you need a little fine tuning with glasses, you get a prescription. Most patients continue with their normal life as good as possible, but avoid any dangerous activities. If you need glasses not to pass the licensing exam and the dr corrects your distance correction, then it can be akward because one eye is corrected and the other not. The surgically repaired eye will see well without glasses and the other will require them to see distance. You cant see comfortably with both eyes together.

There are new implants that can correct astigmatism and others that take away the need for bifocals to read. Both have limitations and your dr. will assist you with those decisions.

Good luck, it's an easy proceedure with amazing results. It's fun to watch patients reactions after surger.

 

[FJRPierre]

Had one eye done in April last year and after 30 days of drops 4-5 times a day, I was able to participate in an early May track day on the FJR, in the cold and rain.

The main problem with getting one eye done is your spectacles are now wrong for the cataract eye, and since you shouldn't get a new prescription until after the 30 day period, you are pretty much screwed for reading, driving etc for a month after the surgury. I bite the bullet and got an early prescription for one new non bifocal lense in a pair of driving glasses I had and went with that until the final ok ( and yes a new different prescription).

I had some trouble adjusting to the new vision, especially moving your eyes back and forth. It felt very weird for the first while. The vision difference is amazing though. My previous good eye is now a very poor cousin to the cataract eye. I opted for the astimatism corrected replacement lense as well. I often often walk around/watch TV, etc with no glasses. I expect that when the other eye gets done in the future (not ripe enough yet he says) that use of eyeglasses will be an exception.

One thing also, if you suffer from floaters, you will be able to see them much better as well. :angry:

When I attended last years CFR shortly after my operation I was amazed at how cute MEM was and how ugly Beemerdon was. Oh well take the good with the bad

 

[dcarver]

When I attended last years CFR shortly after my operation I was amazed at how cute MEM was and how ugly Beemerdon was. Oh well take the good with the bad

Screw the eye advice, that comment is priceless!

EDIT - Rog, go for it. I know many a peep with a new lease on vision/life and as you know, vision and motobiking is critical.. Good luck mi amigo!

 

[FJRay]

I had my right eye done 20+ years ago and it was by far the easiest medical experience I ever had. I sat in a comfy recliner and the doc explained everything as he did it and as soon as the new lens was in place I could see fine. He patched it overnight and the next morning checked it out and gave me the go ahead to drive home.

The only issue I have is that at the time the avaliable lens did not have UV protection so I need to wear sunglasses where I didn't used to.

The whole procedure was filmed thru the microscope and they gave me a copy. I'll send it to you If you want to see how it works.

 

[rdg20]

I had the surgery in 1994 with no problems. For the first one, I got to the clinic about 10:00am and at 11:30am I was walking back to the car. With the implant I had 20/20 immediately and my vision has changed little, if any since. The other eye was a repeat of the first. I rarely wear my glasses - I'd have to hunt to find them. I hope your surgery turns out as well. I had to go back for a few checkups and I now get checked every two years, but my prescription for glasses hasn't changed. I occasionally use them for reading & that's about it.

Good Luck!

 

[7xray]

Go for it! It makes an amazing difference in your vision. Are you having both done? What the other guys said about having one done and having to have corrective lens on the other is not a good deal. I had both of mine done, the second a week after the first. I don't remember much of any problems post-operative but as somebody mentioned above I think i had to wear a patch at night for a bit. And wear those goofy old peoples wrap around sun glasses for a bit. At least that's what my daughter called them.

One thing I guess I would do different if I had to do it again. My doc corrected my vision to 20/20 in one eye and about 20/30 or 2/40 (can't remember what) in the other. The result is that the 20/20 is great for distance and the other, being a little near sighted is OK for near stuff. On the whole, they both work together pretty well but for good all around clarity I wear the variable lenses all the time. I think getting both 20/20 would be the way to go and then you would have good distance vision and then just get reading glasses at the drug store for close work.

Good luck with it. I didn't have any problems and the new vision is amazing.

Cheers,

7X

 

[rogdeb]

All great replies guys, thanks much.All my questions to the Doc have already been answered here, cool! I won't mention Old Mikes reply by private mail :lol:

I'm just getting the right eye done, left one doesn't need it, and I'll be getting, hopefully, an implanted lens that will correct astigmatism. I'm kind of looking forward to it.

Thanks again.

 

[rogdeb]

I had my right eye done 20+ years ago and it was by far the easiest medical experience I ever had. I sat in a comfy recliner and the doc explained everything as he did it and as soon as the new lens was in place I could see fine. He patched it overnight and the next morning checked it out and gave me the go ahead to drive home.

The only issue I have is that at the time the avaliable lens did not have UV protection so I need to wear sunglasses where I didn't used to.

The whole procedure was filmed thru the microscope and they gave me a copy. I'll send it to you If you want to see how it works.

Thanks Ray, but I'll pass on the film and go into it with a clear mind and both eyes open ? Is that right?

 

[SacramentoMike]

Good decision, Rog. I don't think you want to know exactly what they're going to do in there. You'll find the drugs nice and relaxing.

 

[TheAxeman]

I had both eyes done about a year ago. It took longer to fill out the paperwork than it did to have the actual surgery. Super easy, no pain, and you can see perfectly right after it is done.

 

[beemerdons]

When I attended last years CFR shortly after my operation I was amazed at how cute MEM was and how ugly Beemerdon was. Oh well take the good with the bad

Screw the eye advice, that comment is priceless!

EDIT - Rog, go for it. I know many a peep with a new lease on vision/life and as you know, vision and motobiking is critical.. Good luck mi amigo!

I'm watching this thread with real interest, cataract problems run in the Stanley Family. Just the ones I know about: Grandfather, Mother, a Cousin and an Aunt.

Roger, please do keep us informed on this; Thanks!

 

[juniorfjr]

When I attended last years CFR shortly after my operation I was amazed at how cute MEM was and how ugly Beemerdon was. Oh well take the good with the bad

Screw the eye advice, that comment is priceless!

EDIT - Rog, go for it. I know many a peep with a new lease on vision/life and as you know, vision and motobiking is critical.. Good luck mi amigo!

I'm watching this thread with real interest, cataract problems run in the Stanley Family. Just the ones I know about: Grandfather, Mother, a Cousin and an Aunt.

Roger, please do keep us informed on this; Thanks!

A lot of times a cataract can make things look larger than real. That could explain your dilusion about your "equipmant". Jes sayin.

 

[beemerdons]

When I attended last years CFR shortly after my operation I was amazed at how cute MEM was and how ugly Beemerdon was. Oh well take the good with the bad

Screw the eye advice, that comment is priceless!

EDIT - Rog, go for it. I know many a peep with a new lease on vision/life and as you know, vision and motobiking is critical.. Good luck mi amigo!

I'm watching this thread with real interest, cataract problems run in the Stanley Family. Just the ones I know about: Grandfather, Mother, a Cousin and an Aunt.

Roger, please do keep us informed on this; Thanks!

A lot of times a cataract can make things look larger than real. That could explain your dilusion about your "equipmant". Jes sayin.

A point very well taken, juniorfjr!

 

[MEM]

My mom, who'll be 89 in April , had bilateral cataract surgery last summer.

She was pi**ed afterward and half sorry she'd had it done.

Up 'til that point, she thought she didn't have wrinkles

It's a common surgery with a high success rate and, usually, excellent outcome.

All the best to you, Rog

Ps -It's normally performed under local anesthesia; unless you have it done under general anaesthesia, there aren't any drugs involved (re: Sac Mike's observation)

 

[rogdeb]

I'm now hoping that on Tuesday, the Ophthalmology results concur with the Optometry results.

 

[rogdeb]

My mom, who'll be 89 in April , had bilateral cataract surgery last summer.

She was pi**ed afterward and half sorry she'd had it done.

Up 'til that point, she thought she didn't have wrinkles

[/quote

:lol:

 

[FJRay]

My mom, who'll be 89 in April , had bilateral cataract surgery last summer.

She was pi**ed afterward and half sorry she'd had it done.

Up 'til that point, she thought she didn't have wrinkles

:lol:

I'm glad I had mine done while I was still young and good looking :yahoo: