Any advice as I prepare for cataract surgery?
Posted , 10 users are following.
After having a successful emergency vitrectomy performed over nine months ago, I'm now scheduled for cataract surgery to remove the one that has grown/formed in that eye. The plan is to have a near distance lens inserted and get a new eyeglass prescription (progressives) 6-8 weeks afterward. Anyway... I'm nervous. Any advice for how to prepare for the surgery? Any advice for the recovery period? How did your procedure go? Thanks in advance for any tips and/or personal experiences you can share!
1 like, 44 replies
derek76 mjcg
Posted
Relax, There is nothing to it. It is a simple painless procedure that takes about twenty minutes. I went home by bus an hour later. Use the eye drops, preservative free are best and don't do any heavy lifting for the next six weeks nor go swimming. Basically my life was back to normal the next day and when I went to the races on day three I thought do I need binoculars any more?? After a short sighted lifetime ( from 12 to 79) the difference in my sight was amazing from the moment I took the patch off.. the grass looked in 3D.
Sue.An derek76
Posted
Derek there are times still I reach for my glasses on the night stand in the morning as that was first thing I did for years and years. I am still amazed I can see so well without glasses or contacts.
derek76 Sue.An
Posted
How strange the things we do. My hand sometimes goes to my pocket for cigarettes and I stopped smoking in 1993. It took many years for my wife to come into the house without looking back to see if the dog was there after it died.
My wife had her first cataract done eight weeks ago and it went well but she has had a strange thing for the past couple of days. She says that when she looks at a building over the road with the one yet to be done closed the stonework looks blue but changing eyes it looks the normal grey.
Sue.An derek76
Posted
Does her other eye need surgery too? I recall after first surgery how different colors looked through each eye. Didn't realize how my cataracts tinted everything brownish. But it wouldn't surprise me if IOLs tinted things as well differently.
What type of lens did she choose? Did your own experience influence her decision?
derek76 Sue.An
Posted
Yes, the other needs to be done. We are in the UK and the NHS does not give us a choice of lens type. The Implant ID card says ACRY SOF IQ made by Alcon Laboratories in Fort Worth. It says UV with blue light filter but I don't know if that would account for the colour change in the building over the street.
She has a follow up appointment on Friday so she will ask then.
Sue.An derek76
Posted
Much less expensive on NHS. How is near vision with that lens? Some people can get better near vision than others with monofocals and avoid the night vision issues of premium lenses.
Congrats on her successful surgery.
mjcg derek76
Posted
Thank you, Derek! I am trying to relax (not an easy thing for me to do haha). Back in April I developed a detached retina and had to have emergency surgery. A side effect is a cataract. The vitrectomy was traumatic for me and the idea of having additional surgery is nerve wracking. Plus cataract surgery on eyes that have had a vitrectomy is a tad more difficult, although the surgeons I've seen all have had experience with this process (my eyeball is a little more wobbly they say). And then more complications with my eyes apparently "not being in sync" with each other.
derek76 mjcg
Posted
I'm sure that all will be fine with you. As you say they have all had experience of many situations. The one doing my second cataract said 'Why do they give me all the difficult patient's' as I had Floppy Iris syndrome after having been prescribed Tamsulosin to help my urine flow .
TRoper mjcg
Posted
The cataract in my left eye was much worse than the right eye, but wife and I decided, even though it cost us, to have both eyes done. After the left eye was done, I was very, very shocked at what I could now see..........clear, beautiful colors and great vision. I'd cup my hand over that left eye and the clear vision really disappeared. I absolutely knew I had to get the other eye done.
I knew what to expect from surgery on the left eye, but still, another eye surgery. I was excited, but not as excited as the first surgery.
However, other than those black vertical bars, I'm doing fine.
indygeo mjcg
Posted
MJCG, I completely understand your anxiety about the operation. I felt the same way when I had mine. All I can say is put your faith in the doctors who do thousands of these procedures throughout their careers and in all the technology that goes into everything from the equipment to the lenses themselves. Be grateful that we live in a time when vision can be restored such that you can see better than ever. My procedure went exceedingly well and I've had no need to wear glasses since I had my left eye done (my right eye is nearsighted and not affected by cataracts). I have monovision with around a 1.5 diopter difference and my vision is leaps and bounds of where I had been previously. Best of luck to you.
Sue.An indygeo
Posted
Great to hear you are doing well!
mjcg indygeo
Posted
Thank you, indygeo! I keep reminding myself about how lucky I am to have access to one of the top eye clinics in the country, with outstanding (and egotistical haha) retinal specialists and surgeons. I also can't help but wonder if 25-50 years from now the new surgeons will be amazed at the "antique" way they performed eye surgery back in 2019 haha.I used to wear contacts and wasn't able to adjust to monovision, otherwise I'd give it a go. I'd love not to wear glasses, but I'm ok with doing so since I've had them all my life. The surgeon also said I'd have no problems wearing contacts. I'm looking forward to getting a new eyeglass prescription, new glasses, and being able to see clearly again. Your input and the sharing of your successful story leaves me feeling positive for a good outcome!
indygeo Sue.An
Posted
Hi Sue.An! Yes, all well! Quite satisfied with my outcome. I'll be dropping in to say Hi from time to time and also to give back to the community as I can. I have been given so much support here and you are a key reason why this forum is so great. Best wishes.
RubySlippers mjcg
Posted
Hello. I had both my eyes done and I ask a lot of questions. The eye drops I was told is if you have wrinkles in your eyes. Go figure that we have them there too. But yes they did say that and I DID have wrinkles. The procedure is pretty quick. No need to worry cause it just makes you nervous and it will be over in just a few minutes. Your doctor should talk to you and tell you everything he or she is doing during the procedure. At least mine did. You shouldn't feel a thing. don't expect miracles when you take the patch off at first. It will be what it is until the next day or two. Some things might but you but patience is the key and following the doctors instructions. I had a couple of issues but in a month they got resolved. I chose the opposite. I wanted to see distance for driving and all the fine things in the day. Can see better now than even with prescription I had before. Did not pay for a special lens, just the norm. I wore contacts for 45 years and was used to wearing reading glasses and now I use the same RX reading glasses I did before. 😃 good luck and keep us posted. Ruby
mjcg RubySlippers
Posted
Thanks, Ruby! I will definitely let everyone know how my surgery goes. I completed the pre-op yesterday and I'm scheduled for 1/17. If not for the power difference between my two eyes, I'd definitely go for distance. I'd even pay for the multifocal if it was advisable. Remaining conservative seems the way to go though. My goal is to be able to see clearly again with progressive glasses. Interestingly enough, one surgeon I spoke too talked about how they insert the necessary prescription drops into the eye BEFORE surgery and that no further drops are needed. The surgeon I'm going with will have me use eye drops after the surgery. I suppose it won't be too long before all the surgeons are using the new eye drop method (a one-time before surgery system). My heartfelt thanks to you for responding to my question!!