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Cataract Surgery

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paula63201
paula63201

Am finally scheduled for cataract surgery in June 2 for the first eye and June 16 for the second one. Am on 6 mg Prednisone at the moment and may be down to 5 mg at that time. The opthalmologist will be using Laser and providing me with lenses that correct myopia and astigmatism. Has anyone experienced cataract sugery with laser? How long did it take for the eyes to heal (being on Prednisone) and to be able to see properly? I am told Laser takes longer than conventional (scalpel) surgery to heal.

Also, if you were near sighted, were your eyes corrected to perfect distance vision? (I realize I will need glasses for reading and near distances, like computer or the easel, when I paint. 

Can hardly wait. Feels like I have vaseline smeared on my glasses. Actually, can hardly wait to get it over and done with...

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • lauri41655
    lauri41655 paula63201

    Posted

    Hi paula I've got a cataract so i found out on my last eye test. They say it will take years to come up .lve had pmr for two years and on two and ahalf mg of pred a day doctor told me to wean myself off them but if l go lower the pain comes back .this is going to take forever. I hope your eye op goes well when the time comes bless you
  • constance.de
    constance.de paula63201

    Posted

    I've had cataract surgery TWICE on both eyes.  Once traditional, once laser.  It takes a few weeks to really settle down and I fear it did affect my eyesight overall - but, as the opthalmist said, "you're not getting any younger, my dear"!!! 

    Laser doesn't hurt at all, a few minutes in a chair then you walk out unaided.

    Good luck!

  • Lee-Colorado
    Lee-Colorado paula63201

    Posted

    My suggestion is to ask the Dr. about the short term vision "problems" you can expect while your eyes heal. Things like seeing double, itchy eyes, prisms when looking at bright lights, aches in the eye muscles. Your brain will have to be retrained to make it work with your "new" eyes.

    I have had cataract surgery and was asked whether I wanted to be able to see distances, close up or if I wanted mono-vision. I picked distance vision and love it. I can now see the stars and since I live at 7k ft. in rural Colorado I am blessed with the distance vision of a 20 yr old. The down side is I cannot read without glasses so I have $14 reading glasses in the car, most rooms of the house and a folding pair for other times.  

    . 

    • paula63201
      paula63201 Lee-Colorado

      Posted

      Hi CC,

      Thanks for you response. I was also asked the same question. The optometrist in the opthalmologist's office recommeneded I get 20/40. I am questioning why. I asked her in the office and she said it 20/20 is generally 'too strong' for people who have been myopic. I (Mind you, I am not 'myopic' when I wear glasses, as they have always corrected to 20/20. So kind of at a loss about her comments.)

      Did you get 20/20 distance vision? Did you find it too strong? I paint and would like to be able to see far, when I paint outdoors and drive. 

      Regarding the recovery period. I am told it takes longer to recover from Laser cataract surgery versus simple scalpel surgery. For a variety of reasons, I am getting  the laser kind. So I would like to know whether the steroids slow the recover. Again, cuiously, the optometrist told me the recovery is slower, the scheduler (yet a third person) told me I would be fine in 2 weeks and scheduled the surgeries 2 weeks apart. 

      I am waiting for a call back from the optometrist, but would love to hear some 1st hand experience. I am in Arlington, Virginia.

       

  • Lee-Colorado
    Lee-Colorado paula63201

    Posted

    Paula, before I had my cataract surgery my vision was 20/35 and 20/40. At that time I was able to survive quite well without glasses. With that vision I could also read without glasses for a moderate period of time without squinting. The reason I had to have the lenses replaced was because of the haze that started to affect my night vision.

    this has been my experience and I am in no way qualified to answer a medical question.

    A question that I might ask the Dr. is, if my cataracts become hazy might l have to have cataract surgery to replace the lens? My Dr. stated that once a lens is placed in your eye, in order to change to a another one the old plastic lens must be cut out. It is a difficult procedure. If I could have opted for PRK, I would have.

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