Cataract surgery options and confusion, not to mention price😫
Posted , 7 users are following.
I have an astigmatism, have worn glasses all my life. just found out my deterioration in vision over the past year is due to cataracts. Can someone tell me there experience with just the basic cataract surgery versus the upper level tier? Anyone have problems afterwards? Its a lot of money that I don't have to just pay and forget so I would like to hear about others experiences. Thanks so much in advance.🙂
0 likes, 9 replies
Sue.An leslie76928
Posted
Sorry you ate having to go through this but very wise of you to look into this prior to surgery. Surgery is same for everyone these days but what adds expense is type of lens you choose. Just because they cost more premium lenses (IOLs) aren't necessarily better than a good monofocal (single focus lens). Premium lenses will give you more range of focus and you would be less reliant on glasses or contact lenses following surgery. Often times you would not need glasses at all. IOLs do come in a toric version to correct astigmatism and these are considered premium lenses. Toric versions are available in monofocal standard lenses and premium. In my opinion if you have astigmatism I would opt for toric lenses no matter which lens you chose or you would need glasses for all 3 zones (near = reading / i intermediate = computer distance and Distance is anything further TV driving etc).
Good thing is this isn't life threatening so take your time in reading up on the lens options, and get a few consults from surgeons who have a good reputations in your area.
Something I did in figuring out which distance I would like to see best at and possibly wear glasses for rest was do a spreadsheet of where I spent most time. In the end i decided on premium lenses. But there is a trade-off to these. There is a bit more glare and halos at night. Some find those intolerable and too disturbing. If you drive at night for s living or are a pilot these premium lenses likely not for you. Some of the glare settles with time. I found night driving hard at first but now I have very little difficulty seeing well at night.
The other approach you will hear and learn about is micro or mini monovision. In this strategy a surgeon targets your eyes anywhere from .50 to 1.50 diopters apart so one eye sees further than the other with a good overlap zone and the other eye sees closer.
I am sure you will have many questions and there are plenty of people here that will reply. We are all patients like you who are at various stages of this journey (not doctors or professionals) so don't substitute our opinions for your own research and counsel of a surgeon.
I had my surgeries 2 years ago.
Best of luck to you for a good outcome.
ara21947 leslie76928
Posted
I can begin to share information since i just returned home from cataract surgery i have astigmatism and was advised to get the toric lens. It added $2000 to my procedure for basic monofocal lens. I plan to use glasses for distance as ive done most of my life
Right now the operated eye is useless and blurry so im using my naked left eye for reading and writing this My near vision is excellent despite astigmatism . This makes me wonder if getting toric lenses simply will make the cost of my glasses cheaper. I plan to ask if its necessary for my next eye
To sum up
you can go with conventional lens thst isnt adjusted for astigmatism. This will clear your cataract and your eyeglasses can fix your astigmatism. The lens is adjusted for either near vision or distant. Your choice. You may still experience blurriness from astigmatism but that can be corrected with glasses
You can pay extra to remove the astigmatism from your eyes and use the toric lens set either to near or distance vision.
If you have presbyopia and use only reading glasses there is a toric lens that works with that at no extra cost called crystalens. You will still need reading glasses. Most of the expensive lens other than toric are to help you see without glasses.
That is your decision: how important is it to you to no longer need glasses?
Sue.An ara21947
Posted
I was thinking your surgery was end of the week. Glad it went ok. Normal for vision to be blurry until pupil returns to normal size - usually it does within 24 hours.
How did it all go? I suppose your 24 hr post op is tomorrow and surgeon will give you more news then.
ara21947 Sue.An
Posted
I dont want to hijack her post. Thank you for asking. Im still recovering. weird so bright. Lid is swollen and my intermediate vision great but near not as good. I even have some distant vision but that must be the removal of astigmatism. Im glad I HAD to do this or be legally blind in right eye. Im wondering if I need a toric in other eye (save $2000 and keep my near vision). Havent driven yet etc. The place I went to had people praying over me so that added to sense of despair - for me.
Sue.An ara21947
Posted
The cataract you had a acted like a pair of sunglasses giving everything a yellowish tint. I recall wearing sunglasses even inside my home for months as all was too bright. You will adjust though with time.
Having your natural lens removed renders everyone with immediate presbyopia. No near vision unless the IOL implanted is targeted for near (if monofocal) or a premium that provides a wider range of focus.
Best with a toric lens to correct astigmatism because you'll not need glasses at all ranges.
The swelling will reduce over next day or two. I assume you were prescribed an antibiotic and steriod drops to help with that and prevent infection. Some people react badly to those so if you feel symptoms get worse contact the clinic right away to inform them. They can switch out to another brand.
Hang in there - things will improve and vision will be restored! It is amazing how clear everything is.
Nice your clinic had people praying for you. I had family and friends praying at home but nice to have that sense of caring and peace surround you as it really is an odd procedure - was shaking like a leaf till I was given a warm blanket.
Take care Ara and update us when you can.
ara21947 Sue.An
Posted
it was set to near -- thats why I'm concerned.
I wasnt as comfortable having people pray over me right before I went in to surgery --rather they would have asked if I needed anything, never assume we all have the same belief standards and want to admit to someone else's concept of sins before we supposedly might die. Gee way to make a patient more nervous.
Thank you for caring though. 😃
Mutti3 leslie76928
Posted
i had my second eye done almost 4 weeks , the first 2 months. Take your time , research. i choose monovision. Distance is great, close is ok. i have to use readers. Had the standard iol placed. i knew i could not have it all. I never been glasses free in my life, so wearing readers is no problem.
Research, understand yourself, lifestyle, age, and activities you enjoy! Then make a chose. But after you have your cataract evaluation, you will have a better picture of the condition of your eyes.
Guest leslie76928
Posted
It is a difficult choice, we all know the feeling.
Astigmatism can vary, if your surgeon say that your astigmatism can be corrected with the toric lens, I would highly recommend it, it will make you free of glasses, at least at some distances, for the first time in your life as I understand it.
I had 3.0 astigmatism both eyes, now with toric lenses I have 0.25, pretty amazing.
Personally I went for the premium lenses, there is a trade off with these, you need to get used to halos and concentric rings around some light sources in the dark.
For me it is well worth the side effects, I am free of glasses, and I love it!
Monofocals will always be the safest choice when it comes to side effects, if you don´t mind reading glasses and you feel unsafe about the thought of side effects, monofocals can be the best option for you.
Here in Denmark, the monofocals that are offered by insurance will not give you the best vision quality, but it can restore a fair vision.
In my personal opinion you should at least go for a quality aspherical lens, and why not go for the toric one to get rid of your astigmatism.
I am a big fan of the trifocals, but I know they are not for everyone, some would prefer monofocals with no visual side effects in the dark.
And just to clear one thing up, whether you have presbyopia or to which degree does not matter at all, when you choose lens.
The cataract surgery gives you 100% presbyopia at the second your natural lens is removed.
This is why monofocals will not give you full vision at all distances, and the premium lenses are made to compensate and restore usable vision at all distances.
Sue.An Guest
Posted
Gosh Danish wish I could say all that concisely. I do tend to be too wordy.
Leslie - we are here to support you and wish you a successful outcome.