Did I really have cataracts?

Hi Sue.An!

You are so on top of this and quick to help.  I appreciate it greatly!

Anyhoo, I’m not sure what you mean by “your patients”. Young,maybe? My drivers license says I’m 61, so I probably am. 😮😮. Lol. 

I’ve read that there is a standard level of progression that must be met for the surgery to be approved. This is how the surgeon put it to me. “Your cataracts are not horrible, but more and more people are choosing to take care of the problem early and not waiting for them to progress to a problematic state”. 

To me this meant they were bad enough to warrant removal. A pair of new glasses is at least $300, and if a new prescription wasn’t going to help, figured it would be stupid to waste the money. Thinking of that statement today, however, it makes little sense. They say that virtually everyone will develop cataracts after reaching a certain age, so if his statement is valid, why would people bother to wait until they showed up at all? 

As for insurance, it covers old fashioned “scalpel” surgery (doc’s term) and a basic lens. Any upgrade is out of pocket. On my first visit, he asked me what I’d say if he told me I’d never need glasses again. Except perhaps, readers. Of course, it would be great and he could do that for me with out of pocket expenses running close to $4000. No way would I spend that much and I’m fine with glasses. I’d thought about getting a loan, but ultimately phoned the business office and told them to schedule me for traditional. I’ve been curious whether or not he would have gone ahead with the surgery if he’d known from the outset that I wasn’t doing laser. 

As for a second opinion, I got one. After repeatedly asking her how many people would choose to end up with my vision (zero near vision and crappy distance, curtains, floaters, blurry, etc.) she admitted that “well, it might not be for everyone”. And, that’s as close as I’ve come to another person saying it’s more than a little off. 

My surgeon is renowned in this laser business. In fact, he’s invented a new gadget for the Femto???—-whatever that piece of high tech surgical miracle machine is called. And, of course, it’s even named after him! Have you any idea what it’s like to debate the results of his surgery? 

In all honesty, I think he messed up. Not sure what or how, but something is very wrong. At one point he told me that my brain needed to adjust. It’s been 17 months! His go-to answer is “I’ve given you the vision that you asked for “. 

I don’t know what to do. This has been so frustrating, depressing, and almost debilitating. This may sound paranoid, but I don’t think there’s any MD that’s going  to dispute the outcome of his surgery. When the possibility of perfect vision morphed into reality, greed quickly climbed on board. Loyalty and cohesiveness may be just what the doctor ordered to keep this big business afloat. 

I just want my vision back!

Hi Sue.An

Thanks for responding. Im getting more discouraged as the days go by. ( Live in the US) I got a second opinion and by the time it was over, I’d developed the opinion that I may not be able to find an ophthalmologist with the integrity to speak to me candidly/honestly about a colleague. I’m 99% positive that I was never shown any scans. I asked the Doc why no indication of cataracts was noted at the optometric appt I’d had several months before. Hindsight tells me this would have been the optimal time to show me the scan. His answer struck me very odd, and it still does. “They are in the business of selling glasses!” Wouldn’t you guess he might have been a bit concerned that another eye clinic was throwing caution to the wind and not giving accurate diagnoses just so they could sell more glasses? 

There were other comments made by both the doctor and his staff that were troublesome. Think I’ll try a doctor outside of my network and attempt to have a consult without giving them the name of my surgeon. 

I’m so tempted to march myself into that office and make such a scene that they’ll either have to pay attention to me, or have me arrested!! 

Janet I think you plan of seeking a 2nd opinion outside your area / network is a good one.  Doctors familiar with each other (even if only by reputation) generally don’t say anything negative.  

I was diagnosed by my optometrist and she referred me to the opthamologist.  She first inquired if I had a preference for one but I didn’t know any.   Most cataract patients do end up still needing glasses so can’t see where there would be a conflict of interest and they wouldn’t disclose the scans they do.  My optometrist pulls those scans up on a computer screen and showed me that scan next to last 3 she had done prior years.  Even I could tell I had a clouded lens.  Could barely make out the optic nerve on that one compared to the previous scans.

So yes I would definitely encourage you to seek out another opthamologist for another independent opinion.  You need answers.

One more thing, Sue.An. You’d mentioned that doctors have shared the scans with patients and pointed out the cloudiness. I never saw a scan. 

Hi Janet - you are right I meant cataracts can develop more rapidly in younger patients.  My parents are in their mid 70s and still don’t have cataracts to the point they need surgery.  

Every optometrist appointment I have had they have have shown me the scan results.  As said much like an X-ray of your teeth that a dentist shows you.  

I did not have laser assisted surgery.  Had it done by Phacoemulsification. Which is “ a small surgical instrument (phaco probe) is inserted into the eye. Sound waves (ultrasound) are used to break the cataract into. The cataract and lens pieces are removed from the eye using suction. An intraocular lens implant (IOL) may then be placed inside the lens capsule.”

It is not the old traditional way using scalpel but not laser assisted either.

What country do you live in?  

you may find people who disagree with me - and this is my personal opinion.  But cataract surgery for me should only be done when your cataracts interfere with everyday life - reading road signs license plates TV guide.  If you eyes can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses then you don’t need cataract surgery.  And in Canada where I live surgery is not covered by Medicare if eyes can be corrected with glasses first.  My surgery was complete covered because I could no longer get correction with glasses.  I paid only for upgraded premium lenses - ie $900 per eye.

I do think out of greed doctors are saying things like what was said to you - making you think surgery is with a scalpel or you will need this in a few years anyways. If you google there is actually no hard evidence laser surgery gives any better results than phaco.  

I know you’ve already had the surgery and it must be difficult especially if you are not happy with results.  

Have you been to an optometrist to get your exact prescription now?

The laser equipment is expensive and to cover the expense I think a lot of doctors are overselling cataract surgery to people before it’s necessary.  Again just my thoughts on this.

Think it depends on the surgeon.  If they have also been doing PRK and lasik surgery then chances are they are also claiming this is the solution for presbyopia.  Calling it PresbyVision.  A lot of people would love to lose their glasses and if they’ve had prior lasik then think this is a natural evolution.  A lot have no clue it is basically cataract surgery where their healthy natural lens is removed.  I guess if the surgeon fully explains the procedure and cautions them that this may not allow them to be glasses free and all the possible side effects (halos glare etc at night) but most aren’t really informing their patients of this.

Another big difference is cataract surgery when one has cataracts is usually covered under national health.  If to correct vision it is not covered.