Very little driving but watch lots of TV, use a 15 inch computer screen and read quite alot.

That eye doctor sounds like one of those that tries to upsell those expensive options. Other eye doctors say that those expensive options are not necessary at all.

I suggest going to other eye doctors and get several different opinions, you may be surprised at how different the doctors recommendations and costs vary. I too got that expensive stuff from the first cataract surgery clinic I got an exam at, then I went to two other places and went with a plain non-laser manual surgery with a good eye surgeon and a monofocal toric IOL, saved a lot over the the first place's quotes. I just turned 65.

Where do you live? Different areas have different prices. I think the Forever young option might be trifocal? This enables you to see clearly at all distances without glasses. You dont say if you have astigmatism? That adds to price. We dont really know your eye health and conditions so cant comment on the laser charge. As always, get a 2nd opinion.

Since you read a lot, you might want to go with near vision and glasses for distance and driving if you dont want the more exotic options. Conventional lens are covered by medicare and allow you to choose either near or distant settings; other options not covered by medicare allow variations such a multifocal or the trifocal.

My surgery is Wednesday (scary) for right eye and Im going with toric conventional lens set for reading and hopefully mid distance. I will need my glasses for distance, as I have done most of my life.

see a different doctor. did they tell you what lenses they use?

Between using the terminology "forever young" and pushing the most expensive option, I am angry just reading your post. Please go get at least one or two other opinions. I don't believe that laser cataract surgery is necessary and in the US, insurance won't cover the cost of it. What is important is to have a skilled surgeon. I don't know whether you have astigmatism, but definitely agree with nighthawk to correct that. The cheapest option lenses are monofocal (covered by insurance) where vision is set to a single focal point; you do get some range, but limited. Glasses are required for distances outside the range of the lens. Premium lenses (EDOF, trifocal, multifocal) are available and have an added cost. While premium lenses reduce/remove dependence on glasses, they do have some drawbacks. I recommend spending some time researching the lenses and getting a feel for what might work best for you. We are happy to answer questions here also.

Surgeon must be upgrading his Ferrari and needs to make more $$$$

Walk away!!!!

Run and get a second opinion! It actually won't hurt to get a third opinion too! You stated that you are not opposed to wearing glasses, that's a good start. Progressive glasses will help you see all you need to see after cataract surgery. You do not need to spend extra money to have great results!

After a torn retina and an emergency vitrectomy (check out that procedure if you want to get really freaked out!), I had to have cataract surgery six months later on that one eye (side effect of vitrectomy). I saw three different surgeons, and all had different opinions! I had the "we can do laser" and the "we can try multi-focal" and "we can be conservative" opinions. Such confusion! Each surgeon was well regarded in the community too.In the end it was my (and will be your) choice.

I like that you're thinking about your life situation and habits (television, computer use, etc.). And it's wonderful that you're doing your home work now as opposed to after the surgery! Doing your research will improve the outcome of your surgery.

In my case, I went conservative. I've been near sighted all my life, wore glasses/contacts all my life, and I did not want to lose my close up vision (what was left of it anyway haha). This was a great choice for me. I've had no problems since the cataract surgery, and it's a piece of cake compared to a vitrectomy. And you are going to be amazed with how clear and bright the world appears once those cataracts are gone.

You might want to go with distance because it seems like most people who do have success seeing the computer, television, and with driving. You would likely need reading glasses for close up work.

I think people who have never needed glasses/contacts tend to go this route.

Get one more opinion. I think medicare will cover the cost of a second appointment. If you can't, then tell your surgeon you're going the conservative route. Keep us posted!!

In my semi-rant, I didn't answer your questions. My read on the price options....If you don't spend any money, you are getting a standard monofocal lens set to distance vision and surgeon uses a knife/blade. No astigmatism correction. For $1299, you get laser assisted cataract surgery. You are paying for their very expensive laser equipment. No astigmatism correction. For $2935, my guess is you get astigmatism correction and you get to pick the distance the monofocals are set to. Since this is an extra cost, I presume you can make this choice with laser ($1299) or manual surgery. And for $4290, you are getting a premium lens (EDOF, trifocal, multifocal). Again since this is extra, I presume they allow you to select whether or not you want to use the laser equipment.

I can't remember the exact numbers, but at my first cataract consult, I was quoted in the neighborhood of $12,000 for mini monovision after insurance. (This would have been a standard monofocal as I only have mild astigmatism). And luckily for me, they were running a special if I had the surgery before the end of the year, I would get approximately $1000 off. I never went back.

Do you know your current refraction and how much astigmatism you have?

Also 18 inches is pretty close in and considered near vision. The TV at 8 ft is considered distance vision. You aren't going to get both with a monofocal. You can do some form of monovision with a monofocal or you can pick a distance and wear glasses (I recommend progressive glasses). With a premium lens, you could get both, but there is an additional cost and also a higher risk of night-time visual effects (halos, starbursts. etc).

If you are looking for a cost effective solution and don't mind wearing glasses, monofocals are a good choice. Some form of monovision with the monofocals would reduce the need for glasses. If you want glasses independence and are able to pay the extra price of premium lenses then consider whether you can live with the night time visual disturbances that may come with them.