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Vision Correction After Surgery If Vision Was Really Bad

Posted , 4 users are following.

martywatt
martywatt

Hello, new to the group. Thanks.  Oct. 16, I'll have surgery on my right eye - cataract. Duke Eye Center, Durham NC.  Old school style, not laser, Medicare - so just the most basic lens replacement.  I've got a Central Retina Vein Occlusion  situation in my left eye,  much of its vision will probably never return. Idea ( "eye"dea?) was to make the one good eye (right) as good as possible. Thing is: I won't have my left eye to rely on much after surgery. Worried mostly about driving. My vision is (has been for decades) really bad in both eyes, very strong myopic prescription. AND I have astigmatism. What are the chances that my right eye (the being operated on) will improve enough to drive a few days after surgery?  I expect the vision to improve enough to make my current eyeglass prescription useless. I'm pretty sure that there is no way for Medicare / medicaid to pay for the astigmatism to be corrected. Thanks for any help.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • ellen57898
    ellen57898 martywatt

    Posted

    i Am having trouble  writing on my iPad.   I have very similar concerns . I will get on my laptop later and write a response.

    I do want to chat with you about my concerns.

     

  • Sue.An
    Sue.An martywatt

    Posted

    Hi martywatt - it is difficult to predict individual outcomes.  Most people see very well hours after cataract surgery and are able to do most things like drive.   Some others are affected by the drops one takes following surgery (antibiotic ones for a week and steroid drops for 4 to 6 weeks).  These drops can cause blurriness.  I was able to see well within 24 hours.  

    How bad is your astigmatism?  You may want to consider s toric lens to correct that if you’ll bevrelying on one eye.  You can correct astigmatism with glasses but it takes 6 weeks for eyes to heal fully and for IOL to settle so you won’t be able to get an exact prescription for 6 weeks.

    Do you have a spouse or family member that can go with you to surgery as you won’t be able to drive yourself home following surgery.   If you have some help those early days it would be better for you.

    Best wishes for a successful outcome.

    • martywatt
      martywatt Sue.An

      Posted

      Thank you, Sue.An. Not sure how bad my astigmatism is.  Having trouble getting all the information I need without finding it out on my own.
    • Sue.An
      Sue.An martywatt

      Posted

      Your surgeon should be able to provide you with an exact prescription which will tell you all that info.  You can post it here too and many of us will let you know what those numbers mean.  If your surgeon won’t provide it any optometrist can.
    • martywatt
      martywatt Sue.An

      Posted

      Thanks, let me find out . Talked to the Doctor / surgeon's "fellow." She says there is a VERY good chance that my eyes will be fine without glasses - for distance / driving - despite how bad my vision has been all my life.

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An martywatt

      Posted

      I think you’lol likely be amazed at the results and see better than you have in years.  Good luck.
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