When to do my second eye ?

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Hi there

My right eye has not done any cataract surgery yet. Vision is deteriorating to 0.2 visual acuity for distance object but I am still able to read at 10" distance and read my mobile phone. Just with a little bit of haze. But still readable.

When should I do ghe surgery ? Whats your suggestion ?

Im 46 year old so I dont want to increase my risk of retina problems which is associated with young people doing cataract surgery.

My left eye cataract surgery was done exactly 1 year ago. All things went well no complication. Eye tuned for monofocal far vision

Many thanks

Peter

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    I think that this is a personal decision that only you can answer. I had eye #1 done right as I turned 51 so I'm somewhat close in age to you (also at higher risk of retinal detachment). The surgeon wanted to do the second eye 4 weeks later and I ended up deciding not to do it until it gets to the point where I feel I'm too much of a danger to others driving. At this point, the cataract is just barely noticeable.

    The age/sex related risk is pretty low given the current state of this surgery (but it's high enough that I wou;d never consider an RLE). From your description, it sounds like you're getting close to needing it but if you don't drive a lot and/or don't feel it's impairing your driving ability, hold off until you are ready. Personally, I hit the point that I felt that the loss of depth perception and contrast made me less safe of a driver and since I had a cataract, not blindness, I felt it was time for the surgery. 

    • Posted

      Derek, do you have posterior capsule opacification (regrow of cataract) some years after cataract surgery? I’m a bit worried because I start to see some starburst around lights at night recently 
  • Posted

    I waited 2 1/2 years to have my eye done since it really wasn't bothering me much and I wanted to wait for Medicare. It can be more difficult for them to remove, the longer you wait. My optometrist told me-yes, if you wait 15 or 20 years. But the surgeon said everyone is different. They didn't call mine hypermature but it was a bit tougher to get out and was very dense, which makes me wonder if that's why I felt a slight amount of pain. So I am not waithing lomg to have the 2nd one done.

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