Cataract Surgery

[W2R]

I love how you've broken that down. Now I understand the need for a spreadsheet.

Yes, it's a lot easier that way, with lots of colors and detail.

 

[tmm99]

W2R,

Your eye drop schedule looks absolutely crazy!!!!!!!


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[RetireAge50]

I remember a big eye drop schedule when I had LASIK. I was glad when it was all done and am very happy with my repaired eyes. Congratulations on your progress and I can hardly wait for Thursday when you will have 2 new eyes!

 

[W2R]

W2R,

Your eye drop schedule looks absolutely crazy!!!!!!!


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I completely agree! But at age 67, with only one eye done, I have the best vision of my entire life. So, if this terrific surgeon wants me to follow this crazy eyedrop schedule, I'm going to do my best to do what he feels is best.

I am sure it will get easier as I go along. My point was just that I am not as prone to exaggeration as some may have assumed, and that one might want to be prepared to tackle the drop schedule with enthusiasm and a little thought. Just in case.

I cannot wait until this weekend, when the other eye will be done. My vision wasn't this good even as a kid or teenager.

 

[Dreamer]

Different surgeons do do things differently. My DH had cataract surgery on left eye on 09/29/15. He was not allowed to lift 15 lbs the first week or bend below his waist. He was not allowed to be alone for 24 hours after the surgery and not allowed to sign any important papers for 24 hours after the surgery. He is only on 2 types of medication. His drops schedule was:

09/26/15, 09/27/15 and 09/28/15: 1 drop of Polymyxin 4 times per day.

09/29/15: 1 drop of Polymyxin when you wake up
1 drop of Durezol 4 times in a one hour period starting one hour prior to arrival for his surgery. After he got home, he had to have 1 drop of the Polymyxin every 2 hours and he had to use one drop of the Durezol 4 times the rest of that day.

09/30/15 through 10/06/15: 1 drop of Polymyxin 4 times per day and 1 drop of Durezol 4 times per day.

10/07/15 through 10/13/15: 1 drop of Durezol 2 times per day.

He had to wait 5 minutes between drops.

He is having cataract surgery on his right eye on 10/20/15. He will need to start on the drops for this eye on 10/17/15. I assume the medication and drop schedule will be the same.

We wished that we had scheduled his surgeries closer together, but after seeing your drop schedule, I am glad he will finish with his drops on the left eye, before starting on drops for his right eye.

Good luck on your second eye surgery. Your eyesight should be great this weekend and will continue to get better!


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[W2R]

I remember a big eye drop schedule when I had LASIK. I was glad when it was all done and am very happy with my repaired eyes. Congratulations on your progress and I can hardly wait for Thursday when you will have 2 new eyes!

Thank you! I am hoping results from the second surgery are as good as they have been from this one.

 

[Amethyst]

It's interesting, and gratifying, that all the cataract surgery stories on ER.org seem to be highly positive.

On citydata.com, one can find all sorts of cataract surgery horror stories.

Since I don't think people self-select by eye health to join ER.org, I have to wonder if the "difference" lies in the ability, or inability, to comply with Doctor's orders.

 

[braumeister]

It's interesting, and gratifying, that all the cataract surgery stories on ER.org seem to be highly positive.

On citydata.com, one can find all sorts of cataract surgery horror stories.

Since I don't think people self-select by eye health to join ER.org, I have to wonder if the "difference" lies in the ability, or inability, to comply with Doctor's orders.

Quite possible, but I would guess an even bigger factor may be a tendency to look for a more experienced surgeon.

 

[kaneohe]

Quite possible, but I would guess an even bigger factor may be a tendency to look for a more experienced surgeon.

I remember that my cataract surgery was suggested by a young doc fresh from residency. When I found out how many (few) procedures she had done, I freaked out. I felt bad about hindering her further development but selfishly wanted more experience. Fortunately DW worked at the local medical school so we got a good recommendation . I still like to use the "Goldilocks" screening technique........not too young as to have minimal experience; not too old as to (possibly) have physical issues along w/ the vast experience. Fortunately, the biographies on the medical group website make this relatively easy. Not foolproof but comforting for me.

 

[W2R]

Quite possible, but I would guess an even bigger factor may be a tendency to look for a more experienced surgeon.

I have read a lot of horror stories about cataract surgeries online, too. I do not know the reasons behind them. My surgeon has a top notch reputation locally, has an excellent education and qualifications. He has a good general knowledge of ophthalmology as well as extensive experience in cataract surgery.

Not going to trust these baby blues to anyone but the best.

 

[MichaelB]

I am sure it will get easier as I go along. My point was just that I am not as prone to exaggeration as some may have assumed, and that one might want to be prepared to tackle the drop schedule with enthusiasm and a little thought. Just in case.

Your eyedrop schedule may seem like a lot because you are doing pre and post care for both eyes at the same time. It looks pretty standard to me. One thing that stood out when I was doing what you did - researching what could go wrong - was the overwhelming dominance of infection and inadequate pre/post self-care. In other words, patients not caring properly for themselves seemed to cause so many of the issues with this surgery.

 

[tmm99]

I completely agree! But at age 67, with only one eye done, I have the best vision of my entire life. So, if this terrific surgeon wants me to follow this crazy eyedrop schedule, I'm going to do my best to do what he feels is best.

I am sure it will get easier as I go along. My point was just that I am not as prone to exaggeration as some may have assumed, and that one might want to be prepared to tackle the drop schedule with enthusiasm and a little thought. Just in case.

I cannot wait until this weekend, when the other eye will be done. My vision wasn't this good even as a kid or teenager.

I totally and completely agree with you. I would do it willingly too if I could get the vision you did.

 

[Rick_Head]

DW, DS and DB have all had cataract surgery. DB never wore glasses, other than readers, still doesn't. DS no longer needs them, she got fancy lenses. DW still wears them although she is now 20/25 and 20/30, I think she likes them.

If and when my turn comes, I'll be right there waiting.

 

[W2R]

Well, my second cataract surgery is in just a little over 10 hours. (Yeah, they scheduled me for the crack of dawn, this time, ugh).

I'm not terrified like I was last time, but it is hard for me to take eye surgery lightly. I will be relieved when it is done and I know what the outcome is.

I'll let you all know how it goes. At least I know this surgeon is either as good as his reputation, or else he was amazingly lucky with my first cataract surgery.

 

[REWahoo]

At least I know this surgeon is either as good as his reputation, or else he was amazingly lucky with my first cataract surgery.

As long as his amazing luck holds, do you really care?

Good luck - to both of you!

 

[omni550]

Best of luck, W2R! Hoping for another successful outcome.

omni

 

[Marita40]

I hope all goes well for you. I've had two eye surgeries, one for cataract and one for something more major (retinal pucker). Scared to death the first time; piece of cake the second. Loved the "twilight" drugs given for both!!

Your eyes will be fine. But what I really want to know is--how is your toe? My stress fracture is now on its second month of healing--very, very, very slow and frustrating.I think I'd rather have eye surgery. . .

 

[eytonxav]

Good luck, although I suspect your in good hands and won't need it.

 

[W2R]

Thanks all! I'm home from surgery now. Everything went really well, and the surgeon even mentioned that it looked really good. It is such a relief to be DONE with it. I can see pretty well out of that eye but of course everything is blurry and will be until my eye is no longer dilated. I am probably still feeling the effects of the sedative they gave me (Versed), so I am planted in my comfy easy chair and plan to just relax and recuperate right now. I did start some coffee which will be quite wonderful to enjoy.

I have great hopes for this surgery too. It seemed to go a lot easier and faster than the last one. And already, that eye is able to contribute some assistance to my other eye so that is great

Marita40, my toe is about 97% healed and doesn't hurt any more as long as I don't hit it on anything. Wearing shoes is easy now and best of all, it doesn't hurt when I walk short distances now. I broke it on August 20th. I think the enforced rest after my eye surgery helped my toes, too (the broken one and the one that probably wasn't broken after all).

Actually in my case, I think the toe and the cataracts were connected in that being able to see will me to stop tripping over furniture and injuring myself.

 

[REWahoo]

Actually in my case, I think the toe and the cataracts were connected...

Old news:

Congrats on everything going well!

 

[omni550]

YAY, W2R! Glad to hear all went well. Hoping for a speedy recovery and great vision.

omni

 

[W2R]

Old news:

Congrats on everything going well!

Love that song! Thanks.

YAY, W2R! Glad to hear all went well. Hoping for a speedy recovery and great vision.

omni

Thank you! In celebration of getting through all this, I changed my avatar to a 1961 photo of my left eye. I can see out of it better now, than I ever could back in 1961. With any luck, by tomorrow morning the dilation medicine will have worn off and the same will be true for my right eye.

 

[MichaelB]

Hope you have a speedy recovery and the best vision ever.

 

[Tadpole]

Yes! Now take it easy and finish off those eye drop directions. Two new eyes!!!

 

[tmm99]

Congratulations, W2R. It sounds like your 2nd surgery went well. Yep, two new eyes