Cataracts

[foxfirev5]

After 10 years of my eye Dr telling me I have cataracts developing I sprung for a medical eye exam with an Ophthalmologist at a comprehensive facility. His opinion was that they are very slight and no need to take action.

My question is when have you taken action? Being rather hypersensitive to medical stuff I don't appreciate over reaction by my medical providers. This also applies to the local TV weatherman.

 

[braumeister]

You're asking the most common question asked by people with developing cataracts. Honestly, the only answer is the one most eye doctors will give you:

"When you're not satisfied with your vision any more, you'll know it's time."

In my case, it came when I wasn't able to read highway road signs until I was almost on top of them.

I don't know how typical it was, but my cataracts developed very slowly over nearly 15 years, then suddenly got much, much worse over just a few months. It became very obvious that I was ready.

 

[W2R]

After 10 years of my eye Dr telling me I have cataracts developing I sprung for a medical eye exam with an Ophthalmologist at a comprehensive facility. His opinion was that they are very slight and no need to take action.

My question is when have you taken action? Being rather hypersensitive to medical stuff I don't appreciate over reaction by my medical providers. This also applies to the local TV weatherman.

I was VERY opposed to cataract surgery, because my grandfather was totally blind due to complications of his cataract surgery back in 1949. Surgical techniques have improved markedly since then, of course, but I was still pretty terrified. So anyway I wasn't very open to suggestions for cataract surgery.

However, in 2015 my optometrist told me that he couldn't correct my vision better than 20/40 because of my cataracts, and that soon it would be iffy if I had to take the vision test for driving again. I fell a number of times due to tripping over things, walking into things, and generally not being able to see obstacles.

My optometrist had told me I had slight cataracts for about 10-15 years before then, but he hadn't been as emphatic before and I hadn't been falling like that before either.

So, I got a referral to a good opthalmologist from him, and had my cataracts removed in 2015, at age 67. The improvement in vision is remarkable! Here's the thread in which I describe my experience.


Some people wait until 65 so that they qualify for Medicare. Between Medicare and my BCBS insurance, I did not pay a cent except for $71/eye for the eyedrops.

 

[MRG]

I was VERY opposed to cataract surgery, because my grandfather was totally blind due to complications of his cataract surgery back in 1949. Surgical techniques have improved markedly since then, of course, but I was still pretty terrified. So anyway I wasn't very open to suggestions for cataract surgery.

However, in 2015 my optometrist told me that he couldn't correct my vision better than 20/40 because of my cataracts, and that soon it would be iffy if I had to take the vision test for driving again. I fell a number of times due to tripping over things, walking into things, and generally not being able to see obstacles.

My optometrist had told me I had slight cataracts for about 10-15 years before then, but he hadn't been as emphatic before and I hadn't been falling like that before either.

So, I got a referral to a good opthalmologist from him, and had my cataracts removed in 2015, at age 67. The improvement in vision is remarkable! Here's the thread in which I describe my experience.


Some people wait until 65 so that they qualify for Medicare. Between Medicare and my BCBS insurance, I did not pay a cent except for $71/eye for the eyedrops.

+1

Very similar to my experience. I knew it was time during the 2015 MLB playoffs. I was in KC and couldn't see the little symbol of the base runners. It was all a blur.

 

[LauAnn]

I'm 60 and am having my first eye done next Thursday. Six months ago in October my eye doctor asked if I wanted the surgery done because I evidently missed more letters on the eye chart than I had in the past. I said the cataracts didn't bother me. So he dropped it. Now six months later it's April and whether it was because he 'put a bug in my ear' or perhaps because I became more annoyed with reading the newspaper, and/or because I feel I need yet another increased eyeglass prescription -- I broached the subject with him during my appointment in March.

I also have mild glaucoma and fairly serious nearsightedness (-9/-10 diopter) with astigmatism.

Well, long story short, he immediately had me go through all the extra tests/measurements, etc. Explained it would cost me $1850 per eye because insurance won't pay for correcting the astigmatism. He explained I was at higher risk of retina detachment because of my myopia. He explained that because I have retinal membranes in addition to cataracts the surgery might not fix my vision completely but that additional surgery to remove the membranes could be done in the future if I wasn't happy with the cataract surgery result; he explained I could have tubes put in my eyes during the cataract surgery to eliminate the need for my glaucoma eye drops.

It was a lot to take in! Later, I spent hours on the internet afterwards learning about all the stuff I didn't know to ask. ie. why wasn't he recommending toric lenses; was he doing LRI incisions or arcuate to correct the astimatism?

In any event, I'm having the worst eye done first. (It was up to me what eye I wanted done first.) I'm not having the tubes put it. I figure one thing at a time. And I doubt very much I will opt for the retina membrane removal in the future. I'm going to have to wear glasses for reading anyways after the surgery. So if I continue to need glasses to see distance as good as possible, then so be it. But I'm hoping to maybe golf without glasses and see better at night while driving. That, for me, would be a positive outcome. Time will tell.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[SheitlQueen]

Generally your vision needs to be 20/40 or worse. And when it gets to the point you cannot do the things you want to do, you know it's time to remove them.

 

[Olbidness]

I had my cataracts repaired (IOL) last year due to having developed Fuchs Dystrophy which required cornea transplants. The transplant procedure itself would cause cataracts to worsen so I got a twofer procedure. A side benefit is I used to notice numerous floaters that I no longer see.

 

[foxfirev5]

Thanks. As usual I get more practical info from this group than anywhere else.

 

[MichaelB]

However, in 2015 my optometrist told me that he couldn't correct my vision better than 20/40 because of my cataracts, and that soon it would be iffy if I had to take the vision test for driving again. I fell a number of times due to tripping over things, walking into things, and generally not being able to see obstacles.

My optometrist had told me I had slight cataracts for about 10-15 years before then, but he hadn't been as emphatic before and I hadn't been falling like that before either.

So, I got a referral to a good opthalmologist from him, and had my cataracts removed in 2015, at age 67. The improvement in vision is remarkable! Here's the thread in which I describe my experience.


Some people wait until 65 so that they qualify for Medicare. Between Medicare and my BCBS insurance, I did not pay a cent except for $71/eye for the eyedrops.

This is my experience as well.

You're asking the most common question asked by people with developing cataracts. Honestly, the only answer is the one most eye doctors will give you:

"When you're not satisfied with your vision any more, you'll know it's time."

In my case, it came when I wasn't able to read highway road signs until I was almost on top of them.

I don't know how typical it was, but my cataracts developed very slowly over nearly 15 years, then suddenly got much, much worse over just a few months. It became very obvious that I was ready.

When I first started reading threads about cataracts here, what Braumeister said came up regularly - “you’ll know when it’s time”. It wasn’t the crisp, helpful response I was looking for. Yearly eye checkups and prescription changes worked well. Suddenly, a new prescription wasn’t enough and there was a risk I wouldn’t pass the drivers test or be able to drive at night. That’s when it became clear to me that it was time for cataract surgery, and the "you'll know when it's time" was actually the best response. In my case, it was time because the alternatives no longer helped.

 

[gailwinters]

"You'll know when it's time". That really does seem to be the key.

I went for a regular checkup with a new doctor, an opthamologist, got a new prescription, but couldn't see clearly. I went back, she adjusted my prescription, new glasses, still can't see. My nighttime vision was so bad that I was afraid to drive, and in the day, I could not read a road sign until I was almost beside it.

I made an appointment with an optometrist who I had used for many years, and he diagnosed cataracts within five minutes. I have no idea why the opthamologist didn't see them.

I was surprised by the diagnosis, because I was early 50's at the time. Had the surgery, and it turned out great. I still need glasses to read and a little distance correction, but I'm fine with that, because I've worn glasses since I was a teenager.

 

[hesperus]

Have had both eyes done now. I knew when it was time for each when eyestrain was leading to chronic headaches.

 

[dtbach]

I had mine done in my mid 50's and it's one of the best things I ever did! I still need glasses but its for reading. I opted for far vision and love it! I had always been very short sighted and hated being blind when I went swimming or other things that didn't allow me to wear glasses. Now I don't need glasses for driving, swimming, running, etc. Just need them for reading. Love it!!

 

[RE2Boys]

He explained I was at higher risk of retina detachment because of my myopia. He explained that because .

That is a very real possibility as it happened to me.

My saga started shortly after I retired from my career job at age 50. (I refer to myself as semi-retired as I've always had some "job", but always on my terms, though just resigned a few weeks ago from my seasonal tax prep job).

Anyway, I had a spontaneous major retinal detachment (lost 75% of vision in one eye). Had that repaired but they warned me that the laser they used would cause the cataract to worsen. Sure enough, within a year had cataract surgery in that eye. Within two days, I was so pleased with the results that couldn't wait to get the other eye done. About two years later the doc recommended cataract surgyery for the other eye. Had it done and for the first time since age 13, I did not need to wear glasses on a regular basis (though dollar store cheaters needed for reading).

But..........less than a year after the second cataract surgery, developed a tear in the retina of the second eye ( kept seeing flashes out of the corner of my eye). Since I had already established risk factors, rather than do a quick laser repair, the doc recommended the full buckle to repair this retina also. Unfortunately, I lost my 20/20 in that eye from the surgery and can't get corrected better than about 20/40. So back to daily wearing of glasses. But compared to the glasses I once wore, I'm way, way ahead after four eye surgeries.

Only recently (I'm 68 now) have I been having some vision problems. My eyes no longer adjust quick enough to low light conditions and find myself turning on lights in the house much more frequently and using my cell phone to illuminate menus at eateries that dim the lights toooooo low. Also means driving at night in traffic is difficult.

I would not recommend hesitating regarding cataract surgery. Since I was relatively young at the time, my vision improvement was just a few days and the improvement in quality of life was awesome. My Mom had cataract surgery in her late 70s (after mine) and didn't bounce back as quick as I did but was a large improvement.

 

[Alan]

If you do have cataract surgery and no longer need glasses to drive remember to get your driving licence updated. I knew someone who didn’t think of this until she got stopped for speeding and the officer saw that she was not wearing glasses or contact lenses contrary to what was noted on her driving licence

 

[Crewer]

I agree with everyone here about you'll know when it's time. I had to curtail night driving.

I also have strong corrections (and am at risk for retina detachment because of the elongated eyeball that makes the 10 diopters necessary) and had iridotomies and am generally very worried about losing my vision. I had my worst eye done 5 days ago and my only complaint is I have to wait 6 weeks to get the other eye done (doc is busy). The actual doc time for the procedure is 7 minutes (they said). I am so fortunate to live at a time when all my vision problems can be more or less fixed.

I'll still need glasses for reading and for distance because my eyes don't focus in the same place but they should not adversely impact my activities.

 

[braumeister]

If you do have cataract surgery and no longer need glasses to drive remember to get your driving licence updated. I knew someone who didn’t think of this until she got stopped for speeding and the officer saw that she was not wearing glasses or contact lenses contrary to what was noted on her driving licence

This is important. One of our members here said when he made a traffic stop he always checked. By shining his flashlight from the side, he could easily tell whether the driver was wearing contacts or not, so you can't get out of it that easily. It would be worth a citation if the officer felt like it.

After my second cataract surgery I went in to get the restriction removed from my license. It was a ten minute process -- just read the eye chart and let them print a new license. No need to prove that I had surgery or anything like that.

 

[RE2Boys]

This is important. One of our members here said when he made a traffic stop he always checked. By shining his flashlight from the side, he could easily tell whether the driver was wearing contacts or not, so you can't get out of it that easily. It would be worth a citation if the officer felt like it.

After my second cataract surgery I went in to get the restriction removed from my license. It was a ten minute process -- just read the eye chart and let them print a new license. No need to prove that I had surgery or anything like that.

I think that will vary by state law. I was hoping to just read the eye chart and get the corrective lenses designation off my license, but in PA they required a statement from your eye doctor. I thought it was a ridiculous, but that's what they want.

 

[Teacher Terry]

My vision was 20-100 in my bad eye, I had not driven at night in a year and i was falling. Had the second eye done 3 months later. It is great to be able to see again)

 

[Breedlove]

Weird , my son works for a huge eye clinic here in Houston and they do this surgery like it is nothing . He explained the liability and the history of this surgery and it is interesting . I will not go into politics but what they are doing is state of the art .

 

[Amethyst]

Has anyone noticed their eyes/pupils looking "different" after cataract surgery? I've seen a sort of cat-eye reflection in the pupils of others, which I suppose must be from the artificial lens.

 

[W2R]

My vision was 20-100 in my bad eye, I had not driven at night in a year and i was falling. Had the second eye done 3 months later. It is great to be able to see again)

Reading your post, I am smiling with joy!!! I know just what you mean since I love being able to see again too.

Also I did not know that falling due to bad vision before cataract surgery ever happened to other people, so now you are making feel less like a clumsy idiot since that happened to me too.

 

[W2R]

Has anyone noticed their eyes/pupils looking "different" after cataract surgery? I've seen a sort of cat-eye reflection in the pupils of others, which I suppose must be from the artificial lens.

AFAIK mine don't look any different after cataract surgery.

But they do look different than they did 20 years ago, because the color of my eyes has darkened with age.

 

[RE2Boys]

Weird , my son works for a huge eye clinic here in Houston and they do this surgery like it is nothing . He explained the liability and the history of this surgery and it is interesting . I will not go into politics but what they are doing is state of the art .

My last cataract was removed in 2003, I was in and out of the building in less than an hour.

 

[beowulf]

I have a question about the cost of cataract surgery. I'm not at the point where I need it, but I have a small cataract in each eye and sooner or later they will get worse. My ophthalmologist told me that normal surgical cataract surgery (done with a scalpel) is covered by Medicare. However, he is pushing laser surgery, when I need it, which he says runs about $4K an eye. I've checked on line and that seems extremely high. The advantages, according to him, are quicker recovery and fewer complications. Mine would be complicated by extreme myopia and astigmatism.

Any thoughts or experiences on which procedure is better and the possible costs?

 

[eytonxav]

I was playing senior softball and it became more difficult to read the number on players uniforms from the outfield. When I visited my optometrist, he thought the problem was due to an epi-retinal membrane in my right eye and referred me to a retina specialist. The retina doc confirmed the presence of the membrane, but said its not bad enough to cause vision problem, but that the cataracts in my eyes were the culprit. After following W2R's cataract thread that gave me the motivation to have mine done several months after hers. That surgery significantly improved my vision, however the membrane in my right eye continued to deteriorate, so I had a vitrectomy, including retinal peel and repair of a retinal tear. The vitrectomy with the insertion of a gas bubble that lasted 10 weeks was much worse than cataract surgery.

I will say this, the ophthalmologist that did my cataract surgery told me the outcomes are generally better when the surgery is not put off for too long, although I don't know what too long means.