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Old 10-09-2015, 06:50 PM   #141
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My husband had an eye exam today and learned he has cataracts starting to form.
It was wonderful to be able to cite your excellent results to him; I think it allayed his worries somewhat.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Oh good! I hope that if/when he needs to get them removed, his experiences are as good as mine have been so far.

My optometrist first told me about my cataracts probably about 10 years ago, so he may possibly have some time. At first I didn't want the surgery but my vision got so bad that I didn't have any choice.
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Old 10-09-2015, 06:56 PM   #142
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Great report, W2R! Hope # 2 goes just as well next week!
Thank you! Me too.

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This thread makes me want to get cataract surgery even though I don't think I have cataracts.... corrected vision, brighter colors... It all sounds wonderful to me.
It is, once it's over. But beforehand? Not so ideal. I have seldom if ever been so scared in my whole life. It's awful being wheeled into surgery knowing that someone is going to disintegrate your lens, pluck/vacuum the pieces of disintegrated lens right out of your eye, and insert a plastic thingie into your eyeball instead, and somehow try to get it oriented correctly, and then somehow keep everything intact and not leaking eyeball fluids all over (how is that done? I'll have to look that up). Anyway it will cure you of any immediate desire to do anything other than run in the opposite direction.


Thank goodness the Versed anesthetic calmed me down enough that I didn't. Since Medicare and BCBS are footing the bill, now I feel like I not only got new eyes for free, but also something similar to free LASIK since hopefully I won't need glasses any more.
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Old 10-09-2015, 07:10 PM   #143
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Congratulations W2R! It sounds like everything is going very well. Enjoy your new view of the world and get out there and enjoy it.
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Old 10-09-2015, 07:28 PM   #144
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disintegrate your lens, pluck/vacuum the pieces of disintegrated lens right out of your eye, and insert a plastic thingie into your eyeball instead, and somehow try to get it oriented correctly, and then somehow keep everything intact and not leaking eyeball fluids all over (how is that done? I'll have to look that up).
FWIW, the incision made in your eye is very tiny -- only about a millimeter. The new lens is folded up like a taco and inserted that way. Once it's in the capsule, it unfolds to its normal configuration.

When we were on a cruise a couple of years ago, we met a guy who had invented and designed many of the instruments used in modern eye surgery. He had a long list of patents for them. Fascinating stuff.
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Old 10-09-2015, 07:58 PM   #145
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Congratulations W2R! It sounds like everything is going very well. Enjoy your new view of the world and get out there and enjoy it.
Thanks! I will, within the rather strict confines of doctor's orders. Which means lots of couch potato time this week, but F did drive me around in the car today and I loved reading the street signs with my "new eye".
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FWIW, the incision made in your eye is very tiny -- only about a millimeter. The new lens is folded up like a taco and inserted that way. Once it's in the capsule, it unfolds to its normal configuration.
That's true - - I haven't even been able to see the incision, although I haven't really looked for it except briefly. And what if the taco unfolds the wrong way? In my mind's eye, I imagine the surgeon practicing with folded lens-tacos and artificial eyeball-like practice units, to make sure the lens would unfold the right way if inserted just *thus*. I still wonder why my eye isn't leaking, but maybe the eye fluids are too thick for that to be a problem. (Yes, I was a horrible child, too many questions!)
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When we were on a cruise a couple of years ago, we met a guy who had invented and designed many of the instruments used in modern eye surgery. He had a long list of patents for them. Fascinating stuff.
I hope you thanked him! I wonder sometimes if people who design life-changing instruments like that can even begin to grasp the huge ultimate impact of their life's work on so many people.
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Old 10-10-2015, 07:38 AM   #146
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The brighter colors and whiter whites are subtle but amazing. I had assumed that the dull appearance of things (instead of bright and colorful) was just due to bad attitude and not due to a physical cause, but boy was I wrong.
It is pretty amazing. The cataract grows so slowly we aren't aware of it's effect until it's removed. It's like a dirty screen on a window.
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Old 10-10-2015, 07:56 AM   #147
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It is pretty amazing. The cataract grows so slowly we aren't aware of it's effect until it's removed. It's like a dirty screen on a window.
I like that analogy! That's exactly what it is like.

The colors I am now seeing are not drastically different, but still they are the beautiful, bright colors we all saw at five years old. I remember back then. At five years old, the question "What is your favorite color?" was actually interesting because the colors were so bright and beautiful.

My vision in my "new eye" is even better this morning than it was yesterday morning. I couldn't be more thrilled and can't wait to get the other eye done. Meanwhile, I am just going without glasses. F and I tried to remove the left lens from my glasses, but apparently the screw that loosens it is stripped. It's only 5 more days. I am going to let him do all the driving until both eyes are completely functional, instead of driving myself, for safety's sake.
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Old 10-10-2015, 08:53 AM   #148
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W2R, I'm glad both you and your surgeon are happy with your "new eye".

When I had my first cataract removed, I went without my glasses for distance after a day or two. I found that I could navigate fairly well. I was so thrilled that I could go without glasses!

You may find that after dilation and swelling improve, you will see better and that the cataract-free eye will be enough to eliminate the need for glasses for distance. Your brain will figure out how to process the images from both eyes.
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Old 10-10-2015, 08:57 AM   #149
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Good grief.The part about "no taxi" is just ridiculous. What do people do, who don't have a partner handy and aren't the type to "approach" neighbors or don't have approachable neighbors? Do they have to pay to hire a driver for a whole day?

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No way! I needed a driver. Not only that, the surgical center would not even do the surgery unless I had a driver sitting there waiting to drive me home. They wouldn't even allow a taxi.
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Old 10-10-2015, 09:38 AM   #150
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Good grief.The part about "no taxi" is just ridiculous. What do people do, who don't have a partner handy and aren't the type to "approach" neighbors or don't have approachable neighbors? Do they have to pay to hire a driver for a whole day?
This was my situation. (Friends are still w*rking.) I had to hire a home health aide to meet me at the hospital and escort me home. Since I live in NYC and don't have a car, the aide helped me get a taxi home. For both surgeries, the aide had to accompany me into my building or apartment. As part of the pre-op preparation at the hospital, the nurse wrote down the name of the agency and the person who would be meeting me. They don't fool around with this. I had to pay $65 (4 hour minimum), plus cab fare. I was able to take the expense as a medical deduction on my taxes, so that reduced the pain a bit!
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Old 10-10-2015, 10:02 AM   #151
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Good grief.The part about "no taxi" is just ridiculous. What do people do, who don't have a partner handy and aren't the type to "approach" neighbors or don't have approachable neighbors? Do they have to pay to hire a driver for a whole day?
It sounded unreasonable at first, but after going through the surgery it sounds more reasonable. I am really glad that Frank could drive me home. If I took a taxi, they would just drop me off down at the street probably, maybe 50 feet from the door. But Frank drove up the driveway to about 3 feet from my side door, got the car door and house door open, held me by the arm to steady me as I walked inside, pointed out the little step right at the doorway so I didn't trip on it, steered me to my easy chair and got me situated in it, and then brought me lunch. A cabbie wouldn't have done all that. I am thinking that if I had been dropped off at the street instead, it is possible or even probable that I might have tripped or fallen because I was pretty shaken up and not 100% quite yet. Maybe other people are and I was the exception? I have no idea, but I was sure glad Frank was there caring for me.
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Old 10-10-2015, 11:14 AM   #152
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W2R, just something for you to think about..........something I thought of doing but never did and kinda wished I had. Now and in the coming weeks while the impressions and colors and shapes are fresh in your mind and memory, write a note (story, poem,etc) to your doctor. It doesn't have to be an explicit thank you but I'm sure they will get the message. It's kind of like notes that students write to teachers. I bet those are treasured and saved for years and decades and as a side benefit, I'm pretty sure you won't be just a number or just another patient in the future. Be sure to keep a copy for yourself too.
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Old 10-10-2015, 11:28 AM   #153
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The irony is that someone could show up with a spouse who shouldn't actually be driving, or a neighbor who just got out of jail, and it would be acceptable because appearances were maintained. It's all smoke-and-mirrors to avoid being sued, I suspect.

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They don't fool around with this. I had to pay $65 (4 hour minimum), plus cab fare.
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Old 10-10-2015, 12:35 PM   #154
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W2R, I've been out of pocket for a while so am just now seeing this. Glad your cataract removal went well, and like you, I have trepidations when it comes to someone messing with my eyes. I think my right eye is being impacted by a cataract, and need to go in soon for a checkup. I have a friend who is well known Ophthalmologist in the DFW area, and he tells me it is better not to wait to treat these cataracts as the outcomes will be better.
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Old 10-10-2015, 02:06 PM   #155
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My husband can drive but doesn't (normally). He has a license. I had the same instructions about "no taxi" and was relieved that he was willing to drive me approximately six blocks and back. However I asked if I could take a taxi if my husband was with me. There was a lot of stuttering but I finally got the answer "Well I guess that would be alright." Luckily I didn't have to test that answer with the people actually at the facility. Sometimes they decide at the last minute to give a stronger sedative. I guess the "no taxi" rule allows for such a situation.
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Old 10-10-2015, 05:36 PM   #156
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W2R, just something for you to think about..........something I thought of doing but never did and kinda wished I had. Now and in the coming weeks while the impressions and colors and shapes are fresh in your mind and memory, write a note (story, poem,etc) to your doctor. It doesn't have to be an explicit thank you but I'm sure they will get the message. It's kind of like notes that students write to teachers. I bet those are treasured and saved for years and decades and as a side benefit, I'm pretty sure you won't be just a number or just another patient in the future. Be sure to keep a copy for yourself too.
Good idea! At the post-op checkup the following morning, I did tell him that he was a miracle worker (in those words!) and that he needed to pat himself on the back for a job well done.... But a little memento in writing couldn't do any harm, either.
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Old 10-10-2015, 05:53 PM   #157
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The irony is that someone could show up with a spouse who shouldn't actually be driving, or a neighbor who just got out of jail, and it would be acceptable because appearances were maintained. It's all smoke-and-mirrors to avoid being sued, I suspect.
Sure, that's probably part of it too. But honestly, in my case I felt that the "no taxis" rule was in my best interest given the shape I was in.

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W2R, I've been out of pocket for a while so am just now seeing this. Glad your cataract removal went well, and like you, I have trepidations when it comes to someone messing with my eyes. I think my right eye is being impacted by a cataract, and need to go in soon for a checkup. I have a friend who is well known Ophthalmologist in the DFW area, and he tells me it is better not to wait to treat these cataracts as the outcomes will be better.
Thank you! My optometrist said my vision could only be corrected to 20:35 and I needed to have my cataracts looked at. (For several years beforehand, he had said it was up to me.) So, I asked him for a referral to a good ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist didn't even ask, but told me the good news was that my vision problems could be fixed. That sounded pretty good to me. So basically this was not on my own initiative. I doubt I would ever have had my cataracts checked by an ophthalmologist, had my optometrist not essentially ordered me to do that.

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My husband can drive but doesn't (normally). He has a license. I had the same instructions about "no taxi" and was relieved that he was willing to drive me approximately six blocks and back. However I asked if I could take a taxi if my husband was with me. There was a lot of stuttering but I finally got the answer "Well I guess that would be alright." Luckily I didn't have to test that answer with the people actually at the facility. Sometimes they decide at the last minute to give a stronger sedative. I guess the "no taxi" rule allows for such a situation.
That's right. Plus, even though I just had a light anesthetic, I still felt wiped out, shaky, and weak afterwards so I was glad I had someone with me.
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Old 10-10-2015, 06:02 PM   #158
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Angie s list now rates doctors. I've written glowing reviews for my eye doctor and husband's skin surgeon. The whole office staff reads them ( they can see who submitted the review).


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W2R, just something for you to think about..........something I thought of doing but never did and kinda wished I had. Now and in the coming weeks while the impressions and colors and shapes are fresh in your mind and memory, write a note (story, poem,etc) to your doctor. It doesn't have to be an explicit thank you but I'm sure they will get the message. It's kind of like notes that students write to teachers. I bet those are treasured and saved for years and decades and as a side benefit, I'm pretty sure you won't be just a number or just another patient in the future. Be sure to keep a copy for yourself too.
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Eyedrops require some attention and planning
Old 10-12-2015, 09:04 AM   #159
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Eyedrops require some attention and planning

I have read a lot of complaints online about all the eyedrops surrounding cataract surgery. I don't have any trouble getting drops in my eyes (thank goodness), but those who do should probably practice with sterile water for a while I guess.

Also, it takes being an extremely detail-oriented person, to follow the drops schedule correctly. I don't suppose anyone here would have any trouble, and especially those of us with a slight touch of OCD probably would be able to handle this task more easily than the average patient. However, when I look at the other patients in my ophthalmologist's waiting room it seems miraculous to me that any of them could follow the directions. And what about those with mild dementia? There is no way they could handle this IMO.

So far, the instructions have only required me to change the drops schedule 3 times but there are 7 more changes ahead. Right now, I am using 3 types of drops for my left eye (1, 2, and 4 drops a day depending on the medication), and 2 types for my right eye (1 and 4 drops). The ones with multiple drops need to be spread out throughout the day. On Thursday I'll add the 3rd medication to the right eye. Later on, the medicine requiring 2 drops will change to 1 drop for each eye but a week apart, since the surgeries were a week apart. And then, one quits each drop at a different number of days following the corresponding surgery except for the Cipro, which one quits when it runs out. So, there are 6 different quit dates with two unknown. At least some of the drops will continue until November 15th.

I have it all laid out in Excel, with rows corresponding to dates, columns corresponding to medication and which eye, and number of drops in the cells.

Just thought I'd give a "heads up" to those with cataract surgery coming up.

On a more cheerful note, I am loving my "new eye" and actually looking forward to Thursday's surgery on the other eye. I don't think I have ever seen this well, even ten years ago when I had contact lenses.
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Old 10-12-2015, 09:35 AM   #160
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However, when I look at the other patients in my ophthalmologist's waiting room it seems miraculous to me that any of them could follow the directions. And what about those with mild dementia? There is no way they could handle this IMO.
My doc gave me a color-coded calendar chart that was so easy to follow that any idiot could do it. That's a proven fact, because I had no trouble with it!
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