Cataract Surgery - A Blessing or Curse

[littleb]

According to the Dr prior
to surgery my vision was 20/20 with glasses. (Good eye) The reason for the cataract surgery was when I had a glare test done my vision went down to 20/70. Could not read, or do spreadsheets or read street signs or billboards or see tv clearly.

With my bad eye (amblyopia) I've been blind from birth. My vision was 20/600 so legally blind.

So imagine my surprise after the surgery I had 20/20 in my good eye and the Dr. was able to get my bad eye to 20/60. A miracle indeed!

The bad news is I see everything no matter how tiny. Before my surgery my blinds were clean after they were full of dust. I see every speck and even a fine hair on the floor from 8 feet away. I am dusting and vacuuming every few days going after every speck.
I started cleaning the walls in every room with a dust mop pad because I can see that fine web up in the corner.

It is driving DH crazy and frankly it is irritating me too. When I joked with my Dr that it was a negative side effect he laughed and said I need to come to his house. [emoji16]

I don't have to wear glasses unless print is very small so that is a good thing.

Anybody else have Bionic eyes after cataract surgery?

 

[catii]

That's interesting! I also have cataracts, but my ophthalmologist tells me they're not ready to be corrected. At age 74, my right eye is still 20/15, left is 20/25, & I need reading glasses.
Rather than go "bionic," I think I'll wait for another decade!

 

[Potstickers]

DH had his cataract surgery 2.5 and 1.5 weeks ago. I now have wrinkles, and our new car is really white. He can also read books without glasses; something he hasn't been able to do since elementary school. He did spend quite a bit of time the first week or so going around gazing at different things.

I think he'll be really happy when the drop regimen ends. I'll be similarly happy when he gets glasses so he can drive again. Turns out he is a lot more of a backseat driver than I ever knew.

 

[Nemo2]

Had cataract surgery on my shingles affected eye last October. Pleased with the results.

 

[Markola]

DW had cataract surgery in both eyes in November. She’s on the young side at 57 but she had chemo twice before and cataracts can be a side effect.

Surgeries were smooth and now it’s so nice that when I say, “Look at that bird!” when we’re driving, she goes, “Yeah!” instead of “Oh, I can’t see it.” I still need to do all the driving at night, though, due to the glare.

We were surprised at all the lens options. After much consultation with others, she went for the state of the art and she’s very satisfied. I think the total was about $3K per eye, which was more than insurance would pay, but totally worth it to us since these are about her eyes.

 

[MRG]

Wow, that's my DMs story prior to surgery. Her cataracts gave a yellow tint and she knew the walls were white. Post surgery the walls were suddenly clean.

Glad you have improved vision.

 

[Teacher Terry]

I needed reading glasses before and after cataract surgery. I am able to drive at night again. I opted for regular lenses because I knew having one eye see far and one near would drive me crazy.

 

[zedd]

I had no idea that cataract surgery could correct amblyopia. Is that typical?
I'm 20/700 with amblyopiain in my left eye so I know what that's like.

 

[littleb]

I had no idea that cataract surgery could correct amblyopia. Is that typical?
I'm 20/700 with amblyopiain in my left eye so I know what that's like.

Honestly, I read surgery could do nothing for amblyopia.

When I went to this eye Dr (at a teaching university) I was aggitated for the 2 hour wait. He was the 3rd eye Dr I'd seen in past 12 months. First two acted like I was a hypochondriac since I had 20/20 vision. Neither one did a glare test.

By the time I saw this Dr I was aggitated and only wanted a prescription for new glasses. He said my vision had not changed for a new prescription. He kept recommending the cataract surgery. At this time I did not know the vision in my good eye was 20/70 with a glare test.

Then he made the most amazing statement that he could "probably" improve the vision in my blind eye. He had my full attention and I started asking him questions. Fast forward 30 minutes and they were scheduling me for surgery.

I did pick one of the best retina Drs at the hospital because I was tired of hearing my vision was fine. I also knew people drove throughout the country to see him (many positive reviews).

He had to special order the lens for my bad eye. I am convicted that the others Drs I saw would have inserted a regular strength lens which might not have improved my blind eye to this degree. I had the basic cataract surgery in both eyes which insurance paid in full which is even more amazing.

If you are legally blind in one eye I would pick an excellent dr preferably from a teaching hospital. That's my experience. [emoji4]

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

According to the Dr prior
to surgery my vision was 20/20 with glasses. (Good eye) The reason for the cataract surgery was when I had a glare test done my vision went down to 20/70. Could not read, or do spreadsheets or read street signs or billboards or see tv clearly.

With my bad eye (amblyopia) I've been blind from birth. My vision was 20/600 so legally blind.

So imagine my surprise after the surgery I had 20/20 in my good eye and the Dr. was able to get my bad eye to 20/60. A miracle indeed!

The bad news is I see everything no matter how tiny. Before my surgery my blinds were clean after they were full of dust. I see every speck and even a fine hair on the floor from 8 feet away. I am dusting and vacuuming every few days going after every speck.
I started cleaning the walls in every room with a dust mop pad because I can see that fine web up in the corner.

It is driving DH crazy and frankly it is irritating me too. When I joked with my Dr that it was a negative side effect he laughed and said I need to come to his house. [emoji16]

I don't have to wear glasses unless print is very small so that is a good thing.

Anybody else have Bionic eyes after cataract surgery?

Your comments remind me the hilarious episode of Everyone Loves Raymond-Maries Vision.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6ugbct

 

[W2R]

I love the improvement in my vision, since my 2015 cataract surgery!

There's another way to look at the cleaning issue - - I used to think my kitchen cabinets looked yellowish brown and definitely off-white, but actually they are bright white and I can see that now. No need to try to clean off dirt that I might have imagined was causing them to look yellowish.

 

[brett]

DW had it last year. Plus high end lens implants.

She loves it now. No more glasses. So thankful she did not have laser surgery a few years ago.

 

[littleb]

Your comments remind me the hilarious episode of Everyone Loves Raymond-Maries Vision.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6ugbct

Am I the only one who can't hear this video? Or as they say is hearing the next to go. [emoji38]

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

The picture is crap but video is loud. You can change the volume in the video, maybe it's turned down. Just hover over the video with your mouse and the volume slide will show

 

[Amethyst]

My husband has amblyopia. He has been to several ophthalmologists, all of whom assured him that cataract surgery can do nothing to help what is essentially a brain issue. Maybe if they could have fixed the bad eye when he was 2 years old, the brain would have learned to use that eye correctly. But after about age 5 or 6 it is no use.

QUOTE=zedd;2556302]I had no idea that cataract surgery could correct amblyopia. Is that typical?
I'm 20/700 with amblyopiain in my left eye so I know what that's like.[/QUOTE]

 

[littleb]

My husband has amblyopia. He has been to several ophthalmologists, all of whom assured him that cataract surgery can do nothing to help what is essentially a brain issue. Maybe if they could have fixed the bad eye when he was 2 years old, the brain would have learned to use that eye correctly. But after about age 5 or 6 it is no use.

QUOTE=zedd;2556302]I had no idea that cataract surgery could correct amblyopia. Is that typical?
I'm 20/700 with amblyopiain in my left eye so I know what that's like.

[/QUOTE]His drs told him what I read over and over about amblyopia. All my prior eye Drs confirmed that surgery would not help or bring the vision back.

I don't know if my surgery was a fluke or I found a Dr who was able to do it. All I know is he ordered a special lens for that eye. I spoke to him after the surgery about how excited I was to have 20/60 in my blind eye and how I could see dust and tiny specks on the floor. He said he inserted a powerful lens in my eye.

So I don't know but based on the many ophthalmologists who told me the same thing I would go to a teaching hospital.

 

[littleb]

Also, the Dr who did my surgery was a Retina Specialist. I don't know if this was a factor.

 

[Amethyst]

Your Dr. must have seen something "special" and fixable in your case. I am so glad you found him. An angel in disguise.

His drs told him what I read over and over about amblyopia. All my prior eye Drs confirmed that surgery would not help or bring the vision back.

I don't know if my surgery was a fluke or I found a Dr who was able to do it. All I know is he ordered a special lens for that eye. I spoke to him after the surgery about how excited I was to have 20/60 in my blind eye and how I could see dust and tiny specks on the floor. He said he inserted a powerful lens in my eye.

.[/QUOTE]

 

[PandaBear]

Grateful to have seen this thread. I have an appointment next week with an ophthalmologist for a consult for cataract surgery. I’m 58 and never thought I would need it this young. But I’m reading that my vision will be so much better if I’m eligible for the surgery. I am hoping to have a speciality lens used to also address my astigmatism.
My right eye is only -6, but my left has gone from -7 to -10 with blurry vision so the optometrist thinks I am a candidate . I guess I’ll see next Thursday at my appointment.
Appreciate any guidance anyone can share .

 

[W2R]

Grateful to have seen this thread. I have an appointment next week with an ophthalmologist for a consult for cataract surgery. I’m 58 and never thought I would need it this young. But I’m reading that my vision will be so much better if I’m eligible for the surgery. I am hoping to have a speciality lens used to also address my astigmatism.
My right eye is only -6, but my left has gone from -7 to -10 with blurry vision so the optometrist thinks I am a candidate . I guess I’ll see next Thursday at my appointment.
Appreciate any guidance anyone can share .

Here's my thread about my cataract surgery (five years ago).

https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/cataract-surgery-78886.html

I had quite a bit of astigmatism but my ophthalmologist still recommended the regular old "plain jane" lens implants, because he said the astigmatism was due to the cataract (or something like that?). So anyway that's what I got. I am very pleased with the improvement.

Good luck and I hope your results are as good as mine were!

 

[LXEX55]

I wore thick glasses from third grade on. At age 18, I started wearing contact lenses and wore them up until age 62 or so. Without glasses, I was legally blind in both eyes, but with glasses or contacts I could pass the motor vehicles test, etc. After cataract surgery at age 65, my left eye without glasses was 20/20 and my right eye 20/25. A miracle in my book.

 

[Murf2]

Here's my thread about my cataract surgery (five years ago).



https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/cataract-surgery-78886.html



I had quite a bit of astigmatism but my ophthalmologist still recommended the regular old "plain jane" lens implants, because he said the astigmatism was due to the cataract (or something like that?). So anyway that's what I got. I am very pleased with the improvement.



Good luck and I hope your results are as good as mine were!

This was my experience, also. It was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

Good luck!
Murf

 

[Time2]

I have amblyopia, I wore corrective glasses from 5 years old to 10 years old.
At that point the doc said it wouldn't help anymore. Today they can get the eye to about 20/40 with my contacts. However, it is certainly an eye/brain issue. I can't explain it, but know it.
7 years ago I went for a new drivers license, I had to take the eye test, I read the letters and the lady said, you didn't read the first four letters. I could see the box, but no letters inside. I hesitated, then closed my good eye, the letters appeared. I read them without difficulty.

Yesterday, I renewed my license, took the eye test, I did the same thing, missed the first 4 letters. The rep told me, then I remembered, closed my good eye and there they were. But this time I could not make out the 3 letter, no problem with the the other three letters. I finally got it on my 3rd guess. Seven years from now, I'll try to remember to go to the eye doctor and make sure he has my vision as good as possible before the test.
What do they do if you fail the eye test with one eye?

 

[frank]

I wore thick glasses from third grade on. At age 18, I started wearing contact lenses and wore them up until age 62 or so. Without glasses, I was legally blind in both eyes, but with glasses or contacts I could pass the motor vehicles test, etc. After cataract surgery at age 65, my left eye without glasses was 20/20 and my right eye 20/25. A miracle in my book.

did your opthomologist suggest a special lens or did you just get the medicare standard lenses?

 

[braumeister]

I got the regular lenses but DW had considerable astigmatism so she needed the toric lenses. Significant extra cost but well worth it. We used the same surgeon and we each did what he recommended.