Cataract surgery

[Sidro]

I am about to go through this myself at 54. I noticed my vision had really been tanking bad the last 6 months in my right eye and especially when I was in recovery from my leg surgery so I wanted to make sure I went in to get a new script when I was able. I went to a specialist due to having some very light cataracts in the past. My ophthalmologist told me that my cataracts have gotten bad enough and my vision is bad enough I need to get them taken care of now. I have one cloudy cataract and one thickening lens cataract. He said the thickening one comes on quick and gets bad quick. Said he could write me a script to clear it up some but it would be garbage in 4 months. My pre-op meeting is this Thursday. I have not been told much on the specifics other than what I have asked other folks I know that have had it done. All those questions are to be answered Thursday though. The following Thursday, the 14th, is my thickening lens cataract right eye .. The 21st is my cloudy left eye. Its been mentioned from friends that they give you two options.. Knife or laser with a standard lens… Knife is generally paid for by insurance and laser is extra. I’m not sure where the standard cataract lens will get me vision wise but the wife and I have agreed I need to get it corrected to 20/20 while I’m there. One of the guys I spoke with said he went laser due to quicker recovery and they were able to correct his vision using it versus the knife. Is this how it works? I don't think I'm interested in multi focal lens. #1 I'm not sure how it will affect me looking through peeps or scopes....or down shotgun barrels and Forum the much bigger extra cost. Can anybody give me some info leading in? I have met my deductibles and max OOP with the leg surgery so insurnce will cover the basic stuff I'm told.

Had both eyes done several years ago. I have no problem seeing as far as shooting peep, scopes, pistols or shotguns at all. Was done by knife and 20-15 / 20-20 after surgery and has not changed any in 12 years. Can read print on this site at arms length but any closer need readers. Due to UV blue light filter of the lens you will need a little more light in shadowed or dark areas to see plainly. However saying that you won't need sunglasses as much as you used too (Airplane Things markets some very light tinted sunglasses with readers that are excellent). I am 71 and have no problems with my sight at all. I do use Systane drops each morning and have a yearly checkup per my eye doctor. I highly recommend having the procedure done.

[mikemorvan]

Yes, cloudiness cleared up w/ a laser and a one time thing is what I was told.

[Hogmauler]

I’ve got Cadillacs in both eyes. Went eye doc this year and was told they have not gotten any worse since last year. I was hoping I could get the surgery behind me and move on. What’s really crazy is the enhancement lenses you can get. For several thousand you can walk out with bionic vision!

[Leverhunter]

Had both eyes done over 20 years ago. Made a great improvement. Like some have said, after awhile you may need YAG laser treatment to clear up frosting over the lens or lens capsule, I don't remember which it is. No big deal, quick zaps and you're done. The surgery makes you more susceptible to detached retina which I did get in one eye. I discussed the various treatments with the doc and went with the band around the eye. It's the most invasive but also has the highest success rate. After the cataract and retina surgery I did get a lot of large floaters. Had one last procedure to drain them and refill eye with basically a saline solution that your body gradually replaces with normal fluid. Been enjoying good vision ever since.

[mikemorvan]

Oh, and one other thing Mr. Smart: based on my experience - prepare yourself. Once you get the Bionic Vision, when you look in the mirror, you’re very likely to find out that you haven’t aged as well as you think you have. Skin a little more worn and weathered, more gray hair, etc. That’s a side effect they don’t tell you about.

[Big_gun]

I had my right eye done in November my left has beginnings of cataract and will probably have it done next year, just about finished with post op drops etc... Used Whitsett Vision in Katy great group of folks. I was able to count fingers with right eye before and am 20/20 now. opted for the TECNIS Multifocal and i have no floaters and very little of the halos some report. I can read at arms length and can see distance fine some up close reading requires cheaters but mainly for the left eye. Wife had hers done 20 years ago its amazing how much these have advanced in that time.

[dbaio1]

Dammit man! Who is SHE?

If memory serves me correct it is Ashley. Not sure about handle. Some of those that have used her please chime in.

[Smart]

Oh, and one other thing Mr. Smart: based on my experience - prepare yourself. Once you get the Bionic Vision, when you look in the mirror, you’re very likely to find out that you haven’t aged as well as you think you have. Skin a little more worn and weathered, more gray hair, etc. That’s a side effect they don’t tell you about.

oh great… thanks

[Bucknaked]

There is so much great information on here! I’m not 1 bit concerned with the surgery at all I just needed to know I could Still get out there and continue to be confident with my shooting ! My specialist advised against anything but the plain clear lens but it only pertains to me and issues I’ve had with bifocals throughout my life , And those other daggum no line trifocal things that I never could get used to!

Getting rid of the varifier will be a huge game changer for me and being able to see things so much more clearer would be such a huge blessing.

thanks for the Surgeon recommendations and I may reach out to some of you that sent these . They may be some of the same My specialist has in mind but I won’t see him again until January .

[A&M 90]

I researched this for probably 30 hours before I decided on Dr. Andrew Salem, Diagnostic Eye Center in Houston. Excellent doctor/surgeon. Perfect result.

I agree with those that recommended the basic lens if having the absolute best vision at distance with the most clarity and light is the most important to you.

[Mudslinger]

I will say this about cataract surgery. IF you had lasik at anytime in the past, make sure you let them know. Here at Scott & White here in Temple, the surgeon that did my surgery also did lasik surgery and that is the reason he was my surgeon. Evidentley it is a little different surgery if you have had lasik in the past!

[Bucknaked]

Floaters can be eliminated by zapping with a YAG laser (I think that’s what my cat doctor uses).

If you choose a multi focal lens implant, you won’t need to wear reading glasses. I have the Technis lenses and don’t need a verifier or clarifier to shoot.

Choose your doctor very carefully. The only post-op issues I had was about 5 years of occasional dry eyes but that is typical and fixed with otc eye drops (NOT Visine). I have almost 20/20 after having terrible astigmatism. I can see without readers for everything but very small print in low light conditions. Follow your doctors post-op instructions PRECISELY. This is how you can mess up your vision by not doing the drops correctly.

Where are you located?

They can only be “ zapped” if they are large pockets !

[Smart]

I had my eyes done in mid December by Dr. Russell Snook. Very professional and to the point but I could get him to cut up a little bit. Nurse seemed a little surprised. I am almost three weeks post-op on right eye and almost two weeks post-op on left eye. I was severely nearsighted and could read my phone up close clearly until the cataracts where it became swirly and foggy. I needed the reader or middle section on my progressive glasses at a books distance or on my computer, but laying in my recliner with my phone on my chest I could see the phone clearly with no glasses prior to cataracts. I couldn't see a **** thing past 15" though without glasses and my prescription has become so bad with the cataracts they said I had to do something..

I chose the single focal lens clearing up my distance because I did not want to spend the additional $6-8K for the multi-focal. These cost me $2K per eye...insurance paid for the procedure and would have paid for the standard clear. I must say that post-op I cannot not see much out to 15"-20 and it took all my near sight away. I cannot read my phone up close like I used to but I can easily with readers. That was a bit disappointing but they did tell me that would happen when giving me options. I can see my computer with big type or a very light set of readers which I'm ok with. However I can see a pimple on a flea's azz at 100 yards.. Love the distance after never having that option without contacts or glasses since 5th grade. Amazing what I can see in high definition even compared to my progressive glasses. Can't wait to get in a dove and turkey field with these. As far as a bow, I could shoot without a verifier with a very slight starburst on the pin but I chose to keep my verifier with the lightest lens offered and my pin pops! Heck I can almost see imperfections in the fiber its so sharp and the target is clear. It has taken some getting used to reaching for readers for everything inside of 20" but I've got it down now. Also my custom polarized sunglasses now cost $100 for a set with line-less readers versus almost $400+ every 1.5 to 2 years with a progressive script. Overall I'm very happy. Had the multi-focals been a little more reasonable I might have stepped up for those but I just couldn't justify it even being my eyes. I'm just happy I can see again without a haze or kaleidoscope vision and grabbing a pair of readers isn't that big of deal.

[Bucknaked]

I had my eyes done in mid December by Dr. Russell Snook. Very professional and to the point but I could get him to cut up a little bit. Nurse seemed a little surprised. I am almost three weeks post-op on right eye and almost two weeks post-op on left eye. I was severely nearsighted and could read my phone up close clearly until the cataracts where it became swirly and foggy. I needed the reader or middle section on my progressive glasses at a books distance or on my computer, but laying in my recliner with my phone on my chest I could seeing the phone clearly with no glasses prior to cataracts. I couldn't see a **** thing past 15" though without glasses and my prescription has become so bad with the cataracts they said I had to do something..

I chose the single focal lens clearing up my distance because I did not want to afford the additional $6-8K for the multi-focal. These cost me $2K per eye...insurance paid for the procedure and would have paid for the standard clear. I must say that pot-op I cannot not see much out to 15"-20 and it took all my near sight away. I cannot read my phone up close like I used to but I can easily with readers. That was a bit disappointing but they did tell me that would happen when giving me options. I can see my computer with big type or a very light set of readers which I'm ok with. However I can see a pimple on a flea's azz at 100 yards.. Love the distance after never having that option without contacts or glasses since 5th grade. Amazing what I can see in high definition even compared to my progressive glasses. Can't wait to get in a dove and turkey field with these. As far as a bow, I could shoot without a verifier with a very slight starburst on the pin but I chose to keep my verifier with the lightest lens offered and my pin pops! Heck I can almost see imperfections in the fiber its so sharp and the target is clear. It has taken some getting used to reaching for readers for everything inside of 20" but I've got it down now. Also my custom polarized sunglasses now cost $100 for a set with lineless readers versus almost $400+ every 1.5 to 2 years with a progressive script. Overall I'm very happy. Had the multifocals been a little more reasonable I might have stepped up for those but I just couldn't justify it even being my eyes. I'm just happy I can see again without a haze or kaleidoscope vision and grabbing a pair of readers isn't that big of deal.

I’m happy for you and thanks for the report! I’m going through with it but every surgeon I have been referred to has bad reviews( I take some with a grain of salt) but there are just too many to make me comfortable! I may have to travel out of Houston to find someone I trust and that is a huge issue .

[Sackett]

I’m happy for you and thanks for the report! I’m going through with it but every surgeon I have been referred to has bad reviews( I take some with a grain of salt) but there are just too many to make me comfortable! I may have to travel out of Houston to find someone I trust and that is a huge issue .

There several very good eye surgeons in and around Houston. I would venture somewhere else other than Mann-Eye Institute as there are better options available. Although they’re a decent option, I’d consider them the “Choice” grade of beef when you want “Prime” working on your eyes.