donc - Posted - 04/26/2024:  21:08:04

So my eye exam every November is usually a nothing event. This year I was told I needed no changes to my prescription ,however, "You do need 2 cataracts removed" . I've actually had them slowly growing for about 12 years. So this Wednesday I get to go in for a procedure on the left eye which takes about 10 minutes . The old lens I was born with is removed and a new plastic lens is pushed into the vacant opening. In the past few weeks I've run into several people my age who have recently had it done or will be having it soon. Almost everyone says the results are almost spontaneous although they say the drops in the eyes for the first 10 days is the biggest irritation. I would assume a few of the BHO fraternity are also part of this club.

chuckv97 - Posted - 04/26/2024:  21:26:46

Don, will this mean you’ll be cruising the main drag again every evening….?

Texasbanjo - Posted - 04/27/2024:  04:32:07

I had cataract surgery way back in '15 and had both eyes done (not at the same time). The first time was nerve wracking to me because I really didn't know what to expect. The 2nd eye was much easier. The only problem I had was the dr. nicked a small blood vessel in the eye and they packed over the eye with something that would stop the bleeding. The eye was blood red for about a week. Other than that and the irritation of eye drops every few hours for a few days, the operation was quick, easy and painless.

It's amazing how much better one sees afterwards. I still had to wear reading glasses, but could drive at night without that terrible glare driving me crazy. I could read street signs with no glasses and colors were more vibrant.

Definitely worth the time, effort and cost (Medicare paid for most of it).

Owen - Posted - 04/27/2024:  06:58:55

I'm in a branch of the club where results were, let's say, less than amazing.  Distance vision was improved [don't need lenses for driving now] but it did a number on my close-up vision, and sometimes [eg. working with boards in the shop] straight lines appear curved and parallel lines appear very unparallel, and my ability to eyeball level and/or plumb was better [more consistent?] before than after.  Night-time glare wasn't a problem before, and seems to be unchanged; I got a noticeable improvement in the slight murkiness I had been experiencing.  Five-ish years on and a couple of optometrists have been unable to come up with a prescription that's just right ... I was a long time user of progressive lenses, but am now [unsuccessfully so far ] trying the standard (?) bi-focals.  C'est la vie.  

If I remember correctly, a few years back  BHOer Dave Clark mentioned that he had results similar to mine, and he also said that it's more common than people realize.  However, to end on an upbeat note, there are 'w-a-y  more who have experiences like Sherry than like me. 

donc - Posted - 04/27/2024:  08:52:23

My vision isn't bad now. The worst is when I drive at night in the rain. Around here it rains about 70% of the time at night. At that time the lines on the pavement become garbled. Most of us can see normal headlights coming at us. What I see is 2 Farris wheels flickering toward me. Of the 12 people or so that I've talked to it seems that small botches sometimes occur but usually get better. Most of the news is quite good. I've been wearing reading glasses for about 30 years so I don't expect that to change. I'll let you know by this time next week [if I can see enough to use my computer] .

Bill Rogers - Posted - 04/27/2024:  14:13:38

Both eyes; I still need reading and computer lenses, but my distance vision problems are gone; I can now legally drive without glasses. And my overall vision is sharp and clear, which it wasn’t, even with glasses.

donc - Posted - 05/06/2024:  18:35:57

UPDATE: All is well now but there were a few harrowing days. Last Wednesday the surgeon got as far as removing the cataract and the natural interocular lens. While he was about to install the new factory lens he stopped working. Apparently the eye pressure was getting so high he could ruin the eye by carrying on. The next 2 days I went to his office where he checked the pressure and said we could proceed May 6 [today]. I had to spend a total of 5 days with blurry vision which crowded into the good eye and wondering if this was the new way forward. Fortunately my fears were overblown and today the left eye is done, other than the normal swelling and eye fatigue. My body blood pressure has been normal but a small percentage of eyes don't like to be poked or else they puff up like a tropical fish,

Edited by - donc on 05/06/2024 18:37:31

Paul R - Posted - 05/06/2024:  20:27:23

Thanks for the info, Don and company. The Mrs. had it done several years ago. I've had two pre-op inspections and go for a third on the 13th. I'll have one eye done at a time. I was given the option of having the OHIP-provided lens or going for the extra-fee upgrade. There have been scary stories (which I heard from the people involved) about patients being upsold as they are neing prepped for the operation. An example of private medicine encroaching on our public system. Anyway, it's good to learn about your experiences.

Buddur - Posted - 05/07/2024:  05:43:18

Lemme guess...

...you drive a Rincoln?

BanjoLink - Posted - 05/07/2024:  08:13:52

I just want to see my golf ball land ...... and it's not because I am hitting it too far!

heavy5 - Posted - 05/07/2024:  10:19:19

Both eyes awhile back . I can still find & open a can of Sam Adams Lager.

Edited by - heavy5 on 05/07/2024 10:20:29

donc - Posted - 05/07/2024:  12:44:34

quote:

---

Originally posted by Buddur

Lemme guess...



...you drive a Rincoln?

---

No its a Mazder.

donc - Posted - 05/07/2024:  18:12:38

quote:

---

Originally posted by Paul R

Thanks for the info, Don and company. The Mrs. had it done several years ago. I've had two pre-op inspections and go for a third on the 13th. I'll have one eye done at a time. I was given the option of having the OHIP-provided lens or going for the extra-fee upgrade. There have been scary stories (which I heard from the people involved) about patients being upsold as they are neing prepped for the operation. An example of private medicine encroaching on our public system. Anyway, it's good to learn about your experiences.

---

Same here in B.C. The Medical Services Plan does it all for free if you select the standard lens. Everyone I know who has had it done told me to select #2 Single vision -Advanced . If you have an astigmatism and you like trifocals you can pay about $4000 per eye. I'm paying $550 for each eye. I was given several days to choose because the surgery currently has about a one month wait. You won't be sold an upgrade on the spot because these have to be ordered to match your own prescription measurements.

Edited by - donc on 05/07/2024 18:15:12

StPeteNick - Posted - 05/08/2024:  19:38:20

I had one eye done several years ago, should do the other but it has diplopia (sp?) so I dom't expect much from that one. No more glasses execpt for reading. Colors stand out more also. Red in particular for me.

The result is immediate, you are looking at the ceiling when the lens goes in, and right away you see the difference. It gets a little hazy for a day or so, but that goes away. You may need a follow up visit a year later to clear up the area just in back of the new lens as a slight haze may start to appear. This is even easier than the cataract surgery, a quick zap from a laser.

Owen - Posted - 05/28/2024:  16:19:09

.... no news is good news ?????