Have you had cataract surgery? come tell me about it

I had surgery to correct my vision by way of replacing the lenses, which is exactly the same surgery as cataract surgery, just for a different reason. They offered me several options for vision correction. I could just correct distance and wear reading glasses, I could implant bifocal lenses, or I could implant one distance and one near-vision lens. I opted for just correcting distance and wearing reading glasses.

As for the surgery, they did mine two weeks apart to allow for healing and to be able to see in between. I had to wear goggles to bed for a week or so and drops galore. SO MANY DROPS. The first eye didn't hurt at all during surgery. The second eye hurt like crazy. It's called Second Eye Syndrome and it's common. Google it. They will not tell you about it beforehand because they want to reduce anxiety going into the second surgery, but it would have greatly reduced mine had I known and been prepared to feel every turn of the blade.

During that two weeks in between surgeries, even though I could wear a contact on the eye I hadn't had operated on yet, WOW, the disparity in vision and how my eyes were processing my vision were SO off that I was dizzy, had headaches, and at times I had to hold onto walls because everything seemed slanted to me. It was bizarre.

About a year after surgery, I had to get YAG laser surgery on both eyes to clear up a haze that covered the lenses. If you need that, you'll only need it once.

Then I had more issues with one eye and wound up having another LASIK to correct the vision because the lens had settled just slightly off. I went from being a -14 or 15 to being slightly farsighted. Then after they fixed that, I now have 20/10 vision. It's amazing.

One thing I wasn't prepared for is just how freaking dry my eyes are now. I take three kinds of drops throughout the day. Still, even with all that I'm so happy I got the surgery. It was life-changing for me.

Best thing I ever did. I still have to wear glasses but everything is so much clearer. I thought I had cream curtains in my bedroom. Turns out they are pure white.

Hazing rings around lights at night, colors are full .. your eye Dr will tell as they start to appear. They will not do them until they are bad...

monklady123 2012 Jan 25th and 30th... Because they were so close I just used the drops for both eyes on the same schedule.

I was a bit nervous. I had full confidence in my surgeon. Once it's done you will wonder why you were worried. Everyone at the surgical center was wonderful. All they do there is eye surgeries. They understood nervousness and knew what to say to calm me

I knew it was good when we got into the car and it was so bright!! When I walked into my kitchen the stove was almost 'blinding' it was so white..

Both surgeries went well = 20/20... I do use reading glasses. Bringing things closer to see doesn't help.

These responses are comforting, since the thought of eye surgery makes me want to faint with a combination of terror and horror. I realize that I'm not objective, since I had a scratched cornea once that hurt like I could not have imagined.

monklady123
Good luck!

I am 49, and had cataract surgery at 43, I think. I was incredibly nearsighted and had worn glasses since second grade. Your eye should be shaped like a basketball, and mine are football shaped. When I was 41 I had a retinal tear in one eye that required surgery, minor holes in the other that required lasering. Scar tissue leads to cataracts. My vision got incredibly bad, and I had no business driving or really doing anything. I remember walking out of the first surgery and was shocked at how clear everything was. When we got home I was mortified at the cobwebs in our house and how dusty everything was. My second surgery was two weeks later. I have 20/20 vision after a lifetime of coke-bottle glasses, and it has been amazing. I wear reading glasses for reading, but that's it.

Super easy surgery. I had both eyes done a week apart in 2016. Both of my eyes were done for distance because I have compromised vision in my right eye. It’s *technically* 20/20, but I don’t see straight lines straight in that eye. They’re wavy. So, I still wear glasses for close-up. My close vision was obliterated with distance-only lenses in both eyes.

I’m afraid of everything, and was very nervous.  I told them that if they planned on sedating me in the operating room, could they possible bring the stuff out and give it to me now.  They did.  For the next eye, I took a klonopan.

All they did was eye surgeries at this place.  The doctor lined the patients up like this.  Everyone who was having their right eye done, then everyone who was having a left eye done.  It helps her keep her orientation.  

You sound like me- though I haven't had a retinal tear I do have myopic macular degeneration caused by my long eyes. Have you missed your super close vision at all? That is something I wonder about. 

When DH had his surgery a few years ago he was given so many options for different lenses it was hard to untangle it all. 

The surgery itself was straight forward and takes about 20 minutes for most patients. IIRC, we went in the next day for an eye pressure check and, because his was high, the doctor met with us to check it again a couple times over the weekend.

DH had been putting his off for a couple years but was having tricep surgery, so decided to get the cataract taken care of at the same time. If he could have, he would have had the surgeons co-ordinate and do both literally in the room together. 

Anyhow, his efficient plan ran into a huge snag when he realized he needed two hands to put in his drops. And his left arm was in a brace holding it straight out from his shoulder. 

I'm recovering from retinal surgery/vitrectomy and expect to need cataract surgery in the near future.
 

Dr says mine aren’t bad enough. They have to “ripen”. That expression cracks me up. Like they are a fruit or something.

I wish they could do it now. My vision is deteriorating fast.

That is pretty much my experience, except I didn't wear contacts.

I had terrible vision since 2nd grade and now have 20/20 vision for distance. I wear cheaters to read or be on the computer.

My out of pocket for the corrective lenses was $6k, about 5 years ago.

The whole thing was completely pain free and very fast.

Sadly, that is gone. At least it is for me.