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Post by femalebusiness on Mar 11, 2017 19:38:00 GMT
In just about 18 months I have developed posterior capsular cataracts. I'm having surgery next month as It has become a major barrier to doing anything that requires sight.
I was told that they will implant a lens and that I have a choice of two lenses. With one lens I will still need reading glasses. With the other more expensive ($2,000 per eye) I won't need reading glasses anymore.
I not only don't mind wearing reading glasses, I have them in every color and like them as a fashion accessory. However, it would also be nice to need no glasses at all. I had always heard that corrective eye surgery could never really get rid of needing reading glasses.
My question is, has anyone else had the cataract surgery with the more expensive lenses and was it worth the extra money?
I just found out a couple of days ago and haven't done any real research yet. Thought I'd ask the Peas first.
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Post by mikklynn on Mar 11, 2017 20:10:13 GMT
It cost me my $3000 out of pocket for the basic surgery, plus an additional $3000 for the laser procedure and corrective lenses.
I had severe astigmatism and wore glasses since 2nd grade. I had my surgery a year ago and YES, it was worth it. It's amazing to have 20/20 vision for everyday activities like driving, walking, cleaning, etc. I do need cheaters for reading, the computer, and cleaning the shower (didn't realize that at first, LOL).
I feel it was worth it.
Are you sure you won't need glasses for distance if you don't for reading? My choices were near-sighted, far-sighted, or mono-vision (one type in each eye). I had no option that would offer no glasses, but that may be for MY vision issues, not yours.
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DEX
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,354
Aug 9, 2014 23:13:22 GMT
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Post by DEX on Mar 11, 2017 20:23:45 GMT
WOW! I was offered the expensive lens for only $900 per eye. I declined and still wear my glasses for everything.
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Post by femalebusiness on Mar 11, 2017 20:38:48 GMT
It cost me my $3000 out of pocket for the basic surgery, plus an additional $3000 for the laser procedure and corrective lenses. I had severe astigmatism and wore glasses since 2nd grade. I had my surgery a year ago and YES, it was worth it. It's amazing to have 20/20 vision for everyday activities like driving, walking, cleaning, etc. I do need cheaters for reading, the computer, and cleaning the shower (didn't realize that at first, LOL). I feel it was worth it. Are you sure you won't need glasses for distance if you don't for reading? My choices were near-sighted, far-sighted, or mono-vision (one type in each eye). I had no option that would offer no glasses, but that may be for MY vision issues, not yours. When I was a little kid, from ten years old until about twenty I was nearsighted and wore glasses for that. I didn't need them any more after I was about twenty and have always had excellent eyesight. I did start needing readers when I hit forty but there is nothing wrong with my far sighted vision other than now it is like looking through fog. That is what I have heard before, that they could only do near sighted, far sighted or mono-vision. Having one type in each eye doesn't sound like anything that I would want. If I thought that I would end up with great vision for both far and near I'd spring for the better lenses, but not for mono-vision.
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Post by femalebusiness on Mar 11, 2017 20:45:00 GMT
WOW! I was offered the expensive lens for only $900 per eye. I declined and still wear my glasses for everything. I'm thinking that is what I will do. My insurance is paying 100% for the surgery but the "better" lenses are two grand an eye. I need to research it to see if it is just an upsell or if it is really worth it. I'd be pissed if I spent four grand and then found I would have been better off with the free lenses. Interesting you were offered them for $900 an eye.
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Post by Restless Spirit on Mar 11, 2017 21:00:41 GMT
My sister-in-law (in her 70's) had the more expensive lenses done several years ago. Her insurance paid for everything. My older sister's experience was the same. They love, love the results. The thing they both like the most is being able to wear non-prescription sunglasses.
I'm super jealous. I have slowly developing cataracts in both eyes, but I'm years away from needing the surgery. I currently need to order new sunglasses that are going to cost me $600+. I pay at least that much for my eyeglasses every 12-18 months. If I don't have to ever buy my super expensive eye glasses again, getting the more expensive surgical implant lenses would be well worth it in my case.
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Post by freeatlast on Mar 11, 2017 21:27:49 GMT
It cost me my $3000 out of pocket for the basic surgery, plus an additional $3000 for the laser procedure and corrective lenses. I had severe astigmatism and wore glasses since 2nd grade. I had my surgery a year ago and YES, it was worth it. It's amazing to have 20/20 vision for everyday activities like driving, walking, cleaning, etc. I do need cheaters for reading, the computer, and cleaning the shower (didn't realize that at first, LOL). I feel it was worth it. Are you sure you won't need glasses for distance if you don't for reading? My choices were near-sighted, far-sighted, or mono-vision (one type in each eye). I had no option that would offer no glasses, but that may be for MY vision issues, not yours. This is me, except for a difference in the cost. I had out of pocket expenses of about $1000 for the basic surgery (this covered the basic lenses - I chose distance vision). Then I paid an additional $2000 for the laser procedure. Had I not had the laser correction I would have had to wear glasses all the time. Now I only wear cheaters for reading and the computer. I have not checked out the shower with them! I felt it was well worth the $2K to have 20/20 vision. My surgery was about a year ago and, at my last check up in February, I'm still at 20/20.
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Post by teepea on Mar 11, 2017 23:03:22 GMT
I had cataracts in both eyes so had surgery done last June on both eyes. I chose the multifocal lens which required it be done by laser surgery. Neither the multi focal lens or laser was covered by my insurance as they were considered upgrades from the regular lens and traditional surgery that my insurance covered. The use of the laser made my recovery easier/less traumatic on my eyes. With the new lenses I no longer need reading glasses. I can see up close and distance vey well. The big downside for me is that the multifocal lens has rings around them which is what provides the ability to see both near and far but for me, the rings cause me to see halos around lights at nite. It has gotten better since the initial surgery but I still see some halos at nite which is bothersome for nite driving. Out of pocket expenses were high for this option but I'd probably make the same choice today. Not everyone has the halo effect from the multifocal lens.
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Post by annabella on Mar 11, 2017 23:23:17 GMT
My mom had the expensive surgery. My whole life she wore reading glasses, so it was so strange to adjust to her being able to read without them. lol She was always losing her glasses so I think it worked out for her. Her doctor did have her come in for a second surgery to do some adjustment, nothing was bothering her, but he saw something he wanted to fix.
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Post by mommaho on Mar 12, 2017 15:36:53 GMT
What a timely thread - DH will be having his done in about a month but we have to see a retina specialist first due to his diabetic retinopathy. I wonder with his diabetic complications if he will have that choice?
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Post by femalebusiness on Mar 12, 2017 16:56:31 GMT
I had cataracts in both eyes so had surgery done last June on both eyes. I chose the multifocal lens which required it be done by laser surgery. Neither the multi focal lens or laser was covered by my insurance as they were considered upgrades from the regular lens and traditional surgery that my insurance covered. The use of the laser made my recovery easier/less traumatic on my eyes. With the new lenses I no longer need reading glasses. I can see up close and distance vey well. The big downside for me is that the multifocal lens has rings around them which is what provides the ability to see both near and far but for me, the rings cause me to see halos around lights at nite. It has gotten better since the initial surgery but I still see some halos at nite which is bothersome for nite driving. Out of pocket expenses were high for this option but I'd probably make the same choice today. Not everyone has the halo effect from the multifocal lens. Glare is the worst problem that I'm having. I quit driving at night a couple of weeks ago because of the halos and glare from the headlights. I would hate having that problem after surgery. I will ask about that possibility at my next appointment.
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Post by femalebusiness on Mar 12, 2017 17:02:09 GMT
My mom had the expensive surgery. My whole life she wore reading glasses, so it was so strange to adjust to her being able to read without them. lol She was always losing her glasses so I think it worked out for her. Her doctor did have her come in for a second surgery to do some adjustment, nothing was bothering her, but he saw something he wanted to fix. My dad was the same way. I had never seen him without his glasses. He even used to take them into the shower with him. In his 80s he had cataract surgery and they corrected his vision at the same time and he didn't need glasses at all any more. It was so weird seeing him without glasses. That was back in the 1990s. My eye doctor said that sometimes they have to go back and do minor adjustments but it is a quick fix with a laser and it only happens occasionally.
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Post by femalebusiness on Mar 12, 2017 17:08:22 GMT
What a timely thread - DH will be having his done in about a month but we have to see a retina specialist first due to his diabetic retinopathy. I wonder with his diabetic complications if he will have that choice? I am doctor averse. I don't go until I am half dead. I need to go get checked for diabetes as it's been several years since I've seen a doctor. My maternal grandmother and a couple of my mother's siblings had diabetes, so that is always a possibility. When I could no longer pluck my chin hairs or put on my eye makeup without smearing it all over my cheeks, I knew it was time to do something about it. My surgery is the last of April and the first of May. They will do each eye separately.
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Post by librarylady on Mar 12, 2017 19:57:30 GMT
I paid $2,000 per eye to get the Krystal lens that are supposed to eliminate reading glasses.
WASTE OF MY MONEY!!! I AM NOT HAPPY!
1. Lots of glare at night with lights. (before surgery that was not a problem) 2. Not only do I need reading glasses, I need glasses for other vision.... 3. Dr. gave me mono vision different for each eye. My brain is supposed to merge the images. My brain won't do that. I have fuzzy vision both near and far without glasses. Yes, I can see that cow in the field, but she is fuzzy, not a crisp image. 4. Did I mention the glare at night? very bad.
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Post by femalebusiness on Mar 12, 2017 20:13:09 GMT
I paid $2,000 per eye to get the Krystal lens that are supposed to eliminate reading glasses. WASTE OF MY MONEY!!! I AM NOT HAPPY! 1. Lots of glare at night with lights. (before surgery that was not a problem) 2. Not only do I need reading glasses, I need glasses for other vision.... 3. Dr. gave me mono vision different for each eye. My brain is supposed to merge the images. My brain won't do that. I have fuzzy vision both near and far without glasses. Yes, I can see that cow in the field, but she is fuzzy, not a crisp image. 4. Did I mention the glare at night? very bad. Thank you for this info! That's what I am afraid of. Not that it happens to everyone but i would be really upset if I still have this glare. I don't mind wearing reading glasses at all so right now I'm thinking I will skip the four grand worth of lenses. I just want the fog and glare to go away,
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Post by micpea on Mar 13, 2017 2:13:27 GMT
if you are worried about glare (starbursts & halos) avoid the multifocus lens! Be sure & do your homework!!! This is a side effect & your vision will never get better. That issue will always be there (from my dr.) Tell them what your life is like & make sure you get the right type of lens for your needs. You don't want to do this twice. I've had multiple eye surgeries since my initial surgery. Initially I had the high def multifocus lens put in. This out of pocket cost to me was over $6000. Insurance only covers a standard lens with no vision correction. Once this surgery was done I was unable to drive in dusk, or dark. The halos & starbursts were debilitating !!! I also had astigmatism correction. Everything was done by laser. The surgery counselor recommended that type & brand of lens due to my age...no questions about my life style. I was unable to do any sewing, paper crafting, reading, anything up close. I had never been so disappointed in anything in my entire life! If the 1st lens don't work you have to wait 6 months before you can have the lenses replaced. At this point the dr. has all the big bucks for the lens. If they don't work, you don't get a refund. I had to go 6 months w/o glasses, struggling to see everyday, as my glasses before my surgery were no longer good due to the new implants. That was the longest 6 months of my life! The dr did do the lens replacement at no cost. I then had distance vision correction in my replacement lens. I currently have to have reading glasses. Actually the last 2 weeks I have had YAG laser surgery due to the film that gets over your eye & causes cloudiness as a side effect of the cataracts. Again, 1 eye per week. This has cost me an additional $600. I now have halos & starbursts like my original lens. Tomorrow is my follow up appointment & I am not sure how well this will go. I am really not happy & wish I had been more diligent in doing my homework prior to trusting my eye dr. When they did my replacement lens they wanted to try to do monovision. I had to remind them we had tried that with glasses a few years ago & it didn't work. I know that I am really fortunate that I don't have anything more serious wrong with me, however I find my eyes pretty important!! I wish you luck in making your decision.
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Post by shevy on Mar 13, 2017 12:18:32 GMT
I have mono vision contacts and my brain got used to them right away. But I have cataracts too that are starting to bother me. I'll likely chose the mono vision because that's what I'm used to.
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