Cataract Surgery .. real people “reviews”

I have not - but my mother had both eyes done a couple years ago. She opted to go the never need glasses again route. She still needs reading glasses, but hasn't had issues since she had it done. She is thrilled with the results!

I had it done four years ago. Easiest surgeries I've ever had.
Not wearing glasses is great. But I still have to wear glasses.

My mom did the no glasses route and it is amazing, she sews a lot and when she is with her sewing group they all bring the needles for her to thread because she is the only one who can see well enough to do it. When she wore contacts she wasn’t able to without cheaters. She is extremely happy.

She had worn the two different contact lenses as described above for years though. I tried that and couldn’t stand it, so if that is what your doctor wants to do try it with your contacts first.

It is not a guarantee that you will not need glasses though, at least my doctor warned my mom that it wasn’t, but she took the risk and couldn’t be happier.

I am 52 and I had by cataracts removed almost 2 years ago. I went with the lenses that would correct my vision. I didn't want the multifocal at all. Because my vision was very bad...-9 and -8, I was told that I might not have 20/20 vision but it would be close. My eyes are "long" and my doctor couldn't predict where my lenses would settle. I have 20/20 vision in my left eye and ended up being a -1 in my right eye. I still need to wear reading glasses for any close work, but I often go without glasses for everyday things. I love not having to wear glasses all the time. I've been wearing glasses since I was 7. I make the right choice for me.

I had them done a year ago. I had worn contacts in the past with one for near vision and one for far vision and, like Librarylady, just could never merge the images fully. I really recommend you try that with contacts first before choosing that option!

For my first surgery, I had a reaction to the betadine solution they wash the eye with and had horrible pain and swelling that displaced the lens. They had to redo that lens, but couldn’t get it placed right. So my right eye is 20/30 with a slight astigmatism. It’s still better than my old eyes, which had a diopter of -9 with an astigmatism of 3ish. I can see well enough to drive without glasses and love not dealing with glasses fogging up in the cold.

The second and third surgeries went great. No issues without the betadine. I had an antibiotic wash that I used instead, along with Johnson’s baby shampoo.

But I’ll confess, I’m considering ditching the cheaters and going with regular glasses again. I must take my cheaters on and off 50 times a day. It makes me batty and I’m not sure it’s worth it. (To not wear glasses, the surgery was definitely worth it!)

I had mine done 2 years ago. I opted for distance lenses for both eyes and also had laser correction for that at the same time. After surgery I had 20/20 vision and hadn't had that for many, many years. I wear readers for close work like crafty stuff and reading. I buy cheap readers and have a pair in almost every room of the house.

The surgery was easy! If they give you a piece of paper with the schedule for the eyedrops, especially if you have both eyes done close together, take that paper because you will need it as you start weaning off drops on one eye while still doing full dosages on the other eye.

ETA: my uncorrected vision going into this was very bad.  One eye was -21, the other -19.  To come out of this with 20/20 vision still amazes me to this day!

My late MIL had the corrective lenses when she had her cataract surgery. She was really pleased with the results.

My two cents regarding monofocal (one side near one side far) - unless you've been in monofocal contacts and were able to adjust to them, do NOT have monofocal implants done. Some people can adjust and some cannot (it's getting the brain to adjust not the person). You wouldn't want to be in the cannot group and need another surgery just to replace them.

Side note: I was almost disappointed at my last exam to hear that my eyes were really healthy (other than being so misshapen). Not even the start of cataracts - I was almost hoping for them so I could start looking forward to replacement lenses (if that makes sense). I've been wearing glasses since I was in 4th grade (and probably needed them before then).

I just had my second eye done on Wednesday. I opted for the basic lenses and my distance vision is great in both eyes. I definitely need cheaters and will get prescription glasses in a month or so. My daughter is an optometrist and she recommended basic lenses for several reasons.
1. She has had many patients who were not happy with the tonic lenses and it’s expensive to fix that problem.
2. I have an astigmatism in both eyes and the upgraded lenses do not always fix that problem.
3. Chances are good that even with upgraded lenses I would still need glasses at some point anyway.

I am thrilled with the outcome of my surgery. I also have glaucoma and they did a procedure to open my drainage fields at the same time. It lowered my pressure significantly. I can’t believe how crisp and clear colors are again.

Good luck with whatever decision you make. I am so glad I had mine done and recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity as it is so easy and has such a huge impact on your vision.

LOL. For a month or so, I’d get into bed and then start to get up, thinking I didn’t take out my contacts. 

I am probably going to need cataract surgery soon. How long are you out of work?