Cataracts

[Dick Pacini]

I had cataract surgery on my right eye 3 days ago and the left eye will be done next month.

The difference is absolutely amazing, even after just 1 eye was done. Colors are fantastic. Clarity and detail is unbelievable.

I have worn tri-focals for about 40 years and always felt I had good vision. Several months ago, I went to my eye doctor to see if my prescription could be upgraded because I was experiencing slight blurring on distance. I was told that no prescription would improve because I was looking through a dirty windshield. It was cataract time.

I see better without my glasses. I can read signs on the highway and read the details on my dashboard. Looking forward to next month's surgery on the left eye.

One of the best decisions I have ever made.

[Motorman]

Good health care is a blessing.

[Dennis Saydak]

Yes, this is a situation where the grass is greener and the snow whiter.

[frank williams]

Dick ... I had Lasik surgery on both eyes about 30 years ago.   It was the best thing I ever did.  I wore coke bottles before and was glasses free for more than thirty years.  I had a "mono vision" combination.  One eye at 20/20 the other eye focused a little past arms length or so.  I could see my golf ball and read the menu at the clubhouse without glasses.

I'm currently facing cataract surgery very very soon.  I'm thinking of asking for mono vision.  A friend had cataract surgery last year and had both set at 20/20.  I think he regrets it a bit because he now needs reading glasses.  Something to consider.

Frank

[Dick Pacini]

I opted for the standard, Monofocal lenses because Medicare covered all of it.  The next step up with Enhanced Distance was $800 per eye.  Then $1300/eye for the Toric package and $2800/eye for the Multifocal Vision Package.

I will still wear glasses.  I have worn them for so many years they are part of me.  There might not be much correction but I will still have them.

[Steve Dwyer]

Dick,

Clarify something for me, you opted for the basic surgery to eliminate the occluded lens but not the upgrade to also eliminate glasses, correct? I was told the last time I had my eyes checked (last fall) I have a cataract in my left eye that can not be corrected by changing the glasses. The Ophthalmologist said it was not sever enough to warrant the surgery and I have to wait. I can read signs in my left eye at a distance but they are not as clear as my corrected right. I believe insurance pays for the basic correction but none of the upgrades??

Steve

[Mike Griffin]

Dick,

I went through this a couple of years ago on both eyes.  I did not know colors were so bright.

Mike

[john e. holliday]

The wife is supposed to be scheduling me for another eye exam.   A year ago the doc said my eyes were not that bad.

[Norm Faith Jr.]

I had cataract surgery on my right eye 3 days ago and the left eye will be done next month.

The difference is absolutely amazing, even after just 1 eye was done. Colors are fantastic. Clarity and detail is unbelievable.

I have worn tri-focals for about 40 years and always felt I had good vision. Several months ago, I went to my eye doctor to see if my prescription could be upgraded because I was experiencing slight blurring on distance. I was told that no prescription would improve because I was looking through a dirty windshield. It was cataract time.

I see better without my glasses. I can read signs on the highway and read the details on my dashboard. Looking forward to next month's surgery on the left eye.

One of the best decisions I have ever made.

I just finished up my cataract surgery with prosthetic lens implants. I got to where it was very difficult to drive at night and do any work in low light conditions. I got to where I carried a pin light with me. Yes, the colors are vivid, but that decreases after a while. (wish it didn't)  I still wear glasses to read, but I have 20/20 at distance. I had to wear my glasses to drive, now I don't. The best part is being able to drive at night again, however there is always the jerks that constantly drive with their high beams and not knowing what flashing your lights at them means.
Norm

[Dick Pacini]

Dick,

Clarify something for me, you opted for the basic surgery to eliminate the occluded lens but not the upgrade to also eliminate glasses, correct? I was told the last time I had my eyes checked (last fall) I have a cataract in my left eye that can not be corrected by changing the glasses. The Ophthalmologist said it was not sever enough to warrant the surgery and I have to wait. I can read signs in my left eye at a distance but they are not as clear as my corrected right. I believe insurance pays for the basic correction but none of the upgrades??

Yes, just the basic that Medicare pays for.  I could not afford the upgrade.

Steve

[John Park]

Two years ago, I found I was losing vision on the left side of my left eye.  The optician identified a bad cataract, and I went for surgery - and it made NO difference whatsoever.  I certainly had had a cataract, but further investigation and an MRI scan revealed the weirdest coincidence - that I also had a meningioma (a non-cancerous tumour inside the skull) exerting pressure on the optic nerve.  Either the cataract or the meningioma, alone, would have produced the sight loss I was suffering.  Subsequent MRI scans show (a) that the tumour isn't getting any bigger but (b) neither radiotherapy nor cranial surgery can improve the situation.  My right eye's OK and I'm passed fit to drive, so all I can do is keep having regular MRI scans and opt for surgery or radiotherapy if the tumour shows signs of growing again.  Fingers crossed!