What's the deal with cataract surgery?

[CTyankee]

I'm 66 and considering having it done next summer. My ophthalmologist is willing to do it, but gave me some stern warnings about the downside.

I thought EVERYBODY got cataract surgery sooner or later. Just about every older person I know has had it done. Is there any new evidence that the surgery is riskier than we used to think? Anybody have any bad experiences with it?

[purr]

1. I have congenital cataracts. I had my left one removed 8/2004.

A year later -

I have to go in tomorrow and get a film that built up behind the lens lasered off. Its an in-office procedure and supposidely painless. The film is very common after getting it done and usually only happens once.

As far as the cataract surgery goes, it was easy for me. Was fully awake throughout the entire procedure. I dont know how to explain it but I didnt see a thing. Very weird.

My vision went from 20/40 to 20/70 after..

[CTyankee]

2. shouldn't your vision have improved?

I heard that you could see better after the surgery. It's one of the reasons I want to have the procedure. Also because the glare bothers me a lot -- I can live with it but it would be nice not to have it.

Was there a recuperation issue? I don't want to be laid up more than a few (maybe 3 days) without getting out, driving and shopping. I'm too active to sit around at home.

[Texasgal]

4. No no no....

Are you getting an IOL? Your vision will be much improved if that is the case.

I work as a Nurse for a group of opthomologists, we do lasik at this facility, however they ALL do cataract removal as well.

You should be able to go back to work or whatever you do the very next day. Your doctor will advise you not to lift anything heavy for a few days to avoid having jar anything loose.

It's really a very easy procedure now days.

[purr]

7. Thats what I had.. just telling him my experience

n/t

[CTyankee]

12. so I can get the surgery on Friday (my day off)

and be back in the saddle (so to speak)by Sunday (to do shopping for food, laundry, etc). Then go back to work on MOnday (no heaVY lifting). Right?

[Texasgal]

17. Right...

Just no heavy lifting. It's a very simple procedure... really.

[purr]

5. My glare got WORSE.

If I had a chance to do it all over again I wouldnt.

I was fine the same day, but they want you to relax or you CAN get serious probs - retinal detachment being the biggest.

My eye surgeon said 1 of 3 things will happen - 1. vision will get better 2. stay the same or 3. get worse.

Guess which one happened? yup! #3 lol

[Texasgal]

10. Have you gone back for a

YAG?

I'll bet that's where your glare problems are! :hi:

[purr]

11. Whats that? They never mentioned that,, I go in tomorrow morning

to get a film lasered off. Is that the same thing?

[Texasgal]

13. Hey Purr..

A Yag procedure is to basically blast ( by laser ) particles that could have gotten free and floating during the procedure. Usually, it clears up the vision problems.

Also, your occular pressure could be high, it usually lets up after a few weeks. High occular pressure can cause vision issues as well.

Keep us updated!! :hi:

[astonamous]

18. Yes, the laser procedure you are having done

is called a YAG Capsulotomy. Piece of cake, if your ophthalmologist is at least an average surgeon. Most likely that is what has caused the glare you have experienced. Your congenital cataract probably didn't cause that much glare but the secondary cataract will.

Keep us posted.

Trudy

[0007]

3. Been there, done that, no big deal. Both eyes.

Probably more risk in having a tooth extracted.

[LaurenG]

6. Doctors have to tell you about the problems that could occur

otherwise you wouldn't be able to make an informed decision. :)

[flamingyouth]

8. My mom had it done and it went well.

She had very little complication and has been extremely happy with her better eyesight. :hi:

[lakemonster11]

9. Cataract surgery has been around since ancient times

It's first mentioned in Indian texts from around 500 BCE, and by Roman times it was basically a routine operation.

They used a little hollow needle to suck out the cataract.

[lizziegrace]

14. My father (69) had it done last year

He waited until they were using lasers for the procedure. Bandaged for a short time with no restrictions. He's doing great.

[fishnfla]

15. In the interest of keeping the OP fully informed

lasers are not used to remove cataracts. The natural lens of the eye is removed with an instrument known as a phacoemulsifier and the lens is exchanged with an artificial lens, an intraocular implant (IOL).

I'm sure your father had his cataracts fixed the most modern way, which is as I described, but it was not with a laser. This is a very common public misconception.

Lasers are used in other eye procedures, like a YAG laser capsulotomy, as described upthread, and retinal and glaucoma surgeries, but they are not used to fix cataracts.


Oh, and edit to keep texasgal happy: Lasers are of course used in LASIK and other glamourous refractive eye procedures, which is where all the money is these days.
Right texasgal ;)

[lizziegrace]

16. Okay then

That's why I'm an accountant and he's an engineer. I just remember that he put his surgery off at least 2 years in order to have the latest and greatest. Besides, he's a private pilot and wanted to minimize risks.

And no, he did not fly at all when he found he had a cataract. He had his license temporarily suspended.

[Patiod]

19. Most people have no problem

My poor dad, however, has never recovered from his - his eyes are still irritated and he still gets drops 3x day.

BUT -- he was on steroids (for asthma/emphysema) for years, and the docs think that may have queered the outcome.

But again, stats say that a healthy person should have no problem.

[RedCloud]

20. Homer Simpson said our eyes turn hard boiled after ten years

Maybe it was in jest?