Cataracts and other visual concerns!

[ultrarunner]

Off topic… back in 1995 we had just completed our new home across town and there was a lot to do relocating to our brand new facility.

There was a glitch in that the medical movers refused to move the laser which cost several hundred thousand dollars or what I could buy my home for several times over…

I was ask to move it and used my lowboy home made landscape trailer behind my Plymouth traveling about 5 mph.

Even had an escort and without incident arrived where the factory rep was waiting to do a full recertification before approved for patient use.

Most expensive item I ever moved… and that was 30 years ago.

 

[ArlyA]

Was welding up a project and found I couldn't see snot even when I adjusted helmet. Cataracts have wrecked my ablity to see in high/low light.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Was welding up a project and found I couldn't see snot even when I adjusted helmet. Cataracts have wrecked my ablity to see in high/low light.

Thankfully, resolving those lighting issues are relatively inexpensive and fast today. Although it's been several months since my surgeries, it still amazes me everyday how much better I see and my level of comfort in the process.

 

[JESSE1]

Had a follow up check earlier this week. 20/20 distance and near vision. I'm still amazed how clear everything is.

 

[BackRoad]

Jealous of you guys with the C surgery.

I had lasic about 20 years ago which provided the desired mono vision along with no longer needing contacts, but think it needs to be tweaked now!

 

[ArlyA]

My cataracts are worsening and I asked to be referred to a out of town surgeon.

 

[JESSE1]

You need to get it done, it's like having High Definition vision. Takes a few weeks to get the full effect but you'll be surprised at how clear everything is.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

You need to get it done, it's like having High Definition vision. Takes a few weeks to get the full effect but you'll be surprised at how clear everything is.

This clarity thing still amazes me. Well I could live without now seeing the strobing effects of some new headlights in my rearview mirror.

 

[Torvy]

Wife is about a week post-op on 2nd eye.

Her 1st eye has already dropped some from the initial 20/20. I think that disappointed her. They set the second eye for "middle vision".

She's overall happy. Bought some fancy readers and chains for them.

Ultimately, her glaucoma will eventually steal her vision, so she's happy, but also a little sad.

 

[ArlyA]

Was to a eye doc in Marquette MI today and my first corrective surgery will be on November 6th for these darn cataracts.

 

[ponytug]

@aryla Best of luck and success with the operation(s)!

All the best,

Peter

 

[ArlyA]

Just head from a freind who said he had one eye done when he was 47. Getting the 2nd one done in November like me and he's in his 50's now.

 

[ultrarunner]

I’d say the range is 35 to 95 but by far the most we have are 60-75 in age and often prompted from failing vision test at DMV.

Almost all opt for out of pocket lens upgrade and I see many back for the second after a few weeks.

Some of our docs do 20+ in a morning alternating between 2 operating rooms with full compliment of staff.

 

[ponytug]

I’d say the range is 35 to 95 but by far the most we have are 60-75 in age and often prompted from failing vision test at DMV.

Almost all opt for out of pocket lens upgrade and I see many back for the second after a few weeks.

Some of our docs do 20+ in a morning alternating between 2 operating rooms with full compliment of staff.

That sounds like such a well oiled, and well run system.

All the best,

Peter

 

[ultrarunner]

That sounds like such a well oiled, and well run system.

All the best,

Peter

It is until it isn't...

You can have 19 text book cases and then one that requires a lot of extra time and with that the schedule goes out the window if the needed extra time happens early in the day.

Unfortunately, I have gotten good at explaining delays starting around mid morning... bottom line is you can't rush and Doc wants you here early.

I think if I had cataract surgery I would want to be patient 3 or 4 in the rotation... back far enough so everything is dialed in and not at the end where delays add up...

 

[ponytug]

It is until it isn't...

You can have 19 text book cases and then one that requires a lot of extra time and with that the schedule goes out the window if the needed extra time happens early in the day.

Unfortunately, I have gotten good at explaining delays starting around mid morning... bottom line is you can't rush and Doc wants you here early.

I think if I had cataract surgery I would want to be patient 3 or 4 in the rotation... back far enough so everything is dialed in and not at the end where delays add up...

Yes, I know that I will need it at some point, but I'm not looking forward to it. The potential for imperfect vision is not zero.

I will try for patient #3 or #4...

All the best,

Peter

 

[ultrarunner]

Yes, I know that I will need it at some point, but I'm not looking forward to it. The potential for imperfect vision is not zero.

I will try for patient #3 or #4...

All the best,

Peter

True... any procedure comes with risk.

I know of one tragic outcome that was not in anyway connected to my facility but only minutes away.

A patient was having both eyes done at the same time and the laser setting was off by a factor of 10...

The Doc was older and a long successful history with many thousands of cases.

The Doc was responsible for the actions of the tech and of course career ending...

A tragedy compounded because both eyes on the same setting.

 

[dfkrug]

I think if I had cataract surgery I would want to be patient 3 or 4 in the rotation... back far enough so everything is dialed in and not at the end where delays add up...

Hmm. My procedure is at 6AM Thursday. I will bet the doc has a lot of us starting at the same time, and ready to go in some unannounced order. This is at Kaiser, and the drug cocktail is supposed to be similar to those you get during a colonoscopy.

 

[ultrarunner]

Hmm. My procedure is at 6AM Thursday. I will bet the doc has a lot of us starting at the same time, and ready to go in some unannounced order. This is at Kaiser, and the drug cocktail is supposed to be similar to those you get during a colonoscopy.

The eye drops numb and the cocktail keeps you calm and from twitching.

We had an eye doc undergoing the procedure and he didn't want the cocktail... just the drops.

Our first patients often outside when doors open at 5:30 am... older and can't sleep so come early.

Doc arrives at 8:30 am and has patient in each of 2 operating rooms plus 4 more in pre-op.

Often a patient will remark... so when is this going to happen and we say you are all done!

 

[Stimw]

I haven't read ALL the way through the responses but will ad my experience.
Been going to the VA Eye Clinic for years. They kept telling me I had cataracts but that I was borderline for surgery.
I could not renew my drivers license!
I called VA Patient Advocate who at first told me I did not qualify to go outside of VA for treatment. After I contacted the person who approved outside appointments and explained my situation they approved.
I went to UF Health Eye Clinic in Gainesville Fl.
THEY WERE WONDERFUL!
The worst part of the surgery was getting up at 5:30 am to leave at 6:30 am to report to clinic at 7:30 am !!!
They knocked me out and each surgery only took about 15 minutes!
My best discerption is it is like going from a regular picture to HIGH DEFINITION! Colors are so bright now.
If you have the option, DO IT!