Cataracts: What can I expect? How to prepare?

Posted by wisfamily @wisfamily, Jun 5 7:03pm

We have an elderly parent who will be getting cataract surgery.

I would love to hear about people's experiences with this . How yours went, what to expect, things that didnt go well , what to look out for etc..
She is 79 and resides with us so she will have help with care afterwards. and isnt on her own. Her health is moderately ok.

She plans to choose to have distance vision and use readers for close up.

Thanks in advance!

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I was high-myope with macular puckers in both eyes. I also understand that with laser removal, less chance of problems. As a cpa I've been doing my tax returns for 60 years. Last year I had cataract surgery and luckily I only had my left eye done. Can't read numbers, only by closing my left eye and looking with my right, very upsetting. I suspect for my 2025 returns, I'll be going to a local accountant. So I never thought I'd have to give up doing my own tax return (by hand, not with tax software)

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Warning if HIGH MYOPE.....I had my left eye done last year, and I'm so depressed with outcome. I have macular puckers in both eyes without any symptoms before surgery. I've been wearing glasses since 9 yo, for distance, I used to be able to see fine....before surgery. After surgery the words and letters danced up and down on the page, but the worst is the implanted lens. I told the doctor I wanted to be able to thread a needle. I'm an accountant that does my own tax returns and bills, and love reading, doing needlepoint, embroidery and just plain sewing. Dr implanted a lens that I would have to thread a needle at arm's length and other activities. To see close up properly I have to close my left eye and only look with my right (it still has cataract). It will be a LONG time before I trust a doctor to touch my right eye.
So forewarned is forearmed.......especially if you're high myope and hope to see close again....ps my doctor came highly recommended, although after my first visit I wasn't sure about him.

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Profile picture for 1995victoria @1995victoria

Warning if HIGH MYOPE.....I had my left eye done last year, and I'm so depressed with outcome. I have macular puckers in both eyes without any symptoms before surgery. I've been wearing glasses since 9 yo, for distance, I used to be able to see fine....before surgery. After surgery the words and letters danced up and down on the page, but the worst is the implanted lens. I told the doctor I wanted to be able to thread a needle. I'm an accountant that does my own tax returns and bills, and love reading, doing needlepoint, embroidery and just plain sewing. Dr implanted a lens that I would have to thread a needle at arm's length and other activities. To see close up properly I have to close my left eye and only look with my right (it still has cataract). It will be a LONG time before I trust a doctor to touch my right eye.
So forewarned is forearmed.......especially if you're high myope and hope to see close again....ps my doctor came highly recommended, although after my first visit I wasn't sure about him.

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Sorry about your outcome. Devil is in the details got optics ... so, could you post your auto and manifest refractions after surgery? These will tell the story on the "miss" on your target.

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Profile picture for billybsea @billybsea

I am so sorry about your wife's experience. It's really important to find the best doctor you can. Has she tried to find another retina specialist?

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We had a retina specialist examination today and he informed her that the eye is dead.

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Just make sure to use the eye drops exactly as directed before and after surgery. The surgery itself is a piece of cake. I wish I had done it sooner.

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Profile picture for cjval52 @cjval52

Just make sure to use the eye drops exactly as directed before and after surgery. The surgery itself is a piece of cake. I wish I had done it sooner.

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And, some surgeons use a new method vs drops following. They implant antibiotics and anti inflammatories in the eye during the surgery.

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