Connect
← Return to Latest cataract treatments?
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
My big concern is not the removal of the lens, but what they replace it with. I am very nearly sighted (-5.25 in one eye and -6.00 in the other) and have an astigmatism. Don’t they make one chose between being corrected for distance or close up? How could I make such a difficult choice? I think cataract surgery works best on people with good eyesight. Just by humble opinion from talking to people who have had it done.
Replies to "My big concern is not the removal of the lens, but what they replace it with...."
I have good eyesight in one eye and am legally blind in the other eye. I was terrified that something would go wrong and it would destroy my vision in my good eye. But I could see less and less every day. So I chose an experienced surgeon who used laser assisted cataract removal and prayed for the best.
My son drove me home. On the interstate I’m saying, “Look at the red car. Look at the blue car. Look at the green car. “ Finally he said, “Yes, mom. “ (Cataracts apparently destroy your color perception early.)
So far as lens choices. I think that there are new bifocal lenses which correct for both near and far distances, but their cost was not covered by my insurance. Someone here no doubt can confirm this. So my eyes were corrected for distance, but as usual I use glasses to read.
I had both eyes done. The surgeon said about the bad eye , “I can’t make it good, but I can make it better.” and he did. Best wishes as you go forward.
@barbaradh
I also am extremely nearsighted with astigmatism. When cataracts really began interfering with my vision, I opted for laser surgery to remove the cataracts as well as lessen the astigmatism. It was absolutely worth it; my eyesight has not been this good since I was 8 years old. I did not want to lose all close up vision, so was offered the choice of having one eye corrected for distance and the other for close vision. It really has worked out pretty well for me. I do still need reading glasses, also for driving, but most of the time I’m fine without any glasses. I didn’t realize how occluded my vision had become until after the surgery. I did have to pay extra to have the laser procedure, but it was worth it because of the astigmatism. I did have a skilled, very experienced surgeon, who spoke with and communicated well with my Opthamologist, that was really important. He was very clear about any risks involved, but felt I could have a good outcome, and I have. If you can find a doctor with a good track record whom you trust, I would say go for it.
Connect
You have the same fears as me