1. < Eye Conditions

General questions re. cataracts

Posted by ellerbracke @ellerbracke, Dec 27, 2018

I am new to this group, and would like to get some general feedback regarding the progression of cataracts. I am not currently seeing (!) any kind of eye doctor. Started to need reading glasses perhaps 15 years ago, cheapos from drugstore. Eventually needed glasses for distance vision and driving, got bifocals, hated them. Kept cheap reading glasses, got distance vision glasses for driving. About 2 years ago reading became easier and easier, can read 80% of material without glasses, no problem. Distance vision has also improved to the point where I needed less magnification. I was told in 2016 that I am starting to develop cataracts. So far the only negative aspect is the halo effect when driving at night, especially when it is raining. Otherwise no problems. Does one wait for symptoms to develop/worsen, or get myself to an opthamologist now? How long can I hope for this so-called 2nd sight to last? How quick can I expect the eventual deterioration to be? Has anyone heard of or received the new lens (I think it’s called adjusted depth of focus lens??
I appreciate any comments or advice from people who have dealt with this fairly common eye problem.

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lioness | @lioness | Jan 27, 2019

@johnhans Liability guess there just protecting themselves

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cherriann | @cherriann | Jan 27, 2019

Sorry for this situation you are in, and think most if not all eye surgeries like this will require you to have a driver, etc. afterwards. However, you can be sure there are others like yourself who don't have someone nearby and there are organizations that you can call that can suggest people/groups that offer assistance in cases like yours. If you live in a larger town or city there may be home health services you can call, a nursing service, hospital, or even social services. Also, some churches and community outreach groups have volunteers who will help with a number of issues that those who live alone deal with. I would suggest you call some of the above, and if they don't provide service you need, ask them for suggestions to who might. Good luck and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

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1 reply
johnhans | @johnhans | Jan 27, 2019
In reply to @cherriann "Sorry for this situation you are in, and think most if not all eye surgeries like..." + (show)
@cherriann

Sorry for this situation you are in, and think most if not all eye surgeries like this will require you to have a driver, etc. afterwards. However, you can be sure there are others like yourself who don't have someone nearby and there are organizations that you can call that can suggest people/groups that offer assistance in cases like yours. If you live in a larger town or city there may be home health services you can call, a nursing service, hospital, or even social services. Also, some churches and community outreach groups have volunteers who will help with a number of issues that those who live alone deal with. I would suggest you call some of the above, and if they don't provide service you need, ask them for suggestions to who might. Good luck and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

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I have already checked with my county social services. They said they could not help. Checked with local home health agencies and they do not do service outside the home. Eye hospital insists person staying with me 24 hours be present before surgery can proceed. I am a shut in so cannot get to church so have no church to ask. The local senior citizen center does not help. A town about 30 minutes drive away is trying to get volunteers for such a service but that is a lot to ask of a volunteer

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mari | @mari | Jan 27, 2019

@johnhans / / I was to have cataract done in Bev Hills. A friend had to drive All the way from Huntington bch.CA but, had to go back to work. i was dropped off at where my car was kept, I DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. No big whoop. Can u find someone to walk u out of the clinic then make your way home by yourself?

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1 reply
johnhans | @johnhans | Jan 27, 2019
In reply to @mari "@johnhans / / I was to have cataract done in Bev Hills. A friend had to..." + (show)
@mari

@johnhans / / I was to have cataract done in Bev Hills. A friend had to drive All the way from Huntington bch.CA but, had to go back to work. i was dropped off at where my car was kept, I DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. No big whoop. Can u find someone to walk u out of the clinic then make your way home by yourself?

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They do not allow surgery to proceed without someone signing a paper that they are taking me home and staying with me for 24 hours. They also wheel me to the door and stay with me until the rider shows up. Thus no sneaking out.

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1 reply
johnhans | @johnhans | Jan 28, 2019
In reply to @johnhans "They do not allow surgery to proceed without someone signing a paper that they are taking..." + (show)
@johnhans

They do not allow surgery to proceed without someone signing a paper that they are taking me home and staying with me for 24 hours. They also wheel me to the door and stay with me until the rider shows up. Thus no sneaking out.

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I thought I would update everyone. Thank you all for your help. Due to the weather, I was not able to make my appointment at the eye doctor this morning and thus can not get the surgery on Friday. It will have to be rescheduled for summer as the doctor is fully booked until spring and I will be moving this spring.

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1 reply
Jamie Olson | @jamienolson | Jan 28, 2019
In reply to @johnhans "I thought I would update everyone. Thank you all for your help. Due to the weather,..." + (show)
@johnhans

I thought I would update everyone. Thank you all for your help. Due to the weather, I was not able to make my appointment at the eye doctor this morning and thus can not get the surgery on Friday. It will have to be rescheduled for summer as the doctor is fully booked until spring and I will be moving this spring.

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Hi @johnhans- what a bummer! You must be in the MN tundra that you couldn't make it in today? Can you remain on a waiting list if someone else was to cancel?

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1 reply
johnhans | @johnhans | Jan 28, 2019
In reply to @jamienolson "Hi @johnhans- what a bummer! You must be in the MN tundra that you couldn't make..." + (show)
@jamienolson

Hi @johnhans- what a bummer! You must be in the MN tundra that you couldn't make it in today? Can you remain on a waiting list if someone else was to cancel?

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On my way thru the MN tundra to a cancelled appointment at eye doctor. Short waiting list. Thanks for the suggestion.

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1 reply
johnhans | @johnhans | Jan 29, 2019
In reply to @johnhans "On my way thru the MN tundra to a cancelled appointment at eye doctor. Short waiting..." + (show)
@johnhans

On my way thru the MN tundra to a cancelled appointment at eye doctor. Short waiting list. Thanks for the suggestion.

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Another update: I am still scheduled for the cataract surgery on Friday, February 1. I still do not have someone to drive me there and back home. I asked the doctor's office to check into the free van the hospital has for transportation to surgery. They are supposed to call me today or tomorrow. The person at the doctor's office thought I would still need someone to meet me there before surgery and accompany me home. I have friends willing to take shifts after that, but have to wait until hospital calls to ask if I can do that

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Jan 29, 2019
In reply to @johnhans "Another update: I am still scheduled for the cataract surgery on Friday, February 1. I still..." + (show)
@johnhans

Another update: I am still scheduled for the cataract surgery on Friday, February 1. I still do not have someone to drive me there and back home. I asked the doctor's office to check into the free van the hospital has for transportation to surgery. They are supposed to call me today or tomorrow. The person at the doctor's office thought I would still need someone to meet me there before surgery and accompany me home. I have friends willing to take shifts after that, but have to wait until hospital calls to ask if I can do that

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@johnhans Hope they will

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