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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Eye Conditions Support Group.

@johnhans

If the problem is forgetting there are apps for smartphones that will alarm you when it is time to take your eye drops. I had to do four times a day and the app worked well for me.

Jump to this post

@johnhans -- thank you for your reply. No the problem is difficulty administering drops/my eyes compl;ete intolerance of any foreign matter, especially eye drops.

REPLY
@catladyde9

@johnhans -- thank you for your reply. No the problem is difficulty administering drops/my eyes compl;ete intolerance of any foreign matter, especially eye drops.

Jump to this post

I am sure that someone has designed an eye cup type of device that the drops bottle fits into, that you position over your eye socket and then with your eye open, administer the drops. Look online or call the pharma companies or the Association for the Blind. Also, possibly a homecare nurse could make a low cost daily visit to admin the drops. An advocate group, churches, meals on wherls etc. could possibly be trained to help. A local Nursing school could possibly send a student. The answers are out there, you need an advocate. You are courageous, patient, and amazingly resilient. I deeply admire your adaptibility and endurance. Best wishes!!

REPLY
@catladyde9

Considering dropless laser cataract surgery; has anyone experienced this? Three times a day drops for a month will be problematic for me
to accomplish successfully.

Jump to this post

I had dropless cataract surgery in 2017 on my left eye. In January 2019 I had cataract surgery on my right eye with drops being administered for a month afterwards. I too, am terrible at putting drops in my eyes. Between my spouse, friends, ,and myself when there was no one else around - I managed to get them in quite well. My right eye cosmetically looked, and physically felt much better after surgery than my left eye did with the dropless method. Despite the inconvenience of putting in numerous drops, for me, if I had to do surgery over again I would opt for putting in drops after cataract surgery as my eye as a whole felt much better. Others may well have experienced no problems with dropless method, but hands-down putting in drops afterwards was better way for me.

REPLY
@catladyde9

Considering dropless laser cataract surgery; has anyone experienced this? Three times a day drops for a month will be problematic for me
to accomplish successfully.

Jump to this post

@catlady9 Never heard of laser to remove cataracts I had mine both eyes done in 2009 but you still need to put drops in before and after especially Good luck if you are choosing this way

REPLY
@cherriann

I had dropless cataract surgery in 2017 on my left eye. In January 2019 I had cataract surgery on my right eye with drops being administered for a month afterwards. I too, am terrible at putting drops in my eyes. Between my spouse, friends, ,and myself when there was no one else around - I managed to get them in quite well. My right eye cosmetically looked, and physically felt much better after surgery than my left eye did with the dropless method. Despite the inconvenience of putting in numerous drops, for me, if I had to do surgery over again I would opt for putting in drops after cataract surgery as my eye as a whole felt much better. Others may well have experienced no problems with dropless method, but hands-down putting in drops afterwards was better way for me.

Jump to this post

I agree 100%. The drops matter a lot. Taking large doses of fish oil really helps also. I loved my cataract surgery results!. The accuracy and increased depth and brightness of color was amazing. Sunsets were awesome. And I could once again see the stars in the night sky. Obtain high quality and very dark sunglasses in advance, you will need them. The brightness is shocking. Computerized laser is the best. Find and choose a highly qualified surgeon. It matters.

REPLY
@treyaj

I am sure that someone has designed an eye cup type of device that the drops bottle fits into, that you position over your eye socket and then with your eye open, administer the drops. Look online or call the pharma companies or the Association for the Blind. Also, possibly a homecare nurse could make a low cost daily visit to admin the drops. An advocate group, churches, meals on wherls etc. could possibly be trained to help. A local Nursing school could possibly send a student. The answers are out there, you need an advocate. You are courageous, patient, and amazingly resilient. I deeply admire your adaptibility and endurance. Best wishes!!

Jump to this post

@treyaj thank you for replying. There are still few surgeons who perform this surgery. Three times a day for a month and possibly more than that is something I or my eyes can handle (do have other health conditions). My opthalmologists have always had try several times
just to administer the dilating drops for my yearly exams -- its not really feasible for me to do so or to have someone come to my
home seven days a week. Thank you for offering these suggestions -- I do appreciate it.

REPLY
@mari

I had RESTOR put into left eye. $7000. My money, around 2007/8 please read: https://us.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hspart=iry&hsimp=yhs-estor+lens // Dr. Barry Wolstan ruined my left eye forever. his contact number is 310-543-4546.
RESTOR LENS put in, then I had to enlarge my text to 24 point bold on laptop. B4 : 8pt light, 6 point light type face. He said how great it was! a pretense. Tried to talk me into getting r eye done for more $$$$. I did not fall for that. He sent me to Dr. ( Head of Jules Stein, UCLA) had it taken out. Now when I am in my AZ home - sometimes dry air hurts my eye, also dust. I must wear an eye patch or keep left eye closed then get up and finish house work. Im a Graphic Designer - who used to b happy with my near sightedness. Making fine lines, reading 5-6 pt type etc. Also, same happened to good v-ball player, she Had Both eyes done by Wolstan. She would go for the ball and her depth perception was screwed up. She had to give up v-ball. Depth perception off by bout a foot.

Jump to this post

I'm so very sorry that happened to you that is why I'm sooooo frightened of having this done

REPLY
@ewatson201

I'm so very sorry that happened to you that is why I'm sooooo frightened of having this done

Jump to this post

Welcome to Mayo Connect. I took a quick look, and the person you are responding to made this post over 5 years ago, and may not be currently active here.
When you said "...that is why I'm sooooo frightened of having this done" were you referring to cataract surgery in general, or that particular implant?

Cataract surgery is generally very safe and effective with success rates between 96% with multi-focal lenses like the Restor, and 99% for standard lenses. Compared to the alternative, which is eventual blindness, this seems very safe to me.

Many of those who do have post-surgery issues can have them corrected with a very simple in-office procedure. My husband had a 5 minute laser procedure a few months after cataract surgery on one eye to clear up a little blurriness. The other went perfectly.

Also, keep in mind that the poster had their cataract surgery over 15 years ago - VERY early days for the multi-focal lenses. There are many more choices now, and surgeons can match lens choice to the patient's eye and preference.

Maybe you can do what I plan to do when I see the surgeon in May - discuss my options, including specific implants, then go home and research complication rates. (I already did this with my surgeon.)
Sue

REPLY
@sueinmn

Welcome to Mayo Connect. I took a quick look, and the person you are responding to made this post over 5 years ago, and may not be currently active here.
When you said "...that is why I'm sooooo frightened of having this done" were you referring to cataract surgery in general, or that particular implant?

Cataract surgery is generally very safe and effective with success rates between 96% with multi-focal lenses like the Restor, and 99% for standard lenses. Compared to the alternative, which is eventual blindness, this seems very safe to me.

Many of those who do have post-surgery issues can have them corrected with a very simple in-office procedure. My husband had a 5 minute laser procedure a few months after cataract surgery on one eye to clear up a little blurriness. The other went perfectly.

Also, keep in mind that the poster had their cataract surgery over 15 years ago - VERY early days for the multi-focal lenses. There are many more choices now, and surgeons can match lens choice to the patient's eye and preference.

Maybe you can do what I plan to do when I see the surgeon in May - discuss my options, including specific implants, then go home and research complication rates. (I already did this with my surgeon.)
Sue

Jump to this post

@ewatson201
I had cataract surgery this past July and October. It was spaced because of my travel plans. I have been with this opthamologist for many years. He has been keeping check on my cataract progression due to the medications that I am taking. I also have been treated for retinal vein occlusion that is now stable, but has damages the optical nerve in my left my eye. He said that he did not recommend any special lenses for me, and i trusted his judgement in my particular case. I am pleased with the procedure, his follow-up care, and the results. I do continue to wear corrective lenses.
I agree with Sue's plan to discuss with surgeon ahead of time. One thing that my opthamologist shared with me is that some doctors will refer patients to a surgeon who only sees the patient on the day of the cataract procedure. I know several friends who have done this and that is what would frighten me. I hope that will have a opthamologist who is going to discuss your procedure with you and provide the options that are going to nbe the best fit for you.

REPLY
@hodagwi

I also had the halos at night so had my left eye done first. My eyes were such that I never needed reading glasses so this lens was for distant and was done by regular surgery, no laser. Two years later the right eye said it was time and had that done for close up so still don't need reading glasses. DR said that not all people can adjust to one eye for distance and one eye for close up but evidently that always happened to me. No side effects from regular surgery and lens replacement.
GF on the other hand has had nothing but problems. Was told some of her tear ducts were not functioning so had the laser surgery in the left eye in October since it was supposed to have less damage to tear ducts. Almost immediately she felt like the eye was constricted and could see around the eye socket in her field of vision. Was dizzy. Now she has a black spot in the center of her vision in this eye and was told that was from a hemorage and would eventually dissolve. Really? Now she has dry eye and has to take drops 3-6 times a day. She had the right eye done about a month ago and also is now dry but doesn't not the side effects of the left eye. She has both eyes for distant and has such poor close up vision now that can't read or so can't do her seashell miniature work that she did before the surgery, even with glasses. DR came well recommended so still suffering on what to do about improving close up vision and constricted left eye and spots in eye. Thoughts? Oh, she had to pay for the laser surgery out of pocket, like $3000 out of pocket. I paid nothing for my normal surgery.

Jump to this post

Hi, which dr did you use? I will need cataract surgery soon and finding a good dr is hard. Thank you.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.