Cataracts and Dementia

Our situation may be unique but I want to add a word of caution. My hubby is in the moderate stage of Alzheimers. He had cataract surgery last November. Both eyes...a few weeks apart. During the first surgery there were some issues with him hallucinating and "jerking". The doc said it was a difficult surgery because of the extent of the cataract and it took longer than ususal. For the second eye our doc used a different eye block for the surgery. That one went well. You may want to ask about options. About a month after the surgeries my hubby had a detatched retina and emergency surgery. Did the cataract surgery cause the detatched retina? No way to know. The recovery from the detatched retina surgery was brutal. We are still dealing with the aftermath. In both cases we had absolutely competent docs. That was not the issue.

That is so interesting I have never realized they do not do that on Alzheimer's or dementia patients Ive worked in that field of work referring people for my optometrist I worked for and opticians all my life and never knew this but what I do know is everyone that I sent to have this done told me they wished they could of done it sooner knowing how easy it was and how well they seen. Does he have a cataract in only one eye cause this would make sense why he could be off balance its like closing and eye when your that bad. The other thing is I know once you get it done you cant do this and that and I am wondering if its because of the do and don't and when you have dementia they wont remember or forget and could do more harm to the eye if that is the reason. I would ask your ophthalmologist this question before hand because your in that boat of what is best there both bad but if he cannot see a thing now what do you have to loose. What I mean by that lets say something goes bad cause lifting something , no bending i hear things like this can do damage even rubbing your eyes it is similar to lasik which i had and it is important not to rub your eyes and I am a eye rubber I was freaking out at doing that cause you can lift that layer they lift to do the surgery I believe cataract is similar but they put a lens there like a contact lens. It must have to do with that I cannot see any other reason why not. But if that was my mom or dad I would rather take that risk and hope for the best cause if you fall and break something your in a worst boat then the situation your in now with not seen in one eye. Hopefully its just one most times it is both eyes but they do not do both at the same time. Id like to know that answer if you ever find out. I am retired right now so I can't really ask that question for you but would love to know the reason behind it for curiosity or anyone here in this forum. Thank you and best of luck finding for who ever this is for.

Thank you @margoduncan, I hope my husband can have the surgery soon. I know I will have to watch him like a hawk to make sure he doesn't bend forward or rub his eye. He can't see out of his right eye so he has nothing to lose.

Hi @scottrl
Thanks for your message.
My husband is scheduled to have cataract extraction on Wednesday, and I arranged this as a private client since our HMO denied my request for an out of network referral.
In a nutshell, we had a consult call with an Opthalmologist about six weeks after he saw the optometrist. She informed us the waiting time was nine months or more. I expressed concern so she put us on a cancellation list, which wasn't satisfying.
On October 24, Opthalmology had a cancellation and offered cataract surgery on Nov. 7, but that required two airplane trips to Honolulu prior to the 7th and an overnight stay there the date of the surgery.
In talking to my husband, and knowing his routines, his need to rest throughout the day, his aversion to loud noises, crowds, etc. I decided it was in his best interest to get the surgery locally and avoid the stress of all that travel, added to the medical procedures, in such a short time.
There is a good Opthalmologist here, with an office and surgery center a ten minute drive from our house. The cost is about $6,000.00 for one eye.
I'm very disappointed with our HMO for denying the request because they "offer Opthalmology Services."
Really???
I will post again after the surgery.
Again, thank you for your concern,
Teri

Thank you for the update.

That's really awful about the insurance refusing your claim!

Best of luck on the upcoming surgery.

Update:
My husband had cataract surgery on Nov. 15. His cataract was severe, dense, the doctor said, so it took longer than usual to extract it. He became agitated during surgery and I was called into the OR to calm him. He was given some extra sedation.
After the surgery he acted as if nothing happened. He was bright and alert and could see well almost immediately.
On the day of surgery, I was told he had to return in three months for lens polishing that would cost $1285.00. (I paid cash for the surgery as our HMO wouldn't authorize a procedure performed locally with a doctor not in their network.)
Long story short:
We got through the drops. It was a struggle to get him not to blink. His vision is now 20/20. He's more sociable and engaged. Since the surgery I've had a friend over twice, and rather than retreating to the bedroom and resenting her presence as he used to do, he's stayed with us and engaged in conversation.
After researching it, and speaking with another doctor, I cancelled the Yag Laser Capsulotomy (lens polishing). It is recommended when a patient develops a secondary cataract, cloudiness after surgery, or loses visual acuity. My husband has no symptoms. The procedure can always be done if symptoms develop.
My husband is delighted with the gift of new sight and I'm relieved and pleased that it went so well and this is behind us.
Thank you everyone for your support, and
Best wishes for a Happy New Year!