Cataracts: What can I expect? How to prepare?

She might like some help with post surgery drops. Surgeon should provide guidelines for after care.

I’m also going to have this surgery at some later time, basically I was told that it’s a very common procedure and you’re awake, they can do it manually which the government usually pays for but you have to pay for new lenses that go into your eyes. The other option is having laser surgery which is probably easier but not covered by the government and less messy, they will also provide you with paperwork that will answer all your concerns, it’s a common procedure and occurs more often with seniors.

Very good post, I also am having my cataracts done in 2 weeks, 79 years old also, and going with the distance lens correction and continue with readers.
Also was told that the eye drops i was to use for about a month after can be purchased from them is just one bottle were as if purchased at a drug store i would need 3 different types. Medicare does not cover there's as maybe would at local drug store?
I also did't know like "frouke" mentioned that Medicare doesn't cover if procedure was done by laser.
Good subject

@jer22, I live in Canada and the information I posted here was based on where I am, sorry for the oversight, I forget sometimes that you’re in the USA.

Please do homework on your doctor and the lens they are using. I did do my homework on my doctor and waited months to see him. Unfortunately, he did not warn me about all the possible side effects. I ended up with positive dysphotopsia, which is constant flickering in the outside of my eye. It has been 11 weeks now and it never goes away unless I am in a very dimly lit room. Florescent lights are horrible. I have read a lot that the light is catching the edge of the lens and causing this because I have a "square edge" lens. I had no idea. I have a Vivity toric lens, which my doctor recommended as the best lens for me for distance and to help my astigmatism. I also have an irregular cornea because I had LASIK 27 years ago. Supposedly this goes away with time for most people, because your brain just has to adjust to the new lens, but no one know how much time. Some things I've read say 3-6 weeks, some say 3-6 months, some say a year. I'm headed to the Cleveland Clinic to see if I can get some help because I am only 57 years old and it has ruined my life. Doctors don't warn you that this can happen. If he had warned me, I would have never done it.

I had mine done in March and I am so happy with the results. This is not your grandma's cataract surgery - the surgery takes about 10-15 minutes (!) and afterwards the restrictions are pretty minimal - try to keep from bending over, rubbing your eyes (no duh), and don't lift more than 20 pounds. Lots of eye drops before and after, so you may want to help out with the schedule for those. No prep necessary, when I got there they put in a bunch of eye drops (mostly to numb the eye. They put in an IV port (just in case - you had the choice of with or without sedation - I went with for both surgeries). Where I had it done, you sat in a chair that they rolled into surgery and flattened out into a bed. Pre-surgery they "wash" both eyes - of course only the eye being operated on is numb, so a bit of a sting for the unprepped eye. And the very worst part was pulling off the drape that they had taped to my face to keep it in place - Yikes. Second surgery I was ready for it and used my hands to keep the skin more taut so the tape didn't pull so hard. And that was that. Easy peasy.

Hello Hello---This is also my problem!!! It has taken me 2 years to finally figure out what this issue is with my eyes after my cataract surgery--after seeing 12 top opthomologists here in the Boston area. NO ONE identidfied it.--just kept calling it dry eye...which they ironically said I do not have dry eyes!! PLEASE let me know what the Cleveland Clinice advises-- I do understand that lens replacement is very risky...........Thanks very much, mtpeony@aol.com

Hello mauigirl17
Reading your post you mention after 2 years you have figured out what your issue is with eyes after cataract surgery-- I guess I don't understand what that was, do you then indeed have dry eyes? and if so what do you do for them.
Sorry for not understanding-- I am getting my cataract surgery in a week.---Thanks

First - treat for dry eye - almost everyone has this. Get script for Restates (or other like meds) if required - a couple of months in advance. Use lubricant drops as recommended by the surgeon (not the optometrist), etc.

Discuss the options for types of IOLs - there are many. If your parent has already been using readers, and has not had refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK, RK), then likely a single vision lens will be fine.

The refraction tests will determine what script the IOL will use. Make sure this is all done - auto refraction, manifest refraction, various types of biometry to determine scripts.

There is a lot of information online about cataract surgery - a few hours research and you will be set. Also, YouTube has many videos - including two I like - Dr Krad and Dr Wong.

I am just a patient - I had LAL IOLs implanted last year - am plano and 20/15 in distance eye, and J1+ and -2.50 and 20/25 in near eye. I chose this IOL because I had LASIK 18 years ago.

sorry for the confusion..I do not have dry eyes. I have dysphotopsias condition.