Warning!! re Cataract surgery!!

I understood that docs should never do both eyes at the same time. Why was that done for you?

Cataract surgery is most common surgery done and usually complication free. Sounds like you had unusual bad luck.

Hi Victoria, I learned about a macular pucker w/ERM in my right eye 2 years ago when getting tested for cataract surgery. At that time it was not an issue. Last fall it affected night driving so I saw a macular surgeon recommended by my optometrist. There were 3 docs in the practice, but she said to see only the one specific doc as he did these every week for over a dozen years.

5 days ago I have a vitrectomy w/membrane peel and went so well! I’ve regained central vision, and can drive at night and read music. (I ring handbells.) My eye will continue to improve over the coming weeks and months, up to a year. It was a real quality of life issue! So glad I had it done, and that I had the right surgeon.

If you decide to have the procedure, I strongly recommend you ask for recommendations for someone who does this all the time and expects great results.

Best wishes!
Sherry

I am having bilateral cataract - done in two sessions a week apart

Although they can’t really guarantee residual acuity for a given distance my comment to him was that since I have a little astigmatism but don’t want toric lens I will be wearing glasses anyway. So it might as well be a neutral lens. And that’s fine with me. I just want to be able to drive at night or in the rain. With or Without glasses.

I have one toric lens to correct astigmatism. Why would you not want this? My vision without glasses is so much better than before cataract surgery. I wear glasses still, but its not an issue for me.

I’m happy yours went well. But for some people the eyeball changes more the lens position shifts and then you either need a repeat surgery ir if you’re lucky you can correct with glasses. I decided I’m fine wearing glasses. I have only a bit of astigmatism so even without glasses I will have improved vision.

Just because it common doesn’t mean complication free! I belong to a cataract Facebook page and the number of imperfect surgeries is astounding. It maybe routine for the doctor but definately not routine for some patients.
I had cataract surgery go bad. Doctor insisted it was “perfect”
But was far from it.

In many cases, those with less than optimal results report this - while those that don't, don't.

Most data indicates about 4,000,000 cataract surgeries per year in the United States - so, given a ten year span of time, perhaps 40,000,000 surgeries.

In case of infection.

My understanding is they do the eyes separately incase something does not go well with the first. Maybe you have some special health issue that affected the decision to both at same time but I believe that is not the norm. Antibiotic drops are used afterword to prevent infections. Facebook group probably overloaded with people not happy. Satisfied people do not post stuff in my experience. My doc chose to wait a month between my two surgeries.