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Cataract Surgery

olbriar

olbriar

 
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VIP Member
I was advised about a year ago that I had a cataract that should be removed. At the time it seemed that waiting until the mowing season was over would give me plenty of time to have the surgery and recover without interrupting my daily tasks. I had a heart attack last fall that put everything on hold. I don't know if the cataract seems worse because I'm in the sun so much or if it is aggressively growing but for whatever reason, the vision in the cataract eye has substantially deteriorated to the point that I need to do something about it. I have all kinds of questions that I hope someone here can answer.
Anyone here been though cataract surgery? Were you happy with the results? How much down time? Did you start with your optometrist or start by shopping your local options for the surgery? Did you have any financial help.. Medicare? Supplement? ... and on and on. I thank you in advance.
 
My neighbor behind me had cataract surgery a couple of years ago. He had Medicare and Medicare Supplemental plan F (also called Medigap), so anything not covered by medicare was covered {also called medgap} I didn't see him for two days after the surgery, and he seemed fine. He is now living with his daughter in Chicago
 
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One of my good friend had the surgery, younger though, but said a few weeks after the surgery his vision was amazing with no issues
 
I spoke yesterday with one of my mow customers. She had both eyes, not at the same time, done a couple of years ago. She said the end result was simply amazing and she highly recommends the procedure. She told me that her Medicare covered all costs. I'm not seeing that without a medigap plan in place. I'm seeing that Medicare part B pays up to 80% of a standard procedure if it is necessary and a standard lens replacement is used. I do have an advantage plan... I'll have to see if they will chip in. I am getting so desperate that I really don't care how much it costs but with all of my health problems of late, I'm weary of all the pay pay pay I've being confronted with.
 
We talked about:
Medicare, which is Govt insurance
Medicare Advantage Plan, which is (100%) Private insurance. Also called Medicare Part C
Medigap, also called Medicare Supplemental, which is private insurance you can buy to cover what Medicare (Govt insurance) doesn't cover

You either have Medicare (Govt Insurance) and an option to buy a Medigap plan (Private insurance) to pay for what Medicare (govt insurance) doesn't pay for

or

You have a Medicare Advantage Plan which is totally (100%) Private insurance. It's confusing because they add the word Medicare

The Govt pays Private Insurance companies a flat monthly fee for each person they take off Medicare (Govt insurance) and put them on Medicare Advantage Plan (Private insurance).

Hope that helps.
 
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olbriar said:
I was advised about a year ago that I had a cataract that should be removed. At the time it seemed that waiting until the mowing season was over would give me plenty of time to have the surgery and recover without interrupting my daily tasks. I had a heart attack last fall that put everything on hold. I don't know if the cataract seems worse because I'm in the sun so much or if it is aggressively growing but for whatever reason, the vision in the cataract eye has substantially deteriorated to the point that I need to do something about it. I have all kinds of questions that I hope someone here can answer.
Anyone here been though cataract surgery? Were you happy with the results? How much down time? Did you start with your optometrist or start by shopping your local options for the surgery? Did you have any financial help.. Medicare? Supplement? ... and on and on. I thank you in advance.
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I had cataract surgery two years ago. I opted for the expensive lenses and had it done by a ophthalmologist. About a year and half later I noticed I was having a little less clarity. The doc said a film builds up over the lenses and touched it up for free. I can read the paper and do need some help with electronic components but I suspect everyone does. I would recommend it. btw I mow 40 acres with a bush hog and always wear sunglass googles.
 
wmwinkle said:
I had cataract surgery two years ago. I opted for the expensive lenses and had it done by a ophthalmologist. About a year and half later I noticed I was having a little less clarity. The doc said a film builds up over the lenses and touched it up for free. I can read the paper and do need some help with electronic components but I suspect everyone does. I would recommend it. btw I mow 40 acres with a bush hog and always wear sunglass googles.
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I mow lawns and do a lot of bike riding. I always wear tinted eye protection. Mowing can be dangerous but trimming can easily put an eye out. Only someone foolish will not wear some eye protection. I'm a huge fan of safety sunglasses. I buy Nemesis by the three packs on Amazon. I do appreciate you sharing your opinion on cataract surgery.
 
My sister is on a supplement. She had BAAAD cataracts. Here's the deal: The laser knife is NOT covered, so you will have to pay extra if you go with that rather than a manual knife. Additionally, only a standard lens is covered. If you want to get a vision correcting lens, you'll have to pay for that too. My sister was legally blind in one eye. That eye is now 20/20. Her surgery was like two weeks ago, fyi. FYI, she said it was totally painless and over before she knew it.
 
I saw my optometrist this morning. I now have cataracts in both eyes. I am scheduled for my consultation meeting for the surgery of the really bad eye next month. I didn't realize that there were options to discuss. At least the ball is now rolling. I am looking forward to seeing again.
 
olbriar said:
I saw my optometrist this morning. I now have cataracts in both eyes. I am scheduled for my consultation meeting for the surgery of the really bad eye next month. I didn't realize that there were options to discuss. At least the ball is now rolling. I am looking forward to seeing again.
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I have the beginnings. Medicare covers it all EXCEPT if you want them to use a laser knife, you have to pay for that. They cover basic lenses but if you want upgraded multifocal, you have to pay extra. It's a quick and easy procedure. My sister just had it. She had multiple complications. She was petrified. She came out saying it was a breeze. I remember my mom said the same thing. Let me know what you decide, bro.
 
PitCarver said:
Glad that you're finally getting started OB.
My wife had one of hers done last year and the results were awesome.
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I just had my eyes check by the ophthalmologist, yesterday. I have the very beginnings of cataracts, but nothing that would affect night driving. So, carry on-Steven.
 
Today I went through all of the pre op jazz to have both cataracts removed. I'm scheduled for surgery the 6th and then the 20th of November for the procedures. I'm looking forward to have the problem behind me.

On a disappointing note, I was diagnosed with Fuchs' Dystrophy today. It's a disease of the cornea that there is no cure. My father was nearly blind from the disease when he passed and my older sister has suffered for over a decade from it. I thought that I had escaped the disease but no such luck. Being diagnosed at such a late date, it will likely not be a factor in my lifetime. I hope that I haven't passed it onto my children. Time will tell.
 
olbriar said:
Today I went through all of the pre op jazz to have both cataracts removed. I'm scheduled for surgery the 6th and then the 20th of November for the procedures. I'm looking forward to have the problem behind me.

On a disappointing note, I was diagnosed with Fuchs' Dystrophy today. It's a disease of the cornea that there is no cure. My father was nearly blind from the disease when he passed and my older sister has suffered for over a decade from it. I thought that I had escaped the disease but no such luck. Being diagnosed at such a late date, it will likely not be a factor in my lifetime. I hope that I haven't passed it onto my children. Time will tell.
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Good luck with the procedures. REALLY sorry about the FD diagnosis, brother.
 
Steven58 said:
Good luck with the procedures. REALLY sorry about the FD diagnosis, brother.
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I've anticipated the diagnosis for years and my optometrist was aware of the potential genetic history. I guess it's just now showing cell loss. I feel fortunate. My father was clinically blind at death (83) and my older sister is not far behind him. Besides, it confirms that I am my father's son :)
For years I have done genealogy work. I have a branch of my father's family that suffered from what they called mad cow disease. I've helped a number of descendants of that branch genetically link a family member to the disease. My particular branch suffers from FD. I'll take that over going crazy :) I'm crazy enough without a genetically linked disorder. :)
 
Several years ago I woke up and everything was fuzzy. I figured it was just the sleep in my eyes but it didn't get better. I eventually went to my optometrist and he confirmed that I had developed completely transparent cataracts, apparently overnight, that threw my vision off four diopters. I was scheduled for surgery and each eye was done a week apart. It's a really incredible procedure: I felt absolutely nothing and saw a kaleidoscope of colors while the surgeon pulverized the cataract lens, extracted it with a micro-suction needle, and inserted the new lens. After a few days of antibiotic eye drops, I could see every leaf on every tree in the distance. A week later, repeat for the other eye. The difference was amazing and my night vision is now super hero stuff!

Two years later, I started getting fuzziness in my peripheral vision. Back to the surgeon, who confirmed that a layer of scar tissue had formed around the residual lens material (no way to get ALL of it out). The fix was a one-time perforation of the layer with a laser: he cut it into four pieces that, over the next couple of days, just peeled away into the back of my eye and out of my field of vision. I have prescription glasses for reading and computer work/driving, but I'm a happy camper!
 
Everyone I know that has had the surgery speaks volumes about the ease of the operation and the amazing difference in vision it makes. I'm sorry to hear about your scar tissue problem that developed. I'm glad that there was some sort of fix.
I will still need prescription glasses post surgery. I've worn glasses all of my adult life. I feel odd without them. It would be nice to be without but wearing them is not a big deal to me. I just hope to again see the world without it looking like I'm viewing it through a glass of creek water. :)
 
Tomorrow I start my pre op eyedrops for my first cataract surgery Wednesday. I'm anxious to experience the procedure and looking forward to seeing better. The only concern I have is I'm to limit my coughing and no blowing my nose for a week post op. I sneeze and blow my nose all of the time. This will be interesting.
 
Today came and went without my eye surgery. I'm dealing with the largest and most respected vision group in the area. They called someone (not me) last week to inform me that due to an error on their part, they somehow entered my insurance info but they don't accept it. I'm glad it's not a life and death matter... sheesh. In any event, they have another branch that does accept my insurance and they will transfer all of my info and preliminary tests and measurements to the other branch. I'm to sit tight and await a call from them to reschedule the procedure. I hope they don't leave me hanging and call someone else again. I'm less than impressed so far.
 
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