Cataract Surgery Part 2

[Leith]

About a month ago, I wrote about my first cataract surgery. Here's the link.

As I read my recount of the first surgery, I noticed something that was not quite correct: I said that I was not knocked out. However, since I have sketchy memory of it, that may not be the case. It seemed to go much quicker than the second one and I have more memory of the second.

I was a bit more relaxed this time, at least at first. Of course, the patient is sedated and I did not dread this one as much. Nurses asked me 4 or 5 times if I was claustrophobic, which I thought was strange. I assured them that I'm not claustrophobic. This time, I found out why they were concerned: the patient's face is covered with a stiff white paper with a piece cut out for the eye. The rest was taped to my face. Ah! Now I get it - and I'm definitely not claustrophobic. After all, it was just a sheet of white parchment paper (that's the closest description I can think of). I had no trouble breathing.


If you are squeamish, then don't read the quoted section.

QUOTE *******

The operation began. First a gel was put in my eye to keep it moist and some kind of apparatus was placed over it. There were a few flashes and I was instructed to stare at a certain dot. Then I felt the slice on my pupil and it reminded me of the first surgery - I had forgotten that part and most of the rest of the ordeal. I concentrated on staring the heck out of that dot and not moving any muscle except my diaphragm.

It took about 10 ~ 12 minutes. I was aware of the slice and the insertion of the disk placed over the pupil. I had a death grip on the chair's armrests like before. Like I said in the other post, I am weird about my eyeballs. I've never considered contacts because of it.

Once it was over, the nurses pulled the paper off my face. As they pulled it off, I started laughing because the tape felt like it was pulling my eyebrows off. Considering what I just went through, that was the easiest part of the whole thing.

QUOTE *******

I went into post-op for a while to let the anaesthetic to wear off, about half an hour or so. Then they got me a wheelchair to take me to the surgery exit for my ride home. They helped me stand and made sure that I could keep my balance when I stood up and got in the car.

Everyone at the doctor's office was wonderfully nice and professional. They made the whole process easy and as stress-free as possible. If you live in southern Nevada, PM me and I will recommend the doctor, office, and staff.

Now the fun part: I have been wearing glasses for myopia since I was 15. I am now far-sighted. All my old corrective lenses are useless. And I am enjoying the heck out of it! I can now stand at the entrance to a grocery store aisle and read the signs 30 ~ 40 feet away. What I can't do is read expiration dates on items so I do the sweet old lady routine and ask the nearest person for help. I just tell them that I didn't bring my reading glasses with me and ask them to tell me the date. Everyone is happy to help.

And guess what else - I don't need glasses to drive. My right eye is now 20/25, left is 20/40 because my left retina got messed up about 15 years ago (I've learned to live with it and adjust). I got reading glasses and polarized nonprescription sunglasses.


I hope my experiences help someone or even just let you know if you're curious.

[._.]

1. Cataracts

I went through it last August. Both eyes, the first surgery was a bit off putting because they used too much fentanyl. For the second one I asked them to use less, and it went much better. I was more aware and easily followed the doctors instructions. I felt much better post op the second time as well- (I was messed up, crying ffs during the first post op.) My vision is awesome now, I used my medicare, medical, and healthy SF insurance and it didn't cost me a DIME! Blue states rule.

[Leith]

4. Medicare took care of it for me

With Part D, it didn't cost me a thing, either.

I don't care what anyone says, gimme some o' that socialized medicine!

[Nanakoff]

2. Under-corrected one eye

Just want to say what has worked so well with my cataract surgery. For years I had been wearing contacts with one eye corrected for distance and the other under-corrected for closeup. I was able to do this same method with new cataracts. No glasses or contacts needed and I couldn’t be happier!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. According to my doctors, I may be two or three years away from needing cataract surgery

Thank you for your report

[Leith]

5. Mine had to wait until I was 65

But it is amazing! I haven't been able to see this well for decades - even with glasses.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

7. I am 67

[red dog 1]

6. K&R

[RobinA]

8. I'm Glad

to hear about all the great cataract experiences. However, just a heads up. I had both eyes done and the second one did not go well. Although the doctor told me it went wonderfully. Unfortunately, I could not see well out of my right eye. He blew me off every time I told him. The optometrist wouldn't listen either. I started to think maybe I was expecting too much.

Finally, finally I went to another doctor who took one look through his machine and announced that the new lens was dislocated. Seems the first doctor had run into some glitch during the surgery and didn't use the kind of lens that should have been used. So I had the surgery AGAIN and now I can see quite well. No more headache when I read or use the computer, either.

Point being, if you think you didn't get good vision, don't give up. Second opinion.

[Leith]

9. Hate when that happens

- when the doctor (or anybody else) doesn't listen.

Good that you got it taken care of finally. My left eye got messed up years ago, nobody's fault (except my stressful job at the time which caused high blood pressure).