Cataract surgery must be one of the very most frequently performed surgeries today. The implanted lens folds for insertion through a VERY small corneal incision. Routine but remarkable.

Here is an excellent write up by an engineer on his cataract experience. I’ve exchanged correspondence with him- brilliant guy and super helpful.
https://www.komar.org/faq/colorado-cataract-surgery-crystalens/

I was nervous before my cataract surgery but was assured there would not be any discomfort. It was the easiest surgery I’ve ever experienced. Had both done the same day. Easy peasy.

I was also told by my doc that because of my glaucoma (pressure in the eyes) there is a chance that down the road I would have contrast problems. I asked what that meant and his example was if you look at black print on a newspaper (which isn't really white) it would be hard to see without a good light.

From the article that Ken posted, there's this hue test, that I thought was interesting.

https://www.xrite.com/hue-test?

Cool test, Steve.
I scored a 4.
I thought I would be perfect...

When my dad had his cataracts done, it was a bit riskier than it is today and he chose the most experienced local surgeon to do the operation.
Dad was a weldor and no doubt that had some impact on his eyes and also had a detached/torn retina that was repaired successfully about 5 years previous.
Like Jim, dad was amazed at the difference in whites and blues when the eye patch was removed. Truly a miracle surgery for those that are affected.

He had the second eye done a month or two later and a little tune up ten years after that.

Cool test! Got a 2. Left eye is still a little blurry from op yesterday and 37 drops this morning.k

I managed a 0. I assumed I wouldn't be perfect. My dad was partially colorblind.

I'm going to blame my perfect score on the great 5k screen on my new 27" iMac.

Mine were done several years ago, two weeks apart. I was not totally out during the surgery and could hear what they were talking about, like baseball. At one point, the doc asked me to look up which I did. I didn't feel a thing but could see all sorts of odd shapes and colors for a brief spell.

During post op, I was blown away by the difference between my bad eye and new one. Had I known how bad my eyes really were, the surgery would have happened sooner. The difference in colors was stunning, in addition to amazing clarity. My vision was worse than I realized. After being apprehensive going in, I wanted the second eye done asap. I still stop to appreciate my new vision, even after 3 and 1/2 years.

The rings around oncoming headlights at night haven't bothered me but I was seeing a line through street lights which as others have mentioned, the doc eventually zapped out in his office. I had to ask him if he had done the zapping yet since I didn't feel anything while he was looking at my eyes with the machine. I'm fortunate that my results have been excellent.

2 on the test

they put me out for the surgery but I woke up part way thru [gas]
doc yelled he is wake put him out and don't move to me

old method in 1999 eye hurt next day but went away by day two

My late wife was an ophthalmologist (glaucoma sub-specialist) and used to perform lots of cataract surgeries. The complication rate is very low. Many patients experience crystal clear vision immediately after surgery.

I scored a 10 on the test. Not surprised, old monitor, older eyes and Dad was color blind.

Edit - So I went back and took that test again. Scored a 4. First test I took, I was concentrating on the right end sq and getting the hues to line up correctly from right to left. Second time thru I concentrated on the left end and worked them left to right.

Did the test again remembering that I had a touch screen that I could zoom in on the colour chips....
Scored a zero this time.
Happier with that.... :)

I just had my eye exam yesterday.

Was told eyes were in very good health and cataract surgery still at least 10 years out.

I'm 66 so doing good. My Rx actually went down a bit, instead of increasing.

I'm near-sighted and wear contacts when working outside and glasses inside.

I asked about Lasic and she said spend the money to get the robot guided procedure - don't go the cheap route that's done by hand.

Something like $500 per eye for cheap and $2,200 per eye for robot guided.

I haven't decided to do it yet and probably wouldn't for a while. I don't mind the contacts and glasses for now.

This is "the guy" in our area....
https://filutowskieye.com/

Glad your surgery went well, Tech!

My wife had lasik and less than a year later, she was back to about where she had been before. But she's younger than you, so maybe hit a period right before a lot of change. I don't think she'd do it again if she had the choice.

The guy in the link I provided has been doing it quite a while and has a very good reputation - including making sure things are right no matter what, I'm told.

My eye doctor said she had hers done by him quite a few years ago and is very happy with the results.

I can't comment of course on why your wife's procedure didn't work out right. I don't know enough about it.

He likely is very good but your optometrist is just as likely to be getting a referral fee for each patient sent in.

Also, since we're talking cataracts, I think I'd be pretty tempted to find someone willing to do both in one visit...most won't for a variety of reasons and money is one of them.

I had my left eye done last December, but it didn't go well. I could see well when they took the bandage off the next day, but the doc said he couldn't get all of the cataract, and the remaining part may drop into view in the future. Later that week it went to crap, worse than before. He said it was very hard, and stuck to the back of the case that surrounds the lens. He said he was afraid of tearing the case, so he installed the lens and called it good. He said to fix it, I will need to go to a guy that does internal eye surgery, to try to get it out from behind the lens case. For now, I'm legally blind in that eye, and my right eye is getting worse, but I don't want to do anything with it until I have my left eye fixed. aarrgg.

John - that blows. My father had a very similar experience. Luckily for him his surgeon had the honesty to tap out and recommend he go to the NY Eye Institute in Manhattan. It’s one of the premier eye centers on the planet, and evidently get tough cases from around the world. If I was you, in all seriousness, I would get on a plane and get there. Eyesight is beyond price. Good luck, man.

Ouch, that sucks!