Cataracts - at what point do you get surgery?

[dennis in se pa]

My eye doc is telling me I have cataracts. I agree. But only in my left eye, and not too bad. It only rarely bothers me. I can see w my glasses just fine. I can drive at night, and I see colors like I always have. At what point do you make the decision to have surgery? I am 71 y/o.

[Seahawk]

I go in at Johns Hopkins in Dec after I get my right hip replaced on my birthday in November.

It is fuzzy for me, left eye. I can still drive, just had my license renewed early, but prefer not to drive at night if I don't have to.

The eye Institute at Hopkins is called the Wilmer Institute and is one of the best in the nation...you may be close enough.

[The Synergizer]

A friend just did this. 10 minute operation these days. He said the difference is amazing, the clarity.

The problem is the degradation of vision is gradual, over years, and most don't realize how bad it's getting.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by The Synergizer

A friend just did this. 10 minute operation these days. He said the difference is amazing, the clarity.

The problem is the degradation of vision is gradual, over years, and most don't realize how bad it's getting.

Exactly right.

The hard part for us is the follow-up the next day.

My MIL had it done, and they just stayed in Towson, Maryland.

[cstreit]

I had retinal reattachment surgery early this year. One "result" of the lasering is cataract formation. I have one in my right eye.

For me the issue after 9 months is significant. That eye cannot be corrected to have both near and far vision without causing double-vision.

I'm getting mine done this fall.

I don't think there's a risk of permanent damage to waiting from what I've read, but I'd ask your doctor about that.

[LWJ]

Wife just did this on her right eye at age 52 (or maybe 53???)

Her right eye went from worthless to being described as "Bionic."

She is pretty damn happy.

[porsche tech]

There’s a whole thread on this. Had both mine done a couple of years ago. Dr said it’s a life style thing…how bad is it messing up your golf game or in Seahawk’s case, night driving, etc…kinda up to you. I got (and recommend) the multi focal lens ( a little more $ ) which is for close, medium distance and far away. I am now 20/20 for distance and reading. Wore glasses since I was about 18…now no more. It’s quick and amazing!

[pwd72s]

I'm 78. Just went through it, both eyes, this summer. From the glowing reports of others, I was looking forward to it, had great expectations. Alas, great expectations can bring great disappointment. First, a painful healing process...evidently, this blue eyed lad has what's called a fragile cornea...once healed, with glasses, about 20-30. But distance vision not the best. Feel like I have to almost get on top of street signs before I can read them...have to be within 3-4 car lengths. As the othalmologist explained it, he fixed my cameras, but because of macular degeneration, the film isn't that good. I also have glaucoma to further complicate things. Do drops for those. I will say that colors are more vibrant, and the world is much brighter.

So, I'm still adjusting to what it now is. Hey, considering how many of my buddies have already left the planet, I guess I'm lucky.

Also, keep in mind..this is only my experience, not yours. An othalmologist should be able to tell you when it's time. Sounds to me that you're still years away from needing lens replacement, although it depends on how fast they grow. My advice? Enjoy those years...

[rfuerst911sc]

To the OP : what does your eye doctor recommend ? I would listen to what he or she says and then get a 2nd opinion and maybe even a third . In my opinion education is key when making what could be a life altering decision .

[porsche tech]

I also have (like pwd72s) glaucoma (pressure in the eye). I’m my case they call it pre-glaucoma and I’ve been taking drops for probably 20 years (I’m 75) to help with the pressure. During the cataract surgery, the Dr also put a tiny drain device in each eye that helps to lower the pressure (Medicare paid for that—thanks). Pressure came down and remains lower. There’s always risk in any surgery and as they say…the only “minor surgery” is surgery somebody else is getting”!

[911 Rod]

What about just getting one eye done so if there are complications you still have a good one?

[Hawkeye's-911T]

10 minute operation these days - the difference is amazing

I say - 'go for it' - you'll enjoy the results. I certainly did.

Cheers
JB

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

What about just getting one eye done so if there are complications you still have a good one?

In my case, it was left eye first, right eye several weeks later.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

What about just getting one eye done so if there are complications you still have a good one?

They do them one at a time, always.

They wait until they are "ripe," whatever that means.

Thing about cataracts, as I understand it, is once you get the lens replaced, color looks much brighter. Apparently the lens clouds up and yellows as you approach the age of venerable, such as our Paul from the boonies in Oregon, or Paul the helo jockey, it gets to where night vision sort of goes away. Color vision also goes to crap, because you are looking at the world through a cloudy, yellowing window. I am told it is like magic, what happens to your color vision.

[porsche tech]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

In my case, it was left eye first, right eye several weeks later.

Pretty sure that’s how they do everybody…couple of weeks apart.

[71bug]

Allow me to first introduce myself...the wife has a 71 Bug, not me. I found this site when a member of the hunting site I frequent posted he caught his boys in the GRID GIRLS thread on this page. I live in the Florida Panhandle, and I grew up across the bay from the Destin Bridge before most people outside the south had ever heard of it (graduated high school in 81).

Anyway, I suggest you get your Optometrist or you schedule an appointment with the Surgeon your DR. recommends. I hesitate to say him, not because I am woke, but both of mine happen to be named Jennifer. Both Dr. Jennifer's are the best. Anyway the test you get at the Surgeon will convince you if you need them or not. For me it was a no brainer.

I knew my left was bad, but the tests showed my right was bad enough that my insurance would pay to have it done also.

[Crowbob]

My dad got both done in his 70’s after having worn glasses every day of his life from age 5 or so. He couldn’t believe it. It took us all a long time to get used to Grampa without glasses.

Mom was wondering if other ‘enhancement’ surgeries for old guys are out there.

[Bugsinrugs]

I had mine done on both eyes the same day. I couldn’t drive at night because of the on coming lights would blind me.

[dennis in se pa]

Thanks for the responses.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by 71bug

Allow me to first introduce myself...the wife has a 71 Bug, not me. I found this site when a member of the hunting site I frequent posted he caught his boys in the GRID GIRLS thread on this page. I live in the Florida Panhandle, and I grew up across the bay from the Destin Bridge before most people outside the south had ever heard of it (graduated high school in 81).

Anyway, I suggest you get your Optometrist or you schedule an appointment with the Surgeon your DR. recommends. I hesitate to say him, not because I am woke, but both of mine happen to be named Jennifer. Both Dr. Jennifer's are the best. Anyway the test you get at the Surgeon will convince you if you need them or not. For me it was a no brainer.

I knew my left was bad, but the tests showed my right was bad enough that my insurance would pay to have it done also.

Long time listener, first time caller!!