Cataract Surgery

[Seahawk]

So, and no one can really say what causes them (and I did a lot of homework) my left eye went from maybe 25% occluded vision to zippy in a year: I called it my Joni "Shadows and Light" period.

Wednesday was game day at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins.

"Culture" is a term that is often over used when trying to describe an organization.

Not Wilmer.

I have never dealt with a more professionally gifted group of people in many years, from the Admin Staff, Check-in staff, Nurses, Interns, and the associated Doc Squad.

All the folks involved from the moment I arrived, from surgery, to it went great go away until tomorrow, to the Thursday revel on your new sight picture (amazing) and you can go home were, and you can't fake this at the organizational scale, kind, delightful, skilled and professional.

For me, they had to insert a new lens in my left eye. I was awake the whole time, which was beyond fascinating to me. Dr. Jun talked during the 30 plus minute procedure to his staff and younger surgeons assisting.

Post Op a breeze and the net day, the reveal and check, was great.

If you folks need eye stuff and are near Baltimore, please use Wilmer: My experience was a gauntlet of talent at every turn.

[Billiam 911 2.8]

Seahawk, thanks for hearing about your excellent results at Johns Hopkins. I need both eyes done and I need to research who has the best reputation here on the west coast. My HMO Kaiser is in the middle of a labor strike and when it comes to eyes, you often don't get a second chance to do it right.

[masraum]

Cool, and congrats! Yep, cataract surgery is pretty amazing stuff these days.

You're right about having a great experience from everyone in an org is unusual. My wife has stopped using places because the front desk folks were bad. She doesn't like the office manager at our dentist, but the rest of the staff are good, and she doesn't usually have to deal with the office manager so she's still using them.

[thingmon]

Similar positive experience with Dr Mark Mayo's teams here in Houston. Blade for one, laser for the other. Different facilities, but both procedures went fine. Highly recommend.

[gacook]

Glad it went well, Paul.

Professionalism and quality care should be recongnized and admired, no matter the field. Kudos to you for commending them on their job.

[Bugsinrugs]

Had both eyes done the same day at Kaiser Oakland. Great outcome and experience.

[Scott Douglas]

Pardon my ignorance, but is the new lens artificial or a donated lens?
If artificial, how does it focus at varying distances?
I'm thinking of this in terms of a camera lens if that helps.

Congrats on a fine out come. I really value my vision such as it is now.

[astrochex]

Congrats on the successful surgery Seahawk, good vision is a precious gift.

I got the heebie-jeebies reading you were awake the whole time, yikes.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Pardon my ignorance, but is the new lens artificial or a donated lens?.

Artificial. Dr. Jun explained it all to me but my ability to understand medical stuff needs work

Originally Posted by astrochex

I got the heebie-jeebies reading you were awake the whole time, yikes.

Honestly, it was like listening to Air Traffic Control while flying...constant chatter, challenge/response, updates, status and they brought me into the stream a few times.

I loved it.

There is zero pain.

[astrochex]

How did they administer the anesthetic?

[dad911]

Interesting.

I have an issue, RK surgery back in the early 90's of which I had no complaints, but when same doc did my cataract 5 years ago, it caused problems. I see shadows with that eye now, and even though he used a multi-focal lens I have neither close nor distant w/o glasses. I've had exams and second opinions from 2 other docs, but I should see about an opinion from them.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by astrochex

How did they administer the anesthetic?

IV for drip that settles any anxiety. Then numb the eye. You can’t really see, hard to describe.

The key is I was lucid and did not have to wait to recover after surgery.

Lucid may be too strong, but you get my drift

[Bill Verburg]

Great to hear, I have 2 of the same coming up this winter.

[Zeke]

I was awake for an inguinal hernia surgery. Yeah, lucid might not apply. I think I was trying to get a date with the only person I could lock eyes with, a nurse or anesthesiologist near my head. They put some kind of drape up at my stomach so I could maybe see the surgeon's head.

She was probably NOT hot.

[p911dad]

I am glad it went well for you! I had both eyes done 3 years ago, using the variable focus lens The amazing thing was the sky color. What I had previously thought was bright blue was really a grey-blue and after the cataract removal it became a real brilliant blue. Also driving at night is much better with less glare and dazzle.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by astrochex

How did they administer the anesthetic?

Today, topical local anesthetic meds are used most often for routine cataract surgeries. Occasionally, an injection of local anesthetic (peribulbar or retrobulbar block) may be necessary. If you have issues with needles, don't google that. Various levels of sedation may also be employed for those situations. Lastly, general anesthesia could be indicated for extenuating circumstances.

[Tobra]

You know what everybody tells me after they get their cataracts fixed?

I should have done this years ago, colors are so much brighter.

You probably already have an assortment of aviator glasses. I have also heard glare can be an issue, particularly with the nuclear power head lights that are popular now. I guess there are glasses for that too.

They tell you what to do after, use the drops, don't hang upside down, no boxing. You can even get upgrade lenses from what Medicare will cover. You maybe know a guy who knows the guy with the hookup for the Dr Goldman upgrade where you can see the plates on the car a mile ahead of you, infra red, the whole magilla.

[porsche tech]

I got the multi focal lens…close medium and distance. 20/20 all the way around. Unbelievably cool! Wore glasses since I was like 17 or 18…took me 3 months to stop trying to take my glasses off at bedtime!

[gsxrken]

Your eye for their professionalism says something about your own. Details.
It’s amazing how good our healthcare in the US can be… IF you lean into your own care and perform some due diligence.
Glad you’re on the mend.

[Seahawk]

When my son damaged his left eye beyond repair, he was helicoptered to Wilmer with my wife. I immediately drove to Baltimore.

When I got there, same place I had my work done, there were two young Doctors talking to my wife. They were telling her they would not be able to save the eye.

They were both visibly upset because they had spent a few hours with Jack and really bonded, the three of them. They still exchange cards on birthday's...two young Korean Doctors with incredible bedside ability.

Same ethos then, years ago, as now. That is why I went back.

My Jack called yesterday to see how I was doing...we both laughed: I had my Arnold glasses on and told him that at least I didn't have to "get in the choppa!".

Laugh or cry.

Thank you all for the kind words. All seems to be going well.