They did mine one week apart and did my wife's the same way. She wore glasses her whole life due to an astigmatism and enjoys being glasses free. Either of us would tell you it's great and worth the extra for multifocal lenses. Find the best eye surgeon in your area when the time comes.

quote:

Originally posted by grumpy1:
Additional question if anyone knows. Do they usually do both eyes at the same time? I forgot to ask. I have read that it may be beneficial, at least in some cases, to have them done separately.

The usual recommendation is that you have them done separately...usually a couple of weeks apart.

The only benefit of having them done at the same time is that you only have to attend one appointment for the procedure.

The main reason of having them done separately is the same reason you only have one wrist done at a time of you have carpal tunnel in both wrist...it leave you completely helpless

quote:

Originally posted by grumpy1:

I have read that it may be beneficial, at least in some cases, to have them done separately.

Mine were done two weeks apart. I had my non-dominant eye done first, to minimize the problems in case they screwed up.

Thanks guys for the replies about if they are usually done at the same time.

That's concerning - it's common to stagger eyes because of issues? How often do issues arise? This is not a palatable outcome.

Konata,
One thing to bear in mind (Pipe Smoker has posted on this several times) is that new lenses are in the pipeline that may provide better accommodation: that is, adjust from near to distance vision in a fashion similar to one's normal eyes. I've read articles about at least 3-4 different designs that have been developed and are probably in trials now. I think 5 years down the road there should be enough experience with those to know if they are a significant improvement over today's lenses.

That would be great since I've become both nearsighted and farsighted in my advancing years. I've recently found contact lenses for nearsightedness that also better accommodate farsightedness - previously, wearing nearsighted contact lenses required readers for arms length reading.

Sounds like cataract lenses may provide similar end result or better. I'd love to get rid of at least one prescription, and also have distance prescriptions be filled w/ thinner (trivex) lenses.

Point - sounds like there may be benefits in waiting 5 years or so.... Thanks

Originally posted by konata88:
If one is starting to show signs of cataracts that is anticipated to get progressively worse, can one get cataract surgery immediately or is it ill advised (and why)?

Favorable considerations may include:
1. better inherent vision needing less correction (eyeglasses, progressive, contacts). Perhaps not even needing corrective lenses?
ANSWER: Absolutely, provided that you choose the correct lenses. I chose a lens that provides good long distance and also fairly good up close. I can read street signs and also the dash gauge cluster. Within 12" or small print I need low power reading glasses

2. faster / better recovery when younger
ANSWER: Recovery is fast. You'll have a protective see through patch on for first 24 hours until first follow up. Vision will be great for a period of time and slowly fade. The time it is good will increase and the fade time will shorten. Eventually vision will stabilize, it is normal and part of the healing process. I had mine both done near 50.

3. better insurance (choice of doc / facility) before medicare than with medicare?
ANSWER: Make sure you get a good Dr. A teaching doctor is best. Make sure he is clear on the vision range you want and you verify that is what you are getting. My uncle thought he was getting what I have and ended up with close in vision and needs glasses for distance.

Unfavorable considerations?
1. Eyes are typically done one at a time. The first one you won't know or remember. The second is a little different but not painful. You'll spend more time prepping than in the actual surgery.

quote:

Originally posted by Rightwire:

The first one you won't know or remember.

Explanation?

I certainly remember the cataract surgeries I’ve had, but only the parts surrounding them, and not the surgeries themselves because I wasn’t aware of what was happening. I was told by the anesthesiologist that I couldn’t be put out entirely because that would have affected what my eyes were doing. He said, though, “We’ll give you something so you won’t care,” and I didn’t.

And for whatever reason I wasn’t aware of anything pertaining to the procedure itself: no seeing the approach of a sharp object, didn’t feel anything, didn’t see or hear the OR personnel, nothing other than seeing an apparent bright spot of light in an otherwise black field of view. As I tell people, the procedure itself was far less stressful than having a tooth cavity filled.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by Rightwire:

The first one you won't know or remember.

Explanation?

I asked my eye doctor/surgeon about this. He is a teaching Dr. and this is actually part of his process with students. He explained that in addition to the local, you are placed under a twilight sedation. You aren't completely out as in most surgeries as you need to be able to respond to commands to move your eye as needed post surgery for a few checks before they finish. It is no different one eye to another.

What happens is totally within your brain. For the first one, given that it is the first time, the brain tends to block things out. 90% or more of his patients have no memory of the first procedure. The second procedure is a repeat of something your brain has already experienced so it does not block that memory out.

First surgery I recall being wheeled in, placed in position. The lights, the Dr talking to me and..... out. I woke up when it was done with no memory.

Second surgery I expected the same. I recall the same getting wheeled in, positioned, Dr. talking to me, the lights... then it gets a little fuzzy but I recall my vision in that eye going very blurry, brighter light, some pressure but no pain, conversations, sudden clear vision, getting instructions to look up, down, left right, and at angles, then fade, coming around in recovery.

No pain, discomfort or really much sensation. I only asked him as I found it odd having no recollection of the first, but fairly clear of the second eye.