Cataract surgery cost & benefits

[logdog]

I had an evaluation yesterday at St Luke's to discuss cataract surgery options. While the basic lenses are covered by insurance, multi focal lenses are an out of pocket expense. I knew this going in but was surprised that the cost would be $4,000 per eye... much higher than I had anticipated. Also, I was told that I would lose some of my near vision in exchange for getting some distance focus if I went that route.

Has anyone had the multi focal done recently and would care to share cost and experience? Any regrets?

[Altavia]

I went with multifocal and laser assisted surgery 8 yrs ago with great results.

Never realized how's much color vision was lost, it was like wearing brown sunglasses prior to the surgery.

Right eye is tuned for mid to distance vision.

Left eye is mid to near vision.

One artifact for the lenses I have is at night, incadesent lights have a halo and led lights have "rings" (fresnel lens affect).

They now have Accommodative lenses that move or change shape inside your eye, allowing focusing at different distances.that you may want to discuss with your doctor.

IOL Implants: Lens Replacement After Cataracts - American Academy of Ophthalmology (https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/cataracts-iol-implants)


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[Keefelane66]

Friends we have that went with multifocal still need reading glasses. Some of the spouses went with standard replacement and are satisfied with vision improvement.

[villagetinker]

I also used St. Lukes and asked about various lens options. In my case it was a nonstarter, I need a prism and I have astigmatism so none of the higher cost lens were suitable. I got the standard lens, corrected for distance, and I use glasses for reading as well as the previous mentioned corrections. I will note that I have worn glasses since age 11, so continuing the need for glasses was not a concern.
St. Lukes did a fantastic job, 2+ years, and I still have 20/20 vision without my glasses for distance (I do see 2 of things due to the lack of a prism), buy very happy with the results.

[BrianL99]

I had an evaluation yesterday at St Luke's to discuss cataract surgery options. While the basic lenses are covered by insurance, multi focal lenses are an out of pocket expense. I knew this going in but was surprised that the cost would be $4,000 per eye... much higher than I had anticipated. Also, I was told that I would lose some of my near vision in exchange for getting some distance focus if I went that route.

Has anyone had the multi focal done recently and would care to share cost and experience? Any regrets?


I have a multi-focal and paid $6000 in Boston.

I'd never do it again and won't do it for the other eye. As someone else mentioned, they're prone to "halos" when driving, particular at night. I was better driving with the cataract, than with my new $6000 lens.

I got a medium/distance lens. Distance is a joke. I can't see any further, than I could before the lens replacement. I know, because I can still out hit my vision at the golf course.


Some people love them, I'm sure ... I probably wouldn't get one again, even if it was free.

(Oh, & mine had to lasered twice, after installation.)

[dadspet]

Not sure if multivision that you're talking about is the same as monovision. At St Luke I had my eyes done in mono vision which is one eye for far and one eye for close. It was and remains great I have zero complaints. You're a really time I wear glasses are sunglasses with my close eye corrected to far vision since I'm outdoors driving or golfing or something like that. I can't remember for sure but I don't think this really cost anything or if it was it was not really expensive.

[Topspinmo]

I had at Luke’s do my eyes, I couldn’t have multi focus lenses do to left facial nerve weakness left eye little watering and little droop on my left side of my face, only noticeable it look close. Good thing no wrinkles on left side. :pepper2:, from AN ( acoustic neuroma) tumor removal. Quite happy with results and have to use reading glasses but I got rid of prescription glasses which was big relief for me. I hated wearing glasses all time. Now I can see vibrant colors where before dark green, blues and blacks all look same on pool table. Best procedure I ever had done for me.

P.S. sometimes floaters will pop up. Make you think you see tiny bug floating around of tiny bubble, they can zap them in about 4 mins in chair hour getting there. When I had mine done probably 7 years ago wasn’t bad getting appointments. Now around here they added thousands to system. Appointments are tight now.

[lkagele]

4 years into my procedures on both eyes. I went with the best lens available. I'm glad I spent the extra money. Folks I talk to that didn't go the Cadillac route regret not doing so. If you can afford it, go with the best.

Cost has gone up since I had it done but still worth it, IMO. It's a biiiig improvement on your quality of life. No more cheaters. Colors more vibrant. Actually see a golf ball on the green at 150 yds+. Read a menu and the bill without cheaters. Read street signs before you miss your turn. I could go on but you probably get the drift.

[GoRedSox!]

I had cataracts at a relatively young age. I had my right eye done at age 40 and my left at age 43. I received standard IOL, if there were more choices back then (2000 and 2003), I was not made aware of them. My ophthalmologist asked me if I wanted to be able to see for distance or up close. Seeing for distance was a no-brainer for me, as I was always extremely near-sighted. -8.5 in the right eye and -8.0 in the left eye. The IOL with my prescription has allowed me to see for distance for the last 20 years with no correction and I can still see 20/20. I now have to wear readers +2.5 for everything up close. It was well worth it for me, by this time I would have been using bifocals and now just carry a pair of readers with me wherever I go. The main thing is I can see for distance, something I could not do without thick glasses or contact lenses before the surgery.

[MikeN]

I went with what my insurance covered and just use cheap readers when I need them. Don’t fall for a $8,000 bill

[Annie66]

Both my bride and I had cataract surgery at Lake Eye. Excellent care was afforded by their surgeon (Dr. Vinay Gutti) and his staff. We opted to use the standard lens. The minimal cost of reading glasses overrode the cost of the special lens, which 2 years ago was about $2500 per eye. Unless you are uncomfortable wearing glasses to read, using the standard lens is the way to go in our opinion.

[Foxmd]

I got those lenses and believe it is worth it. I see near and distance without glasses. Fine print requires reading glasses but that was true before lens replacement.

[Dkintzer]

First let me say, as someone who is legally blind in 1 eye…& who always had perfect vision…the $ you spend on your sight is more valuable than any “stuff” you spend $ on otherwise. I couldn’t get the multi focal lenses because of retina issues but my husband had it done a couple years ago with the newer trifocal lenses & WOW! He has no problem with near, middle or distance visions. Hope this helps. Good luck & good vision to you!🤓

[Joanne and Mike]

My husband and I each got multi-focal lenses at St. Lukes several years ago and we are both very happy. Well worth the additional cost. Before, my husband wore glasses all the time and now only for reading. I only need glasses to read fine print.

[RoseyRed]

Yes my husband recently had this surgery here in NC. It was $2250 per eye out of pocket for the Lense. Keep in mind he elected to have the higher end lenses implanted due to wearing glasses most of his life. He found the standard cataract surgery was covered by medicare but lense was out of pocket. No regrets! He is thrilled he no longer has to wear any glasses (no readers either) good luck!

I had an evaluation yesterday at St Luke's to discuss cataract surgery options. While the basic lenses are covered by insurance, multi focal lenses are an out of pocket expense. I knew this going in but was surprised that the cost would be $4,000 per eye... much higher than I had anticipated. Also, I was told that I would lose some of my near vision in exchange for getting some distance focus if I went that route.

Has anyone had the multi focal done recently and would care to share cost and experience? Any regrets?

[RoseyRed]

Also would suggest another opinion and estimate of cost on the lense!

I had an evaluation yesterday at St Luke's to discuss cataract surgery options. While the basic lenses are covered by insurance, multi focal lenses are an out of pocket expense. I knew this going in but was surprised that the cost would be $4,000 per eye... much higher than I had anticipated. Also, I was told that I would lose some of my near vision in exchange for getting some distance focus if I went that route.

Has anyone had the multi focal done recently and would care to share cost and experience? Any regrets?

[Susan1717]

I currently wear mono vision 30 day contacts and live it! Best thing I’ve done. Gave small cataracts but when I need the surgery, will go with mono vision there as well. My finance had the surgery last year and paid the extra. I believe he paid $2500 an eye and is very glad he did it! No readers ever needed snd can see far perfectly!

[nn0wheremann]

I had an evaluation yesterday at St Luke's to discuss cataract surgery options. While the basic lenses are covered by insurance, multi focal lenses are an out of pocket expense. I knew this going in but was surprised that the cost would be $4,000 per eye... much higher than I had anticipated. Also, I was told that I would lose some of my near vision in exchange for getting some distance focus if I went that route.

Has anyone had the multi focal done recently and would care to share cost and experience? Any regrets?
The cured my astigmatism. Because of prior surgery fifty years ago I had a choice of preference to distance or close vision. I chose distance, for driving a car. Now I use readers for close vision. The cost was $4000 for both eyes. I have no regrets, and would make the same choice at the same provider.

My brother went with Lake Eye, they put one lense in a little bit crooked. He needs glasses full time and he often misses putts by a fraction of an inch.

[yporter]

I had an evaluation yesterday at St Luke's to discuss cataract surgery options. While the basic lenses are covered by insurance, multi focal lenses are an out of pocket expense. I knew this going in but was surprised that the cost would be $4,000 per eye... much higher than I had anticipated. Also, I was told that I would lose some of my near vision in exchange for getting some distance focus if I went that route.

Has anyone had the multi focal done recently and would care to share cost and experience? Any regrets?

Last summer while in Ohio (Dad still going strong at 93, so we spend summers North) I got both eyes done. My portion of each eye was $1800 and that was for multifocal lenses with astigmatism correction. Was absolutely gobsmacked at the improvement immediately after (like moving from really yellow incandescent to bright white LEDs, almost painfully sharp even at a distance, and the severe halo/starring effect around lights at night is mostly gone), and now at a year am still extremely happy. I had distance correction most of my life, and do not need now. Am aware that as I continue to age, I will probably need to use readers later in life but it was totally worth it for me.

[MidWestIA]

I had St Luke's Dr Ireland do the multi focal lens cost about $4,000 I see great at a distance and i can read sometimes hold out a little for that and I have a clear glass bifocal with reading pane for smaller print or if I have alot to read.

Do a search for cataracts out here NOBODY has as many good comments as Dr Ireland

[msilagy]

The villages Eye Dr's take advantage of the seniors with the upcharge for toric lens. In Illinois I paid $1500 for both my eyes to have toric lens inserted whereas I won't need reading glasses. In the Villages the charge was $8000 for both eyes. These lens are made by one company ALCON so there is no excuse about what the cost is for all eye Dr's. They have a captive audience. I went with my friend to see a Dr in an office in Laurel Manor and he tried to talk my friend into getting the upgraded lens when my friend doesn't even wear reading glasses. When I interjected that he did not need these lens the Dr shot me daggers as my friend couldn't afford something he clearly didn't need. It really is sad.

[BrianL99]

First let me say, as someone who is legally blind in 1 eye…& who always had perfect vision…the $ you spend on your sight is more valuable than any “stuff” you spend $ on otherwise. I couldn’t get the multi focal lenses because of retina issues but my husband had it done a couple years ago with the newer trifocal lenses & WOW! He has no problem with near, middle or distance visions. Hope this helps. Good luck & good vision to you!🤓

One needs to be very careful with tri-focal IOL replacements. If you opt for the PanOptix, your days of driving at night are usually over.

Meet the New Trifocal IOL (https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/meet-the-new-trifocal-iol)

[airstreamingypsy]

I went for the no frills surgery, walked out with 20-20 vision.

[Federspiel]

Had it done by a Great Opthalmologist in Cincinnati.
One was set far sighted and the other eye intermediate. $2,500 for one eye, $1,500 for the other. I wear no glasses whatsoever! Loving it.

Some eye Drs get measurements and implants set perfectly, many do not! Find a good one and you won't care what it costs.

[billethkid]

I went for the no frills surgery, walked out with 20-20 vision.

St. Lukes and specifically Dr. ireland is among the best there is.

I also decided on the "standard" lense. I had them set up one near and one far (called mono).....over 10 years ago.....have had no need for glasses of any kind since!

Your stated quote of $4000 per eye seems very high.

[NoMoSno]

Everyone's situation will be different.
Ocala Eye did my multifocal PanOptix lenses 3 years ago. $3000 per eye.
They work great for me. No halos. No problem with night driving. No more glasses. 20-20 vision.

[Behoult]

I just had my cataracts done in both eyes (1 week apart). I had major astigmatism in both eyes and was also +4.00 in both eyes. I went with the Vivity lens and I am extremely pleased with the results. As regards cost - it was $8,200.00. I do not require glasses for distance or reading. Your Opthomologist should recommend which lens best for your situation. There are many options to choose from.

[jabacon6669]

I am currently going through the process now. Met with my surgeon over a week ago. I live in TV in the winter, NH in the summer. Decided to have it done in Portsmouth, NH. The cost of the upgrade here was $5,000 for both eyes total. I'm having the right eye done. on August 29. He explained to me that the regular lens offered is what he recommended for me. He stated the improvement that I would receive from the upgrade might not meet my satisfaction. The extra 5K you pay might be a waste. Point being, everyone has different issues. rely on your surgeons recommendations. Don't be afraid to ask him. I know people who have the regular provided lens, and they state the improvement was incredible.

[Wondering]

I had an evaluation yesterday at St Luke's to discuss cataract surgery options. While the basic lenses are covered by insurance, multi focal lenses are an out of pocket expense. I knew this going in but was surprised that the cost would be $4,000 per eye... much higher than I had anticipated. Also, I was told that I would lose some of my near vision in exchange for getting some distance focus if I went that route.

Has anyone had the multi focal done recently and would care to share cost and experience? Any regrets?
I use to wear multifocal contact lenses but when I had cataract surgery, my eye doctor said no. Anyone that has multifocal cataract surgery, that I have talked with, doesn't like them. I wear over the counter glasses for reading and computer work - no problem.

[maistocars]

I, too, had the multifocal with Dr. Ireland this past February. The best $8k I ever spent. Colors are vivid and no longer need reader glasses. I heard many stories of those looking to save some money with the lesser options and regretted their decision. IMHO, if you have the funds, I would recommend going for it. Good luck!

[Kathryn Putt]

I had multifocal lenses over 10 years ago & have just started wearing readers. My husband just got his final post-op bilateral cataract surgery clearance with multifocal lenses and has 20/20 vision. We both feel that cost is worth the results. Good Luck

[LeRoySmith]

be careful what you ask for, I recall my mom having hers done about 20 years ago and being very angry when she realized how much grey hair and wrinkles she had :)

[biker59]

I had an evaluation yesterday at St Luke's to discuss cataract surgery options. While the basic lenses are covered by insurance, multi focal lenses are an out of pocket expense. I knew this going in but was surprised that the cost would be $4,000 per eye... much higher than I had anticipated. Also, I was told that I would lose some of my near vision in exchange for getting some distance focus if I went that route.

Has anyone had the multi focal done recently and would care to share cost and experience? Any regrets?

My wife just had cataract surgery, both eyes. Used Mid-Florida Eye. Cost was $3300 per eye, out of pocket, opted for laser surgery. This included surgery fee, facility fee, prescription eye drops, and initial consultation. Provider was good, answered all her questions. Went back for two follow-ups. She says colors are sharper, she can read and watch tv without glasses now. Needed readers initially but her eyes adjusted.

[jimmy o]

Pay attention to what I’m saying here: get your eye exam from an optometrist before cataract surgery. Optometrists specialize in eye exams, Ophthalmologists specialize in eye problems and surgeries. St Luke’s did my cataract surgery and put the wrong prescription in my eyes because their technician screwed up my eye test. Their surgery was great but I have to wear much stronger prescription glasses than I ever wore before. Get eye test from an optometrist!

[bilcon]

I had an evaluation yesterday at St Luke's to discuss cataract surgery options. While the basic lenses are covered by insurance, multi focal lenses are an out of pocket expense. I knew this going in but was surprised that the cost would be $4,000 per eye... much higher than I had anticipated. Also, I was told that I would lose some of my near vision in exchange for getting some distance focus if I went that route.

Has anyone had the multi focal done recently and would care to share cost and experience? Any regrets?

I had my both eyes done and had multi focal lenses put in. It cost $3000 per eye at Lake Eye and it is the best thing I ever did for my sight. I wore glasses for 30 years for distance and reading. Since my surgery, I have not had to wear glasses at all. I read constantly and can see my golf ball without trouble. I have never had any problems with my vision since the surgery that was performed about 6 years ago.

"I have never make a mistake in my life. I thought I did once, but I was wrong."

[LErmer]

I had an evaluation yesterday at St Luke's to discuss cataract surgery options. While the basic lenses are covered by insurance, multi focal lenses are an out of pocket expense. I knew this going in but was surprised that the cost would be $4,000 per eye... much higher than I had anticipated. Also, I was told that I would lose some of my near vision in exchange for getting some distance focus if I went that route.

Has anyone had the multi focal done recently and would care to share cost and experience? Any regrets?

I had cataract surgery about five years ago in the villages and had multifocal lenses in both eyes. The cost was about $4000 per eye at that time. I hope this helps.

[Henjo]

Had both eyes done about 4 years ago at Mid Florida Eye. Dr. Panzo. Best $6-7000 ever spent. Highly recommend.

[Sgt Ed]

I had an evaluation yesterday at St Luke's to discuss cataract surgery options. While the basic lenses are covered by insurance, multi focal lenses are an out of pocket expense. I knew this going in but was surprised that the cost would be $4,000 per eye... much higher than I had anticipated. Also, I was told that I would lose some of my near vision in exchange for getting some distance focus if I went that route.

Has anyone had the multi focal done recently and would care to share cost and experience? Any regrets? I was taken care of in Tampa, I wore tri focals before the surgery. Along with this I had extreme astigism. I did not want multi focal lens and did not want one eye with one lens and the other with another. I do a lot of shooting and close work so I nixed that idea. They corrected the astigism with surgery and I chose "high definition " distance lens. I use readers now for close stuff. The difference between the old and new is amazing. Turned on the lights. If I had to do over I would have the astigism taken care of along with the cats. I've worn glasses for ever and was use to them, Now I carry readers in pockets and hang everywhere. They are scattered thru out the house, and never close when you need them. Those high def lens were a bit salty 20 years ago if i remember.

[Margefrog]

If you are referring to an astigmatism, I was quoted $1,000 additional per eye.

[Blueblaze]

We paid the big bucks for progressive lens for my wife. Within a year, she needed reading glasses again. When my day comes, I'll just save the money and get straight lenses. Yes, it would be fun to pretend I'm 35 again and don't need glasses, but the reason you fix your cataracts is not to get rid of your glasses, it's to get rid of the fog you're trying to see through.

The part I don't understand is why they can't replace your cloudy flexible lens that your own muscles can squeeze to focus at different distances, with an artificial flexible lens that your own muscles can still focus. Instead, they give you a non-adjustable equivalent of bi-focals, that requires you to tip your head to find the part of the lens that works for the distance you're looking at, just like your old glasses. I'm sure there must be a good reason for that, but it seems pretty dumb to the guy who laid out $10K for his wife's cataracts to get rid of her glasses, and still wound up buying glasses.

[Runway48]

I had Symfony multifocal lenses installed about 6 yrs ago. Total cost for both eyes on Long Island was over $8000. It was like magic, essentially turned the clock back about 60 yrs. I wish I could do this to other parts of my body. I don't need glasses for reading or distance, essentially 20/20 in both eyes. The lenses were prescribed so that one is slightly better for distance and the other is slightly better for up-close, but both give me 20/20 in each eye. I do wear inexpensive reading glasses for very small print and under some low light situations, but I go days to weeks without ever needing them. I actually have a collection of varied strength readers that I use for close up work on electronics, etc, like wearing a magnifying glass. As mentioned by others, multifocal lenses will produce a concentric circle light scattering from point sources at night. It's sharp and not fuzzy like cataracts but not everyone adjusts to it. About 50 % of those that receive artificial lenses will benefit from a procedure called a capsulotomy. Generally, the rear lens capsule is not removed during lens insertion, and this capsule my fog over some time after surgery. If you believe your vision is deteriorating months to years after the lens insertion, this may be the cause. One way you'll notice this is that road signs and license plates may not be as crisp as they were immediately after getting the lenses. Capsulotomy is a simple doctor's office procedure using a laser to poke some holes into the rear capsule. It may create some additional floaters that usually settle out. My wife and I had it done a couple years after the initial surgery, and it made a big difference.

[rsmurano]

If it’s that much go for the Cadillac cataract which is the lens that they can modify 3 times over a period of time to let them adjust to your body before they set the cataracts configuration for good. I know a couple of friends that had this done for a little bit more than what you are paying for a cheaper cataract.

[Cookiequeen]

I regret mine every damn day.

[Nevinator]

I received the Clareon PanOptix Toric IOL in January 2024 when I still lived in Houston at a cost of $5,000 per eye. The toric lens corrected much of the astigmatism that I had and the lens also corrects nearsightedness as well as distance. Without a doubt, the best decision that I made - completely satisfied. Also, the laser process they use now has the ability to help re-shape the eye to help with the astigmatism.

A some others have pointed out, there are some halos when driving at night, but nothing intolerable. In my particular case, the halos aren't substantially different from that which I experienced with soft contact lenses.

[thelegges]

Spouse was born with Mono eyesight. One near one far, since it was recommended by both of our ophthalmologists when cataract is bad replace with lens to keep mono sight consistent.

[fdpaq0580]

Everything was fine before cataract surgery.
Get a second opinion to make sure you really need surgery.
Find a doctor with the highest success/satisfaction rating.
Your vision is nothing to be casual with.
Like the words in the song, "you don't know what you've got till it's gone."
Best of luck.

[MrLonzo]

I carry 4 pairs of glasses with me -- reading, intermediate, distance, and progressive. It's more than inconvenient! At some point I will need the cataract surgery, so I'm trying to understand what that entails. My ophthalmologist told me my cataracts aren't too bad yet and it might be a while before I can get Medicare to cover the surgery. After reading this thread, I'm confused as to exactly what Medicare will cover. Any clarification?

[Altavia]

I carry 4 pairs of glasses with me -- reading, intermediate, distance, and progressive. It's more than inconvenient! At some point I will need the cataract surgery, so I'm trying to understand what that entails. My ophthalmologist told me my cataracts aren't too bad yet and it might be a while before I can get Medicare to cover the surgery. After reading this thread, I'm confused as to exactly what Medicare will cover. Any clarification?

Medicare covers a basic version of cataract surgery, performed by hand, with a basic lens implant, that is not customized to your eyes. It also covers 90 days of routine follow-up care.

Modern lens implant or laser cataract surgery costs are out of pocket.

Medicare will still be paying its portion of the surgery.

Cataract surgery | Medicare (https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cataract-surgery)

[MrLonzo]

Medicare covers a basic version of cataract surgery, performed by hand, with a basic lens implant, that is not customized to your eyes. It also covers 90 days of routine follow-up care.

Modern lens implant or laser cataract surgery costs are out of pocket.

Medicare will still be paying its portion of the surgery.

Cataract surgery | Medicare (https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cataract-surgery)

Thank you! That's a great video - very informative!