Cataract Surgery

[PaPaLarry]

Going for Cataract Surgery on Wednesday @ Sante Fe Surgical Center on Rt 466. Heard it doesn't take long as soon as your put in some sort of groggy state? Having it done by Lake Eye, and Dr Scott Wehrly doing operation. I'm sure there have been plenty of people out there that had this procedure. Is there anything I need to know, and how long after operation, did you have to put drops in your eye. Having Laser. Thanks:faint:

[rn1tv]

Dr. Wehrly did laser surgery on both of my eyes recently. I was awake but cannot tell you how long it took but it certainly wasn't a long time as, yes, you are groggy. You should have gotten drops prior to surgery that are started 3 days prior. Once you get to the surgery center, the nurse will administer all of your drops. There is absolutely no pain with the surgery. You will have to do a regimen of drops afterwards. My cataracts developed in both eyes very quickly; in 3 months, and I was legally blind. I now see 20/20 distance with weak readers due to astigmatism that even the most expensive lenses could not correct. My lenses were $5,000 out of pocket but worth every penny. Good luck with your surgery...should be a breeze!

[PaPaLarry]

Dr. Wehrly did laser surgery on both of my eyes recently. I was awake but cannot tell you how long it took but it certainly wasn't a long time as, yes, you are groggy. You should have gotten drops prior to surgery that are started 3 days prior. Once you get to the surgery center, the nurse will administer all of your drops. There is absolutely no pain with the surgery. You will have to do a regimen of drops afterwards. My cataracts developed in both eyes very quickly; in 3 months, and I was legally blind. I now see 20/20 distance with weak readers due to astigmatism that even the most expensive lenses could not correct. My lenses were $5,000 out of pocket but worth every penny. Good luck with your surgery...should be a breeze!
Thanks so much. Nice to know what goes on before hand, from other then Dr's office Having first eye done on 11nth, then second on the 31st!!

[seashorecaroline]

I had my cataracts done by Dr. Scott Holman at Lake Eye and I too went to the Santa Fe Surgery Center. You start the drops three days before and you will be given a chart that tells you which drops to use for the following two weeks. The worst part of the surgery was having to wait for your eyes to fully dilate before the surgery. Once they take you back for the surgery it is extremely quick, painless and you will be on your way home before you know it. You will then go back to the office that same afternoon so the doctor can check your eyes. In fact I went to dinner right after both of my follow up visits. :) I was able to get the lens with the bifocal and now I don't need to wear glasses anymore. It has truly been a life changing experience for me. I am sure you will be very happy you chose the doctors at Lake Eye. They are fantastic! Good luck!

[PaPaLarry]

I had my cataracts done by Dr. Scott Holman at Lake Eye and I too went to the Santa Fe Surgery Center. You start the drops three days before and you will be given a chart that tells you which drops to use for the following two weeks. The worst part of the surgery was having to wait for your eyes to fully dilate before the surgery. Once they take you back for the surgery it is extremely quick, painless and you will be on your way home before you know it. You will then go back to the office that same afternoon so the doctor can check your eyes. In fact I went to dinner right after both of my follow up visits. :) I was able to get the lens with the bifocal and now I don't need to wear glasses anymore. It has truly been a life changing experience for me. I am sure you will be very happy you chose the doctors at Lake Eye. They are fantastic! Good luck!
Sounds good!! Thanks for the info. Looking forward to see better

[PaPaLarry]

Had my cataract surgery today, and yes, it was so easy and no pain. Everyone was right how easy and fast it goes. The HD TV REALLY shows the colors now. Can't wait to get the other eye done at end of month. Will need new glasses for reading, but have to wait till both eyes are done, because prescription will change. So glad I did this. Thanks to everyone for the info!!

[KayakerNC]

Had my cataract surgery today, and yes, it was so easy and no pain. Everyone was right how easy and fast it goes. The HD TV REALLY shows the colors now. Can't wait to get the other eye done at end of month. Will need new glasses for reading, but have to wait till both eyes are done, because prescription will change. So glad I did this. Thanks to everyone for the info!!
Did you get a "Premium" lens, or stick with the mono-focals? Any out of pocket costs?

[PaPaLarry]

Did you get a "Premium" lens, or stick with the mono-focals? Any out of pocket costs?
I got distance lens only (That was the suggestion from surgeon, unless you can afford 3,500 per eye for "Premium"? I did opt for Laser, which is out of pocket (Medicare will not pay for laser) and that costs 1500.00 per eye. If you can afford it, spend it on yourself and choose "laser'. It is sooooooooo precise, that its real tough for surgeon to make an error. So far I'm very happy, with NO side effects what so ever. Everything else, Medicare covers!! What I was really surprised about, when you arrive for surgery, theres no changing into a "johnny"!! LOL You lie down on a bed, with your street clothes on, and they prep you!! Only thing that hurt, was putting in the IV port, in your top of hand. When ready, after diolating your eyes, they wheel you right to operating room. 10-15 minutes and your done. They give you a sedative in IV, that sort of puts you in a relaxed, calm, no nothing feeling. Everything else, a piece of cake!!! Out of pocket costs (other then choosing laser) was a deductible of 27.80!! If you need to have it done, I highly recommend. I was putting it off for years. (I guess I was chicken!!!) LOL Good Luck

[KayakerNC]

Great info. I am a 74 y/o male and my Optometrist has told me that I am probably about 6 months out from needing the surgery.
If the Laser included any corrections required, then the cost is not that great, since Astigmatism is also not covered by Medicare and would probably add at least $700 or so per eye.
Chicken? Yeah, my fear would be laying there and hearing somebody say "Ooops". ;)
I got distance lens only (That was the suggestion from surgeon, unless you can afford 3,500 per eye for "Premium"? I did opt for Laser, which is out of pocket (Medicare will not pay for laser) and that costs 1500.00 per eye. If you can afford it, spend it on yourself and choose "laser'. It is sooooooooo precise, that its real tough for surgeon to make an error. So far I'm very happy, with NO side effects what so ever. Everything else, Medicare covers!! What I was really surprised about, when you arrive for surgery, theres no changing into a "johnny"!! LOL You lie down on a bed, with your street clothes on, and they prep you!! Only thing that hurt, was putting in the IV port, in your top of hand. When ready, after diolating your eyes, they wheel you right to operating room. 10-15 minutes and your done. They give you a sedative in IV, that sort of puts you in a relaxed, calm, no nothing feeling. Everything else, a piece of cake!!! Out of pocket costs (other then choosing laser) was a deductible of 27.80!! If you need to have it done, I highly recommend. I was putting it off for years. (I guess I was chicken!!!) LOL Good Luck

[PaPaLarry]

Great info. I am a 74 y/o male and my Optometrist has told me that I am probably about 6 months out from needing the surgery.
If the Laser included any corrections required, then the cost is not that great, since Astigmatism is also not covered by Medicare and would probably add at least $700 or so per eye.
Chicken? Yeah, my fear would be laying there and hearing somebody say "Ooops". ;)
The 1500 per eye, covers astigmatism. I am the same age as you, so you will REALLY notice the difference once done. I just had one eye done so far, so can't even picture how much more it could get better. BUT, I do need to change prescription on my glasses for reading. (I have to wait for that, until both eyes done, and putting drops in is completed

[Meddick]

This was a good thread for me as I was told two weeks ago by an ophthalmologist in India that I need cataract surgery - I was told that I was at'stage 2' and the cataract was about 30%. Although I have had surgery in India, I have decided not to have what I consider sensitive surgery in India. As a result, I have requested repatriation to the USA in February of next year - we have a house in Collier - so that I can have the surgery in the TV area.

Thanks for the information.

[PaPaLarry]

This was a good thread for me as I was told two weeks ago by an ophthalmologist in India that I need cataract surgery - I was told that I was at'stage 2' and the cataract was about 30%. Although I have had surgery in India, I have decided not to have what I consider sensitive surgery in India. As a result, I have requested repatriation to the USA in February of next year - we have a house in Collier - so that I can have the surgery in the TV area.

Thanks for the information.
Wait to you see what a difference it makes!! My only wish is, that I had done this a few years back, when told I had Cataracts.

[Mikitv]

Dr. Wehrly did my cataracts in Aug/Sept at the Santa Fe center. I had the multifocal lenses put in. I am very happy with the surgery and The Santa Fe Center. I did have to put in multiple drops for awhile. They gave me a daily list with time and drops so no confusion and when and what to do.

[PaPaLarry]

Dr. Wehrly did my cataracts in Aug/Sept at the Santa Fe center. I had the multifocal lenses put in. I am very happy with the surgery and The Santa Fe Center. I did have to put in multiple drops for awhile. They gave me a daily list with time and drops so no confusion and when and what to do.
I had Dr Wehrly also. Excellent. I would have liked to have had the multifocal lenses, but the pocketbook held me back!!! I can live with just having reading glasses though. Yes putting in 3 different kinds of drops, two times a day, is a daily ritual, but I can live with that. Especially after seeing is so much clearer. Can't wait to see if I will see where my drive goes, on the golf course!! hehehe No more seeing eye dog!!!! Eye #2 on the 31st, then all done

[togabill]

I also think it was a breeze when Dr Holman did mine 6 months ago. I got the premium lenses and are happy with them. For me it took a few months to get to the best vision. Everyone is a little different. Even though I did the drops religiously my eyes are very dry. What I am saying is if your eyes come out not perfect (they probably will) don't panic. For some people it takes a few months and a couple of very easy procedures.

[2BNTV]

I will need to have this surgery done in the near future, and was wondering if one needed a ride from the doctors office, after surgery? I would like to be able to go, and come back on my own, but wll do what's necessary.

For me , I think the toughtest part is the eye drops as I never like to do this with my eyes. Lifeis filled with litle tradgedies. :D

So much, for keeping the bigger picture in mind. :smiley:

BTW - I am now looking forward to having this done, as I will really like the fact, of not having to wear glasses!!! 20/20 vision, bring it on!!!

[PaPaLarry]

I will need to have this surgery done in the near future, and was wondering if one needed a ride from the doctors office, after surgery? I would like to be able to go, and come back on my own, but wll do what's necessary.

For me , I think the toughtest part is the eye drops as I never like to do this with my eyes. Lifeis filled with litle tradgedies. :D

So much, for keeping the bigger picture in mind. :smiley:

BTW - I am now looking forward to having this done, as I will really like the fact, of not having to wear glasses!!! 20/20 vision, bring it on!!!
Yes, you do need a ride home. Not just that the eye is triple diolated, but your still a little wousy, from the medicine they put in you, to make you feel relaxed etc. They wheel you out in wheelchair, so there is no problem. I'm sure you can find someone to take you home. Your doctor will recommend, what kind of lenses you can have. Some can't have the premium lenses for one reason or other. You will be so Happy when you get it done. By the way, the drops are very expensive for some, depending what kind of insurance you have. For the 3 bottles, mine cost 113.00. One of the nurses at Lake Eye, was telling me, some insurances pay very little, and some have to pay over 400.00 dollars. That's why its so important to have someone put the drops in for you, so you don't waste them. One drop, twice a day, per 3 different medicines. Like I said, piece of cake!!!!!

[2BNTV]

Yes, you do need a ride home. Not just that the eye is triple diolated, but your still a little wousy, from the medicine they put in you, to make you feel relaxed etc. They wheel you out in wheelchair, so there is no problem. I'm sure you can find someone to take you home. Your doctor will recommend, what kind of lenses you can have. Some can't have the premium lenses for one reason or other. You will be so Happy when you get it done. By the way, the drops are very expensive for some, depending what kind of insurance you have. For the 3 bottles, mine cost 113.00. One of the nurses at Lake Eye, was telling me, some insurances pay very little, and some have to pay over 400.00 dollars. That's why its so important to have someone put the drops in for you, so you don't waste them. One drop, twice a day, per 3 different medicines. Like I said, piece of cake!!!!!

Thanks Larry. How long a time, does the eye drop medication routine last?

Is it one week, two or more?

[PaPaLarry]

Thanks Larry. How long a time, does the eye drop medication routine last?

Is it one week, two or more?
Four weeks. It's a tiny little bottle, so can't see how much is in it, or left. And it's 3 different prescriptions. So I'm not sure how much I'm going to have left for the other eye, on the 31st. Only one drop per medication, so that's why you need someone to put it in eye for you. Nurse said, that people who try to put drops in themselves, waste them.

[KayakerNC]

BTW - I am now looking forward to having this done, as I will really like the fact, of not having to wear glasses!!! 20/20 vision, bring it on!!!

I think your expectations are a tad unrealistic.
A good overview is in the book by Dr David Richardson; "So You've Got A Cataract?: What You Need to Know About Cataract Surgery: A Patient's Guide to Modern Eye Surgery, Advanced Intraocular Lenses & Choosing Your Surgeon"
Reasonably priced & available in a Kindle Edition from Amazon. :read:

http://www.about-eyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/so-youve-got-cataract-surgery-book-amazon-800-187x300.png

[PaPaLarry]

As of yesterday, preparing for surgery on other eye, on Tuesday 31st. Started with a cleaner on my eye lash, (twice a day) and two different kinds of drops (twice a day) The clarity that I see out of eye that was done, is amazing. After Tuesday, I should be able to see so clear, that I will be able to follow my "shank" drive on golf course, so I can find ball. (hehehe) I'm really looking forward to 100% eye sight again. Like I said, I should have done this a long time ago. BUT, I was Chicken!!!!!

[KayakerNC]

As of yesterday, preparing for surgery on other eye, on Tuesday 31st. Started with a cleaner on my eye lash, (twice a day) and two different kinds of drops (twice a day) The clarity that I see out of eye that was done, is amazing. After Tuesday, I should be able to see so clear, that I will be able to follow my "shank" drive on golf course, so I can find ball. (hehehe) I'm really looking forward to 100% eye sight again. Like I said, I should have done this a long time ago. BUT, I was Chicken!!!!!

New vision in the new year, what a great start for 2014. :MOJE_whot:
Thanks for keeping us updated.