Opinions and advice about cataract surgery
 

I have not yet had my appointment with Dr. Ireland and will of course be discussing various options with her, but I'd be interested to hear other first-hand experiences and recommendations. Which type of lens did you select and were you satisfied with your decision?

I only know one person who had the surgery and her outcome wasn't the best.

Costs seem to vary quite a bit. My optometrist told me to get only what Medicare pays for: "No extras!" :icon_wink:

Used Dr. Scot Holman if you are interested in an alternative. I chose the Toric lenses, had the surgery 3 years ago. Uneventful surgery, better color vision, clearer vision, lots of drops on a daily basis for awhile but no big deal. Had the lenses defogged 8 months ago, took all of 15 seconds to do that. No pain. Following the surgery I was prohibited from hitting out sand traps so took free lifts. I wore the very dark glasses and the guys I played with offered to buy them if I would give them the same consideration :)

My wife had the surgery about 5 years ago at Mid Florida Eye Surgery Center. She wanted me to listen to her options, medicare only (scalpel surgery, no cost to her). Laser with $3,000 charge to her and Laser with the top of the line lenses, $6,000 charge to her. I just said, "How may chances do you get to have perfect vision again"? She had the $6,000 option and has perfect vision again just like when she was a teen, no reading glasses or squinting. Very satisfied with the results.

My wife and I also used Dr. Holman, Lake Eye for our Cataract surgery and he is wonderful. We both went with the Multifocal Lens. They are pricey, but well worth it.. I wore glasses for 40 years and now no longer need them for anything. I read a book a week and also spend time at the computer and never had any problems since the surgery. I had to take several drops for a few days after surgery 3 yrs ago, but my wife only had to take drops once a day after her surgery a year ago. Very fast and easy. We feel it was well worth the money.

Thanks for the informative replies. Did anyone have both eyes done at the same time?

I had mine done a year ago at Mid Florida Eye. I was told I was not a candidate for the multi-focal lens, so that eliminated that one. I also did not have significant astigmatism, so I did not need the topic lens; in fact the slight astigmatism I had was corrected by the laser. I chose the laser surgery with the distance correction lens. The laser is more accurate is the reason I chose it. I do need reading glasses for close up such as reading or the computer. I do not need glasses for driving, playing golf, working in the yard, etc. I was amazed at the difference in clarity, color, and sharpness of objects and scenery after the surgeries. I can see a golf ball at nearly 200 yards without any glasses. Wife will have hers this year and is choosing the same even though she is a candidate for multi-focal lens. I am totally satisfied with my results. I have to use eye drops daily though due to a dry eye condition.

I had my eyes done by Dr Ireland as mono vision, one close one far and I'm very happy. Note that I wore, many years ago, contacts that were also monovision and having the previous experience with monovision may be a requirement - but not sure. Advantages are: no special expensive lens required, no need to keep a pair of cheater glasses around all the time to read something. On the negative side; you sight either far or near might not be as good as if both eyes we adjusted either far or close ( I think this is also a disadvantage of multi-focus lens). At least for me, the advantages far outweighed the negatives. If you qualify you will have to try monovision contacts for a short period of time to ensure you are able to adjust to them.

And one last note: This is only my experience and opinion and I'm not in any way qualified to give eye advice to anyone.

Dr Wong has a number of very informative video's on YiuTube.

Symfony vs Panoptix. Which is the BEST Lens for Cataract and Laser Lens Replacement Surgery? - YouTube

Another story.
 

Sadly for me, unlike so many others, I had not very good experience. My wife is facing her turn for cataract surgery very soon and I insisted she find a different doctor and practice.
I had two issues that I was assured were no problem.
Issue 1: RK (radial karatotomy), a vision correction surgery pre-lasic. Could not remove cataract via the cornia, had to go through the sclera (white part of the eye.) RK scars made getting good measurements difficult. 2: I was on tamsulocin generic Flomax) known for contributing to floppy iris syndrome.
First eye went pretty well, but not perfect. Second eye? Not so well. Iris flopped. Once supposed under control it snapped shut and had to be forced open with a ring. Scheduled lens could not be used so, generic lens implanted. Twenty minute surgery became two hours.
Very sorry if I frightened you, but not every surgery goes well and any concerns you have should not be glossed over. This , if I am correct, the most common surgery being performed today. There are many reasons why the success rate is less than 100% satisfied. And, just because the surgeon has done "thousands" does not mean they can't get complacent or over confident.
Ask lots of questions and be sure you get the answers you need. The surgery is not painful, so that's one thing you don't need to be concerned about. Second opinion from different practice might be a good idea if you have any doubts.

Can’t recommend a doctor as I had mine done up north. I have Toric lens, one eye corrected for far one for near. I had them done 1 year apart because I wanted to see how the first one healed. The most important thing to me in selecting a doctor was the number of similar operations they have done successfully. I reviewed several doctors diligently.

Surgery included no pain, it felt like a mild push on my eyes. Afterwards two weeks of prescription eye drops, no bending for a couple of weeks to put no pressure on the healing eye, and one year of sunglasses anytime outside. The doc gave me these terrible looking sunglasses but they felt so good to wear I ordered 2 more pairs. Second eye also went well. Last time I saw this well was in my teens, and I need my eyes for art. Completely happy with everything. (Now that I can see what my husband actually looks like, I still like him!)

Don't take advice re: cataract surgery from an optometrist. See an ophthalmologist that others have been happy with.

I had multifocal lenses put in about six years ago (at age 62). Surgeries were done a couple weeks apart. (I believe this is standard procedure, just in case there is a problem or an infection develops in one eye.) I am super happy with the outcome.

I was told that my out of pocket cost would be $1500 or so per eye. Turned out to be twice that amount. (The lenses themselves are more expensive and both the surgeon and surgical center charge extra.) I am grateful that I was a good candidate for the procedure and that I was able to pay my share.

Considering how much I was spending on blended bifocals every couple of years, I expect to come out ahead in the long run. (Based on family history I have a good chance of living into my late 80's or longer.) But even if that weren't true, it would be worth it to me. I LOVE NOT WEARING GLASSES!

Good luck.

kathy

The problem I developed is droopy eye lids that is caused by an injection in the eye for the surgery. This can be remedied by.....another surgery. This will sometimes correct itself in six to eight weeks after the cataract surgery. Look it up on the web. Seems to be fairly common problem.

I had both eyes done by Dr Ireland, 1 week apart. Just the standard surgery, went in wearing glasses and came out wearing glasses. Everything went very well with no problems. Have sent several friends there.

I just had the cataract surgery. Dr. Gutti with Lake Eye Associates did mine. They have an office over near Spars across from Brownwood. They aren't doing the surgeries there yet but will in the fall. I got the deluxe package with the laser. Been very pleased. Weird getting used to not wearing glasses. Nice being able to see without them. My brother had the operation and only got what Medicare paid for and he's pleased. So who knows. He has to use reading glasses. I don't. Think I paid 8k over what Medicare paid.

If you have problems due to RK surgery Dr. Gulani in Jacksonville specializes in RK and other difficult conditions.
Not cheap. Not painless.
Gave my wife her vision back.

Just had mine done last month. Had mono-vision & can now see perfectly. I've had monovision for 40+ years, but Dr. Ireland told me she could not put those lenses in - only the $6000 lens because I had had lasix in the past. Didn't make sense to me (I'm a nurse) so I got second opinion for Dr. Jank of Ocala Eye who did husband's eyes. He said no problem with monovision for me despite lasix. Now seeing distance & close without glasses.

Dr. Ireland is fantastic. The surgery procedure and the surgical team like a well-oiled machine.

Your standard choices will be a manual procedure or laser. Laser has a much higher out-of-pocket. I chose the laser and have been very pleased with the results.

I had my surgery in Columbus, Ohio by Dr. Erdey. I settled on the Crystalens which is an adaptive lens that changes focal length similar to the natural lens. The lenses cost and additional 2600 per eye but I considered that well worth it. I do not need reading glasses. I did have the "defogging" procedure that sometimes develops after the surgery done. Very quick and painless and permanent. The clarity and color changes from before/after were astounding. I've had no issues with the procedure and go back when I visit the kids each year for a followup.

Had Cataract surgery in 2013
 

Good advise from your optometrist, I got what Medicare and my Humana paid, yes I still wear glasses, but if you choose otherwise you might have to pay thousands extra. My surgery was done in Virginia by Dr. Bundy he owns Virginia Eye Institute, he is a friend, he recommended Dr. Panzo here which I am seeing every year, but my vision is still great!!!!!!

My brother-in-law did and was fine. My doc would only do one at a time. Glad he did. Sleeping w a protective cup on both eyes at the same time would have been bothersome. I sleep on my sides. Also, you can’t read, see TV, play on your phone, nothing w the operated eye in the beginning. It was very good to have that one eye working! I got regular lenses in each eye and wear reading glasses. I couldn’t imagine seeing blurry in one eye if I had one reading lens and one distance lens. I did opt for the combination drops so didn’t have as much to deal with. Didn’t cost that much more.

Cataracts after RK surgery
 

Oh I also had cataract surgery a few years ago, but 20 years ago I had the RK surgery which helped for several years. The surgeon that did the cataracts could not promise that they would work perfectly and he was correct. One implant went perfect, but the other took three tries, with three different lenses before he was satisfied. I have had trouble getting prescription glasses since. I see great with one eye, but the other needs a prism lens, otherwise I see double vision. I think normal eyes without RK or Lasik prior should do fine.

I had my surgery with Dr Kaufman Bushnell Florida. He was awesome and perfect vision! He has done thousands of the procedures! He will do 13-16 a day!

My experience there wasn't so great. I wanted to improve my distance vision, but knew the trade-off would be that I'd need glasses for reading. After the procedures, I discovered that I see anything 6' away or further much better with 1.25 power reading glasses! And I still need glasses for reading as well.

I asked another doctor there if they may have put in the wrong lenses, and he said something about my eye changing shape. (???) In other words, not their fault. I doubt that, but I know of no recourse. Hard for me to recommend them.

cataract surgery = simple, easy
 

I had mine done 2015 before moving to TV, upgraded to correct vision. Best decision! The surgery itself was quick & painless. The results were AWESOME! Definitely recommend doing the upgrade.

My husband and I had Dr Ireland.
We had great results. I have the lenses that dont require glasses, he had the one that requires readers. Both happy with our decision!

I had cataract and YAG surgery by Dr Ireland. You won’t see her. You’ll only talk to other people. It’s fast, like an assembly line. I didn’t like having the cataract surgery but luckily it doesn’t take long.

Do not let them talk you into upgrading lens. I upgraded at cost of $4000. They said I would not need glasses, well about a year later I was wearing reading glasses and cannot read without them now. They were called crystal lenses. Listen to your optometrist

If I could do it again--
 

Had mine done at Ocala Eye and wish I had gone to someone else, anyone else! Gave me prescription for wrong eye drops, called numerous times and complained about the pain till finally got into another doctor who did an "oops!" gave me the right medicine, appologized which did nothing! Of course, you have to sign paper that you will not sue if something goes wrong! Have had other friends with many problems at Ocala Eye--would not recommend for all the money in the world--It is now three years later and I still have problem with that eye. Other one was done at Lake Eye and am extremely happy!

Dr Ireland
 

Dr Ireland did my surgery last November. I opted for the astigmatism lenses, which were pricey. I couldn’t be happier. I no longer need glasses to drive and cheap Walmart readers are all I need for reading. Dr Ireland is the best!

I had my cataracts removed with Dr Ireland. Great experience all around. I wanted to see distance without glasses and that is what I got. I use reading glasses when needed. I have 20 20 distance vision.

Cataracts
 

Think twice about Multifocal Lens.I choose them and I still need reading glasses. Distance vision is good.They don't work for everybody.$5000 extra.

Dr. Hussein Elhalis at Ocala Eye performed my cataract surgery and I couldn't be happier. I give him an A++++.

If you think about multifocal lens, try it first as contacts that you just wear over your eyes. I did and got headaches from them. So I went for single focal, far for one eye, near for another. Now I never have to wear glasses other than sunglasses at any time.

I had my cataract surgery in February by Dr Ireland, who came highly recommended. It was the easiest procedure I have gone through. My eyes are definitely better. And Medicare paid all but $40. She is the best.

I had cataracts removed by Dr. Ireland. I got accommodative replacement lenses and now see distant and reading without glasses.

I had cataract surgery about 2 years ago. had both eyes done about a month apart. They put me on Prednisilone eye drops after surgery and I started gaining weight 1/2 lb per day and it elevated my blood pressure. It was awful and very dangerous. Because eyes were done so close together I had to be on the drops for so long. I would only suggest doing one eye at a time and waiting until you are completely off the eye drops for 6 months. I take no other meds, not even aspirin and am 75 yo. Vision is now great for distance and wearing cheapies for reading, no big deal. When you first get your eyes done you'll find that your colors are different and look more blue, so people with a tan look greenish now. ....... so be it.

They don't due both at the same time, usually a week apart.

May I ask what type of RX you needed before your surgery? I ask bcs I have been very near sighted with heavy astigmatism since 7 yrs old. Now that I am old I am also far sighted. I am told I can only be corrected for 2 out of 3. They can correct the near & astigmatism but not for so i would need reading glasses. I am told this is due to lense technology, not my specific condition.

She's great! Get the highest priced lenses. Be sure to use preservative-free eye drops cuz you're going to get dry eye.

Cataract Surgery
 

Has anyone used Peter J. Polack from Ocala Eye for Cataract Surgery?