Cataract Surgery Question
 

I'm having my annual debate about whether or not it's time for cataract surgery...

I'm considering seeing Dr. Armstrong at Ocala Eye. Anybody have any cataract surgery experience with her? I'd likely go with monovision for distance vision (knowing I'd need glasses to read), although I still think about multi-focal a bit.

I would really like to hear your opinions, especially if you have any input regarding Dr. Armstrong, or if not, Ocala Eye in general.

Thanks.

I can't offer any 1st hand experience with the MD that you are considering

but will say that after what my wife went though and listening to my brother and a couple of friends that have had that surgery, I'm going to hold off on this surgery as long as possible

post surgery none of them want to drive at night anymore

Surprising to hear thought it improved your vision. They have any idea what might have gone wrong. I do have the world slowest growing cataracts and surgery is in my future.

Excellent results for me with multi-focal, wish I did it sooner.

Sketchy to drive a dusk/night before. No problem now.

YMMV

Cataracts
 

Are you really serious about getting medical advice from this forum?
Go talk to a real Doctor to get the best advice.

Did you know that it is possible to do both?!? :ohdear:

(And yes...there are people on the forum whose opinion I value.)

One other very specific question, folks. If you have monofocal lenses put in both eyes for distance vision, do you have any idea how near to you your vision starts to blur? I know you would need readers. But what about looking at a television maybe 10'-12' across the room. Would that TV still be in good focus?

(And yes, I will be asking a doctor this question also...LOL!!)

Ocala Eye has many, many eye specialists that cover all forms of eye disease. Dr. Armstrong is the one who does cataract surgery.

I was terrified of having anything sharp touch my eyes. It was a piece of cake and Dr. Armstrong is extremely well qualified and also very kind. She studied at Georgetown which is an excellent medical school and she was born in Ocala. I can't tell you how much all three of us like and trust her.

Jodie A. Armstrong, M.D., F.A.C.S., is no stranger to the heart of Florida area; after all, she was born and raised in Ocala. Beginning with her college education, Dr. Armstrong has traveled throughout the country diligently completing her medical training and establishing her medical career. She joined the accomplished medical staff of Ocala Eye in August 2006. Dr. Armstrong is an accomplished laser vision cataract surgeon utilizing no-shot, no-stitch techniques with the latest methods of astigmatism reduction. Moreover, her experience includes the instruction of ophthalmology residents at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute on how to achieve the best visual outcomes. Her interests also include general ophthalmology and preventative eye exams. Dr. Armstrong’s path to ophthalmology lead through both Florida State University and the University of Miami, where she began her medical school training in 1996. Her medical studies continued in Washington, D.C. where she earned her M.D. in 2000 at Georgetown University. Following her Georgetown Transitional Internship at Inova Fairfax Hospital, Dr. Armstrong began her residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio. Upon completion of her residency, she relocated to Miami and obtained medical staff positions at Bascom Palmer and the Veterans Affairs Hospital.

I do not know anything about the doctor or Ocala Eye. But to answer a one other question— I also chose mono focal lens. My distance vision is great. I do not need readers for watching tv. I have two pair of readers. One pair is for reading my iPad when it is on my lap. My desktop monitor is a little farther away so I have a slightly weaker pair of readers for it. I do not need readers for anything farther than 3 feet away. Everyone may have a slightly different experience. Ask your eye doctor.

I had both eyes done 2 years ago, have no trouble driving at night, an occasional halo but nothing horrible. Some of the issues are dependent on the lenses you choose. I went for monovision and I can read anything close and see distance which is what I struggled with in first place. Menus, magazines, books are no issues. Very small "contract" type stuff can be. I elected to have them done early although I knew it wasn't necessary. Since the surgery is surprisingly easy and the recovery time is unbelievably short I couldn't justify not getting it done. My wife had her first eye done last week and will have her second one done next week....she is as amazed as I was. I started wearing glasses in 3rd grade, it's so nice not wearing them anymore.

Best procedure I ever had, I hated wearing glasses and didn’t have to until mid 40’s. In my case I need reading glasses, anything 5 feet or further out is crystal clear. Some point you may get floater, which can be easily fixed in less than couple minutes. But take hour or more of waiting. You’re doctor will evaluate you’re eyes and let you know what problems might occur not everybody eye site the same. St. Luke’s done mind very satisfied with procedures and follow ups plus very close and convenient.

Eye Surgery
 

I have no knowledge of Dr. Armstrong or Ocala Eye, but having had recent cataract surgery on both eyes at St Luke's in Sumter Landing, I have to say that they have to be the best organized group I have every worked with. Not only are you served by professionals, from the surgeon to the front desk clerk, but everyone there works hard at making you feel you are special and your surgery is import to them. Dr. Kimberly Ireland is amazing, and the experience was fantastic. Just a thought, but one you should seriously consider.

I recently had the surgery. I had the lens implanted in both eyes. One at a time, two weeks apart. It was very easy all I had to do was put drops in three days prior and for a month afterwards in both eyes. Went in with 80 in one eye and 50 in the other. A month later 20/25 in both eyes. Now I do not need glasses for close or far. The clarity is wonderful. It is a painless operation that takes 15 minutes. The office staff and all the doctors are wonderful. My vision was so cloudy for months, I really thought I was going blind. This surgery changed my life, the only bad part is, I no longer have an excuse for hitting the golf ball incorrectly. Good Luck !

I had both the near and far len’s put in by her a little over a year ago. She is very detailed, very professional, her staff is great. The whole process is painless and they addressed any questions or concerns I had right away which made the whole process stress free for me.

St Lukes at the Villages ..
 

My suggestion is
John Gooch MD at
St. Luke's at the Villages, 352.350.8484 his office is in the new Brownwood medical building by the hotel, surgery is done at the Sumter Landing location/Canal Street.

My brother had both done in the last 30 days, no issues, recommends him highly .. 352.350.8484 appointment line..

I had a great experience last month at St Luke's, Sumter Landing area. Dr. Ireland does the surgery, and other docs and staff are super.

I can’t help you with the doctor, as I’m in Virginia. But I want to mention that there have been amazing advances in multifocal lenses in recent years.

I got the Alcon PanOptix Trifocal Intraocular Lenses, but your vision needs may be very different, of course.

I wore glasses for almost 50 years. Now I’m glasses-free, except for reading glasses when I face teeny-tiny type. Or maybe if my eyes get too fatigued late in the day.

No problem for me with night driving.

Also, the laser cataract procedure was pain-free.

Best of luck!

I’ve had both eyes done. Can still read a normal book without glasses but much better with glasses. TV across the room is no problem. Menus in restaurants can be a problem if the light is low and they have fancy print. There you will need glasses or anything that has small print.

I love Graciegirl!

Dr Sherwood UF Health is great specialist

I had Dr. Armstrong. She’s very busy and no time for chit chat but good at her job.

I used Ocala Eye and had Dr Pollack. He did both eyes for cataract surgery 8 years ago. Also had lenses implanted and do not need glasses. No problems. Ocala eye is the best.

Cataract surgery is necessary if you need it. As far as driving at night ask the Dr for night driving glasses and he will give you a prescription. Medicare offers one set of glasses free after the surgery. Makes a world of difference at night. I am surprised people don't address that with their Dr - I did - and his reply was I know what you mean and gave me the prescription. I picked out the frames and filled it at Walmart. I see beautifully while driving at night now.

I have had cataract surgery at Ocala Eye without any problems. I used to wear glasses to see and took them off to read. Now, it is the reverse. My vision was tested at 15/15 and I have no problems driving at any time of day. However, I do need reading glasses and for that I thank Dollar Tree - $1 per pair and I keep at least one pair in every room of the house and 1 in the car.

I have had other work done at Ocala Eye, both at Laurel Manor and their office in Ocala. The doctors were all good. My problem with them is with their process and wait times. You get seen and prepped by a staff member fairly quickly. After that, at least at the Ocala office, you get shown to chair in the hallway and wait. And wait and wait some more. My last appointment was for a checkup. After waiting for almost two hours to see the doctor I left. 30 minutes later they called to see where I was. During the wait time no one checks on you or gives you an idea how long it will be.

Excellent thread and very timely for me. I’m getting my left eye done on Tuesday and my right 4 weeks later. Quite a few of the responses made me feel better. I did, however, tell my surgeon I was disappointed in him. He’s only done 10,000+ cataract surgeries. I really wanted an experienced surgeon not a rookie. Also he’s a Mets fan from Brooklyn. Everyone knows Yankee fan surgeons from the Bronx are far superior. Oh well I guess you can’t have everything.

My surgery went well
 

I had accommodative lenses placed in both eyes by Kimberly Ireland at St. Luke's. Medicare didn't cover it but I now see both distance and reading distance.

See DR. Ireland at ST Lukes in Sumter Landing Excellent eye care. 352 350 8484

Just had both eyes done by Ocala Eye - Dr. Janks. The surgery went like clockwork - no problems. Very impressed with the surgery center. Got mono-vision - one eye for distance and one eye for close. Have had that with contacts & then laser for 40+ years so I knew it would work for me. Saved $3K by not doing multifocal in both eyes.

Had cataract surgery last fall. Putting it off it will only get worse and you will get older. I went for best vision for seeing far was told I would need glasses to read. Ended up with 20/25 vision and can read great . Would think twice about doing one each way. Many people have a had time adjusting. Don’t know Dr Armstrong but would really get the best Dr you can find.

don't do the multi focal. just ge the sense that corrects your distance and get some reading glasses for close up

I had cataract surgery about 5 years ago in Ohio. I opted for the Crystalens multifocal style lenses. They are great. They use the existing muscles from the original lenses to adjust the focal length. I can see from 4 inches in front of my face out to infinity. They are binocular vision, so your depth perception is not affected like monovision does. I've had no issues with them since they were installed and really like getting up without reaching for glasses and not requiring reading glasses.

You need to talk further with your doctor as you don't seem to understand what monovision is.

I wore monovision contacts for 20 years, so it was absolutely the way for me to go when I had cataract surgery. Also, after surgery my night vision was much improved.

If you’ve never worn monovision contacts, it probably won’t be your best option and I’m surprised Dr. Armstrong would suggest it.

Ocala Eye
 

I went to Ocala Eye, did not like them, they wanted to do a lot of testing that I felt unnecessary, I went to Mid Florida Eye, Dr Panzo is great he found a spot on the back of the eye that was deemed a birth defect, much closer to my home since they are in Summerfield just a bit North of Walmart on 441. I would recommend them highly. I had my cataract done in Virginia over 8 years ago, have great vision with plastic lenses. Good luck, but today Cataract surgery is very common

...

I appreciate your input. I've done a bit of homework since my original post and I see what you mean. I believe monovision is one lens for distance and another for up close. Correct? That is NOT what I plan to do. I stand corrected.

That being said...you seem to know about such things. I would appreciate if you could give me a lay-person's definition of the various options. Or possibly a link to a good website. I've looked around some and still haven't found a source that is really definitive. Monovision, monofocal, multifocal, (other?). It's kinda whacky. If you can help clarify a bit, I would really appreciate it. :)

Cataract Surgery
 

Has anyone had mono vision lenses put in after cataract surgery and then had them removed a few years later to have trifocals put in? The mono (one for distance and one for close up) Has me still wearing glasses full time. If so, where did you go for this procedure? Thanks.

St Lukes, Did mine 3 years ago. Had corrective lenses. Use cheaters once in a while for reading. Was + 425 farsighted, not one problem at all. Dr Ireland did a great job.

You would need 1.00 or 1.25 readers for reading only. I can see the car's dashboard instruments fine as well as TV at home.

This person is not asking "medical advice".
 

This person is not asking "medical advice". They are asking about Villagers who have had good experiences/results from local medical doctors. And you seem like a mean-spirited and our thoughtless/unintelligent person, though based on this one remark I really could not tell, but I do hope you improve your online manners. It makes it unpleasant for all of us when we have to read trolling remarks.