Cataract Surgery
 

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:

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!!

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

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?

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

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

Timely
 

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.

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

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.