[wine5465]

I qualify for cataract surgery but what I want is the lens correction surgery. Insurance takes care of cataract surgery but has anyone had the lens correction surgery for less than $3,500 an eye?

[paulat585]

Mine was about $4800 at Mid Florida Eye.

[MartinSE]

WOW!

You just made my day. I had mine done earlier this year at the VA. It cost me about $300 in co-pays total for all the specialists visits before and after and the surgery itself and the eye drops, lots and lots of eye drops the first month.

Word of advice if you get it. Think twice about what correction you want.

I chose distance correction and wear reading glasses.

I almost think reading would be better for me. I spend MOST of my life inside and at the computer (I am a programmer), reading books, etc.

I can watch TV without glasses, and drive without glasses, but for reading I do need readers, and while they are cheap ($5.00 at drug store) it's annoying.

My point is just think about what you do MOST of the time.

[Caymus]

Originally Posted by wine5465

I qualify for cataract surgery but what I want is the lens correction surgery. Insurance takes care of cataract surgery but has anyone had the lens correction surgery for less than $3,500 an eye?

What are you calling lens correction surgery? Are you referring to Lasik? If so, they are different. Cataract surgery replaces the "clouded" natural lens with an artificial lens. Lasik works on reshaping the cornea. Will a surgeon perform Lasik on a patient with cataracts?

[coralway]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

WOW!

You just made my day. I had mine done earlier this year at the VA. It cost me about $300 in co-pays total for all the specialists visits before and after and the surgery itself and the eye drops, lots and lots of eye drops the first month.

Word of advice if you get it. Think twice about what correction you want.

I chose distance correction and wear reading glasses.

I almost think reading would be better for me. I spend MOST of my life inside and at the computer (I am a programmer), reading books, etc.

I can watch TV without glasses, and drive without glasses, but for reading I do need readers, and while they are cheap ($5.00 at drug store) it's annoying.

My point is just think about what you do MOST of the time.

Interesting post, something to think about.

Just curious, when you are driving, do you need glasses to see the dashboard numbers, like the speedometer, or the gauges?

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by coralway

Interesting post, something to think about.

Just curious, when you are driving, do you need glasses to see the dashboard numbers, like the speedometer, or the gauges?

No, I can read clearly at just about arms length, so the dash is fine. The controls on the steering wheel are a little fuzzy but I can make them out.

[richardc1947]

Both my wife and I have opted to have corrective lenses implanted during cataract surgery. Mine was almost 10k for both eyes back in 2010. My wife’s was only $4k for both eyes in 2019. St Luke’s did hers and mine was done in Nashville. We both are glad we made the decision to pay out of pocket for the up charge.

[Blackbird45]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

No, I can read clearly at just about arms length, so the dash is fine. The controls on the steering wheel are a little fuzzy but I can make them out.

I also had the surgery at Mid Florida Eye a few years back.
I don't remember what it cost me, but it was worth ever penny whatever it was.
My distant site was getting fuzzy, now my site is probably better then it was in my twenties.

[LErmer]

Originally Posted by wine5465

I qualify for cataract surgery but what I want is the lens correction surgery. Insurance takes care of cataract surgery but has anyone had the lens correction surgery for less than $3,500 an eye?

Yes, I had cataract surgery with corrective lenses for both eyes that repaired a severe stigmatism. It works so well that I had to have the corrective lenses provision removed from my drivers license. The cost was actually about $7200. The operation was several years ago and I still do not require classes to read even fine print.

[sdeikenberry]

St. Lukes, Dr. Ireland, $2,000 per eye for lenses correcting my astigmatism and giving me 20/20 distance vision. I wear readers for up close work. I chose to NOT get the multifocal lens because Dr. Ireand said multifocal lenses are not perfect and if distance vision was more important than not wearing readers I'd be happier. I didn't want blurry distance. I only wear glasses now for reading. It's a bit of a hassle to remember to take readers with me (I'm a guy and don't carry a purse) but I got used to it...second nature now.

[LG999]

I paid $300 or $400/ eye. I had cataracts removed, Rx lenses installed, astigmatism corrected surgically. My understanding is if you need a prescriptive lens to see, that is what you get. If you do not wear glasses or contact lenses (don't need prescriptive lenses) then you just get a clear lens.

[72eagleman]

it all depends on what your eyes require for a prescription. Medicare or insurance will not consider paying for the cost of a lens because the government classify a lens implant as experimental or medically not necessary. If you do not get a lens, you will, most likely have to wear prescription glasses and/or reading glasses.
I had a lens implanted in each eye when I had cataracts removed in both eyes in 2008. I went from 20/400 with severe astigmatism to 20/20 with zero astigmatism. I have not needed glasses and my eyes are still 20/30 or better. I recently purchased a pair of prescription sunglasses that were a little overcorrected for distance so that I could see the golf ball land on the green. I only wear them when I play golf.

My wife had a lens implant last year and she does not require glasses either.

If it were me, I would have the lens installed if the doctor recommended it. I used to get new prescription glasses and sunglass changed at least once per year. A pair of glasses today costs around $500.00 so I would say I saved a lot of money by having the lens implanted. Back then the cost of the best lens was under $500.00 per eye where now it can be over $3,000.00/eye.

Good luck with your decision.

[Xander7]

Pay the extra. I had the multi-focal lens put in. Wonderful! I haven’t worn my glasses since. I can read the paper, do the crosswords and still see the golf ball after I hit it. (Okay, I know it’s not as far as it used to be).

[Stu from NYC]

Glad to see so many positives for mid florida eye

[Dot Rheinhardt]

I had Toric lenses in both eyes. Now 20/20. Practically legally blind before surgery due to severe astigmatism. It was about $4,000 total for both eyes 10 years ago. I had worn glasses since age 5. Insurance sais it was cosmetic, but it wasn't to me as I could barely see without glasses before. Worth every penny.