Well, a little update here: Saturday 27th...….the vision in the right eye, the eye wife and I were worried about, is coming along and it also appears that the two bloodshot areas are disappearing. I don't watch a lot of tv and don't stay on the computer too long. When my eyes feel tired, I kick back in the recliner and relax the eyes. So, the vision in the right eye appears to be coming along fine...…….wife and I are truly happy about that. We definitely want to have the best vison in both eyes, since we paid for the nice/good lenses.
Actually, you, before him or her, will notice first how badly your cataracts are getting. That's what happened to me. I wasn't getting the vision I thought I should out of the prescription glasses I had bought and went to see my eye doctor about that. After examining both of my eyes again, he told me "you've got the best glasses I can give you". That's when I knew cataract surgery was coming quickly, because my vision, with the prescription glasses on, was deteriorating quickly.
I'm not there yet. I see fine with my glasses except for the very tiny print but I do have trouble driving at night but then that was always a problem for me...even 30 yrs ago...just not as bad as it is now.
Driving at night was what finally made my decision. Not an option at the time to only drive in the day. Especially bad when it was raining. Everything was one big glare.
So, Hal, did you keep up with the eyedrops? Take all of them, for the amount of time designated? Any certain eyedrop you didn't like?
The weekend went fine, although, did watch to much tv on Sunday...…….NFL day. Will rest eyes more today, since wife is at work and tv will be off most of the day. Looks like the two bloodshot areas are gone, or very, very close to that. So, won't have to see the surgeon this week. My next post-surgery check-up will be with my regular eye doctor on the 5th. Bought a nice pair of Aviator Sunglasses at a sporting good store on Saturday. Wasn't about to pay $100 or more for the ones in the showcase (Ray Ban, etc.), so found a pair on a rotating display. I had a pair of Aviator's when I met my wife and she really liked the way I looked in them. Found a pair of yellow driving glasses in some things we were going to give away for Christmas. Pulled those babies out, so don't have to buy any now. Continuing with the eyedrops, until this Thursday and then will be only using two types, instead of three.
Had a post-op exam yesterday with my OD. He's the one that referred me to the surgeon that done my cataract surgeries. He's been seeing me, and prescribing me glasses, for the last 5 or so years now. Both eyes are doing fine, but I do have a little nearsightedness in the right eye. Right now, the right eye isn't focusing in as fast as the left eye does, but he said that will get better. Basically he said "just keep on doing what you are doing". IOW, prescription eyedrops and caring for both of the eyes, which means Systane Ultra eyedrops when needed. Both prescriptions dry out my eyes. Have another post-op exam on the first of December. I asked him who will pay for that one and he said that Medicare takes care of three post-op exams within 90 days of last surgery. I told my OD how much I appreciate him sending me to the surgeon. She is very good, actually, excellent. All wife and I can hope for is the right eye comes very close, if not 20/20, like left eye.
Apparently it doesn't happen to everyone, but it did happen to me. Thing is, my surgeon never mentioned this "risk" before my surgery, but I feel as if this "risk" was more important than completely loosing my sight due to the cataracts. Other than the eyelid problem, my vision now in the left eye, which had the worst cataract, is now 20/20 vision and my right is close to that.
Wow, I completely forgot about something...….. When a person has surgery that changes their vision, like I did, a new DL is required. My current DL states that I need to wear glasses to drive, but now I don't. The surgery center, where I had the surgeries done, did give me two cards describing the IOL's I had put in. I'm carrying both cards now, but will have to have the "glasses required" taken off.
Well, now my SIL (wife's sister) needs cataract surgery. She will go with the laser. I've already told her to follow exactly what she is told "to do" and "not do" and use the eye drops. If any problems with the eye drops, contact her surgeon immediately. She is 74.
I'm an exception around here I'm sure, actually in the huge population of seniors...I'm 81 soon and no cataracts, was told 20 yrs ago to be prepared and with the eye nutritional supplements I take, I'm doing just fine...no cataracts....I chose Dr. Google for what I need for prevention and Dr. Google comes thru every time. And I make sure to use sun glasses for sun and snow and even cloudy days. I don't like any surgery if I can do my part to avoid them. The reason I posted my approach to no surgery, others MAY not want to do surgery either and I've even posted what I use in a Cataracts thread here on Page 2. It does work and nothing invasive.
I didn't take the eyedrops beyond the first night, and I never got "Droopy Eyelid". Laser Cataract Surgery is so damned routine today that nobody needs to get apprehensive or dramatic about it. Just go and have it done, and toss those dumb anxiety feelings! Those Opthamologists know what they'e doing. I got both of mine done with a month's rest between,,,the insurance paid 100 %. Hal