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Cataract Surgery

brownshoe

Well-Known Member
Contributor
I am going to have cataract surgery in a few weeks, and I was hoping some of you other ‘old farts’ who have had the procedure would share your experiences. I have astigmatism too so I’ve been told I’ll still need eyeglasses.

Thanks in advance for the input.

(Sorry John, I know it’s not NAVAIR material. If I’m out of order just delete.)
 

BusyBee604

St. Francis/Hugh Hefner Combo!
pilot
Super Moderator
Contributor
I am going to have cataract surgery in a few weeks, and I was hoping some of you other ‘old farts’ who have had the procedure would share your experiences. I have astigmatism too so I’ve been told I’ll still need eyeglasses.
Shoe, I had cataract surgery about 4 years ago. Both eyes, actually two separate surgeries, the second eye a month after the first. The surgery itself a "piece of cake", pain-free, local anesthetic, about 30-min. in a comfy chair. You have to bring someone along to drive you home, as the eye will be covered the first 24 hrs. When the cover comes off, you'll be amazed at how clear & full of color everything seems (even after only the first eye surgery). A pair of special sunglasses were issued to be worn outside on bright sunny days until the 2nd eye completely healed (~1 month).

The only additional maintenance required was special eyedrops 3x/day, and a post-op Dr. visit 1 week after each surgery. It corrected my normal (long range) problem, but not the short range i.e., I no longer needed correction for driving/TV viewing, but still needed reading specs. All in all, it was a good experience for me, I think you will get a lot more enjoyment out of everyday life, as you'll quickly "see what you've been missing"!
(Sorry John, I know it’s not NAVAIR material. If I’m out of order just delete.)
Maybe not NAVAIR, but it does qualify as miscellaneous.
BzB, Octogenarian Flatus
 

brownshoe

Well-Known Member
Contributor
Shoe, I had cataract surgery about 4 years ago. Both eyes, actually two separate surgeries, the second eye a month after the first. The surgery itself a "piece of cake", pain-free, local anesthetic, about 30-min. in a comfy chair. You have to bring someone along to drive you home, as the eye will be covered the first 24 hrs. When the cover comes off, you'll be amazed at how clear & full of color everything seems (even after only the first eye surgery). A pair of special sunglasses were issued to be worn outside on bright sunny days until the 2nd eye completely healed (~1 month).

The only additional maintenance required was special eyedrops 3x/day, and a post-op Dr. visit 1 week after each surgery. It corrected my normal (long range) problem, but not the short range i.e., I no longer needed correction for driving/TV viewing, but still needed reading specs. All in all, it was a good experience for me, I think you will get a lot more enjoyment out of everyday life, as you'll quickly "see what you've been missing"!

Maybe not NAVAIR, but it does qualify as miscellaneous.
BzB, Octogenarian Flatus

Thanks for the input, Hugh. Yup one eye for me first and the other a few weeks later.
("Octogenarian Flatus"... I'll be laughing for a week.:D)
 

rondebmar

Ron "Banty" Marron
pilot
Contributor
I'll be having mine done the first of the year ...a minor vision plan limitation applies. Looking forward to it. Most of my local friends and neighbors have had it done ...and marvel at the results! :)
 

villanelle

Nihongo dame desu
Contributor
My dad had his done a few weeks ago and it's the first time in over 60 years that he hasn't needed glasses. He is beyond pleased. He chose to pay more (beyond what his Tricare covers, I assume) to get a lens that has some additional vision correction (maybe it was like a bifocal? or some sort of graduated lens) and while I didn't catch what the special lens did, he made a point to say that he was extremely happy he'd done so, even though it wasn't covered.

His only complaint was that they made him wait a few weeks between eyes and he couldn't wear his glasses or see very well during that time. His old glasses were thin wire frames so they wouldn't hold up with out one of the lenses, so that wasn't an option.
 

brownshoe

Well-Known Member
Contributor
Thanks for the input, it’s appreciated. I was told by my surgeon that I will most likely still need glasses after the procedure, but at least the cloudiness will be gone. The more expensive lenses were discussed but not recommended in my case. Believe me I would have gladly forked over the additional $ 800.00 per lens not covered by the insurance.
 

Corkyboy

New Member
I am going to have cataract surgery in a few weeks, and I was hoping some of you other ‘old farts’ who have had the procedure would share your experiences. I have astigmatism too so I’ve been told I’ll still need eyeglasses.

Thanks in advance for the input.

(Sorry John, I know it’s not NAVAIR material. If I’m out of order just delete.)

Thanks for the input, it’s appreciated. I was told by my surgeon that I will most likely still need glasses after the procedure, but at least the cloudiness will be gone. The more expensive lenses were discussed but not recommended in my case. Believe me I would have gladly forked over the additional $ 800.00 per lens not covered by the insurance.

I am going to have cataract surgery in a few weeks, and I was hoping some of you other ‘old farts’ who have had the procedure would share your experiences. I have astigmatism too so I’ve been told I’ll still need eyeglasses.

Thanks in advance for the input.

(Sorry John, I know it’s not NAVAIR material. If I’m out of order just delete.)
 

BusyBee604

St. Francis/Hugh Hefner Combo!
pilot
Super Moderator
Contributor
You didn't write anything in your post? It's been a couple years since you have posted, welcome back!:)
VA 44 Line.jpg va44a.gif
BzB, VA-44 '67-'70
 

brownshoe

Well-Known Member
Contributor
My dad had his done a few weeks ago and it's the first time in over 60 years that he hasn't needed glasses. He is beyond pleased. He chose to pay more (beyond what his Tricare covers, I assume) to get a lens that has some additional vision correction (maybe it was like a bifocal? or some sort of graduated lens) and while I didn't catch what the special lens did, he made a point to say that he was extremely happy he'd done so, even though it wasn't covered.

His only complaint was that they made him wait a few weeks between eyes and he couldn't wear his glasses or see very well during that time. His old glasses were thin wire frames so they wouldn't hold up with out one of the lenses, so that wasn't an option.


No kidding! I'm climbing the walls and can't wait 'till next week.
 
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