Fellow fossils. Cataracts: if you have had them done advise me

Wulfmann

So I did the cataract test and eye doc says I have 3 options

1: Basic lens Implant; Medicare no charge improves but may still need glasses for distance, mid range and close up

2: Monofocal Toric Lens implant: $2900.00/both likely no glasses needed for distance but will for close up/reading

3: Extended Range, High Technology Lens Implant$6,000.00/both will not need glasses for any distance

But, both 2 and 3 say not guaranteed and you may still need glasses for all distances

WUT???

My eyes are not that bad.

I passed the no glasses driver vision test for renewing my license 4 years ago and they are about the same so legally i don't have to wear glasses to drive (But it is easier to read signs with 1.75s)

If you did the no copay option how did that work out?

If you went all out was it money well spent?

Any and all advice would be appreciated

pulsarnc

Did the option 1 about 4 years ago . Pleased with the results . Think my total out of pocket was less than $1000.00 . Note that at that time I was only relaying on my state retiree insurance . With Medicare I have no idea of cost with the two of them combined . I do know that my out of pocket for the hospital portion of my total knee replacement was about $600.00 out of &44,000.00!

Bubba Jr.

I had both eyes done a couple of years ago. First time since I was in the third grade that I could see any distance without glasses or contacts. Had the surgeries 1 week apart. The procedure is very simple. They numb your eye, made a small slit through the outer surface of your eyeball, then go in with a tiny forcep and remove the cataract. Then they implant the new lens that looks like it has 4 claws on the corners. These claws are what hold the lens in place. I had also bought the toric lenses to correct my astigmatism for another $999.99 per eye. I've been very happy with the results.

I still go for yearly checkup as your eyes will still change over time.

Ditch-Runner

my eyes went fast in a matter of just a couple months I got to the point I would not drive in fear of hurting some one ( not just me ) so had both eyes done my experience not too bad over all as for the pain and procedures mine were some what like option 1 as I had little choice in gaining great vision due to my screw up years ago

what sucked for me was 20 + years ago I had the radial k ? surgery that was popular preformed and I was never happy with the out come ( too long of a story ) ]

so when the doc did my cataracts he told me he could not risk causing a tear in the old scars but would do what they could with in the limits placed by the old scars and having 20-20 was not going to happen for me

my left eye turned out some what OK like 20/30 but my right eye still not so much I still have to wear glasses which he told me I would up front my glasses is obvious my right lens is almost 2x as thick as the left

but I was truly hoping for a great improvement on my right eye but no such luck

I shoot right handed and use my right eye but the 1st surgery took away any enjoyment I had in shooting and the last time well it did not get worse maybe just a couple points better but not what I was hoping for and shooting is still not fun I was disappointed in that

but after going about two months and every day my vision was going down hill I am happy as a clam my eyes are still working .

he did say I had the very fast progressing cataracts that younger people seem to get vs the slow growing version older people get ( I was 62 )

mac10

do we have bionic eye implants yet

gjshaw

I did the option 3 on both eyes about 3 years ago. Cost the 6,000. Per eye. Best thing I’ve ever did for myself. No glasses needed for anything.

Rocky Raab

I'm turning 74.

Two years ago, I had me left eye done. I opted for the standard issue distance lens because I didn't need the right eye done then and I wear bifocal glasses both for astigmatism and reading. I'm 20/20 in both eyes still, but that tiny bit of astigmatism makes it seem worse. (I feel half blind at 20/20 compared to my vision when I was young, which was close to 20/10)

I was utterly terrified of the surgery, to be blunt. The idea of cutting on my eye was beyond me. It turned out to be an absolute nothing. Odd experience, but truly nothing. Great doctor - who has now retired. I have Medicare and Tricare - didn't cost me a dime.

I'm going for my annual exam next month, and I can tell that it's time to do the right eye. I'll still need glasses anyway, so I'll opt for the standard distance lens again. Just hope this Doc is as good as the first one.

discusdad

i had both eyes done this past July/august and could not be happier. i got the basic lenses provided thru Medicare and my vision has returned to 20/20 with a minimum of astigmatism present.. i have my normal long distance vision back, and yet my near vision is normalised. no need for cheaters to read the fine print on anything. recuperation times were short and no health problems ever. very happy camper here since having this done....i only wish i would have had it done 2 years prior

Grunt2

Getting my first one January 4th...All set up through the VA/Community Care Network...The Dr. assigned is pretty awesome!!!

Don McManus

I have them developing in both eyes. Have worn glasses for 30 years, and doc said surgery would probably not change that, though I could lose the progressive lenses.

This was five years ago. I bought prescription single prescription wrap around sunglasses for shooting and golf to slow the growth, and have never looked back. Surgery may be necessary in the future, but my philosophy is that if it is working well, why risk it?

Wulfmann

Thanks for the great replies. I was at a GS all day so got to read them all in a row and while there are variations most make me optimistic (Optomolistic? LOL)

Please keep them coming as I am sure there are others facing this and every experience is worth sharing

asop

I went with #2. REALLY pleased with the results.

gruntled2

I had laser surgery about twenty years ago & went from 20/650 to 20/30. I had paid a little extra in case I needed a second surgery so I could have had a do over but I decided to leave well enough alone. Now I have a cataract in my right eye that is giving me a problem & a lesser problem with my left eye. The last time I saw my doctor he said it wasn't bad enough to warrant correcting but that was some time ago & I would like to do it now. I have a big problem trying to use iron sights. Peep sights have a * dot in the center & regular sights are doubled.