I posted a while ago, as am schedued for cataract surgery nov 21, I have to admit am apprenshive about it, so any positive feedback is welcomed, thing is, on talking to some friends, have heard different advice, different experiences, different input as to how much, in ontario canada, we have to pay, understanding at this point is, procedure is paid for by OHIP, but you have to pay for lens. Now then, apparently as told to me by surgeon, lowest lens, is $225 which he did not recommend, next up was $545, said this was best suited for me, even thought I do have astigmatism in eye that will be treated, Now, money is an issue for me, just before Christmas, and if you remember, my singon, diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, can,t work, although he is still doing ok, on Revlamid, maintenance, I am trying to hold on to little bit of money I have, in case he will need, or there is an emergency, at any rate, trying to decide what to do, so many different opinions from friends etc, who say, they never paid anything, this is is Ontario, remember, and many of these friends, had procedure over 10yrs ago, so appreciate any, and all input from you all, being on prednisone, for 3 yrs now, but almost tapered down to 5 mg in another 2 wks every day, having few issues with discomfort here and there, little in glutes, shoulder etc, but think issues not PMR, maybe calcification in shoulder, as happened twice in this journey, and prififormis syndrome, muscles in glutes, and ham strings get seized up and hurt a little time to time, appreciate any feedback, thank you, don,t like the idea of eyes being poked at,but know will not get better , thank you
cataract surgery: I posted a while ago, as am... - PMRGCAuk
cataract surgery
I have no direct experience of cataract surgery, but it is the one surgery I would invest in. Eyesight is so important. I am not sure that we would even have the option for gold star treatment in the U.K. If you can manage it, go for it!
It is possible to get 'gold star' treatment here in the UK. I paid for treatment including bespoke lenses at the Optegra Clinic in north London.
A friend has recently had a cataract done and she is raving about how good it is. The only problem she said is she now realises how much better it is than her other eye!
It’s been just over a year since I had my cataract surgery and the results were stunning. I opted for single vision (distance) and not multifocal so I only wear glasses to read. It’s wonderful to wake up and see everything clearly. The surgery was a breeze. Prednisone caused my cataracts to progress in literally months but this surgery has been life changing. I couldn’t drive at night because of the glare the cataracts caused. Now I love to drive at night.
Wishing you the best~
II
I have had exactly the same treatment with exactly the same results. I cannot believe how bright and clear everything is. I have kept varifocal glasses as do presentations which mean looking at a computer screen as well as the screen with the projection on. It was like turning back 20 years to before I wore glasses.
What is the difference between the $225 & $545 lens & why is the latter recommended.
It is painless, all you see is a white light, I had my right eye done yesterday on the NHS, after my left eye in June. I needed glasses to drive before but after the left eye was done I didn't need them.
Had both eyes done a couple of years ago. Am in UK. I was very very apprehensive! Since a child, one eye very long sighted, the other short (whooping cough, apparently!). Never particularly comfortable to accommodate such discrepancy. The procedure is painless and very quick. About 10 mins! The boring time is taken up with having drops put in! But sitting in a waiting room with others passing the time was a great experience - if you get a good group! We had many a laugh!
The result was brilliant in that both eyes are now equal! I wear glasses for brilliant long distance and reading glasses. I decided my distance glasses would be varifocal - I’ve never been able to tolerate them before but now they work well.
My surgery was done by the NHS and I would think that my lens would be of an ‘ordinary’ quality. I would ask in detail why the expensive lens are more suited as I would imagine the less expensive ones are the most popular.
Sorry this rambles a bit but please please do not worry about the procedure! My most difficult part was putting my drops in afterwards! I cannot do it! They always run down my nose!
Best wishes to you both.
I had my cataracts dealt with about 8 years ago, a long time before I was struck with GCA and PMR. Here in the UK I could have had very good service from the NHS including lenses, which I understand are of high quality. However for the first and only time in my life I opted for private treatment and got bespoke lenses. They gave me 20-20 vision for the first time in my life and I haven't needed glasses since, even low grade reading glasses. Before then I had varifocals with a different prescription every year. I worked out that the price I paid for treatment was the equivalent of 17 years of paying for varifocals, so I have 9 years to go in order to break even. But, cost apart, I'm convinced that this was one of the best decisions I ever made.
As for the operations they were very easy and straightforward. It's just essential to use the eye drops afterwards for as long as necessary.
UK resident so can’t comment on your costs - I had left eye on NHS - National Health Service and one private £3000 - long story. Result is great and there is NO PAIN during op or after - told taking preds no problem - hope this helps
Hi Arvine. I work in an Eye clinic in the NHS so see hundreds of patients who have cataract surgery. It is very common to feel apprehensive about any procedure that you have not experienced. As many people on this forum have said it is a short procedure taking approximately 10-20mins. In the U.K. we offer sedation for those who feel nervous. When it comes to the choice of lenses the NHS only funds fixed distance lenses and in some areas ‘toric’ lenses which correct astigmatism. If you are happy to continue to wear glasses after the surgery then opting for a cheaper fixed distance lens is fine although you do have to consider the cost of glasses in years to come. Perhaps talk it through again with your ophthalmologist. Either way you will see more clearly after the op even if you need glasses to correct any residual refractive error. There is never a 100% guarantee of perfect optical correction but it is still a magical operation!
Hello Orpheus,
Can I ask a question please?
I'm due to have cataract surgery on left eye in the next few months and am wondering how soon after the op I can drive?
I'm due for my pre op consultation at the end of Nov and will ask then, but a little advance knowledge would be appreciated.
bettervisionguide.com/drivi...
nhs.uk/conditions/cataract-...
So - it all depends, it may be the second day, it may be longer, but your doctor will tell you when your eye is ready to deal with driving,
Was driving the day after with my first and the same evening with my second after a 8:00am op
This may help:
health.harvard.edu/diseases...
The article mentions the use of monofocal lenses to give monovision and that trying it beforehand with disposable contact lenses is recommended. I used to do that when I used contact lenses, it was great. I could see both close and far reasonably well for daily life with cheap "top-up" specs for driving and reading. I imagine that would be using the cheaper basic lenses but not being "in" your system I can't be sure.
You need to be clear what the difference is between the two basic lenses you were told about because otherwise you cannot make a sensible decision. If it were me I know I would discuss it with my family - because what better xmas present could they give you this year than a contribution towards the best option lens for you?
Hi arvine. I had both my eyes done- one last December and one early this year. Both were a complete success and I am over the moon with the results. I think like everyone else has said you need to do your homework re your lens. I had both my eyes done privately but opted for the “normal “ lens which were recommended. I don’t personally know enough about the lens to give any advice. As someone who is very squeamish when it comes to eyes I was a little nervous but I would really recommend having it done. It personally has made such a difference to my daily living. One of the things I found that I had to do was more washing!! I found a rain coat which I thought was perfectly ok needed a wash and a couple of tops I don’t wear very often, needed a spruce up- I had never noticed before!! Colours are more vibrant too. All the very best for your op.
I too will be having surgery by the end of the year. It makes me nervous, but I'm encouraged by all these positive comments! I live in Nova Scotia, and the costs are much different here. This looks like a good explanation of what Ontario offers, if the link works. Hope you find a way to get the best lens for you!
epso.ca/frequently-asked-qu...
Thanks for that link. I too live in Ontario and have recently developed a cataract. Its too soon for surgery but nice to know what to look for down the line.
I’m in US and on Medicare and a supplement which pays for all normal lens, so no knowledge of Canadian cost. I opted for bifocal glasses after, as I needed correction of both. Had contacts plus reading glasses before. Really a nuisance! New lens in eye simplified the glasses correction, which has given me perfect vision. That’s all I wanted. Can tell you I also was quite fearful of having an op on my eye. Sedation was used which calmed me. Maybe 15-20 mins. No pain ever. Drops took some maneuvering as I also missed my eye often. Getting back to driving took about a month. Be assured, it was for me a non event. My best. 🤓
I just had my second one done (Oct 18th). Now I can see beautifully but need my reading glasses fixed which they won't do till I've finished with the drops! I'm looking forward to getting them done soon. I'm using an old pair and tilting them in all directions in order to read!
Hi I've had both my eyes done in the last 10 months - was very apprehensive about the first, but it was, as they say, a doddle!
Having worn glasses for 68 years - first thing I put on each morning and last thing taken off at night - I was amazed at the result. I did go eight months without wearing glasses at all - loved the new me - but then my routine eye examination showed I needed them again, although nothing like the thick lenses I had before!
I was disappointed, but unless I am really struggling to see, I can leave them off, although it very much depends on the level of light.
Hope everything goes well for you.
Having cataract surgery is easier than getting your teeth cleaned. I know it's hard not to be nervous. This was the first medical procedure I'd ever had beyond getting vaccinations and blood tests. I had no idea what to expect, and I knew no one who'd ever had it done. Yes, I was anxious.
You'll spend more time in pre-op preparation and in post op recovery than you will undergoing the procedure, which is painless. There's a little short-term discomfort when using the drops days afterward. You'll have to skip the eye makeup and creams for a couple of weeks, stay out of the pool and be careful to keep as much water out of your eyes as possible when showering and washing. You'll want to wear sunglasses when outdoors during the day. And don't rub your eyes. They'll probably give you a patch to put over your eye when you're sleeping to prevent that. Use it.
I had my surgery in the morning, and by late afternoon I could see like a teenager again. It was a miracle! And that night, I could see the stars for the first time in yours. The sky was blue again. The colors of everything were brighter than I had seen for a long time (I thought all that dullness was air pollution.) I chose the lenses that would allow me to drive and walk around without glasses. I use reading glasses at work for numbers and small type (I'm in finance so that's pretty much my whole work day), but I can read newspapers and menus and books without glasses, and can read street signs and the front end of buses from blocks away.
You should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of your lens options with the doctor performing the surgery. This isn't the difference between eyeglass frames, after all. This is a permanent choice. As hard as it is to part with money when things are tight, sometimes you have to choose the best long term solution. I understand there is some help available to finance your optional choices. Here's one I found: medicard.com/.
Understand that whatever you choose is going to be an improvement over where you are now. Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed and successful medical interventions ever. You're going to be amazed by the results.
Hi, I had two cataract surgeries back in February of this year... 2 and 4 weeks (respectively) after my total knee replacement surgery! It was the best thing I ever did!!! My eyes were so bad from being on such high doses of Pred for a year, I couldn't see anything! No deatil, no colour. Couldn't read and couldn't see anything in the distance.... it was terrible! The two surgeries were quick, painless and the best thing ever! Do it!
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