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Seniors Eye Problems - Cataracts
My Experience With Cataracts - S.M. Female Age: 83
I have cataracts in both eyes. One small and one large. I recently had the small cataract taken out of my right eye and will have the large one taken out of my left eye in two weeks.
Although surgery to remove cataracts used to be a big deal, it's now (in my opinion) routine outpatient surgery. I would have been more nervous going in, but my husband had his cataracts removed two years ago so I knew what to expect with my own cataract surgery.
Three days prior to the surgery I began a four time-a-day eye-drop regimen that will continue for 3 weeks post surgery. The three eye-drops I was prescribed are Vigamox, Xibrom, and Durezol.
The morning of the surgery my husband and I arrived at the clinic at 9:15 AM. I changed into a gown and was given surgery socks to wear. Nurses attached electrodes to monitor my heart, inserted an I.V. port, and placed drops in my eye to numb and dialate it.
The doctor explained the procedure, then I was taken to the operating room. Once on the table my head was placed in a soft restraint to prevent any movement. With my hands at my sides, warm blankets were tucked around me and a pillow placed under my knees for comfort. I was given oxygen through my nose and sterilized coverings were placed over my face. Sedation through the I.V. port was an option I did not require.
During the procedure I was asked to focus on a bright overhead light and the doctor described what he was doing. There was no pain, though I was aware that he was working on my eye. The procedure lasted about 20 minutes. A nurse taped a plastic eye shield over my eye and I was taken back to the pre-surgery room where I was given juice and a snack while they checked my vitals. After an additional 30 minutes I was allowed to dress and leave.
After I arrived home I took a Tylenol for mild eye pain and rested.
It has been several days since the surgery. I saw the doctor the day after the surgery for a quick check and everything was fine. My eye itches a little, but there is no discomfort or pain. Remembering to use the eye-drops is a challange, but so far so good. I am back to doing most of my daily activities though I avoid bending over or lifting anything heavy - anything that puts pressure on my eyes.
I made myself several eye-drop application charts to make it easier to remember the application frequency of each medicated eye-drop per week. Click the link below to view, print, or download the lists here if you think they might be helpful to you.
My Experience With Cataracts - E.F. Male Age: 83
I put off eye surgery to remove my cataracts for years, mostly because I could still see reasonably well so the idea of surgery on my eyes seemed to me to be an unnecessary risk. I don't regret my decision, but now having had the surgery, I realize it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be.
My symptoms of cataracts were:
- double vision
- star effect when looking at lights
Only one eye is operated on at a time, usually several weeks apart. One of my eyes was done on July 25th and the other on the 8th of August.
Prior to the surgery I was given the choice to be near-sighted or far-sighted after the surgery. This is determined by the lens they implant in your eyes after your old lenses are removed (along with the cataracts). Before the surgery I was near-sighted. I decided the far-sighted lenses would be the better choice thinking that I spend more time doing far-sighted activities than near sighted activities like reading a book. However, now I need to wear reading glasses around my neck because the phone rings and I need to read the caller ID, or if I want to read a food label I have to have my reading glasses. At times I'm not sure I made the right lens choice, but I imagine had I chosen the near-sighted lenses I may have found problems with that as well.
I don't remember much about the surgery, but I seem to remember that drops were put in my eyes to numb them, and I was given a mild sedative to relax me but not put me to sleep. After the surgery I was taken to the recovery room. I had an elevated heart rate so I was kept there a little longer than usual.
After the surgery I did not have excessive pain or discomfort. I was required to start a "drops" regimen where I had to put several types of medicated drops in my eyes at various times throughout the day. The frequency of the drops were tapered off slowly then ended altogether.
I was given a clear shield to place over my eye to prevent me from rubbing it. Eventually I just wore it at night.
Other than a return to the ophthalmologist the day after the surgery for a post surgery check-up I didn't have to return to the doctor for several weeks. My experience with the other eye was much the same, though far less nerve-racking as I knew what to expect.
Conclusion:
I haven't had any complications or issues related to the surgery and it has solved my double vision problem.