O.T. Reader glasses

[Marilyn Manson]

I have been told that that should not happen. I'll have to wait to find out.

[Marilyn Manson]

Bullshit.

Look up Multifocal Intraocular Lenses.

The surgeon (probably) did nothing wrong and the reading glasses possibility should have been explained to the patient before the surgery was done. The patient should have then explained it to his wife so that she knew what to expect and wouldn't blame the surgeon for what is a very common outcome of cataract surgery.

It was all explained in the literature that my surgeon's office sent me before I even went in for the evaluation. I was also emailed links so that I could watch of series of videos that not only explained what cataracts were, but also discussed the different lens types available and what issues each option addressed.

Before I (officially) knew if I was going to qualify for cataract surgery, I had been given a wealth of information related to the different lenses, including the pricing. I had a week to digest the information and formulate my questions based on what I had learned. Once the surgeon finished his examination we jumped right into my specific questions since he didn't have to waste time explaining my options to me.

I really liked the efficiency of the entire process.

Bullshit.

What data did you use to form that opinion. Did you use any data related to Toric lenses?

"Approximately 95 percent of patients who receive Toric lenses are able to see distant objects without the use of glasses or contacts."

Did I not say "She doesn't need glasses for anything else"?

How do you know that you see colors exactly as they are?

And why is everyone telling you about your eyes? I only listen to the professionals that have examined my eyes.

Well, isn't that interesting. You think everything is just fine yet they won't let you renew your license. Maybe the DMV is in cahoots with the Worldwide Order of Cataract Surgeons.

Or maybe, just maybe, they know a little bit more about vision related safety issues than you do.

Well, imagine that. We're all not the same. Who woulda thunk it?

[Ed Pawlowski]

I got the referral months ago, just have to call. They don't bother me so I'm not in a rush. Medicare is the insurance.

How Much Does Medicare pay for cataract surgery in 2022? Under Medicare's 2022 payment structure, the national average for allowed charges for cataract surgery in outpatient hospital units is $2,079 for the facility fee and $548 for the doctor fee for surgery on one eye. Of the $2,627 total, Medicare pays $2,101 and the patient coinsurance is $524.

[Marilyn Manson]

Averages can apparently have ranges. ;-)

"Cataract surgery is covered by Medicare, and how much you'll pay for the surgery will depend on which type of Medicare plan you have and the plan's coverage level. For those who have Medicare Part B, the average out-of-pocket cost for cataract surgery ranges from $207 to $783."

My "average" copay is towards the upper end of that range.

[Rod Speed]

Seeing isnt the same thing as the best distance vision and being able to have the best reading vision when reading all day, simultaneously.

But it is less clear that she reads much, plenty don't.

I was talking about white there.

I meant the professionals.

It wasnt meant to be.

Nope, they just have silly ideas about what is necessary for driving safely.

In the UK, they don't even bother with eye charts, they just get you to be able to read car number plates at a particular distance.

Unlikely given that other jurisdictions don't do it like that.

[micky]

The entire post was about glasses from the dollar store. I never mentioned any other kind.

But if you wwant to defend Rod Speed and his typical replies, go ahead.

[micky]

What do you mean by landing lights? Side marker lights? Bright headlights? Do cars have brighter headlights than they did in 2005. I've drived a 2014 and and a 2021 in the past year and I didn't notice that they were brighter.

BTW the judge on the People's Court tv show said she buys her glasses at the dollar store.

The big silent thing that eye doctors can find is glaucoma, and untreated, that can cause blindness.

Cataracts one can notice himself. If he doesn't notice them, he must not have bad ones. Waiting longer doesn't make the surgery anymore difficult aiui. Probably should have worn sunglasses all these years. I hear they tend to prevent cataracts.

I also no longer put screens in my windows.

[Marilyn Manson]

My experience is to have a $0 premium Advantage plan. Basic cataract surgery is is covered.

WTF does “pretty blind” mean? That’s not a medical term any of my doctors would use.

[Kron]

What aircraft have on them.

Yep.

But plenty never do.

Wrong.

[Marilyn Manson]

What do you mean by "one can notice himself"? Are you saying that the average person can self-diagnose cataracts? Explain to me how that would work.

Maybe not more difficult but definitely more dangerous.

Assuming that the cataracts have reached the point where surgery is indicated, one can also assume that the patient is relatively advanced in age. (I am purposely not being specific, but some studies show that cataracts can begin to impact vision after age 60)

There is a chance of infection with any surgical procedure. Then there are other complications directly related to the lens, retina, etc. Dealing with the complications in a 60 YO is safer and easier than in a 80 YO.

...and limit your alcohol consumption, don't smoke, keep your blood pressure and blood sugar levels under control. I'm sure there are other preventative measures that could be employed.

[micky]

When his vision is cloudy, he might have cataracts. If he has cataracts but his vision is not cloudy, why would that matter?

If you don't need cataract surgery, I don't think you should have it when you're 60 just because of the fear of complications, when you may never need cataract surgery.

"A cataract needs to be removed only when vision loss interferes with everyday activities, such as driving, reading, or watching TV [or when, it interfers with something else, for example] it prevents examination or treatment of another eye problem, such as age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.."

[AK]

I totally agree with you about the advantages of wearing glasses instead of contact lenses.

I too worked in a lab.

Andy

[Marilyn Manson]

Cloudiness is only one symptom of cataracts and that cloudiness doesn't always impact the entire eye. There are other symptoms of cataracts and I wouldn't expect the layman (every layman) to notice the symptoms and say "I have cataracts."

Eyes have been a recent subject of conversation in my extended family. My DIL had Lasik surgery a few days before my evaluation and my son had it a couple of days afterwards. So eye surgery has been front and center for the last few weeks. It was not surprising to find that there were varying levels of knowledge regarding the different issues that LASIK vs. cataract surgery address. In some cases people hear "they use a laser" and they think that the procedures are the same. Or... "Susie doesn't need glasses after LASIK and she didn't have her lenses replaced, so why do you?"

My only point is that I don't think it's safe to assume that people with cataracts - severe or minor - *know* that cataracts are causing their vision issues. Ignorance plays a big part.

I’m sure you know that I never said that or even implied that. I merely gave the reasons why waiting could be more dangerous.

Going back to your comment that (ayui) waiting doesn’t make the procedure more *difficult*, I did some more research.

There are indications that it may in fact be more difficult as the patient ages. The reasons include things that I had not considered before, such as positioning the patient due to age related issues such as arthritis or orthopnea and/or deterioration of the tissues in the eye itself. This website takes it to the extreme - cataract surgery in nonagenarians - but many of the issues that could make the surgery more difficult in older patients can start way earlier than that.

Which is why I went for an evaluation and have now scheduled cataract surgery. However, I did not self diagnose my cataracts as the root cause of all of my eye issues. In fact, 2 different optometrists felt that I could wait a couple of years. It was only after multiple (4) attempts to correct my vision with glasses that the issue was narrowed down to the severity and location of my cataracts.

...snip...

[invalid unparseable]

Even as a kid, someone put a fire cracker in a coke bottle which blew up and a piece of glass hit my glasses chipping them. If not for the glasses, it may have hit my eye.

[Peter]

[snip]

And to provide additional specifics, there is a less common but well documented type of cataract, known as a posterior polar cataract which has the nasty tendency of adhering to the posterior capsule. (The capsule is the structure in the eye that holds the lens in place.) When typical cataracts are removed, the posterior capsule normally should remain undamaged as it is important in holding the artificial lens in place. Since posterior polar cataracts tend to adhere to the posterior capsule, they are more difficult to remove without collateral damage to the posterior capsule. Some posterior capsular cataracts have a tendency to become more adherent to the capsule over time, and therefore should be removed earlier rather than waiting. Only an ophthalmologist can determine if a particular cataract is typical or posterior polar. Just another reason to get a competent eye exam regularly.

See:

[micky]

Yes, I left out glare and maybe other symptoms but if he has no symptoms why should he have surgery?

So what? I certainly never said or implied that the cloudiness had to impact the entire eye. It's up to the person to decide whether it bothers him or not, and how much.

I never suggested that a person would come to a doctor and say "I have cataracts". He'd likely say Things look cloudy, or There is more glare than there used to be.

I already knew the difference.

That seems very close to saying that one should have surgery earlier, when you wouldn't otherwise have it, for fear of complications.

Again, I never said that the person would diagnose his problem as cataracts.

We both seem to be complaining about things the other never said.