In part one of this series I defined cataracts, explained how mine developed over time, and promised to take you along with me as I (hopefully) have my vision restored.
The first procedure is scheduled for next Wednesday. The clouded lens in my right eye will be removed and an IOL (intraocular lens implant) will be put in its place.
If the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise, I'll have the procedure repeated on my left eye exactly one week later.
I wish I could wait a few more years to have this done. IOL manufacturers are producing a variety of accommodating and multifocal IOL's and one of these days they'll make a product so precise and predictable that glasses will be a thing of the past for most cataract patients. Many consumers are already choosing to go that route, and many of them are satisfied with the results. I see my choice as between virtually perfect distance vision without glasses plus virtually perfect middle and close vision with glasses versus no guarantees at any distance. Sure, I'd like to be free of the glasses I've worn for fifty years, but I'd rather know I'll be able to see well.
Bottom line? Do your own research and wait if you can.
What's cataract surgery like?
Cataract surgery is fast (five or ten minutes) and bloodless. Done as an outpatient procedure, I expect to be onsite for approximately three hours. A nurse will take vitals, start a small IV, and begin applying a series of eye drops. During the procedure itself I'll be given oxygen by nasal cannula and a mild IV sedative. My eye will be anesthetizied with drops, then my surgeon will dispose of the clouded lens and implant the proper IOL. I've got a nifty video of an actual cataract surgery ~ but DO NOT WATCH THE VIDEO IF YOU'RE SQUEAMISH. It may be bloodless, but you're still going to see an eyeball that's getting poked with sharp objects.
Pre-op Preparations
Getting ready for cataract surgery is easier than preparing for other types of surgery. Because it's bloodless, I don't have to stop taking my NSAID's or daily aspirin. I have to arrange for someone to drive me there and back, and I have to put antibiotic drops in the scheduled eye four times a day for the two days leading up to surgery. (Some surgeons use slightly different protocols.)
The one hitch so far occurred when I took two prescriptions for antibiotic drops to my pharmacy. Each eye will have its own designated bottle to prevent cross-contamination, and I chose to fill both prescriptions this week because my surgeries are only a week apart. The pharmacy tech informed me that my prescription insurance carrier would only pay for one bottle every thirty days. We're talking about a tiny bottle containing 5 ml - 1 freaking teaspoon - of medicine, so I decided to pay for the second bottle myself, rather than quibble over pennies. "How much will I have to pay to fill the second script myself?" I asked the tech. "$101.99," she replied.
Yep - I changed my mind and quibbled. It took a few phone calls and a raised voice here or there, but I expect that second bottle to be filled AND PAID FOR by early next week.
Hmmmpf. Nurse Kelley hates insurance companies and their stupid rules.
Next week I'll tell you how the surgery went and how my vision is in my right eye. I'll also talk about post-op care in some detail, although the short version can be boiled down to "eye exams and eye drops".
Questions or comments? Talk to Nurse Kelley. ♥