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November 22, 2009
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Patient Discussions: Cataract Surgery - Describe Your Experience

Cataract Surgery - Describe Your Experience

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

Please describe your Cataract Surgery experience.

Comment submissions for this question have ended. Patient Discussions FAQs


Related Article: Cataract Surgery

The following Patient Discussions have not been medically reviewed. See additional information.



Comment from: Jean, 65-74 Female (Patient)

I'm 72 years old and I had cataract surgery 5 weeks ago. First, I had the surgery in the right eye and 1 week later in the left eye. I have been miserable ever sense. My eyes feel like they have glass in them and my sight has not improved. I was told that my eyes were dry and I am putting ointment in them twice a day. The right eye is worse than the left eye. I used to be able to read without glasses and now I can't read at all. I had restor lenses put in and it cost $5,000. I am told I might need laser to correct the vision. I can't drive, can't do anything. If I had known this I would not have had it done. Published: April 01 ::

Comment from: humewood, 65-74 Female (Patient)

I had cataract surgery on my right eye. Since then I am pretty a coward. I did not look forward to the surgery. It turned out not too badly in terms of experience. If you can tolerate hideous needles for the anesthetic being stuck in your hand that will be the worst of it. My vision in the right eye the next morning was 20/40. Vision was clear, no pain in the eye. I do not care for the blue cast. I call it my bionic eye. When I want to see a mellower world, I close the new eye and look out of my left eye. Has anyone else noticed this? My new IOL lense was some kind of acrylic monocular distance lense. I will need reading glasses but that is okay. I wish they would make a lense that makes things look warmer instead of cooler. Anyhow, just my opinion. I won't have the other eye done unless I go dead blind. Published: March 27 ::

Comment from: Grateful2see, 35-44 Female (Patient)

I had cataract surgery on my right eye two days ago (the left will be done as soon as the right heals in full). Posterior subcapsular cataracts have hit at least one woman from every generation in my family, usually between the ages of 40 to 45. My mother had a horrific experience back in the early 1970s, and I was a little leery of having the surgery done. Well, times have really changed for the better! After living in a hazy, colorless prison for more than a year, I've gone from 20/200 to 20/40 in my right eye, so far. What really floored me was the flood of colors I experienced the moment the lens was placed and secured. I wasn't even out of the operating area before my jaw figuratively hit the floor. I don't know how I tolerated living with that hazy, dingy vision for so long. The procedure was quick and painless, just a small amount of scratchiness the first few hours, and that quickly knocked back with Tylenol and the eye drops prescribed. I'm eagerly awaiting the next surgery and have absolutely no fear. I would recommend the procedure to anyone needing it. Research all you can, ask questions, and don't hesitate to find a surgeon with whom you feel comfortable. Published: March 24 ::

Comment from: Seeing Great, 45-54 Female (Patient)

I got cataracts from indoor tanning and not wearing eye protection. I have monovision implants and only wear glasses at night to drive. The surgery was a breeze. I could see great the same day. The good eye was done first, and one month later, the bad eye. I was absolutely amazed how I see. I wore contacts and bifocals for it seemed like forever. I started at 16 with glasses, and as I got older, the bifocals came. I couldn’t see anything up close without glasses, and now I’m amazed what they can do. Easiest outpatient surgery I had. I was there about four hours with only mild anesthetic. I had no pain. Published: February 20 ::

Comment from: Dixie, 75 or over Female (Patient)

I had cataract surgery a couple of months ago and received a "new, improved" lens of some sort (paid $3,000 because my insurance wouldn't cover it). My vision in that eye has deteriorated day by day since, and my doctor keeps changing eye drops, believing I must be allergic to them. He says my cornea is scratched, though it was not before. He thinks the eye drops caused the scratching. I am terribly depressed and feel I am going blind. Can't read, can't drive unfamiliar streets because I can't read the signs. Published: February 17 ::

Comment from: CMuchBetter, 65-74 Male (Patient)

My cataract removal experience was fantastic. I had no discomfort at any time. My vision improved from 20/90 to almost 20/20 within 48 hours after surgery. I had a mild sedative only. I remained awake and alert throughout the surgery. It was outpatient surgery. I was released about three hours after arriving at the surgery center. Published: November 18 ::

Comment from: mizhart, 65-74 Female (Patient)

I am thrilled with my cataract operation. I thought my cat was all gray, but I discovered she had orange fur as well after the surgery. Unfortunately, due to a strange inflammation in my left eye that has yet to be identified, my left intraocular lens will be removed next week. Eventually, it will be replaced after I finish chemo for an early-detected breast cancer. Personally, I would recommend everyone having this surgery, if needed. The surgery was a "piece of cake" with nothing but vision being restored. Published: October 15 ::


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Cataract Surgery

What are eye floaters?

"Eye floaters" are deposits or condensation in the vitreous jelly of the eye. People use the term eye floaters to describe seeing floating spots within their vision when they look around. Eye floaters may be present in only one eye or both eyes.

Why do people notice eye floaters?

The structures in the front of the eye (the cornea and lens) focus rays of light onto the retina. Light focused onto the retina allows one to see. The light going to the retina passes through the vitreous humor, which is a jellylike material which occupies the back 2/3 of the eye. At birth and during childhood years, the vitreous gel is totally clear. Later in life, sometimes strands, deposits, or liquid pockets develop within the vitreous jelly. Each of these strands casts a small shadow onto the surface of the retina, and these shadows are perceived by the patient as eye floaters. As the eye moves from side to si...

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