So off topic, I know.
I have had cataracts in both eyes for years. The left was the good eye, the right, the bad. My left eye was doing all the seeing.
It started off in a subtle way...colors were different with each eye. At first, it was differences in white, with the right eye white looked like cream. Our bedroom is painted Tuscan Gold. Eventually, with the left eye, it was indeed Tuscan gold while the right eye saw it as peach. I accepted as my vision gradually worsened.
In October 2018, I visited my Ophthalmologist knowing myself it was time. I've seen her for 25 years and she was well aware of my condition. Scheduling a surgery takes some preparation, and I wanted to get through the holidays and our personal family birthdays, anniversaries, etc. This took me to mid Feb. or March.
There was some tail chasing and miscommunication that I blame on the doctor's staff--but I completely trust the doctor. So after rescheduling once, and getting all the pre-op details worked out, I had the right eye "done" on March 1st.
I chose to stay nearsighted. I did not opt for the out-of-pocket expensive "premium" lens - I went with what my insurance would cover, and for good reason. While my doctor preferred the premium lens, she admitted it isn't for everyone. My advice to you all is "do your own research." New doesn't mean best, and expensive doesn't mean better. Also, with premium lenses you might need glasses anyhow, at least for reading.
1) I knit, crochet, sew, enjoy using the computer without glasses, and for what seems like forever have worn glasses only to drive, watch a theater movie, and while watching a t.v. show while sitting across the room. I never wear them around the office, but I do when I have occasion to go out about town during lunch hour. Coworkers are surprised when they see me wearing glasses. So, I chose to stay nearsighted. I didn't care about driving and movies.
2) My left eye doesn't require surgery...yet. It may never require surgery. My right eye was so bad, I had no idea how bad until the cataract was removed. I mean, I knew it was bad - it was like looking through a dirty glass smeared with vaseline. The cataract was smack in the middle of my eye and obstructing my vision, and had become legally blind for driving. The cataract in the left eye is in the back and to the left and a different type altogether. Maybe my vision can outlive it? So, I'd have had to wear glasses for far, with a dummy lens in the right eye, and near with a dummy lens in the left eye. What was the point? I'd rather wear no glasses and see near. It it what I'm used to.
So, it made no sense to operate on the left eye. I'm abnormal. I'm an anomaly. I WAS HAPPY to not have to "do" the 2nd eye. However, now that I've gone through the surgery, I'd totally have the 2nd eye done when and if the time comes.
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What to expect. Ask your doctor - there are many variations.
I used prescription eye drops for 3 days before surgery.
No aspirin for a week before surgery.
No food or drink after midnight the night before.
Day of, showered but wore no makeup, hairspray, lotions, creams, deodorant.
You are not allowed to take certain meds (your doc will tell you what is ok).
I was in a hospital out-patient facility.
I had to arrive two full hours before surgery to check in, fill out paperwork, sign papers, get prepped for surgery.
I was in a hospital gown, hospital socks, and allowed to wear my own panties. (Some places will drape you in a gown with your clothes underneath.)
My blood pressure, temperature and glucose reading were taken.
I was prepped with an IV for later use by the anesthesiologist.
My pupil was dilated.
I met with the anesthesiologist. I met with my doctor. I was wheeled into the operating room.
I was repositioned on the gurney by skooting up to the top of the bed, and it was special in that there was an indentation for my head, and it was quite comfortable. My face was draped, and I was knocked out for a whole 5 minutes or so with general anesthesia by IV, then I was awakened for the surgery.
During the 5 minutes that I was unconscious, a needle was inserted into my eye to numb it. I knew this was going to happen, and when I awoke, I was calm and fine.
My doctor spoke to me and told me where I was and what was happening, and what was going to happen. She said if she asks me questions, I am to respond. She never asked me anything during the operation.*
I didn't "see" what was happening, but I saw 3 blurred lights.
I didn't feel anything happening, but I did know when the eye was irrigated or what felt like irrigation. It seemed that I could "see" pond ripples and felt wet. If it wasn't irrigation, I don't have a clue what it was.
I heard everything; my doctor encouraged me that I was doing fine. In my mind, I was thinking "I've had worse dental procedures." That seemed to keep me calm and focused on getting this over with.
At one point, the doctor called someone over to take a closer look at my cataract - apparently, I make pretty cataracts. She was the 2nd doctor to say my cataracts were lovely. The retina specialist said "actually, your cataract is quite beautiful." Funny, that.
When the operation was done, I was told it was done. I said something like "that's it" and she said yes, all done. *I said you didn't give me any instruction during the entire operation and she said that was because it went perfectly.
So, I'm wheeled out on the same gurney into the recovery room.
My eye was not taped shut, nor was it covered with gauze.
I had a clear ventilated eye shield that I could see through.
I could see, yes, but my right eye was playing tricks. My vision seemed black and white, and it looked as if everything I viewed was framed like a sunny side egg, only the yolk was cigarette ashes. I can only assume that my brain was still seeing through the cataract that had been removed. At least that is how I make sense of it.
After a few minutes of adjusting, I was offered something to drink and eat. Tea and a muffin.
Also, they like you to go tinkle before you leave, if you can. I could.
My husband drove me there and back. Facilities and hospitals will arrange transportation if you need it. All in all, we left home at 5:15 a.m. and were back home not later than 11:00 a.m.
I was tired, but you can't lay on the side of the operation, so I "sat" on the couch and slept about an hour and a half.
During the day, the vision continued to change; to get clearer, more colorful. My pupil was HUGE. It stayed dilated until the next day. I think that is an issue with me - my eyes dilate very well.
I had to use 3 different drops, at least 3 times a day. I'll be using one of them for 6 full weeks.
You have to be careful showering, washing your face, etc., and you'll definitely appreciate those "Terminator" sun glasses that make you want to say "I'll be back" time and again. They really are necessary!!!!
My vision during follow up examination had "over corrected" in that my mid to far vision was superb. I was told as the eye healed, and swelling and/or inflammation (?) subside, the vision would change. It did.
My surgery was on a Friday; I went back to work on Wednesday. I don't know about you, but I NEEDED that time to recover. I've had a hard time sleeping since the surgery, and I think it's about wearing the eye shield at night, and just general anxiety.
It has been a week and a half since the surgery. I'm very happy with the outcome. I can see up close without glasses perfectly fine, and with my last set of prescription glasses I can see far perfectly fine.
I think had the cataracts in BOTH eyes progressed together, it would have been more pressing to do this much sooner than I did. Quite honestly, the worst part of the surgery was getting up at 5 am, that darned IV in my hand, and the bit of uncomfortable sleeping that I've experienced.
Don't be scared, and don't delay. This surgery is so worth it.
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