Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

kozar

(2,486 posts)
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 05:38 PM Jun 11

Saw VA Eye Dr today

I've been experiencing dizziness, falls, and night vision problems, for about 6 months now. New script for glasses then.
Told Dr, I just feel like I don't have depth perception, anymore. He said, well your right eye, went from, -1.75, to, -6.25, in 6 months, you have cataract activity, going on.

To any of you, who, had cataracts.

Symptoms were? Did the surgery, help? What was your recovery time?

I'm a bit worried, because , I'm a bit of a loner nowadays.
Who would drive me to visit LilBit? Would I be able to care for LilGlad?
I'm just trying to prep myself, for what, is obviously, coming.


Koz

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

Srkdqltr

(7,161 posts)
1. Surgery helps. Without it you may not be able to drive at all.
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 05:45 PM
Jun 11

It's not awful surgery. You will have to have someone to drive you for a few days.
Listen to your doctors. Tell them your problems. You are not the first one to have these problems.

Best of luck to you.

kozar

(2,486 posts)
5. Ty, I agree, listen to your Doctors.
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 06:07 PM
Jun 11

I believe I could do the simple household stuff. I could prep for that. Food here for me, LilGlad, visit LilBit the day before.
Guess that's why we are Democrats.
We prepare,

Koz

 

MOMFUDSKI

(7,080 posts)
2. Cataract surgery is simple. You will need a
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 05:45 PM
Jun 11

ride to and fro. You can drive the next day. Get it done

1WorldHope

(805 posts)
3. I myself have not had the surgery yet.
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 05:46 PM
Jun 11

But, my husband has had the surgery and I worked around healthcare most of my life. They won't do both eyes at one time. It is out patient surgery, you will need a driver to and from surgery. And someone to drive you to the doctor's office the next day. From what i understand it helps a lot. One person that I knew pretty well squinted for a long time afterward, as if everything was too bright for him. They will do one eye one week and the other the next week if you want.

Desert grandma

(1,027 posts)
4. I had cataract surgery about 2 years ago.
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 06:03 PM
Jun 11

It was very successful. They only perform the surgery on one eye at a time. Medicare covers it in full. There is some drops to use for a week or so afterward, but that is all. You will need to have someone drive you to the appointment for the surgery and drive you home. A follow up visit to the surgeon a week or so later as I recall, and that was it. Absolutely no pain is involved, as numbing drops are put in your eye. It is all very high tech now, and you may be instructed not to drive for a couple of days, however, the results are so worth it! I am seeing better than ever now. My main symptom was decreased night vision. I was seeing halos around streetlights and other car headlights. It is an outpatient surgery with excellent results and virtually no down time. My husband had cataracts also, and he goes to the VA and has Medicare and a supplement. He chose to go outside the VA for the surgery and used the same surgeon I used because the doctor's office and surgical center was much closer to us and it took less waiting time to schedule. Good luck!!

Joinfortmill

(15,681 posts)
6. Had both eyes done a few weeks apart
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 06:19 PM
Jun 11

about six years ago. No issues. Quick recovery and very improved eyesight. Don't let them sell you any fancy lenses. Lots of problems with them Get the good old mid range lens. Best of luck

Warpy

(112,690 posts)
7. Cataract surgery is a day surgery
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 06:26 PM
Jun 11

That means you'll go in and sit in a waiting room until it's your turn. When it is, tehy put you into a comfy chair, put in an IV and ask you to point to the eye you need surgery on and you'll get a Sharpie dot on your forehead above it. When you go into the OR, you'll get a shot to put you under for a few minutes while they numb your eye and begin the op. If you wake up during, like I do, you'll see a lot of bright, swirling colors as they remove the cataract and put in a lens. Then they patch the eye with gauze and put a hard covering over it. You need to go back the following day to have your vision tested. Most docs will tell you to wear that hard covering over your eye at night, so lay in a supply of bandage tape.

Recovery is fast. You'll be light sensitive for a while, that cataract is blocking a lot of the light that gets through along with blurring your vision. You'll be home with your kitty, she'll hardly know you left for a while. She might hiss at you a couple of times because you smell like the VET, but don't take it personally.

You'll need someone to drive you to and from the surgery and to and from the doc's office the next day. Check out your yellow pages, there should be medical transport services listed, half the people in Florida are older than god and need them frequently. They'lre not ambulances, they're just cars with drivers who know enough to take you to an ER if you pass our on the way, which you won't.

Biophilic

(4,342 posts)
8. Surgery is great. I needed help getting to and from surgery but not after.
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 07:18 PM
Jun 11

The operation is relatively simple and mostly painless as I remember. It was 15 years ago. The hardest part was the eye drops afterwards for a couple of weeks if I remember right.

Karadeniz

(23,054 posts)
9. I didnt have cataracts, but i had my lenses replaced because no glasses would
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 07:25 PM
Jun 11

stay on my face!!! The surgery is nothing, but you can't do heavy lifting for a while afterwards. You will be able to feed and water lilglad, but be careful about lifting her. I bet you could drive after a day or two... I just can't see remember!!! Good luck !!

kozar

(2,486 posts)
11. Lol, glasses on face!
Thu Jun 13, 2024, 07:09 AM
Jun 13

Yes, there is that. Doc told me, I will still need glasses, because I have 2 eyes, bummer.
Koz

Karadeniz

(23,054 posts)
10. I had lens replacement ages ago...couldnt get glasses to
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 07:26 PM
Jun 11

stay on my face!!! The surgery is nothing, but you can't do heavy lifting for a while afterwards. You will be able to feed and water lilglad, but be careful about lifting her. I bet you could drive after a day or two... I just can't see remember!!! Good luck !!

kozar

(2,486 posts)
12. Ty all
Thu Jun 13, 2024, 03:06 PM
Jun 13

When I had my right hip replacement,
I was driving and walking, after 3 days, had to fake my follow up visit with a walker.
I hate the pre stuff.once it's done, I know what I have to deal with.
Koz

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Health»Saw VA Eye Dr today