Got Cataracts?

 

The following is an account of what one might expect during surgery to remove cataracts and insert intraocular lenses; it is not an endorsement of any specific clinic or physician/surgeon.

If you google statistics on who has or will have cataracts, you'll get conflicting numbers. Here's the best case scenario for the U.S.: Cataracts affect more than 24.4 million Americans age 40 and older. By age 75, approximately half of all Americans have cataracts.

I found it disturbing when, around five or so years ago, I noticed the vision in one eye becoming blurred. It wasn't that off-putting at first, but then I realized it wasn't going away and that it was almost certainly a cataract. 

I finally asked a friend about her ophthalmologist and was referred to Florence Ophthalmology on Cox Creek Parkway. When I called, someone human answered the phone immediately, and I was told that, for cataract treatment, I could choose between Dr. Gray and Dr. Thompson. Dr. Keith Thompson (pictured) had the earliest available appointment, so I chose him on that basis only. I certainly was not disappointed in his care.

After an official diagnosis of cataracts (my other eye had one much less noticeable), I scheduled a second visit to be measured for my new lenses. There was absolutely no pain and only the slightest inconvenience of the standard eye dilation, etc. Dr. Thompson recommended monofocal lenses which are covered by most insurance policies. Since I had worn reading glasses from the age of 29, these were perfect for my lifestyle. 

If you would like to read about the types of IOLs available, here's a basic article: Types of Lenses. My monofocal lenses were manufactured by Johnson and Johnson and have their own serial numbers (just on the packaging and patient handout, so you can't use them as a device in a murder mystery).

It's standard to have each eye done separately, so that involved two visits to the Shoals Outpatient Surgery just off Helton Drive. The wait time was short until I was taken back to a pre-op area. A nurse started an IV, and I briefly spoke with an anesthesiologist. I asked for the least amount of anesthesia, so I was able to interact during the brief surgery.

Yes, both surgeries were quick and totally painless. Topical drops numb the eye, but you can expect to feel some pressure. I was then taken to a type of PACU where I was monitored for several minutes. It was basically pleasant chitchat with the nurses before I was escorted to my friend's vehicle for an uneventful ride home. 

I was told to remove the eye patch upon arrival at home. There were bending and weight lifting restrictions to follow for 28 days after each surgery, as well as medicated eye drops three times a day. 

Your insurance may not cover these drops, and there will be a deductible at the surgery center. My total out of pocket expenses were under $700.00. Before you say "ouch," isn't that a small price to pay for almost perfect vision?

A friend said that I would have one profound regret and I did: I wish that I had had the surgeries much, much sooner.

Nurse Nan