fastcarbon

The Doc claimed that he had 2 machines that measured astigmatism that showed differing levels. One showed none and the other found some (I have always had eyeglasses corrected for astigmatism). He ordered the Crystalens with no astigmatism correction which he disclosed after surgery with poor vision resulting. He claimed he could make cuts in the lens to correct for astigmatism. He did it twice. I ended up using corrective lenses. I won't mention the Optholmologist's name but he is in Tustin. I used Dr. Mosier in Fullerton for my second surgery. I will continue to use him. I do use eyeglasses for cycling, mainly for eye protection and require reading glasses for very small print.

saeyedoc

There are no Crystalenses that correct astigmatism. You deal with astigmatism through the cornea, either laser, or "cuts". There are lenses that correct astigmatism, but limited values, and only a fixed focal point.

Pamestique 

And the doctor I saw explained the astigmatism is a different procedure adding $1000 to the correction of each eye. The Crystalens is $3000, the astigmatism correction (different laser apparently) is $1,000 ($4000 per eye). He plans to do it all at one time. Of course, one eye (left) first.

This is for saeyedoc... right now for work I wear contact lens and then reading glasses to see the computer and read documents. 5 days prior to surgery I am not to wear contacts. That is OK for the first eye... I will just wear my bifocals (which I hate but can use). There is a week and a half between surgery on the left and right eye. For several days after the first surgery I can wear a contact on my right eye but then 5 days prior to surgery I can't... how then will I be able to see? I will have a left eye after surgery conforming to the lens and a right eye blind. Am I suppose to punch a lens out of my glasses for those 5 days? And I know the eye is going to remain dilated a week after surgery - does that means I won't be able to see any close up? I don't really want to take off work for 3 weeks!

Daspydyr 

I am sorry to hear about the eye situation. I had a standard replacement. I can see tons more light, but still need glasses. Overall I like the results.

The whole situation is kinda like playing dice in Vegas. Will the next roll be your number or will you crap out? but from what you describe about your situation, any move will be a positive step. If you can afford the better lens, it is probably worth the try. Good Luck, God Speed in the healing and post some ride reports as soon as you can!

mcmoose

Pamestique, keep asking questions! I hope you get good answers and your procedure goes smooth as silk (or, to use the Trek spelling, silque).

saeyedoc

After your first surgery, you should be able to see fairly well out of the operated eye without glasses at all. Just deal with the other eye being blurry until it's operated on. If you have problems and need to use your right eye, just have them pop the left lens out of your glasses. Your eye shouldn't be dilated that long, usually only a day at most. Many surgeons will inject Miochol to constrict the pupil at the end of the case. Once you have implants, dilation won't affect your near vision much, will just make you light sensitive.

Louis Le Tour

I did the same thing and have to wear glasses (20/30 vision) with bifocals. The standard lenses are just fine for me and on my budget the extra expense was out of the question. My suggestion to anybody is JUST DO IT!

Pamestique 

Thank you.... good information (but I will continue to ask the dr. questions). I rode last night with a good friend... she works at Abbott which I forgot is a competitor of Bausch and Lomb and they also make replacement lenses. She had it done several years ago for farsightedness and told me the same you just said. Basically my left eye will be OK and will compensate for the right until its also operated on. I may get alittle headachey here and there but should be fine... I have been so light sensitive for the last few years so alittle while longer is OK...

completed my pre-op today... OK so I have to lose weight (about 50 - 60 lbs yes I am fat!) but considering my age - BP was 120/80, resting heart rate 55, EKG good, blood work good. Very healthy otherwise... that's what cycling's done for me and I hate to stop even for a few days! But will for good eyes... can't wait!

Bill Kapaun

I had both eyes done 3 years ago because of cataracts. L. eye (my very dominant one) was 20-450, corrected to 20-40. R. eye was 20-250, corrected to 20-60. (this eye has always been "weak" to the point it wanders off looking into space)

Thing was, my L eye WAS near sighted before and now it's more farsighted than my R eye, which was farsighted to begin with.
So, far sighted/near sighted can change.

Terex

Don't miss doing this after first eye is done - find something really white, like a bathroom sink. First, look at it with the uncorrected eye, then, look at it with the corrected eye. You will be amazed!

zonatandem

Had cataract surgery back in the 1980s; the old fashioned cutting with a scalpel and stitches route before laser surgery was used.
Had one eye done at the time. Everything worked fine but still needed to wear glasses.
Cataract procedures have greatly advanced/improved. Wife had laser cataract surgery on both eyes and only wears glasses (sunsensor lenses) to read small print and for riding in Arizona's brilliant sunshine
Now at age 81 have glaucoma in both eyes and discussing surgery options this fall.
My question to you: are you going to wait 'til you get older or get things fixed now?
My suggestion: get your eyes fixed and buy a new bike!
Pedal on!
Rudy/zonatandem

Mflandry

Do you mind mentioning the practice that you used? I'm not too far away from you and my eye doctor told me at my last exam that cataracts were starting to form. Thanks

Mflandry

That last question was meant for berner….

berner

I used Rhode Island Eye Institute in East Providence and the surgery center was nearby in Somerset, Mass. I'm at the town library but when I get home I'll look up the surgeon's name.

berner

Rhode Island Eye Institute: rieyeinstitute.com: Dr. Newton.

miss kenton

Pam,
A few years ago, I had a cataract removed from my left eye and a lens inserted. Before the surgery, I had been having some real difficulty driving at night, to the point where I wouldn't drive after dark. A few nights after the surgery, I decided to give it a try. Everything was so vivid and clear! I was easily reading distant signs and almost awed at the brightness and color of everything lit up in the darkness! I felt like I should be singing "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds!" Surgery was clearly, one of the best things I've ever done.

irwin7638

I agree with you about the lasik surgery, it's the greatest thing ever. I just wish I could have gotten the infra-red night vision zoom lens option. Your problem with cataracts at night intriqued me. When I had cataracts (both eyes) doctors asked about the night vision. I was much better at night than during the day. During the day, the refracting light would obscure everything into a bright indecipherable haze while at night the light reflecting off objects was much easier to focus on and see. Oh, well. I was only a few days and it's ten years in the past and my vision is perfect.

Marc

I-Like-To-Bike

Is that $ difference before or after insurance coverage?

irwin7638

You really need to ask about your own insurance contract. I had a high deductible HSA policy with a PPO organization. Outside the PPO the surgery would have been $2700 per eye, with the PPO organization it was $900. We're talking 12 years but you get the idea. It depends on your contract.

Marc

miss kenton

If I had to do it again, I might consider this option:

Pamestique 

For me, other than the deductible, the cataract surgery plus STANDARD lens replacement was -0-. The cataract portion of my surgery still costs me nothing and the surgeon's fees are covered under my insurance. I opted for the Crystalens and vision correction - like having Lasik surgery; not covered by any insurance. It is elective surgery and thus on my own dime... so at least some of the costs are covered by insurance.

Pamestique 

I have the same problem as you which is why I need the surgery sooner than later... I just can't drive at night anymore either. In fact, I have difficulty during the day, if its bright out (een with dark sunglasses) and at night when all the lights etc have halos and are bright and sparkly...the only time its easier to see is during the day if its overcast. I haven't been able to read a street sign, in the day or night, for many years... so I am hoping my experience is like yours. I can't wait!!!

Bill Kapaun

It was so wonderful to see a BLUE sky again. Everything had been gray!
In bright daylight, I was wearing sunglasses with clip on sunglasses over them. That was still "uncomfortable".
There's a point where I guess your pupils dilate and things kind of "even out".
In the couple months leading up to my surgery, I'd hold my arm straight out from me. I could tell the difference every couple weeks as I could no longer see my fingers, hand, wrist. They just disappeared into "the haze".
I was at a point I couldn't even read a job application, let alone work.
I had to wait until I was 62 to take an early retirement to generate some income to pay for the surgery.
Fortunately, I found a surgeon that gave me an extreme discount and a payment plan I could handle.

For those that need the surgery, do it sooner rather than later. IF you see the "halos", you need it. Things will just get worse until you do.
It's been 4 years now and I see just as well as I did 2 days after my surgeries.

Pamestique 

Just returned from the doctors (post op check up)... everything looks good and is right on track, unfortunately there are some visions issues I need to deal with... because I could not wear my contacts last week, I was wearing my prescription glasses with readers on top - not a good look. As I sit here now, my bionic eye gives me middle distance - ie - I can see the screen of the computer but my old horrible eye, I still need reading glasses so I have a pair perched sideways so it covers only the one bad eye... an even worse look(I need to figure out how to pop a lens out )!!!!! When I get to work, I hope to gosh no one checks in on me!!!!

Anyway the surgery - went smoothly I guess but it was not as easy as I was told it would be. The insertion of the lens was very uncomfortable (I was given a "twilight" sleep medication so I was still very much awake as I needed to respond to the doctor's commands - I could feel the pressure of every rip, tug, tear and placement). Anyway last night was long - hard to fall asleep.

Today I am trying to adjust to the fact I have two totally different eyes and scope of vision. I had not realized how poor my vision was until I got the new lens. For years I was looking at the world with dirty, yellowed, foggy lenses - like trying to see through windows that were never cleaned. Now my left eye, there is no film and the world is almost maddeningly bright - too bright. I have to wear those old grandma "blue blocker" sunglasses if I even think of going outside. I thought I would wake up this morning with crystal clarity and unfortunately I found out because the pupil is so dilated it will probably be a week before there's clarity so imagine - one eye, everything out of focus yellow and dinghy and the other eye, no film but everything is too bright and no clarity... yeah good times! Hopefully by Monday the left eye will be seeing better but by next Monday I am in the process again...

Other bad news... no bike riding for several weeks; at least until mid-August. I can ride a stationary bike (thank goodness for the gym membership) and walk but no riding or any heavy lifting or the worse one to remember, no bending over. Also I wish you could see the chart I have of drops that need to be taken daily... good grief I need a PHd to figure it all out!!!

Pamestique 

Just adding - at work today... my left eye has really settled down and the clarity is amazing! I can undersatnd now how, in a few weeks, especially with the other eye done, improved my vision is going to be. Obviously, I have not been seeing well for a long time... I have to get used to seeing things all over again. I sortof of feel sorry for myself.... knowing I've been places with these bad eyes and may never go there again with good ones. Oh well, will have to plan so new memories. I can't wait until after August 4 when the second eye is done and operational!!!!