Cataracts are a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. They commonly occur as a result of aging, but can also be caused by other factors such as injury, certain medications, or medical conditions like diabetes. The lens, which is normally clear, becomes opaque and causes blurry vision, difficulty seeing in low light, and increased sensitivity to glare. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to significant vision loss. The most effective treatment for cataracts is surgery, where the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. This procedure is safe and generally has a high success rate in improving vision. In some cases, lifestyle changes and the use of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses may help manage cataract symptoms. However, it is important to consult with an ophthalmologist for a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.

Diana just went through having cataract surgery. This wasn't related to her stroke but I want to share the experience. From the first time her opthamologist told her she would need to have her cataracts removed, she started worrying about the process. Diana was asking everyone she knew that had had it done all sorts of questions. I believe that most people don't really know that much about it.

Diana had reached a point were she was having some difficulty seeing and had been wearing reading glasses to see better. She went to eye doctor for a check up to see if she might need to get glasses. It was determined that glasses were not going to be very helpful and that it was time to consider cataract surgery.

Her opthamologist explained the risks, possible benefits, and the basic process of the procedure. Diana elected to proceed with getting it done after careful consideration and the process began. The first thing that had to be done was to get measured for lenses. The surgery involves removing the lens from the eye and replacing it with a new one. The very thought of that made me shutter a little, but that is how it is done.

The next step was for Diana to get a physical. This was to make sure that she was healthy enough to get the surgery. Diana passed the physical with flying colors so it was time to move on to the next step. Her opthamologist prescribed an eye drop that was was to be used the morning of the surgery. I could not believe the price of this little bottle of eye drops. It was more than $350 even with medicare and insurance. We were given a coupon which brought the price down to $80 and they assured us that it would be enough to cover the surgery for both eyes.

The surgery dates were scheduled two weeks apart starting with the right eye. They called us the day before to give us the time to be there. We had to be there at 5:45 AM and the surgery was to be at 7:30 AM. The times were the same when they did the left eye. I waited nearby and they kept me informed of what was happening by text. The surgeon called me a little after eight and told me that every went as planned and she was back to her room just a few minutes later.

The type of anesthesia they used was called twilight. This type of anesthesia is commonly used for minor surgeries or procedures. It is a combination of a sedative and a local anesthetic. The sedative helps to relax the patient and reduce anxiety, while the local anesthetic numbs the specific area that will be operated on. Twilight anesthesia allows the patient to remain conscious and responsive during the procedure, but they may not remember much afterwards. It is a safe and effective option for many patients, as it provides pain relief and minimizes discomfort without the need for general anesthesia. The use of twilight anesthesia ensures a smooth and comfortable surgical experience for the patient.

Diana did experience a little bit of nausea from the anesthesia. It was very brief on the first surgery but a little worse on the second. All in all everything went pretty well and she was home and laying down by a little after ten both times. The surgeon scheduled her for a one day and a seven day follow up each time. She is scheduled for the seven day follow up for the left eye in a couple of days and so far everything seems to be going fine.

One other thing I would like to tell you about is the eye drops. They gave her two more eye drops on top of the one we got at the the pharmacy. One is an antibiotic and the other is a steroid. She gets one of the drops four times a day, one of them three times a day and the one we purchased is used once per day. These drops are reduced each week over a period of four weeks. It can get a little confusing when doing a different amount of drops in each eye. They gave us charts to keep track of what drops were put in each eye and that was extremely helpful.

I am very happy to report that Diana's vision has improved a great deal. She has all but stopped wearing the reading glasses and has to wear sunglasses outside because the new lenses they put in her eyes allow a lot more light to reach her retinas. I cannot and will not make any recommendations as to whether you should or should not get this procedure. All I can tell you is that Diana is happy that she decided to have it done.

Cataracts