What's Your Ailment?

[jz0309]

Initial results are excellent, surprisingly no pain, during the procedure, or the day after. I assume during because of anesthesia, the drugs did not knock me out, but put me out of it briefly. Had a post procedure check up this morning. It’s so nice to see 20-20 again without glasses. Really no muss or fuss.

Of interest last night after the procedure, I sat down in front of the computer and put my computer cheaters on. With just one eye corrected the screen was relatively blurry, I took them off and the screen had uncorrected clarity!

Good to hear and glad your recovery is going well. I was diagnosed with cataract in my left eye a year ago, as it is my "weak" eye they said they won't do anything about it.
Have an appointment some time in Feb, will see what they say then

 

[Huntn]

Glad it’s looking good. My Dad had his don’t twice.
Personally I’m squeamish when it comes to eyes. I’d definitely need a general anaesthetic before they could get close.

Good luck with the recovery.

Thanks! Recovery: drops in the eyes for 4 weeks, no strenuous exertion for 7-14 days afterwards to preclude complications. There were no options offered regarding not taking anesthesia, and I did not ask about not using it. I believe they want you real quiet, and my impression is that in my blurry mental drug induced state, which (the drug) also results in some amnesia during the procedure itself, in combination with some lights you see which maybe mesmerizes you, in combination with a very small self sealing laser incision along the edge of the cornea, to remove and replace the lense, makes it very easy to endure.

Ref link: https://floridaeye.org/eye-health/c...expect-before-during-and-after-the-procedure/

 

[Huntn]

Anhedonia. It's helluva illness. I hope to get rid of it this year. I'm actively waging war against it.

So sorry to hear this. Has anyone ever prescribed strenuous exercise known to combat depression?

What Is Anhedonia?

Anhedonia is the lack of interest or pleasure from things that once brought you joy. Learn more about the mental health conditions that cause it.

my.clevelandclinic.org

 

[Huntn]

Good to hear and glad your recovery is going well. I was diagnosed with cataract in my left eye a year ago, as it is my "weak" eye they said they won't do anything about it.
Have an appointment some time in Feb, will see what they say then

it was my weak eye, the worst eye that was corrected, and it made a huge difference, just one eye being corrected. We may somewhat question doctor’s motivations in a capitalist system, but I do believe, that you are better off getting it done younger, than older, ie 70ish vs 80ish, due to more rapid recovery and 10 years of increased productivity.

The other thing is that my impression the cost of lenses is a racket. If you are in the US, Medicare (somewhat) covers basic catarac lense replacement, but as soon as you opt for corrected lenses, I chose distance correction) the price jumps ($100-4000)per eye depending. Lenses just don’t cost that much to make, but my impression is that it’s a limited supply vs demand equation, control of the market.

I opted against the close and far corrected lenses because not only did they cost twice ($8k) as much, I’ve read that the long term satisfaction is less with these lenses than with just distance correction. With one eye corrected on the computer, no need for glasses at least for playing games. I’ll report back, the next time I do some writing on my computer.

 

[ScanTheNavian]

So sorry to hear this. Has anyone ever prescribed strenuous exercise known to combat depression?

What Is Anhedonia?

Anhedonia is the lack of interest or pleasure from things that once brought you joy. Learn more about the mental health conditions that cause it.

my.clevelandclinic.org

Hmm, that would sound like a good idea. Didn't realize you could get it prescribed, which could help economically. That site had very good information overall, very pedagogic. For me the worst part is that my memory heavily relies on emotions, which affects my work life. Normally I have excellent memory and recall. A colleague once remarked that I had disgustingly good memory.

In my case I think it's some kind of defensive mechanism as I grew up in a very turbulent family, like nonstop heavy chronic drama until I finally moved away. The only way to "survive" that is to just shut off everything, thoughts and emotions. Especially when you're a very sensitive person from get-go. So unfortunately it has continued in adult life too.

But I still hold out hope that it can be solved. I'll think about the exercise advice.

 

[Huntn]

Hmm, that would sound like a good idea. Didn't realize you could get it prescribed, which could help economically. That site had very good information overall, very pedagogic. For me the worst part is that my memory heavily relies on emotions, which affects my work life. Normally I have excellent memory and recall. A colleague once remarked that I had disgustingly good memory.

In my case I think it's some kind of defensive mechanism as I grew up in a very turbulent family, like nonstop heavy chronic drama until I finally moved away. The only way to "survive" that is to just shut off everything, thoughts and emotions. Especially when you're a very sensitive person from get-go. So unfortunately it has continued in adult life too.

But I still hold out hope that it can be solved. I'll think about the exercise advice.

Exercise, it is prescribed for depression. when I used to run (in a past life) especially out in nature was like going to church (metaphorically, although I don’t go to an actual church ever) it made me feel connected to this reality. Now in official old age status, working out in the yard has positive therapeutic effects on my psyche.

 

[jz0309]

it was my weak eye, the worst eye that was corrected, and it made a huge difference, just one eye being corrected. We may somewhat question doctor’s motivations in a capitalist system, but I do believe, that you are better off getting it done younger, than older, ie 70ish vs 80ish, due to more rapid recovery and 10 years of increased productivity.

The other thing is that my impression the cost of lenses is a racket. If you are in the US, Medicare (somewhat) covers basic catarac lense replacement, but as soon as you opt for corrected lenses, I chose distance correction) the price jumps ($100-4000)per eye depending. Lenses just don’t cost that much to make, but my impression is that it’s a limited supply vs demand equation, control of the market.

I opted against the close and far corrected lenses because not only did they cost twice ($8k) as much, I’ve read that the long term satisfaction is less with these lenses than with just distance correction. With one eye corrected on the computer, no need for glasses at least for playing games. I’ll report back, the next time I do some writing on my computer.

well, when I used the term "weak", what it is really is "lazy eye", never got corrected as a child so my vision is 99+% on my right eye, left eye just "assists"for more range but I can't really "see" anything with my left eye only ...
But, as I said, I'll bring it up with the Doc next month ...
and yes, Medicare got a hit this year, my dental coverage dropped from $2.5k (and co-pay only after you exceed that) to $2k with a 50% co-pay for everything, glad I got 3 crowns last year

 

[Doctor Q]

Personally I’m squeamish when it comes to eyes. I’d definitely need a general anaesthetic before they could get close.

I suggest asking for anesthesia during the consulting appointment, so you won't hear them describe the procedure ahead of time. That way you won't be so apprehensive going in!

 

[Apple fanboy]

Exercise, it is prescribed for depression. when I used to run (in a past life) especially out in nature was like going to church (metaphorically, although I don’t go to an actual church ever) it made me feel connected to this reality. Now in official old age status, working out in the yard has positive therapeutic effects on my psyche.

I agree exercise is very good for your mental health. I was quite late to getting into exercise in life. But I am super glad I did. Good for your mind, body and soul.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I suggest asking for anesthesia during the consulting appointment, so you won't hear them describe the procedure ahead of time. That way you won't be so apprehensive going in!

Well I'm good for now, but no doubt when it happens (I think when rather than if based on my parents), I'll be asking for all the drugs going!

 

[poorcody]

My 84-year old Mom just finished up dual cataract surgeries. They did each eye two weeks apart. She now has near 20-20 vision in both eyes. The biggest difficulty with it was all the drops she had to place in her eyes three times a day for a total of about six weeks.

It's a fairly straightforward procedure (her cardiologist called it the surgical equivalent of "a toe-clipping"). They break the existing lens into pieces (I think with sonic blasts on the eye), cut a microscopic hole in the side of the eye, suck out the old lens, slide in a rolled-up new lens, unroll it, and attach it to some natural "hooks" in the back of the eye. The center where she had it done do around 200 a day. Very "assembly line" like process, for good and bad. The small hole in the eye just self-closes.

One of the doctors at the practice she went to did have a case of a woman losing her sight permanently from an infection after surgery. Her doctor did a lot of preemptive antibiotics which we weren't thrilled with, but probably worth the risk.

 

[poorcody]

The other thing is that my impression the cost of lenses is a racket. If you are in the US, Medicare (somewhat) covers basic catarac lense replacement, but as soon as you opt for corrected lenses, I chose distance correction) the price jumps ($100-4000)per eye depending. Lenses just don’t cost that much to make, but my impression is that it’s a limited supply vs demand equation, control of the market.

I opted against the close and far corrected lenses because not only did they cost twice ($8k) as much, I’ve read that the long term satisfaction is less with these lenses than with just distance correction. With one eye corrected on the computer, no need for glasses at least for playing games. I’ll report back, the next time I do some writing on my computer.

Yes, we decided the same thing given reports of dissatisfaction from people who got them. She got the long-distance correction, so she still needs reading glasses, although even that seems to have improved.

My mother only paid $200-per-eye out-of-pocket. She does have Medicare Advantage (we're in the U.S.) so maybe that helped. They did say the progressive lens would be something like $4K cash I think.

 

[Huntn]

Yes, we decided the same thing given reports of dissatisfaction from people who got them. She got the long-distance correction, so she still needs reading glasses, although even that seems to have improved.

My mother only paid $200-per-eye out-of-pocket. She does have Medicare Advantage (we're in the U.S.) so maybe that helped. They did say the progressive lens would be something like $4K cash I think.

Hmm, I have Medicare advantage and my first eye with a distance correction toric lense was $2300. The second eye which is $1300 because something about a slight stigmatism the Dr said he could correct with the laser.

 

[Richard8655]

Hmm, I have Medicare advantage and my first eye with a distance correction toric lense was $2300. The second eye which is $1300 because something about a slight stigmatism the Dr said he could correct with the laser.

Sounds kind of high. Medicare Part B covers cataract surgery. That leaves owing 20% of the procedure charge after satisfying the Part B deductible. Is that Part B coverage not available with your Advantage plan?

Have you considered Medigap plans? I've heard from many sources they often have more choices and better comprehensive coverage.

 

[Richard8655]

I wonder if you can just get distance correction and then just wear reading glasses when needed. But I'd think Advantage would cover this more and better. And what it would be if just plain Medicare with Part B.

 

[Huntn]

I wonder if you can just get distance correction and then just wear reading glasses when needed. But I'd think Advantage would cover this more and better. And what it would be if just plain Medicare with Part B.

That’s what I opted for distance correction ($3400 for both eyes). I do have an advantage plan, and this is how it came over. 🤔

 

[Richard8655]

That’s what I opted for distance correction ($3400 for both eyes). I do have an advantage plan, and this is how it came over. 🤔

Sounds like the best approach. That's what I would have done.