The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsI've finally been given the crisp long distance vision I've longed for my entire life as a person with severe myopia.
Had my second eye operated on to remove a cataract, yesterday.
My first eye was done two weeks ago.
My vision has literally never been this great. Ive worn hard contacts, soft contacts, had LASIK, and nothing compares to the astonishing vision I have now.
And the colors are so bright and clean! Blues are so beautiful now that they are not muddy looking.
It really feels like a miracle to me, and I will say, if you are hesitant to have a recommended cataract surgery, please dont be afraid! It was painless, quick, the recovery at least for me has been painless, and the clear vision is such a wonderful thing!
I had no idea just how bad my vision had gotten, until I was given the technis eyehance lenses to replace my bad lenses that had hypermature cataracts.
Because its easy for us to adjust to slowly worsening things, even vision going bad, and not realize how truly bad things have gotten.

erronis
(19,958 posts)LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)And high myopia, but Im not unhappy with that at all.
My husband and I were saying how wonderful it would have been if I could have had these wonderful lenses my whole life instead of having to wait past 60!
And the surgery was so easy and painless! Much easier than having a tooth cavity filled, even!
Polly Hennessey
(7,863 posts)Had no idea how muddy my world was before cataract surgery. 🤗
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)And watching TV is a joy again, as is seeing everything outside, and looking at pictures. I just keep saying, wow, wow, wow!
The world is so beautiful!
customerserviceguy
(25,212 posts)when I got hearing aids. When I got out the door, I could hear the birds for the first time in a long time! When I went back to my audiologist, I told him it was like "The Wizard of Oz" where everything was in black and white until you opened the door to a colorful Munchkinland. I told him, "I was hearing in black and white!"
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Alice Kramden
(2,635 posts)I'm having cataract surgery within the next month,and I sincerely appreciate your encouraging first-person experience
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Apprehensive because, well, it is our eyes!
Please keep us updated, and please post about how wonderful your vision is again, afterwards!
I spent some time on the Reddit board about cataract surgery and learned about lenses, etc. and all the wonderful things said about the J&J technis eyehance lens seemed to be true! That is what I have in my eyes and I know I dont have anything to compare them to, but I feel they must be the best lenses in the world!
The second eye, I was not fully asleep for, so I remember all of it, but I was so pleasantly drugged up that I was disappointed the surgery only took maybe ten minutes because I was having so much fun looking at the bright light kaleidoscope colors (thats all you see, nothing scary) and being all stoned, LOL. I was disappointed it was over so fast because I was enjoying the experience so much!
I was just lying there all wrapped in warm blankets, having fun. I have to say it really was a pleasant experience! Crazy as that sounds!
Before the surgery begins, they give you a series of eye drops to numb your eye (the first drop stings ever so slightly and then in a few seconds you feel nothing, and continue to feel nothing while they give you the series of numbing and pupil dilating eyedrops and gel.)
They also put an IV in, and thats always the hardest part of any surgery, really. And thats really not a very big deal, all in all.
Some people afterwards feel mild eye irritation, but I didnt have that experience. No discomfort whatsoever.
They give you eyedrops to use after surgery that it is important to use as directed. They dont hurt, at least I didnt feel any discomfort.
I had my husband put them in for me the first day because my one eye was dilated for a full day so I couldnt see as well as I needed to, for a day.
I can honestly say these surgeries were the easiest surgeries I have ever had, by FAR, and produced such wonderful benefits, I wish every surgery could be like these surgeries!
You will do just great, and I look forward to you posting afterwards about how excellent your restored vision is!
Figarosmom
(6,011 posts)It was quite some light show.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)LogDog75
(470 posts)My vision in my right eye is clear and sharp but a cataract has grown in my left eye and will probably have to be removed sometime this year. It really doesn't bother me as much as all the floaters in the left eye. I'm hoping an ophthalmologist will be able to do something about them.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)I havent had problems with floaters, but one person said they had surgery for the floaters, and described it as a laser surgery that went zap zap so that didnt sound too bad. They said, no more floaters.
defacto7
(14,069 posts)My optometrist said there is nothing that can be done about floaters. Maybe I need another opinion. They are a real nuisance.
defacto7
(14,069 posts)I guess my optometrist was wrong.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Very separate fields, even though it feels as if they should be more connected.
I think he probably was just not up to the latest procedures ophthalmology offers.
But what good news that you can get the floaters treated!
defacto7
(14,069 posts)CousinIT
(11,425 posts)I'm looking at the Tecnis Odyssy (I went googling for the lens you mentioned ) - there is a new one coming out in 2025, or maybe it is out.
I know that insurance won't cover some of these ie, toric, or multifocal lenses, so I expect out-of-pocket cost will be high though.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Cheap. I guess thats true of all medical care. My total out of pocket expense ended up being about 4,000 because I needed toric, very specialized lenses.
I thought, well, I will save money not having to ever buy glasses for myopia, now. So it didnt seem so bad, looking at it that way.
And the excellent vision! Wow! That felt like it was worth every penny and much more!
People pay thousands for a luxury car, or nice clothing, or jewelry, but true luxury is having excellent vision, I think!
So at least for me, I felt it was more than worth the expense.
This is by far the best vision I have ever had in my whole life!
Best of luck to you, I hope you will keep us updated!
💙💙💙💙💙
CousinIT
(11,425 posts)LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)EarthAbides
(294 posts)I had cataract surgery 23 years ago, I was only 45 and my eyesight was highly myopic, too. I cried when the first patch was removed and I could see across the room.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)It feels like our whole lives, we are chasing after that clear distance vision. Sometimes we get corrected to twenty twenty, its always what they aim for, but almost immediately our myopia progresses so we spend I dont know what, 90% of our lives with mildly bad to really quite bad, distance vision.
So what a relief it is, what a dream come true, to have excellent distance vision!
I didnt cry, but I felt every bit as emotional and joyful.
I asked the surgeon, how do I keep this good vision, I am scared I will turn myopic again. He said nope, that wont happen, these lenses are plastic, they wont change, and your eyeball wont continue to grow longer now that you are over 60.
I hope that is true, because I have wanted vision like this my whole life and it feels like a miracle to have it!
💙💙💙💙💙
EarthAbides
(294 posts)My eye sight went a little bad a year ago, not horrible, so I had to get glasses again. But I love these glasses! Very light weight and no thick lenses.
A year after I got my cataract surgery I had a film build up on my lenses that had to get lasered off. I was told it was pretty common. My left eye was clean after a few zaps, (and I mean zaps!) but my right eye took at least 3 dozen zaps (the eye doctor counted). Every time he zapped my eye I would actually feel a little shock, a little worse than static electricity. A nurse had to come and hold my head because I was starting to jerk after each zap. Fun times! But, boy could I see again after that was done! I am not sure the lenses are the same as they were 20 years ago.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)CousinIT
(11,425 posts)...after she got cataract surgery. One zap and it was gone.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24737-posterior-capsular-opacification
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)EarthAbides
(294 posts)Signs far away got a little blurry, but since I lost my eyebrows and eyelashes to chemo 13 years ago the glasses really make my face appear a lot more normal. The frames are dark blue and contrast well with my intense blue eyes. And, if I don't feel like wearing my glasses, I can still see!
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Radiation after surgery so I was lucky. I hope you are well now, with no problems! 💙💙💙💙
I will be so disappointed if I go myopic again
so tired of myopia
sigh
AllyCat
(17,934 posts)Thank you.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Great! 💙💙💙
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Easiest to recover from, the most painless. Truly easier and less painful than getting a cavity filled at the dentists office, which I think most people have experienced, and will probably agree is not a difficult procedure to endure.
Cataract surgery? Far easier than even that!
Ocelot II
(124,999 posts)Got the second eye done a couple of weeks ago. I've been blind as a bat since I was seven, probably always, but that's when my teacher noticed that I couldn't see the blackboard. What a change! I will still get glasses for a remaining minor correction for astigmatism in the left eye, though I did get the toric implant that fixed most of that problem (it had been very, very bad), and with a reading correction so I don't have to keep putting on/taking off reading glasses. But OMG, the light and the colors!
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)As well. I am guessing they can make progressive lenses that are reading glasses at the bottom and just clear glass towards the top.
I feel so amazed at how clear my vision is, I cant stop marveling at it!
marble falls
(65,781 posts)LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)marble falls
(65,781 posts)... put off because of Covid. I'd sit out on the deck and the only thing I could see was black and huge flairs where the HEB parking lot is about a half mile down the road. Now its like they put dimmers on the lights and I can see animals going through the bushes by the creek.
I'm glad yours came out well: ENJOY!
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)It really is such a wonderful thing!
I hope anyone reading this will feel reassured, if they are facing cataract surgery!
marble falls
(65,781 posts)... surgery was about 15 minutes.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Silent Type
(9,697 posts)to see my dreams (OK, slight exaggeration), can walk in the rain, etc.
I never could wear contacts for more than an hour, though I tried a bizzilion times. Think I had dry eye before it was a thing.
Had I known it would be this much better, I might have paid for it myself decades ago, assuming I could find a doc to do it early.
JustABozoOnThisBus
(24,158 posts)... he still can't see his feet in the shower.
My wife just had cataract surgery, had to pay for one lens to correct astigmatism. She opted for the single-vision so she can now see well at distance, but has to wear drugstore "cheater" glasses to read. All in all, very successful, thanks Medicare.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Decades ago. I was able to adapt to contacts, but got the occasional eye infection which was awful.
William Seger
(11,656 posts)I really felt dumb for waiting so long, struggling with reading.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)JMCKUSICK
(2,545 posts)and recommendation LiberalLoner. Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience. It is to often we only hear about really negative results. I am so thrilled for your renewed ability to enjoy vibrant colors and all that they entail! That may be the very best thing I've heard/read today. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Well healed up, maybe in four weeks or so.
I did want to post my positive results here because I felt others might be facing this surgery as well and might be anxious.
dflprincess
(28,833 posts)Covering each eye in turn and marveling at the improvement. It was like I had a piece of yellow cellophane over the eye that hadn't been done.
I stuck with the standard lens so I still need glasses for reading and to correct mild astigmatism but I've worn them so long it doesn't bother me.
William Seger
(11,656 posts)... was as dark as the eye that had been done when looking through sunglasses.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Perfect, no more smoky lens to look through unless I put on sunglasses!
usonian
(17,999 posts)I am highly myopic and 76, so it's coming soon. I remove my glasses countless times a day to see up close.
Phone? I'm doing it now. Camera display panel, fine print, you name it.
I would need strong readers to do this, and actually get along fine at home with 2 diopters less power than my distant glasses ( about the same as distant vision equal to a computer monitor distance)
Even reading music on my piano would need reading glasses. I do not subscribe to "one eye close and one eye distant". An optometrist tried that and my head felt like a slip-strike earthquake fault. One side going north and the other side going south.
Lots to decide. Cataracts do not yet hinder normal life. Even lots of photography.
I am not sure about/if "progressive" lenses would work. I'd need 2 diopters or more to see close objects.
Keeping a close 👁️ on things.
I did optical engineering for some years, hence the terminology.
Zoom and autofocus work great on cameras but not on people. We got freakin AI instead.
Ain't fair!!!
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)with a bit of extended depth in field of vision, and you set them for distance, you will likely need reading glasses for anything arms length away and closer. I havent driven yet but I do think I could see the dashboard without reading glasses.
I ended up with a bit of mini monovision, as my right eye is -.7 and my left eye was targeted for closer to Plano. So there is likely a slight difference between my two eyes.
I think the new lenses that are progressive seem promising, but it is a difficult decision facing each of us, which lens will work best for each of us.
So cool that you did optical engineering, what a fascinating profession!
Ive always been interested in vision, because of the myopia I have had since early childhood.
wryter2000
(47,853 posts)Seemed almost miraculous
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)LisaM
(29,223 posts)My vision had gradually gotten to what I called "smeary". I saw colors fine, but reading was getting harder, and sometimes even walking or bike riding had challenges because I was afraid I wouldn't see pot holes or other obstacles. And forget about restaurant menus.
All that's in the past. I just had my two year checkup. Best decision I ever made!
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)llmart
(16,435 posts)I am 75 and had both eyes done in August. Such a painless and easy process and the results are amazing. However, that really intense vision and colors will gradually settle down a bit. When I got home from having my second eye done I swear I could see each individual blade of grass in my yard. I told the doctor that he failed to tell me the worse side effect - that now I can see how old I really look in the mirror.
My vision in my right eye is better than perfect and is now 20/15. I chose to sacrifice my up close vision for distance. My left eye will never be much better because I have wet AMD in that eye, but it did improve my peripheral vision in that eye.
Anyone on here who is even considering whether or not to do it, please don't hesitate. Yes, it will cost you something out of pocket depending on your insurance but it is well worth it. I was afraid to drive anywhere at night or anywhere I wasn't familiar with because I couldn't read road signs well enough.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Arrgh
(23 posts)I've been very lucky, with very good vision up until my late 50s. Cataracts aren't that bad but it's difficult to drive at night with the oncoming traffic glare. I also have to bring a very bright stand light if I'm playing in the orchestra pit.
I have a small tear in my right retina that will probably need repair eventually, and If you get the cataract surgery done first you don't have to go through all the post-op positional stuff.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Success and you will be pleased with your vision!
Its scary not to have perfect vision while driving at night! I think you will feel very pleased with the final results.
SeattleVet
(5,689 posts)As someone else commented, it was sort of like having yellow cellophane taken off of my eyes. White is actually *white* again, and the sky isn't really a muddy blue-ish color.
I opted for the Vivity lenses which give me really good distance and midrange vision. I now need some cheap readers for close stuff, but I can read the computer screen at about 18-24". Medicare would only pay for the single-vision lenses (choose either distance or close, and wear glasses for the other). It came in at close to $4K per eye, but I think it was worth every penny to go for the type I went with.
This is the most commonly performed surgery in the US, and they have it down pretty well. For me it was a very fast procedure with zero pain, sharp vision within a few days (it takes the brain a little bit of time to catch up, it seems).
Congratulations to your newly found clear vision! To anyone else reading this message thread, take the comments to heart - it's well worth it to have this procedure, and when your opthalmologist recommends it - just do it!
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)It is best to have the surgery as soon as the ophthalmologist recommends!
Yes, the first thing I noticed was how white, white is! And all the blue colors or blue-adjacent colors, were so beautiful again!
Paladin
(30,619 posts)I cannot recommend the corrective work highly enough---absolutely stunning improvement in my vision.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)iluvtennis
(21,228 posts)LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Clouds Passing
(4,984 posts)LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)orleans
(36,062 posts)LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)mahatmakanejeeves
(64,813 posts)Thanks.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Procedures and please come tell us here afterwards, how amazing and wonderful your vision has become!
MotownPgh
(455 posts)had his 2nd eye done at the VA on Thursday and has been in agony. Nothing like the first eye. He went in and got more drops yesterday but still in pain today (Saturday)
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Three in one or something, antibiotics, nsaid, prednisone type stuff, that was more than enough for both of my eyes, four weeks apiece.
I am surprised the VA was not similarly generous, unless perhaps there was a small bottle of anesthetic eye drops included along with the regular stuff?
How awful for your neighbor, I hope so much his pain resolves asap and the rest of his healing goes well, and his vision at the end is excellent!
The first worry I had upon hearing this story, was that perhaps an infection happened somehow, because infection is known to cause bad pain like that and is a very dangerous situation.
🙏🙏🙏 for your neighbor.
MotownPgh
(455 posts)OF HIS STROKE VICTIM WIFE.
Hopefully whatever they gave him is helping. Fingers crossed, he had zero problems with first eye so I'm sure this is a rarety.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)MotownPgh
(455 posts)today because he seemed to be a little nauseous maybe from the 3rd eye drop so he's there now.
The good news is that he says his actual eyeball feels better and he can see more clearly!
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Itchinjim
(3,163 posts)It is literally one of the best things that has ever happened to me. It was like going from watching a movie on a VHS tape to watching the same movie in 8K. The sharpness of vision was jaw dropping to me.I hadn't be able to that well since I was 5 years old.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)MissouriDem47
(171 posts)2 years ago had a great experience with my cataract surgeries. Both surgeries were painless and the results were astounding. After more than 40 years of having to correctives lenses to drive I can now drive without anything. Recently had a follow-up appointment and my sight has not deteriorated. I wish I had these eyes 50 years ago when I playing ball and golf.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Evolve Dammit
(20,712 posts)LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)murielm99
(31,975 posts)I had mine done ten years ago. I use reading glasses, but that is all. My husband is having one of his eyes done at the end of the month, and the other one about ten days later. He has no idea how much he will love this.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)ShazamIam
(2,866 posts)never stop being grateful that mine even with glasses for many years for myopia, now no longer needed except for driving.
I am happy for you.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Hekate
(97,874 posts)The color came back into my life!
I have a piece of Huichol art that I inherited from a dear friend, and it began to look so gray that I thought I was going to have it professionally cleaned & restored. The day after surgery #1 I went around my house just looking at things and the colors in that art-piece just about knocked my socks off.
Joy!
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)AllyCat
(17,934 posts)And am terrified of the surgery.
Im so glad you are doing well! I think I need reassurance.
Ocelot II
(124,999 posts)this was a complete nothingburger. They give you a sedative, Versed, that not only relaxes you completely, but causes you to mostly forget the whole thing. You don't see any of what's going on - just some vague fuzzy lights - and you're so relaxed that you don't care. The surgery takes less than a half hour and in another 15 minutes or so the sedative wears off enough for you to feel pretty normal (they won't let you drive, though). Your eye might feel a little scratchy for the rest of the day but that sensation is gone by the next day. There was no actual pain at all. You don't need to be afraid of this procedure, and the improvement in your vision is just amazing.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Supportive! 💙💙💙
TNNurse
(7,339 posts)His response was " you have".
Glad you are having such a good response.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)niyad
(124,003 posts)the world to the fullest!
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)colorado_ufo
(6,072 posts)
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)AllaN01Bear
(25,382 posts)the eye doc was taking ppl with pre existing conditions and i met the regulations . i was blind in one eye and going in the othr . did one eye the first week, then the secnd the next week. all i can say is wow. i live in a apartment complex where the whole building fire alarm goes off with lots of falsies . a goal i wanted was to not have to grab glasses as i exited my apartment. done . and the wow facter that i can see withoutt glasses that i missed with glasses .
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)AllaN01Bear
(25,382 posts)PoindexterOglethorpe
(27,900 posts)Like so many here, I was very nearsighted from an early age. In first grade I could not read the blackboard, even sitting in the front row. I had the good fortune of having a relatively short time (a bit less than a year) from the diagnosis of cataracts to the surgery. How amazing.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)GiqueCee
(2,292 posts)... the left in early June. Nice to hear that it worked out so well for you. Hope I'm as lucky!
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)samnsara
(18,524 posts)for increasing my reading glasses by two strengths. At can see the color white now instead of beige.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)But almost never had it.
Rebl2
(16,439 posts)went well for you. Its amazing how clear and crisp things look afterwards isnt it. I had mine done four years ago, unfortunately before I was on Medicare part B. Did they give you instructions for aftercare with the eye drops for after the surgery?
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)One for five days, then put on the eye cover and slept in a bed again.
I have been religious about following the eyedrop schedule and making sure not to touch anywhere near my eyes. Even my right eye, over two weeks past surgery, I still am not pressing on or washing. I wash around the eye, but remain at least half an inch away. I think when four weeks have gone past, I can gently use my eye wipes again.
Better safe than sorry!
tblue37
(66,545 posts)LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)tblue37
(66,545 posts)read, did better on the eye chart than my right eye did! However, I am farsighted, so I only wear glasses to read or do close work, so I still must wear glasses for that. But I have always had excellent distance vision, and still do.
For me, the cataract blurred the vision in my left eye even when not reading, and forced me often to close that eye while reading. I am delighted with my results. I am at the 2x a day antibiotic eye drop week. Next week once a day, then done.
58Sunliner
(5,791 posts)LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Ziggysmom
(3,806 posts)We Americans deserve so much better. I am very happy for you that your vision has been restored.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Thinking those things should be covered for every single citizen.
AllaN01Bear
(25,382 posts)i got medium distance , but can se far far awy and catch details i missed before w glasses .
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)COL Mustard
(7,401 posts)My only complaint, and I'll take it anytime, is that my eyes are so sensitive now...I have to wear sunglasses a lot more than I did before. The good part about that is that my sunglasses now cost $25 instead of the $300 prescription ones I used to wear.
Oh, and I can see at night now!
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)bif
(25,599 posts)As I mentioned before in the Artists Forum, I had mine done in the Fall. What a revelation! Can't wait to see the artwork you'll create with your new set of eyes!
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Figarosmom
(6,011 posts)I KNOW. RIGHT?
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)LittleGirl
(8,739 posts)but we haven't determined if it's needed urgently at this time. My spouse needs glaucoma treatment soon.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)LittleGirl
(8,739 posts)FloridaBlues
(4,557 posts)Its my good eye, I cant see to well out of my other due to macular damage. Im alittle nervous, so glad to read yours came out well. Praying for a great outcome for me too!!
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)FloridaBlues
(4,557 posts)LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)FloridaBlues
(4,557 posts)Hoping tomorrow blurriness gets better. See Doc on Friday.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)FloridaBlues
(4,557 posts)LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)FloridaBlues
(4,557 posts)Thanks for the positive wishes.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)FloridaBlues
(4,557 posts)Thank you for responding back.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Days at least and can take weeks.
I understand wishing it would clear up
even the day and a half I waited, I was impatient because I kept wondering, will my vision be perfect like I am hoping, or not?
So I understand. Keeping my fingers crossed that you wake up tomorrow with more clear vision, that it will settle down overnight!
Im excited for you when your vision clears, and you can celebrate great vision!
💙💙💙💙💙
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)First 24-48 hours: Blurry vision is normal as the eye adjusts to the new lens.
3-7 days: Many patients experience significant improvement in vision.
1-2 weeks: Vision is greatly improved, and blurriness is minimal for many.
4-6 weeks: Vision has fully stabilized.
8 weeks: Most patients have completely recovered.
So I do have reason to hope that by tomorrow evening, your vision will be much better! Keeping my fingers crossed!
💙💙💙💙💙
dcmfox
(231 posts)I went down to Colombia after researching it a bit..Got the best bi-focal lenses and had both eyes done at once..I did it down here (I never left Colombia)
because it was cheap and my insurance didn't cover it..
Best 3 grand I ever spent
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Moosepoop
(2,048 posts)Severe myopia all of my life, then early onset of severe cataracts in my fifties. There's a link between the two, the first often leads to the second. The surgery was life-changing -- no glasses needed any more except for reading. My long distance vision was completely restored. And the colors, and details -- oh my!!! I'm still amazed every morning when I open my eyes and can see across the room, without having to grapple for any super thick glasses on the nightstand.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)Surgery a decade ago to have enjoyed more years of this great vision!
💙💙💙💙
senseandsensibility
(22,265 posts)I have severe myopia too, and the beginning of cataracts. Surgery is not being recommended at this time, but I am sure it will be eventually.
LiberalLoner
(11,218 posts)peggysue2
(11,895 posts)I, too, have had cataract surgery and opted for the enhanced lenses. The post-op results were stunning. I'd always had 20/20 vision until age set in and was forced to wear glasses (which I hated), and then soft contacts (much better but still a pain).
The surgery and replacement lenses corrected all that. Have had no appreciable change since the procedure 10 years ago. And you're right--the surgery was quick and pain free. The only small bump was feeling like I had sand in my first operated eye. Very irritating but only lasted 6 hours post-surgery. The second eye? Nothing at all.
Enjoy! The world is filled with color.