A good friend of mine has cataract surgeries scheduled for both eyes coming up pretty soon - not both done at the same time however. He is a bit nervous about getting this done & I don't blame him. My Dad had one of his eyes done when he was in his early 80's & I don't really remember how good the result was - he didn't talk much about it.

Anyway, I know I'll need this procedure some day - my eye doctor said I have some forming.

So what have your experiences been (obviously for those of you that have had this done)? Are there different types of remedies? Different methods of surgery? Did your vision return to normal & without problems afterword? Please tell!

I had mine done 7 years ago and the results were fantastic. No pain and it was done quickly and clear sight came back super fast.I didn't realize how bad my sight had gotten. Everything was bright and clear like a whole new world. Today I had cloudy lens zapped. It took about three minutes and again my sight sharpened up tremendously. Next Tuesday I get the other eye done. The procedure is called YAG. What has happened over the years is a kind of film grew over my lenses and caused my sight to get blurry. It sneaks up on you and you don't notice until it gets bad. This is something that normally happens years after the cataract surgery and is very easy to fix. Once its done the film can't ever come back. Tell your friend to relax and don't worry. It's well worth the day or two aggravation. Be prepared to be amazed at the change.

I had mine done a couple of years ago Had one done, waited a couple of weeks and then had the other done. Excellent results. Everyone I know who has had this done is very happy.

Just finished this up. There a lot more things to consider than just removing the cataracts. I have SS and a supplemental plan. They gave me 3 options on the type of lens. Out of pocket cost ranged from $0 - $10K. The type of lens determains if you want to wear glasses and what kind of glasses, or no glasses at all.

Surgery was simple. Numbing eye drops and some kind of anesthesia. I had 1 eye done with anesthesia, procedure seemed to last 5 min. Felt bad afterwards with the anesthesia. Second eye, no anesthesia, no pain, but the procedure seemed to last forever. Crazy thing was you could see the new lens being placed in

I had both eyes done and am very pleased with the results. As mentioned in an earlier post, there are 3 levels of lens with a wide range of cost. In my case, I chose the 'distance' lens with supplemental reading glasses for close work.

I'm very squeamish and was worried about being awake. I was put into a 'twilight sleep' and only recall one event during the procedures. No trouble at all.

You'll find a dramatic improvement to your eyesight after the work is done.

I've had both eyes done and have been VERY happy with the results of both. Mine were done about 3 years apart. The surgery was quick and simple, no pain whatsoever. Both eyes were 20/50 vision before surgery, both surgeries were done mid-day. I had to go in the first thing next morning for the recheck after both surgeries, and the first surgery, that eye went to 20/20 at recheck and the 2nd went to 20/15. Both have remained at that for my distance vision. I can read the VIN on a Gnats leg at 200 yards....lol. I still have to wear my glasses to read for any extended period, but I can see close up plenty good enough to return a text, etc. They did offer to put in a lense on the second eye to correct that, but I declined because I don't mind wearing reading glasses. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I had to, so tell your friend to go in fearless and enjoy his renewed vision afterwards.

Guess it's about 3 years since mine, brought on by a detached retina in my left eye; learned a lot from my ophthalmologist & surgeons:

Our eyes change shape over time, everyone will get cataracts to some degree, and I'm still blown away at how eyes work.
Corrective lens in rt eye is OK, but still need reading glasses - depending on your eyesight, may not be worth additional cost.
Medicare & my Plan G (Mutual of Omaha) covered surgery; corrective lens I paid for, think it was $1000.
The post-surgery eye drops are covered if you have med coverage - kinda spendy.
Those eye drops and the 1st day or so after surgery keeping your face down, no exertion, aren't particularly fun but not a big deal vs. having good eyesight.
The improvement in colors you'll see afterwards - more blue, basically - is pretty amazing.
During surgery - zero pain, and actually pretty psychedelic vision - 1st one, I was narrating to them and was apparently entertaining them, until the Doc finally had to tell me to be quiet
Take the recovery seriously and the odds are very high - 90-some percent - you'll be better off. Nothing to fear.

68 now and my eye doctor has been watching my cataracts for five years or so. I have a little trouble driving in the rain especially with these damn bright headlights. But I hear a lot of guys complaining about that. 4 years ago she noticed my vent hole in my eyes were closing and pressure was going up. She sent my to a specialist three miles away and he used a laser to make a new vent (drain) hole In each eye one week apart. Zero issues with that. Same guy will probably be doing my cataracts when needed.

i would need to be put to sleep, as i can't stand anyone touching my eyes except myself.
it is tough just letting my eye doctor touch my eyes for the glaucoma [?] test they do...........
i have cataracts forming in both eyes, and believe it or not, they are allowing my eyes to see distance now without needing my glasses !
i still need "cheaters" to read and work up [kinda'] close, so i have about a hunderd of them [] scattered about the house and shop, as well as a few pairs in "the bus" and several jackets and coats.

^^^ That's what I thought too, but they don't want that.
Eye needs to be open & not moving, for obvious reasons.
No worries, I didn't feel a thing.
It was actually fascinating.

Recent eye exam about 4-5 weeks ago showed that the pressure in my eyes is also elevated - like around 22-23. They want it under 20. Both eyes have been like this since at least 1-1/2 years ago. Now my eye doc is sending me to a glaucoma specialist. I see her on 10/4. Fingers crossed I am not into the onset of glaucoma. She also does cataracts. My eye doc appointment a year & a half ago showed I have cataracts forming. There are some things where you just can't defeat the clock!

My wife going next week for both, scared to death, I might be next this year. Both 75

I had both done several years ago.

The doctor choose to do them separately, I think it was about three weeks apart.

I got the "standard" lenses and they have been just fine and have had zero problems. I did follow all the post op instructions faithfully.

I too was very apprehensive for the first one but after the drugs they gave me I could have cared less. It was over before I knew it.

The Anesthesiologist said during the second operation I fell asleep and was snoring. I guess that is a good sign that was not worried about anything.

A local old guy, Vietnam vet had both eyes done on consecutive days and he is happier than all heck now on the results, brighter colors and a lot more details seen now by him

Had my eyes (lenses) lasered twice. One for far vision at like 40. Best thing I ever did. Then by 55 my near vison was terrible and I HATE READERS (wearing them now). I had my one eye lasered for close vision the 2nd time. They call that mono vision. Doc said its not for everyone. Took about a year for my brain to rewire so I didn't think what eye to use. But was never a big deal. Now 7 years later, at 62. I need new lenses. My close vision is shot again. Not everyone gets new lenses because of cataracts. The lenses get hard and wont flex (focus anymore). Thats what I'm up against now. I looked at all the fancy lenses but all had limitations like needing glasses for either near or far or they caused halos or poor night vision. I was kinda thinking I'll probably do the mono vision again with the low tech cheapo lenses, but I still need to confirm.

I had my eyes dont at a place in Grand Blanc, MI. First time I went there the place was PACKED with cars. I walked into the wrong door/area and it was like a triage. Many, many OLD people (like us). Doctor told me they do 200 lense surgeries a day on Thursdays. They have like 12 doctors. Place is owned by a husband and wife othamologist team $$$$$ I'll probably use them again. Least I know they have EXPERIENCE

Had both eyes done. I'm 60 and had them done 4 and 6 years ago. Have many eye issues so my answer will be a bit different. I've had detached retina's and tears so they left a lot of floaters. Due to the damage, doctor told me I'd have cataracts sooner than normal. Have noticed 3 problems. First, floaters are much more in focus. Second, I've notice that with the new lenses, I have distance issues. I tend now to need to look down and watch where I'm walking a lot more. Third is not a big deal but many times, about a year after getting the new lense, you will need to go back and get about 15 zaps with a laser. A film starts growing on the lense. Once zapped, it should never come back. Lucky me I had it on both lenses. Due to eye surgeries I was used to getting zapped so no big deal.

maybe all i need are the "good drugs" ?.................

Have heard that "secondary cataract" issue where when a foreign object is put in your eyes (the new lenses) they will try to grow fibers over it. Kinda like scar tissue. Then you have to go BACK under the knife and have it removed - by laser. Doesn't happen to everyone but common enough.

LOL, yep I could have cared less that they where touching my eye, you will be fine!

No knife involved just a quick 2minute zap. Did it Tuesday and no issues at all. Bowled my regular league today being able to see much much better. No knife ever involved in cataract surgery just a laser .

At least 25 years ago my wife and I took her father to the surgical center to have his right eye done. We dropped him off and went out to lunch. When we picked him up he got in the car and said he wished he hadn't had it done. My wife asked him why? He said he couldn't see any better than before. My wife laughed and said "dad you have a plastic cup taped over your eye". I will never forget that conversation

Now that is funny

A few updates to this old thread. First off, my buddy has had both of his eyes done & he is seeing GREAT - no problems & no discomfort at all. He needed glasses since he was a little kid for seeing anything at a distance - driving, golfing, etc. He'd take his glasses off to read - that's what he was used to his whole life. The lenses they put in gave him great distance vision, but now he needs readers for reading anything. This is strange to him, but normal to me.

SO YESTERDAY morning, I had my first eye done - cataract & lens replacement in my left eye. And I'm having problems! First off, I had a very "scratchy" feeling in the eye - I thought this was normal. I have always had great vision, but started needing readers at about age 43, so I'm totally used to using reading glasses - no problem. I chose the 1st upgrade lens just like my buddy, which should keep my vision just the same as it is. In my starter post, I talked about elevated pressure in my eyes, which we have been treating with eye drops - it has worked fine so far. So my eye doctor - same one that did my buddy's eyes, said he'd not only do the cataract surgery, but once in there, he'd laser a relief hole for allowing the fluid to flow & maybe alleviate needing the eye drops.

Well anyway, after the surgery yesterday, not only a very scratchy feeling in the eye, but VERY blurry vision. This has still not improved at all, 21 hours after the surgery - it's like I have a film of vaseline over my eye. I went in this morning for the customary follow-up, & doc looked at my eye & said there was an "abrasion" on the eye surface - he said it was a moderate one. He seemed perplexed - he asked if I touched my eye with anything, which I have not. He said the surgery went perfectly - textbook. Well, as soon as I came out of the slumber, I felt it. I assured him it was nothing I did - I have not rubbed my eye or touched it with anything. I'm also getting pulsations at random & a "border" on the left side (the outboard) of my eye. So he put a soft contact on my eye today - a kind of bandage, that he will remove Monday morning. He said some patients wake from the surgery with GREAT vision, he said others can take several day to weeks to fully adjust to the surgery. My mind is going to a bad place right now - wondering if I am going to fully recover like expected! This is NOT good! Anybody have similar slow recovery or problems like this?

I've never had it, however your symptoms appear to be normal as part of the process.

AI had this to say when searching for blurry vision after cataract surgery:


* Yes, blurry vision is a normal part of the recovery process after cataract surgery

* Swelling: Swelling in the eye is a common cause of blurry vision after surgery.

* Adjusting to the new lens: Your brain needs to adjust to the removal of the cataract and the new, clear lens.

* Healing: Your eyes need time to heal and your visual system to readjust.

* Other temporary side effects include: Gritty feeling in your eyes, Red or bloodshot eyes, Watery eyes, and Double vision.

Here are some tips to help with the recovery process:
Follow your surgeon's post-operative care instructions, including taking prescribed medications and attending follow-up appointments.
Stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet.
Be patient. It can take up to six weeks to fully recover.
Contact your ophthalmologist if you have concerns about your vision. They can provide reassurance, adjust your treatment plan, or investigate other causes.
Some people may experience other issues after cataract surgery, including:
Posterior vitreous detachment: This can cause you to see moving spider webs and clouds in your vision, along with flashes of light. It usually gets better on its own within a few months, but you should call your doctor right away to get checked out.
Early form of dry AMD: This can cause you to not have 20/20 vision after cataract surgery.

^^^ Yup, and my surgeon told me to avoid any exertion for a while.
I wore that plastic eye patch as instructed, took a while before vision cleared.
The eye drop schedule was pretty constant for a while, but tapered off after several weeks.
At certain angles I can see a dark border, but never paid attention to that before the surgeries - may have always been that way - but it's not a problem.

I'm wondering if I should have chosen the standard no extra cost lens? I explained to the doc that my vision was VERY good at everything except reading, but my left eye vision was slowly deteriorating compared to my right eye for the last 1.5 years - I attributed it to something - like age or maybe a cataract. He was careful to not really recommend a type of lens, but I always got the feeling he was trying to upsell me. So I chose the first upgrade, which allows great distance vision & only needing readers - which is where I was at before the surgery. By choosing this one, I'm thinking maybe I made the wrong choice since I could already see well at distances??? He did not object to this choice at all.

Now my buddy who needed glasses for everything except reading, chose the same ones as me & now his vision was successfully transformed.

I hope I'll be back on here in a few days with great news - like my eye is adjusting to the new lens. Fingers crossed - this is miserable.

I had it done on one eye several years ago and it definitely helped my vision . The whole experience was a little frightening but went very well. My eye doctor told me back then that my other eye would have to be done eventually but my last check up he said it hadn't gotten any worse and surgery wasn't necessary yet. He did prescribe glasses for driving however and I have passed the eye exam in my annual CDL physical the last few years.

Given my experience, which was very good, I think you will need to wait until both eyes are done and your glasses are changed to know for sure what you vision is going to be like.

Good luck!

To an extent, one's depth of field (crisply defined vision at all distances) is due to the length of the eye front/rear.
Images are focused at the rear through the aperture at the front - like a camera.
Lenses can correct some of that, but in some cases it's a trade-off.
Both eyes may not be exactly the same dimensions.
One eye can become dominant as the result of adaptation by the brain.

The whole system is about as miraculous - and complex - as anything in Nature.
I was blissfully ignorant of all that until my detached retina compelled me to research it.

Update today - 12/13/24:

Vision in my left eye is still a little blurry, AND there is distortion on the outboard & bottom edges causing my vision to seem like I'm looking through a fish bowl. My right eye is fine, but the weirdness of the left eye is really throwing me off bigtime. Makes me dizzy & it is VERY disturbing! I go back to see my eye doctor this Monday. If I squint with my left eye, the vision gets less distorted. I have never heard of anyone having problems like this. If I have to go through the rest of my life like this, I am going to be miserable - it's even difficult to drive. I am NOT going to get my right eye done until this is hopefully resolved. This is a nightmare.

My wife is now 8 weeks since doing both eyes, she wore glasses all the time. Now just a cheap pair of readers. She opted for the 3 level lens $4000 extra. Like I said she’s has no problems to date. Id be on your docs butt to get yours fixed, he messed up imo. Hope it gets fixed!

man, i hope you get that mess fixed ASAP !
having to wear specs most of my life because of nearsightedness, and being VERY sensitive to light, i wear sunglasses most of the time. [remember, i spent almost 50 years during my working career as a machinist/shift supervisor on the midnight shift, so now i am a vampire. this may explain my need for the shades..... ]
at any rate, for many years now, i have had to wear "cheaters" to read, unless i can hold something in my hands far enough away allowing my old eyeballs to focus.
at my last check this summer, it was discovered i had cataracts forming in both eyes. however, it seems these things [at least for the time being] are making my distant sight greatly improved to the point i can get by without needing glasses to see distance as i have had to do my entire life.
the doc said it's more than likely caused by the cataracts applying the right amount of pressure on my eyes [or something like that] to correct my distance vision. he has no idea how long this will last, but for the time being, i'll take it !
still need "cheaters" to read, which reminds me, where did i lay those things down last ?..................

I hope you are able to get this straightened out. My dad has had problems with one eye since June. The first cataract surgery went well. The 2nd surgery not so much. He's 20/20 in one eye and the 2nd is 20/45 but only gets to that squinting. All he gets from the doc is I'm the best, no one can do better and you are legal to drive.

I've worn hard contacts for 48 yrs and hope I never have to have cataract surgery. Any eye surgery makes me nervous.

Well, it all depends on how tomorrow's appointment goes. He he keeps telling me "just keep using the eye drops & things will get better", I'll be looking for a new surgeon. When they install a new lens in your eye, it's a mechanical procedure, so it's either good or it's not. This artificial lens in my eye is not something my body is going to correct on it's own. This has NOT gotten any better since the procedure, and this should not be the case!

Who did the removal?

A very well-renowned Detroit area eye surgeon. Before the procedure he assured me that 99% of the lens replacements are problem-free. Who (besides me) would think I'd be one of the one-percenters? Now I'm wondering if it can be redone?

cudatom, what is his eye doctor telling him? That it's going to get better? Can he have the procedure done again to fix it?

I'm seeing the failure rate for this procedure being very very low. Also, your eye may just take more time to heal depending on your circumstances.

"Yes, recovery from cataract surgery can be slow for some people, with factors like overall health, pre-existing eye conditions, and individual healing rates influencing how quickly vision improves after the procedure; while most people see significant vision improvement within a few days to a week, complete healing can take several weeks or even months for certain individuals."

I never had eye surgery but most likely will need soon(maybe?). I can attest to being a one percenter after what I went thru on my heart surgery. Now I need it again. Not happy long story.

I had cataract surgery about 8 months ago. It took several weeks to sort of recover from the surgeries and to somewhat stabilize.. I got new glasses after a couple months. Pretty good vision with new glasses. Now, seems like my vision has changed again. Another new pair of lenses for glasses will be on order next march(insurance limitations) . Your current doc needs to clearly state what is the reasons for your issues. If he can't to your satisfaction, find another doc. good luck !

I went in to see my doctor Monday (yesterday) morning. He asked how everything was doing & I told him nothing had improved. He looked at my eye & said the lens was positioned perfectly & everything looked great to him, then he tells me he's done 30,000 surgeries. I asked if things would improve over more time & he said they MIGHT! Then he said "you're free to go seek a second opinion & turned & walked out of the room. LITERALLY he blew me off! I was stunned - he offered no solution & no hope & basically burned the bridge. I am beyond pissed. Now my only course is to find another eye doctor who can hopefully solve this. My vision is REALLY screwed-up - this guy didn't even care. No improvement at all. I can barely stand to open both eyes - the vision is fighting each other. I HOPE something can be done to fix this.

Wow ! that is pretty bad. I would think about seeing an ophthalmologist who doesn't operate a cataract surgery revolving door. Keep in mind it does take some time for your vision to stabilize. Mine has changed a couple times in the last 8 months since surgery......Good luck buddy

Sorry to hear that. I am not surprised with his attitude as it is all about the money. I would surely try someone else. I wish you well.

as much as i'm not a litigious person, i would look into the possibility of talking to the "board of ????" that oversees doctors in your state, and see what they have to say about this.
not recommending you do anything, just throwing something out there to think about.............
blowing you off like that would irritate me to no end !

Sorry it took a bit to respond. My dad is getting the same BS answers your doc told you. Blah, blah blah I'm the best, no one can do better. It sometimes takes a while, you can always see someone els. To me that's not acceptable.

I understand the eyes fighting ea other. When I first tried mono vision with my contacts I had the same issue. Then we switched which eye was distance it all worked out great. But that eyes fighting ea other is miserable.

Sorry about the situation with your eyes. If you do seek a second opinion, I'd recommend Dr Marc J Siegel,. He works in Bloomfield Hills on Telegraph. He had an office in Southfield for years, but I dont think he's there now. Very smart guy. One of my clients has been seeing him for many years. My client has other eye issues, high pressure, glaucoma. Dr Marc Siegel did a great job. I've been to his office 4 or 5 times with my client. I've also been to the surgery center he uses. You can Google him for reviews.

RP, thanks for this, but I just looked & he's in the same group of doctors as the guy that just treated me (& burned the bridge) - Dr. Les Grosinger. I'll have to go elsewhere.