I finally had my eye surgery Tuesday morning.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

All went well.

The only thing that bugs me is, they put stitches in my eyeball, and now they're irritating the inside of my eyelid. Ever have an itch you were forbidden to scratch? Annoying is WAY too mild a term.

The cool part is, they kept me awake for the entire operation. Oh, I was just on the edge of consciousness, but I was aware of everything. I just couldn't move. It was painless, however, and I've long since lost my fear of people's hands getting too close to my eyes. Live and learn!

Now comes the fun part- I'm not supposed to strain myself in any way- my eyeball could literally collapse. Not a good thing. I plan to take it REAL easy for a few days.

[Wounded Bear]

1. Great!

I had cataract surgery last year. It's wonderful. Best of luck going forward. They did leave one stitch in one eye, but it didn't irritate. I guess it was in a more benign location. It came out in a week IIRC. Hang tough.

[elleng]

2. I'm prolly having cataract surgery soon.

Are there always stitches???

[Wounded Bear]

3. No...

I had mine done at the VA, and it was done in two trips, several months apart. Civilians, I guess, can get both done same day if the Dr thinks its OK.

I didn't get any stitches in my left eye, but I got one in my right. That one was tougher, literally, I guess. It took a bit more effort on the part of the Dr to get the old lens out of the way. But all is well now. Hell, I wore glasses-near sighted-since early grade school. Now I don't need glasses for distance vision at all. I'm essentially 20/20, both eyes. I still need reading glasses, though. It doesn't fix that.

[elleng]

4. I'm only having 1 eye done now.

I guess we'll see how 'tough' it is.

Thanks

[CTyankee]

18. You have to have them separately, I was told.

It was really nothing. No pain. Very quick. My husband took me to the dr.'s office.

a few weeks later I had the other eye done.

I'm told that if you live long enough you will get cataracts.

I remember the old days before the laser surgery. It was a bigger deal then...

[elleng]

20. I don't know about the one eye at a time thing,

but I barely have the nerve to do one now.

[CTyankee]

22. I was told it was just a precaution.

I know it's a little freaky. I feel the same way when my rheumatologist gives me shots around my spine for my arthritis...I feel so much better after but right when he does them I get freaked out...

But you don't want cataracts and you will get them if you don't have the procedure. Maybe the doc could prescribe a tranquilizer for you and your daughter could drive you over and back. I'm sure the doc has encountered many patients with fears like yours.

Keep your chin up and let me know how you make out...

[elleng]

24. I will surely let you know, yank!

[Wounded Bear]

21. OK, I believe that...

about the separation in surgeries. I'm not familiar with civilian processes as I haven't seen a civilian doctor in many years.

As a further note, and hopefully some statistical comfort to the OP, cataract surgery is one of, if not the most common, surgeries performed in America IIRC. It's a well established procedure, so hopefully you get an experienced surgeon that knows what s/he is doing.

Cataracts come with age. Almost all people will get them if they live into their 60's/70's. I suspect that sun exposure is a factor. I spent 30 years in So California and didn't always wear sunglasses on a regular basis the first half of that period. I do now.

[sunnystarr]

7. I just had the surgery a few weeks ago

They did my right eye first and the following week did the left. I opted to pay $60 for each eye to have them put in the antibiotic or whatever it is that fights against infection at time of surgery instead of buying the expensive drops and having to put them in 4x times a day. I had no stitches, no discomfort really - it was a breeze and my vision in both eyes is 20/15. I don't need my reading glasses for the computer just for anything I hold up close.

Good luck with yours!

[elleng]

8. Thanks, sunnystarr,

I appreciate learning new things about the treatment. My cataract doc said, after consulting with a retina doc, I'd have to use drops before the procedure. I have a macular pucker, so somehow the drops will help. Will discuss what you've mentioned about antibiotic.

[sunnystarr]

12. I had to put a drop in the eye

of Cyclogyl an hour before the surgery. It dilates and relaxes the eye. They covered the eye with a plastic cup taped to my face. I had to leave that on until I saw them in the office the next day. Then I had to be careful I didn't get water in the eye for the following week when I showered. Plus they gave me sunglasses to wear on the way home and for visits. I think I was supposed to cover the eye when I slept but I didn't do it since I really don't move in my sleep.

[elleng]

13. Thanks again.

I think the doc said I'd have to use drops for 1 or 2 weeks before surgery. I DO move in my sleep, so may have to cover the eye then.

[RebelOne]

11. I had cataract surgery in March.

Had left eye done and two weeks later the right eye. No stitches and the operations were a piece of cake with no pain at all. But I have to have reading glasses for any up close reading. I used to be near-sighted before the surgery and am now far-sighted.

[whistler162]

5. Sounds like the emergency eye surgery

my mom had earlier this year for a detached retina. Luckily the doctors only taked about new equipment, not like the orthopedic surgeon who may or mayn't have slapped her butt when he replaced her hip.

[CTyankee]

19. OMG. My neighbor had that. She was throwing up and in constant pain.

Her husband had to rush her to the Emergency Room in the middle of the night...it was scary.

[WinkyDink]

6. What if you had to cough or sneeze? That's my fear (will need cataract surgery).

[elleng]

9. OH WINKY, PLEASE DON'T suggest this!

I'll have cataract surgery soon too!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

10. I've sneezed a few times today.

Still here.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. What wonderful news, my dear Prisoner_Number_Six!

I am relieved to hear this.



Um...in case nobody has mentioned it yet..........lots of water and uh, you know, stool softeners...

[orleans]

15. glad it all went well. you're not "straining" to see the computer, are you?

maybe you should take a break?

especially in the lounge--we don't want you laughing too hard now.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

16. I use a 55" monitor

No strain.

[orleans]

17. omg--i'm no monitor expert but 55" sounds rather big.

yeah, you're probably not straining to read this.

again--glad everything went well for you. take care.

[redwitch]

23. I think you are a rock star!

They would have to dope me to complete oblivion and I would still freak out! DON'T TOUCH MY EYES!!!! I can barely use drops and eye exams make me sweat. I am a wimp.


P.S. Please rest!

[Duer 157099]

25. Was this for the floaters?

Did they suck all the vitreous gel out and then replace it with saline? Or? Details...