I'm a retired opticain who just had my first cataract surgery. I love to talk about the EYES.
Right now I would be happy to talk to anyone. I take care of my Mother who is 81 years old. I live on Long Island, NY. I had taken her to a Doctor who was very pushy to do Laser Cataract surgery and wanted to charge her 1596- per eye. I did not care for him so I took her to someone else who she has seen the past and was recommended highly. I was told he would not push the laser. He said her Cataract is almost a 5 degree which is the worst/most difficult cataract to remove. He pretty much insisted on doing the Laser otherwise the outcome would be questionable. He is charging her 1400- per eye. She is getting no specialty lense. In reading I just discovered that the Doctor is not supposed to even charge for using the Femto Laser. All he is doing is using the laser to remove the cataract. I understand that if the laser is used for something other than the Cataract removal they can charge. I realize now when she was examined he said she has an astygmatism(which she was never told before) and that he would fix that. By saying this he can now charge for the use of the laser. I just feel these Doctors are really taking advantage of patients. To make matters worse I get a phone message asking for payment now. I have never heard of paying until all the papers are sent into Medicare and her supplemental insurance. I am just so upset. I am just so worried sick for my Mother. Thsnks for listening.
I meant...Thanks... Also she is set to have the Surgery on 10/12
Did you have laser cateract surgery or conventional?
What IOL option did you choose? And what are your reasons behind selecting that particular kind?
Following as I would love to know what choice you made for IOL.
I chose the monofocal implant lens because I heard too many patients complain about the progressive lens implant. I also asked for monovision results. My dominant R eye now has good distance vision. On Thursday my nondominant left eye will receive an implant for near vision. After I chose that option the surgeon said that is what he has, monofocal monovision implants.
Laser because it is a more gentle surgery with a faster recovery rate.
I chose the monofocal implant and asked for monovision results.
Did you have this done in USA?
I had Symfony lenses implanted both eyes July 10 and Aug 21 respectively.
Is there a reason you choose full monovision, instead of the mini version of monovision? How easy it is to get used to it and do you have depth perception problems sometimes associated with full monovision?
Most people have conventional cataract surgery and have no problems during the surgery or during recovery. For anyone considering laser cataract surgery, read this article before you make a decision (copy and paste title and do a search for it) and also do a search for "laser cataract surgery complications" to find more info on it before having it done:
Femto Laser Cataract: Avoiding Complications (Like every new surgery, this one is associated with unique potential problems. Here’s how to keep things going smoothly.)
I had monofocals set for distance in both eyes (one 6 weeks ago in August 2017 and one 2 weeks ago). I also had LASIK a long time ago and that makes doing the calculations for power a little more challenging. Now I don't have to wear glasses at all except for seeing tiny print or for extended reading (not even for seeing my instrument panel in my car, for using my laptop, etc.).
Light energy from the laser causes disruption of tissue borders with minimal damage to nearby tissue. The old lens is removed, and then, the new lens is inserted. Recovery time is very similar to traditional cataract surgery, and most patients experience clearer vision and can resume normal activities fairly rapidly.
Which method is best for you?
Talk to your eye doctor to learn more about these two procedures that will dramatically improve your vision. Both methods have proven success rates, so make a list of questions for your doctor and get them answered so you can make an informed choice.
Also, I had regular cataract surgery, no laser or anything like that and no ORA during the cataract surgery to check the calculations (used for people who had refractive surgery like LASIK, PRK, Relex Smile, etc. prior to cataract surgery, but I didn't have ORA and my results turned out fine).
If you're talking to me directly in this response, I already had my surgery with no fancy extras. I personally believe most of these things are profit-driven and therefore unnecessary.
I'm sure the procedure you chose was the right one for you. We are all different and it's between you and your doctor to decide which proceedure is best for you. Just answering questions that others ask me about my choice. We are here to learn and discuss. It's not a competition.
So, what are the details of your cataract surgery?
What type of IOL(s), did you get the added cost of femtolaser and ORA, and how much were the extra costs for those for you? What does your post surgery eyedrop schedule look like, what types and how many?
I have my first eye cataract surgery scheduled for 2 weeks from now and plan for a Tecnics monofocal toric IOL first for my right (dominant) eye target for good distance vision about -0.25D. No femtolaser, but will use ORA. The surgeon I selected, uses a special technique where after the surgery he injects the prescription medications into the eye that last for a few weeks reducing significantly the number of post surgery eyedrops I will need to use for several weeks - only 2 eyedrop types (a steroid and a NSAID) and only one drop of each per day!
Hi Jillie280; with so many questions and lingering concerns, I personally would hold off the procedure if it were my parent. It is not an emergency surgery and the condition is not life-threatening (assuming caution is being taken with respect to driving, and minimizing falls, which can be especially serious at her age). It sounds like you need more answers pertaining to her specific situation that you can only get from someone directly involved in her care. Medicare does pay for most of a basic cataract surgery, but as to the additional services being recommended, I have no idea. I know it's a pain, but I'd put some time and even extra money into another opinion. Anyone here know the best Yelp-like service to locate and evaluate good eye surgeons in her area? Feeling pressured is a red flag in my opinion, having had experiences with elderly parents. Good luck!
http://www.precisionlens.net/tecniszcb00
Click above to read the description of my OD IOL implant that was implanted last Thursday. Same as yours but not toric. I don't need a toric lens and Medicare will not pay for toric or progressive implants. Will have OS implant in two days. My copay so far is $250. Day before surgery Ofloxacin and prednisolone every 2 hours after surgery every 4 hours. I'm retired and have plenty of time for drops, lol.