Any New Updates on Cataract Surgery?

Parent Cafe
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This is a new thread instead of requesting to open the over one year old thread.

Going to call in AM to make an appointment in a high volume place near home. Am actively reading about the type of lenses. Anything new on the lens front?

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I’ll be following closely, through my cataract-filled eyes.

I see my eye doctor twice a year because of various issues, and my last appointment was a shocker. I have fast-growing cataracts. Nothing of any significance showed at my previous appts, and I get the special scan at every one. Not quite enough for surgery yet, but he said when I come in this spring, if the growth continues at the same rate, it’ll be time. I’m just glad that I wasn’t imagining things. I def feel like my vision had dropped.

My mom and sister were so happy after their surgeries that I’m kind of looking forward to it.

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I read through the November 2024 to May 2025 Cataract thread and it was very helpful to refresh my memory, especially @eyemgh responses.

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I’ll have to try to find it.

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Cataract surgery is in my nearish future so following here and will have to go check out the old thread. It would be nice to drive safely at night again but I work with someone who has had one problem after another following her surgery so it’s made me a bit hesitant.

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Well, you know not to use who she did.

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She actually doesn’t blame her doc for the issues but yeah, I did think that.

one question I have is about lenses - I assume you can do it without correction? I’ve worn glasses for distance since I was 8, but still don’t need reading glasses a good 20 years after most people started wearing them. My far vision has improved over the past decade or so where I don’t need glasses inside unless I’m having a conversation or watching TV which is fine with me and I’d really hate to have to wear glasses to read. If I’m likely to need reading glasses after I’m even more reluctant to have the surgery. The nearsightedness I’m used to and don’t mind. I assume the increased need for reading glasses is because most people have their far vision corrected during the surgery? Or is it inevitable?

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They can absolutely leave you nearsighted if that is what you want.

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Here’s the most recent thread.

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I used to work for ophthalmologists who did cataract surgery all the time. Your surgeon will discuss with what you are looking for. You can choose to be left nearsighted or farsighted or you can choose to have one eye close and the other far. You can choose multifocal lenses that let you focus both near and far. I left that job ten years ago so there are probably more options now.

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When H had it in 2025, the ophthamologist said she highly recommended it be done via lazer but insurance didn’t cover lazer so he’d have to pay extra. He said he was fine with paying extra and we think it was well worth it. He now can see pretty well without any glasses for distance off the 1st time in the over 40 years I’ve known him and doesn’t need glasses to drive. He does need reading glasses but needed them before surgery as well.

The hardest thing for him was wearing glasses (no hard contacts) for one month for every decade he had worn contacts before they could do the surgery, plus the time between surgery on each eye was very difficult.

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My optometrist raved about cataract surgery. He said I should get it done the second I can. He said to tell the doctor I’m having difficulty driving at night. My eyes are really, really bad, and he said I won’t believe the difference.

I will be on Medicare in 18 months - I can’t wait! DH is having cataract surgery in a few months.

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Did anyone get a pre op med (not the eyedrops part) or did they do it without it?

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Have you looked into whether your current insurance is better than Medicare?

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Are you referring to something for anxiety, or anesthesia?

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Yes. I’m not sure I need anything but is it standard to give something for pre-op?

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Anesthesia is always used. Some doctors will prescribe a med for anxiety. If you are concerned, discuss it with your doctor.

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Ha, no, it’s not. It’s horrible.

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My husband just had cataract surgery with the new light adjustable lenses Patients | Light Adjustable Lens from RxSight. He ended up with amazing vision but the whole process took 2 months from beginning to end. He’s thrilled with the results. He still would need readers in some situations, like sitting and reading a book for an extended period, or doing really close-up work, but he can see his phone and computer clearly. The most annoying part was having to wear the UV-blocking glasses whenever he was outside (they were definitely not fashionable!) but he says it was all worth it.

Here’s the Google Gemini explanation of the whole process –

Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) cataract surgery uses a special photosensitive lens that can be fine-tuned after implantation with non-invasive UV light treatments, allowing for customized vision correction to reduce glasses dependence, but it requires multiple follow-up visits and strict adherence to wearing UV-blocking glasses for several weeks. After the surgery, a series of short, painless light treatments adjusts the lens’s shape, and a final treatment locks in the results for improved distance, intermediate, and near vision, often achieving superior outcomes.

How It Works

  1. Cataract Surgery:

The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) is implanted like a standard intraocular lens (IOL) during cataract surgery.

  1. Healing:

Your eye heals for a few weeks after surgery.

  1. Light Treatments:

You undergo several 90-second UV light treatments over 1-2 weeks, spaced about three days apart, using a special device.

  1. UV Protection:

You must wear special UV-blocking glasses full-time (indoors and out) during the adjustment period, except briefly in showers.

  1. Lock-In:

A final treatment locks the lens’s shape, providing a long-lasting vision correction.

Key Benefits

  • Customized Vision: Fine-tune vision for distance, computer, and reading without extra surgery.

  • Higher Accuracy: Achieve precise vision based on your real-world results.

  • Preview Vision: Experience potential vision outcomes (like monovision) before locking them in.

Considerations & Drawbacks

  • Cost:

The LAL is an out-of-pocket expense, as insurance typically doesn’t cover the customization.

  • Time Commitment:

Requires several follow-up visits and strict compliance with UV-blocking glasses.

  • Eligibility:

Not for everyone; your surgeon will assess if you have conditions like macular disease or are able to follow instructions.

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I meant for anxiety, sorry I was not clear on my answer.