Refractive Lens Replacement surgery

Spartan

Spartan

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Anyone had this?
Good? Bad? Meh?
I am considering this.
I had LASIK in the early 2000’s and it has faded, and I have astigmatism- most red dots are blurry or I see several dots…
I am considering the multifocal premium lenses with astigmatism correction.
What say ye good sirs? (And the rest of ye)
 
Is this the same as cataract surgery?

Never heard os lasik “fading,” we just gittin old.
 
tagged for interest......
 
Assuming this is basically the standard lens replacement?
If so, my lenses prior to the surgery provided 20:500 vision. Immediately after surgery, left eye gave 20:10 and right eye 20:15, uncorrected. BUT, I chose Distance vision, so that using my Garand’s peep sight without corrective lenses would be possible, no glasses for driving, etc.
Eyeglasses are still needed for reading, computer work, etc. My astigmatism was lasered away immediately prior to the lens replacement. One eye done, wait one week, second eye done.
The actual lens replacement is done by hand, using a scalpel while you stare at a point above your head.
Investigate the Multifocal lens prior to deciding. My surgeon recommended against them. They were fairly new 8 years ago, and he did not believe they would live up to the hype. The human lens can accommodate small movement to adjust for distance changes. The plastic lens cannot. The minor inconvenience of wearing cheaters to read, or do fine detailed work were preferable to me. Surgeon said that the Multifocal trials were a mixed bag of results, so he convinced me to go either near or far, and still need glasses at times. Be aware, you will see infinitely better the more sunlight you are exposed to. On bright, sunny days, I can actually see up close, good enough to unlock a combination lock without using my reading glasses. Multifocal supposedly allows both, but talk to somebody in your age group who chose them. I haven’t found anyone who is satisfied yet, but I’ve only talked to a dozen folks who have them.
My eyeglasses went from Coke Bottles to paper thin bifocals with the top clear plastic, and the bottom +2.5 diopters of correction, or I just wear +2.5 pince-nez cheaters from CVS, and look over top of them for distant stuff. $15 glasses🥳
Medicare pays for the standard lens replacement. I had to pay for the laser astigmatism surgery out of pocket.
Replacement lenses do get clouded over with protein deposits, but a YAG Laser will remove the cloudiness.
Good luck. If you do decide on the new Multifocal lenses, let us know how they work out.
 
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I had lasik several years ago as well and it is fading fast. I have thought about getting it Don but as of now just need my glasses for outside and driving.
 
I had cataract surgery in both eyes. One just before the Covid shutdown and the other just after the return. It was strange walking around with one lens in my glasses.
I opted for the expensive ones that made lights at night look like targets but I got used to them.

I wanted long distance vision and planned on using glasses for reading but found that I don’t need them.
The only issues are I need sunglasses when outside and after wearing glasses for close to 50 years I find myself reaching to adjust them even though they aren’t there.
 
Just left my eyeball doc, he said to try to find my records from before lasik, that the cataract surgeon can do a better job if he knows the real baseline.

My lasik guy is long gone, practice closed.
 
I had the lenses God put in removed and replaced with man-made lenses which will be re-usable after I expire (should someone want them)

Hands down THE BEST $10,000 I have ever spent!

(And, spent the same on my wife who had hers done before me - it was her life-changing for the better experience that pushed me into the “sign me up” category. We both opted for the lenses that do both near and distance. 20/20 for life - No more glasses (ever!), no more problems at night - hard to quantify the quality of life benefits …

- Cannot say enough good about or recommend high enough Dr. R. Ousler at GreyStone in Hickory

Same with Dr. Williams at GreyStone - he removed the awful, terrible “floaters” from my eyes. D*mn life is good now and we are truly Blessed to have access to such advances in medical technology … Blessed, I say!

My “cards” attached in case it it assists anyone else …

IMG_7692.jpeg
 
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I'm goin in to get the first cataract procedure done tomorrow on the right eye. That's the eye with the "dirty wind sock" anomaly so it's expected to be a bit more "complicated". I do not have astigmatism but still see a distorted dot in all but one of my RDS.
Really hoping this helps. It's a precursor to replacing the jelly in that eye. 🧐😃
 
I wore glasses for near sightedness for my entire adult life. I had Lasik surgery in 1997 and it corrected my vision to 20/20. 15 years later I had laser surgery for cataracts. 3 years ago, I developed a dethatched retina. I had three laser surgeries to reattach the retina. It didn't work. Although I can see images with the eye now, it's basically useless. The bottom line that the last doctor that operated on my eye told me that too many laser surgeries can cause a dethatched retina.
 
Jim82 said:
laser surgery for cataracts
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Intersting. Do they somehow clean up the cataract or is the laser just used to make the incision to slip the old lens out and the new lens in?
 
GymB said:
Is this the same as cataract surgery?

Never heard os lasik “fading,” we just gittin old.
Click to expand...
Yes, basically the same as cataracts surgery, but they can correct distance, intermediate, and close vision. And you literally can never get cataracts.

My LASIK faded ( or I got old) from 20/15 (better than perfect) R to 20/40 and 20/20 (perfect) L to 20/50.
They will also correct for the astigmatism.
It is VERY expensive, out of pocket ~10k
 
GymB said:
Intersting. Do they somehow clean up the cataract or is the laser just used to make the incision to slip the old lens out and the new lens in?
Click to expand...
I wish.
They make the incision with either a laser or scalpel.
Then they liquify the lens with a laser and shock it out with a surgical vacuum. Then the new lens is rolled up like a taco and unrolled inside the eye and fit into place.
Recovery is supposedly minimal.
 
Spartan said:
Yes, basically the same as cataracts surgery, but they can correct distance, intermediate, and close vision. And you literally can never get cataracts.

My LASIK faded ( or I got old) from 20/15 (better than perfect) R to 20/40 and 20/20 (perfect) L to 20/50.
They will also correct for the astigmatism.
It is VERY expensive, out of pocket ~10k
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Yeah with lasik they make a couple groves in your natural lens that re shapes them. Over time the groves fill in with material and causes your lens to get slightly out of focus. I was 20/15 after surgery I'm now 20/40 after 20 years.
 
Spartan said:
They will also correct for the astigmatism.
It is VERY expensive, out of pocket ~10k
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Egads..
But that said, after a few years of impaired vision, I feel I can say with confidence that proper vision is not over-rated.
Dunno what price to put on such things.. 😎
 
73Chall said:
Vitrectomy. Ezee-peezee positively zero pain and in and out in under a couple hours; here ya go, The Man hisself: https://youtu.be/vR_UiMTy
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That’s a link to some BS advertisement.

Did a google, the pics of what looks like a football inflator jabbed in an eye has me thinking it might not be for me.
 
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GymB said:
That’s a link to some BS advertisement.

Did a google, the pics of what looks like a football inflator jabbed in an eye has me thinking it might not be for me.
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No, it’s a link to an informative video by the surgeon Dr. Williams.

However, like most YouTube videos there is a preface ad.

Undoubtedly you are very correct.
 
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73Chall said:
No, it’s a link to an informative video by the surgeon Dr. Williams.

However, like most YouTube videos there is a preface ad.

Undoubtedly you are very correct.
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Oh, I don’t give it enough time, ad was like 5 min and it basically said that science has proven that eyes are perfect there is no need for corrective procedures even for focus. Don’t know what they were selling but at one point they were putting teaspoons on someone’s eyes. Figured you were joking or copied the wrong link.
 
GymB said:
Intersting. Do they somehow clean up the cataract or is the laser just used to make the incision to slip the old lens out and the new lens in?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure about all cases but in my cataract surgery, the doctor put in a new lens in both eyes using laser surgery. She said it was very complicated because of the previous Lasik surgery in 1997. I think you can go to 3 different eye doctors and get 3 different opinions on how to proceed with an eye problem.
 
GymB said:
Oh, I don’t give it enough time, ad was like 5 min …
Click to expand...

Typically, as soon as a YouTube ad video starts, a small rectangle will appear in the lower right hand corner, counting down “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” and then the number will change to the word “Skip”

As soon as you click on “Skip” the ad stops and the video starts of Dr. Williams’ explanation on floaters in general and vitrectomy specifically.

Best of Success!
 
73Chall said:
Typically, as soon as a YouTube ad video starts, a small rectangle will appear in the lower right hand corner, counting down “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” and then the number will change to the word “Skip”

As soon as you click on “Skip” the ad stops and the video starts of Dr. Williams’ explanation on floaters in general and vitrectomy specifically.

Best of Success!
Click to expand...
I’m familiar with that, didn’t see that. The only odd thing was that the time bar was yellow and that seemed new to me. I’ll try again.

This time I got “never leave your wife in bed before the final moments again” commercial followed by lots of handling fruit and vegetables. Her husband is Richard, and he has a small instrument. A few minutes of her, then it went to an hour long video about some secure lab in the Nevada desert, I let it run a couple min and then lost interest. It also seemed to have a video about blackjack queued up. No way to fast fwd or skip. The internet doesn’t want me to see the video you suggest.
 
FWIW I had my right eye cataract done this morning. Spent more time in prep and recovery than the actual procedure.
It was weird as I was awake the whole time. Interesting colors and I had ta keep my eye on a coupla "marshmallow shaped" floaters.
No pain or discomfort and I couldn't tell ya when they cut anything or shoved a new lens in.
It'll be a bit before I can tell what benefit may have been gained. But overall no complaints about the whole process. 😎 👍
 
Goes straight to the video for me. Very interesting. I have a smallish floater in my left eye. First time I noticed it was dove hunting. Drove me crazy that day. Now really only see it in a clear day
 
Spartan said:
What say ye good sirs? (And the rest of ye)
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Tagging to learn - I’m similarly interested.

Have had a few friends get lasik and then be back to wearing glasses (albeit lower prescription) just a few years later. Has discouraged me from that particular procedure.
 
Verus said:
Tagging to learn - I’m similarly interested.

Have had a few friends get lasik and then be back to wearing glasses (albeit lower prescription) just a few years later. Has discouraged me from that particular procedure.
Click to expand...

Pretty sure what my wife and I had done - lens replacement - is different from some other procedures that may all get “lumped together.”

AND, as importantly, we both chose the most expensive option - lenses that obviate any need for glasses for close-up (reading, etc) AND / OR distance.

I personally know two different people who had the exact same *procedures* done as my wife and I and who chose less expensive options, as far as actual *lenses*. Going into it , one of them knew she would never again need glasses for distances beyond reading but, that she would (does) need glasses for close up (quilting, reading, etc)

They both regret not paying up for the more expensive “near and far” lenses.
 
GymB said:
I’m familiar with that, didn’t see that. The only odd thing was that the time bar was yellow and that seemed new to me. I’ll try again.

This time I got “never leave your wife in bed before the final moments again” commercial followed by lots of handling fruit and vegetables. Her husband is Richard, and he has a small instrument. A few minutes of her, then it went to an hour long video about some secure lab in the Nevada desert, I let it run a couple min and then lost interest. It also seemed to have a video about blackjack queued up. No way to fast fwd or skip. The internet doesn’t want me to see the video you suggest.
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Does this work for you? I'm watching it now.

 
Don't we have a member whose wife is an eye doctor? What's her opinion?
 
georgel said:
Don't we have a member whose wife is an eye doctor? What's her opinion?
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Yes, I cannot remember who though. Maybe they will see the thread and comment.

Here is a video about choosing which lens maybe best for you.

 
Jim C. said:
Does this work for you? I'm watching it now.

Click to expand...

Yea, thanks.
I’ve had floaters all my life. Using a microscope in high school biology was challenging. They haven’t really changed that much over time as best I can tell, and they are fixed in position, not floating about. Might not be what I have at all. Gonna ask the eyeball doc next month.
 
GymB said:
Yea, thanks.
I’ve had floaters all my life. Using a microscope in high school biology was challenging. They haven’t really changed that much over time as best I can tell, and they are fixed in position, not floating about. Might not be what I have at all. Gonna ask the eyeball doc next month.
Click to expand...
I had a couple pop up not long ago and plan on getting them checked next visit. The vitrectomy procedure doesn't sound like a lot of fun, but fortunately they're not in center of my vision so I may be in the 'learn to ignore' group..

Vitrectomy for Floaters - Patients - The American Society of Retina Specialists

www.asrs.org www.asrs.org
 
73Chall said:
Pretty sure what my wife and I had done - lens replacement - is different from some other procedures that may all get “lumped together.”

AND, as importantly, we both chose the most expensive option - lenses that obviate any need for glasses for close-up (reading, etc) AND / OR distance.

I personally know two different people who had the exact same *procedures* done as my wife and I and who chose less expensive options, as far as actual *lenses*. Going into it , one of them knew she would never again need glasses for distances beyond reading but, that she would (does) need glasses for close up (quilting, reading, etc)

They both regret not paying up for the more expensive “near and far” lenses.
Click to expand...
Exactly.
I have a coworker who said the exact same thing.
She had mild cataracts so her insurance covered about half the procedure.
She got the cheaper lenses. She does not need glasses for distance and intermediate, but absolutely for up close vision, and she regrets it (not getting better lenses/asking all the questions).

I hammered my doc with questions, many specifically revolving around shooting sports, distances for vision etc.

The lenses I picked are “premium multifocal”
 
Jim C. said:
I had a couple pop up not long ago and plan on getting them checked next visit. The vitrectomy procedure doesn't sound like a lot of fun, but fortunately they're not in center of my vision so I may be in the 'learn to ignore' group..

Vitrectomy for Floaters - Patients - The American Society of Retina Specialists

www.asrs.org www.asrs.org
Click to expand...

Mine were baaaad and when I went to wave a flying insect away from my head - when I was 14-feet up on top of a ladder, only to realize it was a floater, for the umpteenth time - I KNEW then and there the floaters presented a clear and immediate danger to my safety.

My alma mater is John’s Hopkins and so my research and double and third opinions before deciding to have GrayStone Dr. Williams work his magic including consulting with the Wilmer Eye Institute. I was shocked to learn not only JHU School of Medicine but MANY surgeons and especially teaching hospitals and academic medical universes consider vitrectomies as “cosmetic.” Ha, I don’t doubt for a minute any of them who have floaters get em removed!

Funny story, I actually dozed off in the GrayStone downstairs waiting room, while waiting to be called into the OR prep room, ahead of my twilight procedure. I have bad sleep apnea so, I eventually snapped awake and the gentleman who was the driver for another gent who’d already been called back, ahead of me looked at me with his eyes as big as saucers and asked, “Mister, are you waiting to go in there to have the same thing my friend is back there for, right now?”

I said, “Yeah, why?”

He said, “I don’t know how anyone could be so relaxed knowing what they are about to do to you - that ain’t right, no sir, there’s something that just ain’t right about that.”

I explained to him that I did (try to do) my worrying in the form of research, self-educating about the topic, etc. and that, once I made (make) my mind up about something, my worrying about / over it is, well, over.

He just kept looking at me like I was cuckoo for coconuts, haha.
 
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I’m really on the fence about pursuing RLP. My mid vision is good, far vision is nothing like when I was young and glasses are needed to identify faces etc that are 100 yards away give or take, so it could be better but it’s not horrible. My near vision is the what really gets me.

Those with bifocals will understand the issues trying to tilt your head to find the sweet spot while shooting, working with your hands on anything up close, or reading things that are fixed so that you cannot move it into a good angle. The biggest reason though is I’m tired of wearing glasses. Constantly cleaning lenses, bending frames to keep them fitting properly so you’re not always reaching up and readjusting. It’s a constant battle. One that I’m tired of fighting.

Another positive is not having to worry about cataracts. Which I’m sure is coming, everyone in my immediate family has had cataract surgery in 60s. I just have a fear of something going wrong leaving me worse than I am now.
 
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