I've been diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes. They're small and don't seem to impair my vision significantly but the doc wants to operate right away. I'd be rid of using glasses and also the medication for high eyeball pressure.
I've done some research and the operation seems to be quite common and safe. I know it gets worse over time and sooner or later I'll have to do it anyway. But still, messing with my eyeballs does make me feel a bit nervous. What I'm not so sure about are the long-term effects. Has anyone had the operation, and how was the outcome?
Did vision improve, and has it kept good over time? Any special precautions to be taken for day to day?
I guess the question is, what are the pros and the cons?
My father in law had it done to both eyes years ago and reports excellent results, nothing special required day to day. My father had it done on one eye quite literally yesterday so way too early to tell but the surgeon explained that it's probable he will only need glasses for reading not distance. My father has worn glasses since 2 years old, blind as a bat otherwise. From all the stories they've passed on the chances of a 'problem' are absolutely minimal and its a 25 minute procedure each eye, local so you can chat to the surgeon as they do it.
In my experience there are no, repeat no cons, only pros.
Have the operation done as soon as you can, one eye at a time. After the first eye is done, you'll want the other one done that day.
The procedure should take about 30 to 45 minutes. The next day the eye patch is removed and stand by. You will not believe how much your vision has improved.
Follow the post procedure directions to the letter, especially on taking the eye drops. I had zero pain or discomfort, nor have anyone that I know that has had the same procedure.
Everything BDiONU wrote is correct, but I would add :-
I think there is a universal fear of having pointy things thrust in your eyes. It is amazing how that fear disappears when you can't see.
The operation can be fun if the surgeon has a sense of humour.
Briefing one day, op the next, sent home with patches over eye and instructions to front up next morning, patches removed, result instant.
Natural lense is replaced with a plastic, fixed focus lense calculated on the individual's eyeball to give good sight from extended finger tips to infinity. They will tell you what strength of reading glasses you require.
5 years on, no problems. I do have other problems with my eyes but they are unrelated to the cataracts or treatment.
Finally, prepare yourself for a light and colour display that rivals "Fantasia" during surgery.
All the best, I hope it all goes as well for you as it did for me.
I know an elderly gent who's now in his eighties. He had it done a few years ago and no longer wears glasses. His biggest memory post operation was how colourful the world looked.
It's only going to get worse so you will need it done one day. Why struggle with your vision if you don't need to?
Thanks to all who replied, I'll make the appointment tomorrow. I have of course read up on the procedure and statistics and it seems safe enough. Still, having my eyes poked with sharp tools and the lenses sucked out isn't really my idea of a pleasant afternoon.
No problem, I had the replacement lenses made to match my existing bi-focals, so now need nothing for flying or driving, only for very small print.
A colleague recently had variable focus implants, but it took a few weeks for them to settle down, and he had regrets at the time, but now is delighted and thinks his problems related to some reaction to the eye-drops he was prescribed.
Elder sister had it done last year both eyes about 2 months apart.She is very pleased with the results which have improved her vision and quality of life.
My Mother had her cataracts done no so long ago. She never looked back. She's 85 now. Stayed with her last week. She's doing great and still lives alone and never shuts up about the difference it made to her life. Wouldn't even let me cook dinner for her. It made a huge difference.
Had one eye done, the other one is OK, difference was amazing. Mine was a complicated case (underlying problem) so the op was done under a general anaesthetic to make life easier for the surgeon. Still in and out in a day, couple of weeks for eye to settle. Corrected vision 6/6 (6/5 on a good day).
A friend has had it done recently. She didn't mention the pre and post view of the nurse but is extremely happy with the results of the op. Had a 3 or 4 month gap between having one eye done & then the other. I wondered if that would make her go round in circles, but she wore specs to prevent that....
Good luck. She also says the colours are much brighter as well as everything being much clearer.
The need for sunglasses has already crossed my mind as the sun here can be quite bright. I've also read about the increased contrast. As a camera buff I know what a dirty lens can do to photographs.
Blue has become my favorite color. It is brilliant now. What was funny was how brown the world was with cataracts. Once I had one eye done, I could see that.
Take a regular flashlight and and LED flashlight. Shine the regular one on the wall. Now, turn it off and shine the LED one on the wall. That is how big of a difference there was, at least for me.
They're small and don't seem to impair my vision significantly but the doc wants to operate right away
. I'd be rid of using glasses and also the medication for high eyeball pressure. 
. What I'm not so sure about are the long-term effects. Has anyone had the operation, and how was the outcome?
