Cataract Surgery Question

Hello,

Have cataracts in both eyes which will necessitate surgery in the
future. Just wondering:

What's typical- have one eye done, and then go back in a few weeks for
second ?

Or, do most folks have both attended to at the same time ?
Pros and cons ?

Thanks,
Bob

 

With few exceptions (like maybe if you are completely blind due to the
cataract), NOBODY has both done at the same time. Although the surgery
is very safe and routine, it doesn't make sense to risk the vision in
both eyes at the same time, in case something goes wrong. Also,
depending on how the doctor does patching, you could be without any
vision for some period of time. Even without patching, the vision is
not perfect for some weeks. If you have two eyes that work, it's better
to have one eye working while the other is recovering. That's my
opinion, and a lay person.

I have had both eyes done, several years apart. I don't recommend that,
either, but one of my eyes progressed faster than the other, and the
surgeons weren't willing to do the surgery until it got "bad enough".

 

One at a time is all they will do. They will monitor the first eye for
complications and treat any that occur although complications are
unlikely before they do the second eye.

 

Dear Bob,

Cataract surgery has considerable risk.

I doubt that an ophthalmologist would do both eyes AT THE SAME TIME.

In fact I had one friend lose sight in one eye due to cataract
surgery.

That is why this operation should be done only after one eye is
stable.

Enjoy,