Cataract surgery, two eyes on the same day?

Hi,
I'll have cataract surgery, and I have a couple of questions.
First, I'm running a business and I'd rather have everything done
in a short period then doing it twice. In a 2002 posting to this
group I found that the reason they do one eye at a time is
infection, and the risk of infection going from one eye to the
other. My questions:

What's the odds that if you have an infection, your other
eye will get infected also?
What's the risk, in any case, if you already have a chronic
coniunctivitis, mostly allergic?
What's the risk of postponing the surgery, assuming I can see well
enough to drive?
My mom had the same surgery 10 years ago, her brother also had
cataract, what's the odds of my kids getting it too?

I'm 52, healthy, near-sighted, non smoking (couldn't if I wanted
to because that's what triggers the coniunctivitis).

I've asked my doctor, but he wasn't interested in properly
answering my questions. I'll file a complaint and I'll see
another doctor in January. In the mean time, I thought I'd
find some info here

dag
Xtine

 

A lot higher if both eyes are done at once, because whatever caused the
first eye to get infected is more likely to be hanging around the
operatory. Let's say a solution used was contaminated; it's very
likely the same solution will be used in the 2nd eye, whereas if you do
the second eye a month later, much less likely, because all the
solutions will have been changed by then. And if it's the surgeon's bad
technique, you have a chance to dump him/her in favor of another one for
the other eye.

Somewhat higher. Makes it real important to vigorously scrub those lids
and lashes for a week before surgery, and to start antibiotic drops
(like Zymar) a couple of days pre-op.

No risk.

Everyone gets them if they live long enough.

For you, there are 2 significant risks, neither of which is very
pleasant. Intraocular infection and retinal detachment are both best
avoided by choosing a surgeon who is very good technically, no matter
how flippant he might seem to you. Some of the best surgeons have pretty
poor communication skills.

w.stacy, o.d.

 

By the way, you don't really need to lose much time. You should be able
to work the next day after each surgery. If you plan it right and get a
good result, nobody will even notice you had it done. What's your
present spectacle and/or CL Rx?

 

In my experience, they patch the operated eye for at least a day. If
you have both eyes done at the same time, you will be blind.

If it turns out that this surgery doesn't work for you, it won't work
for both eyes. Most of us can't afford to have both eyes screwed up.

If the surgery is done at different times, then you really won't be off
work very long.

 

It seems that what the surgeon (and patient) learn from the first eye
procedure can make for a more successful 2nd eye procedure.

Don W.

 

: By the way, you don't really need to lose much time. You should be able
: to work the next day after each surgery. If you plan it right and get a
: good result, nobody will even notice you had it done.

Thanks, for the other answers too. I'm running a tech business
which is in a kind of critical phase, also we're moving it from
Europe to the US. I don't want to loose too much time, but I don't
want to risk to loose sight either. No sight, no work.
Is flying a risk?

: What's your present spectacle and/or CL Rx?

it's -4.5 both sides, but apart from the cataract I do think I'd
need new glasses, like -5 or so.

again, thanks for the answers.

dag
Xtine

 

: If the surgery is done at different times, then you really won't be off
: work very long.

Different times, how long apart? They want to do it one month
apart.

dag
Xtine

 

One other thing, I'm scared to death to have surgery done to my
eyes while I'm still conscious, seeing and hearing it all. It
gives me nightmares. Any other part of my body is ok, I've
actually had surgery that most people do under narcosis, I've had
it done as an outpatient, just local anaesthesia. But my eyes. I
don't know if I can do it. Fortunately, it doesn't take long. It's
actually the main reason that I'd want it done in one day. If it
turns out to be scary, I don't know if I can stand a second time.
I'm certainly not a whimp, I just hate spiders and eye surgery.

I'm sorry to plunge into this newsgroup and bother you with al my
newbie questions.

dag
Xtine

 

Generally, as part of the procedure, they will fix your vision so you
won't need glasses for distance, or close. Take your pick. You will
lose all ability to focus, so if you pick distance, then you will need
reading glasses. If you pick close, then you will need glasses to see
distance. You can certainly choose to need -5D also, but why?

 

Sounds like a plan to me. I had mine done five years apart, and that
caused some problems.

 

It's good to talk about it. Unfortunalety, not being off work long and
not being aware of the surgery aren't compatible.

With my second cataract surgery, the doctor said I could go to work the
next day. I was off three days. She didn't believe in tranquilizers.
With my first cataract surgery, I was told that I would be off two days.
I didn't go into work the second day, but worked from home.

I had a two hour eye surgery about a year ago. I asked for lots of
tranks. I was awake the whole time and it went great.

Be sure to talk to your doctors about anesthia before hand.

 

I've only had eye surgery lately on an eyeless socket which is
different but I had one surgery done with sedation. I didn't actually
like the feeling of being woozy and wouldn't do it again but most
people say it's great. I'd prefer to be totally aware but that's just
me. Others who have had cataracts done under local anaesthetic have
always said it's fine and not like you imagine.

Ann

 

: In article <458db0eb$0$332$4all.nl>,

: > it's -4.5 both sides, but apart from the cataract I do think I'd
: > need new glasses, like -5 or so.

: Generally, as part of the procedure, they will fix your vision so you
: won't need glasses for distance, or close. Take your pick. You will
: lose all ability to focus, so if you pick distance, then you will need
: reading glasses. If you pick close, then you will need glasses to see
: distance. You can certainly choose to need -5D also, but why?

I didn't express myself clearly. I meant to say that currently, I'd see
better with glasses -5 or -5.5 because that's what the optometrist said
before I knew that I have cataract. I think I'll opt for having glasses
for reading, rather than for seeing in the distance.

dag
Xtine

 

: I've only had eye surgery lately on an eyeless socket which is
: different but I had one surgery done with sedation. I didn't actually
: like the feeling of being woozy and wouldn't do it again but most
: people say it's great. I'd prefer to be totally aware but that's just
: me. Others who have had cataracts done under local anaesthetic have
: always said it's fine and not like you imagine.

In general, I prefer local aneasthesia. I've had surgery (not on my
eyes) that most people do under sedatoin, with local anaesthesia only,
It saved me a couple of days in hospital and months of side effects. So
I guess I won't do sedation now, in fact I'm pretty sure I won't, but it
does scare me. A lot.

dag
Xtine

 

These procedures must differ because they didn't do that for me. I had
my first cataract surgery in early Nov. and my second one four days
ago. Neither time did they give me a patch to be used for a day or
more.

They "scotchtaped" an oval-shaped metal convering over my eye, like an
egg cut in half lengthwise. It had many holes in it so that I could
see through it. They told me to wear it for two hours after the
surgery and to put it on for a week while I slept (to prevent me from
inadvertently rubbing my eye).

And for the OP, all in all, the surgeries were minimally intrusive in
my life (a day interrupted for each surgery, no lifting more than
thirty pounds for two weeks, and eyedrops for a month.) More pleasant
for me than going to the dentist!

Although I'll need glasses for reading, I'm overjoyed at being to see
as clearly overall since before I got my first eyeglasses at ten years
old.

 

I've sent you a virtual hug. I would recommend enough sedation to make
you comfortable, but not more. For my last eye surgery, I went home
about a half hour afterwards. I don't understand about having months of
side effects, but maybe you react differently.

 

: I've sent you a virtual hug. I would recommend enough sedation to make
: you comfortable, but not more. For my last eye surgery, I went home
: about a half hour afterwards. I don't understand about having months of
: side effects, but maybe you react differently.

I was referring to surgery I've had, like total anaesthisia for two
hours, then I kept being tired a lot for a couple of months, before the
stuff they put in my body seemed to have worn off. That's why, when they
needed to make some "corrections", I preferred to stay fully awake.

I guess I'll take no sedation, just local anaesthesia, and hope the
best, hope that I won't panic. Thanks for the hug, I felt it before I
read it here

hugs
Xtine

 

What's the depth of field for distance vision? In other words, how
close is infinity?

 

Depends on light level. The pros say that with good light, it is 20
feet.

I get along just fine in the house with no glasses. I have to use
reading glasses to use the computer or read. I normally wear reading
glasses to eat, although I could do without.

 

I agree with local anesthesia being the best, but I really appreciated
the Versed they put into my IV. Drowsy, but relaxed, and more
importantly, willing and able to follow instructions (like "look over
there"). No after effects for me from the Versed, which is really I
guess more of an amnesia drug (it probably hurt, but I can't remember...)

Big chicken that I am, I also appreciated the Valium tablet they gave me
before putting in the IV line.

w.stacy, o.d.