Cataract Surgery

[cat_mioux]

I had my eyes tested yesterday and I have small cataracts in both eyes. They normally would not be big enough to cause problems but one of them is in awkward place so my vision is slightly blurry. It was recommended I have them removed in a year.

So I guess I have two choices. Be placed on the waiting list for 2-3 years and have them done through Medicare or pay for them myself. I'd have to take out a personal loan. If I started paying for private health insurance would cataract surgery be covered after 12 months?

[cat_mioux]

Have you had them done yet purple?

[purple_haize]

No, still waiting, though the specialist said I should be having them done soon.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

waiting list is dependant on the hospital's (opthalmologists's) waiting list for surgery - not on Medicare.

eg the list in the hospital closest to me is 5 years - they have 4 opthalmologists on staff. The waiting list in another hospital may be considerably less ??

The cost for private will be $3,500 - $4000 (per eye) after Medicare.

[cat_mioux]

Oh that makes sense. I guess I'm lucky I live in a major city ... or could that work against me?

[tulip*place]

polksaladallie

"I don't know when this happened, Tulip, but it sounds like you have had a vitreous detachment. This is very serious and warrants an urgent opthalmologist visit. Urgent because it can be associated with a retinal detachment, and needs to be checked and monitored closely. You will not have to wait for an appointment, the specialist will fit you in immediately."

Just checked and it happened in  approx May 2012.   I went and saw an optometrist a few days after as I was due for an eye test

and new glasses as it was the 2 year visit..  I mentioned it to her and she wasn't too concerned.

[polksaladallie]

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@tulip*place wrote:

polksaladallie

"I don't know when this happened, Tulip, but it sounds like you have had a vitreous detachment. This is very serious and warrants an urgent opthalmologist visit. Urgent because it can be associated with a retinal detachment, and needs to be checked and monitored closely. You will not have to wait for an appointment, the specialist will fit you in immediately."

Just checked and it happened in  approx May 2012.   I went and saw an optometrist a few days after as I was due for an eye test

and new glasses as it was the 2 year visit..  I mentioned it to her and she wasn't too concerned.

---

I hope it wasn't what I thought.  A vitreous detachment has those symptoms and needs to be looked at within hours.   Do you have flashes in the semi-dark or dark?  Remember an optometrist is not a doctor.

[jean2579]

Absolutely agree Polks, Within 2 days of my cataract surgery when I went back for the first post op check up the doc found that the wavy lines that I had been telling the optometrist about were actually a macula bleeding and it took many eye injections  and a lot of money to fix. So please get to an eye doctor ASAP.

[tulip*place]

I hope it wasn't what I thought.  A vitreous detachment has those symptoms and needs to be looked at within hours.   Do you have flashes in the semi-dark or dark?  Remember an optometrist is not a doctor.

polksaladallie

The day after the sneezing fit  ( May 12)  when I noticed the floaters I had some flashing lights in the same eye for about a minute.

Havn't had them since.   I will go and organise an appointment to see an opthamologist.    This is approx 16 months later.

[jean2579]

Floaters happen, flashes are danger signs.

[polksaladallie]

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@tulip*place wrote:

I hope it wasn't what I thought.  A vitreous detachment has those symptoms and needs to be looked at within hours.   Do you have flashes in the semi-dark or dark?  Remember an optometrist is not a doctor.

polksaladallie

The day after the sneezing fit  ( May 12)  when I noticed the floaters I had some flashing lights in the same eye for about a minute.

Havn't had them since.   I will go and organise an appointment to see an opthamologist.    This is approx 16 months later.

---

Good for you.  Don't be too worried, because of the time lapse.  I'm sure it will be OK, but keep monitoring it.  The flashing does indicate that some detachment has occurred.

When I had a vitreous detachment (sudden big floaters and a bit of blurring - both eventually dissipated), I went to my GP, who picked up the phone and got an appointment with an opthalmologist within half an hour.  (The specialist will make other patients wait in order to fit an urgent condition),  The reason for the urgency is that very often a retinal detachment accompanies a vitreous detachment, and that might lead to losing the sight in that eye.   MIne was OK, but I have it checked annually at the specialist, along with the rest of the eye things. 

Like everyone else, there are good optometrists and not-so-good ones.   Nowadays they are more than just technicians, which they used to be, but our eyes deteriorate a lot as we get older, and we are advised to have regular checks with opthalmologists.  Old age is difficult enough without losing some or all of our sight.

Good luck, Tulip