Question 1

what are some of the things that cataract patient should look out for?

Accepted Answer

Vision changes: Cataracts are typically not significant until they cause visual symptoms not correctable with glasses.  These things include slow progressive decline of visual sharpness, haze, glare/haloes, or difficulty doing normal activities such as night driving, reading, watching tv, etc.

Question 2

does medicare cover the new type of lenses for cataract patients?

Accepted Answer

No: Medicare will cover the cost of the cataract surgery itself, but will not cover the cost of advanced technology lenses for correction of astigmatism or for decreasing the need for reading glasses after surgery.

Question 3

how common are "juvenile cataracts"? patient is 6yo, exams since age 3 with no prior mention. not affecting vision. no trauma, no steroid use.

Accepted Answer

Cataracts: Juvenile cataracts are extremely rare. They are either congenital in origin or due to a trauma. Occasionally they may be seen in kids with diabet.

Question 4

am i a good candidate for cataract surgery at my age? i have been diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes. i recently turned 80 and am concerned about my prospects as a cataract surgery patient. i don't want any set-backs. what makes a good candidate?

Accepted Answer

I : I am a doctor 67 years old & have a cataract in 1 eye; so I am answering this question with
more than a second opinion. My eye doctor explained to me, that if i can do my work & my 
activities of daily living with my prescription eye glasses, then i don't need the surgery.My left eye, that has a cataract, has blurred vision if i close my good eye & this is only  when i read.
   So my answer, to simplify is, if there is interference with your activities of daily living then consult your eye doctror & if her recommends it, then get it done. See your eye doctor periodically if you are having any trouble with your eyes as there may be other problems at
your age like macular degeneration. If your eyye doctor suggests it & you have difficulty with
actitivities of daily living, then definitly yes; otherwise there is time to wait & watch.

Question 5

can i have out patient cataract surgery if i'm 3 weeks pregnant?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Just make sure the ophthalmologist and the anesthesiologist know you are pregnant and remember that most miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks and the surgery will not decrease that risk ( most studies suggest about 1 in 4). Hope this helps.

Question 6

dp patients with cataracts pupils react to light?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If the eye is normal behind the cataract, no matter how dense, the pupils will react to light.

Question 7

how to retard cataract formation in elderly patients ?are there any glasses/medications for same ?

Accepted Answer

'blurred lines': Avoid direct sun light to the eyes, foods that predispose to adult onset diabetes, and prolonged systemic or topical steroid use. Otherwise, it's genetics that imipact the timeframe for cataract developement.

Question 8

after recovery from vitrectomy for macular pucker and subsequent cataract surgery will a patient be able to wear contact lenses?

Accepted Answer

Check with provider: you need to check with provider each person is different but there is risk with contacts and you have significant risk so be cautious and check with provider

Question 9

is cataract surgery an in-patient or out-patient procedure? how long does cataract surgery take? for surgery on both eyes, will most likely stay at the hospital for a few days? how long will i need a caregiver once i return home?

Accepted Answer

Almost : Almost always out patient and most frequently done in out patient surgery centers, not hospitals.  Since only one eye is done at a time, most can take care of themselves by the next day.

Question 10

what are the specifics of cataract surgery in a patient with treatment-resistant high intraocular pressure due to glaucoma? i am a 43-year-old businessman. i was diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma and cataract in span of just two years. my treatment consi

Accepted Answer

In : In many glaucoma patients, cataract surgery is performed the same way as it is performed in non-glaucomatous patients.  Depending on your severity, the surgeon may use some special techniques to make sure your pressure does not go up too high during or after the surgery.

In a small group of patients who are not being well controlled on glaucoma drops, a combined cataract surgery along with a glaucoma surgery (tube shunt or trabeculectomy) can be performed at the same time.

Your doctor will be able to best answer whether you will need a single cataract surgery or a combined procedure.

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Doctor answers about:

Cataract patient

A member asked:

What are some of the things that cataract patient should look out for?

A member asked:

Does medicare cover the new type of lenses for cataract patients?

A member asked:

How common are "juvenile cataracts"? patient is 6yo, exams since age 3 with no prior mention. not affecting vision. no trauma, no steroid use.

A member asked:

Am i a good candidate for cataract surgery at my age? i have been diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes. i recently turned 80 and am concerned about my prospects as a cataract surgery patient. i don't want any set-backs. what makes a good candidate?

A member asked:

Can i have out patient cataract surgery if i'm 3 weeks pregnant?

A member asked:

Dp patients with cataracts pupils react to light?

A member asked:

How to retard cataract formation in elderly patients ?are there any glasses/medications for same ?

A member asked:

After recovery from vitrectomy for macular pucker and subsequent cataract surgery will a patient be able to wear contact lenses?

A member asked:

Is cataract surgery an in-patient or out-patient procedure? how long does cataract surgery take? for surgery on both eyes, will most likely stay at the hospital for a few days? how long will i need a caregiver once i return home?

A member asked:

What are the specifics of cataract surgery in a patient with treatment-resistant high intraocular pressure due to glaucoma? i am a 43-year-old businessman. i was diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma and cataract in span of just two years. my treatment consi

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