I'm officially falling apart - 2 heart attacks this year, chronic back pain, chronic prostate trouble, and I just found out I have cataracts in both eyes. The optometrist said I could wait a few months, but they would only get worse and I oughta go ahead and have the surgery asap. She said the surgeon would give me the option of using lenses that could improve my vision enough that I might not need glasses at all. That would sure be a blessing. My dad had cataracts and waited until he was nearly blind to have the surgery; I don't wanta be like him.

So who has had this done, and what can you warn me about? All help appreciated.

My wife had it done in May. It was a cakewalk. Had to wear an eye cover for 24 hours, then back to normal the next day. Eyesight improved drastically almost immediately. Very, very minor irritation.

Had it my right eye earlier this year, only had one bad eye, I'm just 36. Couldn't figure out why glasses didn't help me then found the cataract. But it was easy, just use the drops like they say. Went from 20/400 to 20/20..definitely a good move

My FNL is 75, just had both eyes done. All went fine. No issues. Wore glasses for 40 years. No more corrective lenses, just readers.

I had both my eyes done a couple of years ago. I had already put my glasses away because I could see better without them. One eye was bad and the other was just starting. Since I had insurance I decided to get them both done (about 2 weeks apart). I couldn't afford the expensive lenses that correct your eyesight so I just got the ordinary ones. I haven't worn glasses since except for reading glasses (if the light is low and the font is small). I'm sure glad I got them done when I did, our insurance has gone downhill fast since then

My wife had both of her's done by Dr. Christofer Walton in Mobile last year. It was a piece of cake.
He is the best in Alabama.
I just posted almost the same message on another active thread.
Good luck to you man!

Dang Steve, all you have to worry about is seeing that one bead at the end of the barrel..........and I guess the lock combination just kidding, best of wishes to you and all your ailing parts.

Thanks for all the replies! Anyone got a ballpark figure for the cost of the multifocal lens that is supposed to really improve your vision? I think my insurance will pay for the surgery, but not the expensive lens.

My optometrist wants to send me to Dr. Michael Adams in Birmingham if I get the multifocal lens. If I have the standard surgery, I could just do it in Sylacauga; can't remember the name of the dr here.

Thanks again for the help!

I think it is several thousand dollars per eye. It is a whole cheaper to get glasses for what you will need after surgery. Just my opinion though.

My boss had it done...I think it was 6500 per eye. He put some money in a health saving account then used that at the end of the year to pay for the surgery. Money in the HSA is tax exempt so it was a way to save money for the surgery without killin him. They did one eye one week then did the other one. No problems going on 6 years now...

I tell you I had multifocal contacts before my lasik....I didn't care for them at all. Way too hard to focus and get used to the adjustment PM bamaeyedoc on here, he is an eye doc and he can probably give you some good professional advice, not like the rest of us knuckleheads on here...lol good luck whatever you decide.

Thanks for the additional comments. I've been reading all evening about the various ways they have of doing it now, and I'm really more confused than ever. I wear progressive lenses in my glasses now, and it took me a long time to get used to them. I can't see as well with them as I could with my old bi-focals, but they do have a place somewhere on the lens that I can bring anything into focus. They have been better for hunting than the bi-focals.

As I understand it, I can get a lens that will correct my distance vision at the standard price. I would have to pay the difference in cost if I went with multifocal. If it is $13k, I can forget it. I'm not paying that much when there is a chance its not gonna work well.

Those of you that have had it - did you have standard or multifocal? I'm really interested in how each will affect my ability to shoot a gun with iron sights. I suspect the standard lens that corrects for distance vision is gonna leave me just like I am now - unable to focus on the sights. But then I don't even know if the multivision will be any better.

I would love to be able to turkey hunt again with fiber optic sights and not have to use an electronic sight. I don't really mind wearing glasses for reading and computer use, but being able to focus well enough to shoot a gun again would be a blessing.

Thanks again for the replies.

Personally, I think the multifocal will give you problems trying to shoot, my contacts did. But I am not an expert eventhough I am an ALDEER member and I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. I will ask my boss what he had put in...and let you know.

Everybody I've talked to said don't get the multi-focal lens, said they didn't like it.

My grandfather is 81, had it done, was extremely pleased.

My wife had it done about 5 years ago. We went with the corrective lenses and I think we paid about $5000 over what insurance paid. I really had no idea how bad her eyesight was until after the procedure she wanted to go to Steak and Shake. As we walked out she stopped dead in the sidewalk, started looking at some flowers in the landscaping and went on and on about being able to see color and texture. She was still stoned from the meds and it was quite funny because she is a non drinker and it was the first time in 25 years I had ever seen her with a buzz.

PM sent.

Dr. B