LexieCat Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 After my visit with the retinal specialist, I called to make an appointment with my regular ophthalmologist to determine whether I would benefit from the laser procedure to remove posterior scar tissue after my cataract surgery. The scheduler told me she'd have the surgeon (who sees patients at my regular ophthalmologist's office) look at the retinal specialist's report to see what he wanted to do. She called me back and said he wanted to see me this week. So last night I go in for my appointment and everyone seems to think I'm there to schedule cataract surgery for my other eye. I said, no, we decided we were gonna get this issue figured out/resolved before doing anything else. I was a bit annoyed that the surgeon seemed not to know why I was there, either, nor to have reviewed the retinal specialist's report. Once we got THAT straightened out, he did more tests/exams and said he's baffled. He said my symptoms don't make sense in view of what he was seeing and the retinal specialist's report. He said he had some questions for the retinal doc and he was going to call her today to try to get more details. He said there WAS some scar tissue, and maybe the laser was the way to go, but he wanted to do a bit more investigation first. I stressed to him how difficult this made it for me to read but that I didn't want to pay for new glasses till my vision had settled down. He agreed and said we'll work on figuring this out. This surgeon is affiliated with Wills Eye Hospital, a nationally ranked eye hospital. So I don't think he's incompetent and I think at this point my case is becoming a challenge for him. Hopefully we get it resolved before too long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridgetO Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 Oh dear! What's up with this? Cataract surgery is said to be one and done. I hope you get this solved soon; it must be really frustrating. I think you're wise to get one eye settled before having sutgery on the other. My first cataract is due to be done 4/22. Your experience makes me a little nervous. Urk! 🙀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LexieCat Posted April 10, 2021 Author Share Posted April 10, 2021 FWIW, it sounds like the vast majority of the time it's very simple with instant results. I got instant results, but in the wrong direction. Chances are you'll have no problems. I think Lou had to have the laser thing done afterward but ultimately he came out OK. Everyone seems to think my right eye (the eye not operated on) should be fine for a while before I need to have the cataract removed. And at least until we figure out what's going on here, I'm in zero rush to have it done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouT Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 Lexie, What's going on with this? Has there been a resolution? I'm not doubting the competency of the doctor, but I am questioning his approach to resolving this. Did he say that he did not see any opacification on the back of the lens? I had that problem and once I received the laser treatment it cleared up pretty quickly (I did see floaters for a while, but that resolved). This just shouldn't be so hard to diagnose and resolve. I hope they get it straightened out for you so you can realize the benefit of the new lens. Lou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LexieCat Posted April 24, 2021 Author Share Posted April 24, 2021 He hasn't succeeded yet in connecting with the retinal specialist I saw. Apparently he's called and left messages but they haven't connected yet. He thinks there is more going on besides the scar tissue, so he doesn't want to do the laser thing until he gets to the bottom of it. Right now all of that is on the back burner until I get through this trial. I certainly don't want to be in the middle of eye procedures while going through the trial. So first things first. I do wish I could see better but I don't want to mess with short-term solutions--or spend several hundred dollars for new glasses--only to need yet a different prescription a few weeks later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouT Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 l fully understand. The trial is the priority now. I'm going to read up more about it. I'll be sending good vibes and prayers in your direction and also looking for your updates (whenever you're up to it). I've never had to make a decision about a trial and what you're doing is brave and could also help so many others. I admire your actions. Lou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LexieCat Posted May 13, 2021 Author Share Posted May 13, 2021 I'm not dealing with the cataract situation until I'm done with the trial, but my former employer's vision benefits expire the end of this month (after which I should be covered by another plan, so I decided to go ahead and have an eye exam and the least expensive version of new glasses I can get with a progressive lens. I know, for instance, that I am capable of driving with my existing prescription (which include the darkening "transitions" treatment), but I'm extremely frustrated to struggle so much with reading right now (either print or screen). Given that I won't have much to do in the hospital but read or watch TV, plus the fact that I'm receiving a bit of extra income right now (large tax refund, plus employer-paid disability), I decided it was worth the money to be able to (hopefully) do both with less difficulty than I'm having right now. So I made an appointment at LensCrafters for next week and hopefully get glasses the same day that will provide at least some improvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridgetO Posted May 14, 2021 Share Posted May 14, 2021 GoodPlan, Ms Cat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted May 14, 2021 Share Posted May 14, 2021 Lexi, Try purchasing a large-size iPad and using Accessibility Settings, increase the Display & Text Size. I'm sure other tablets have this function also but own an iPad and use this function to read without the bother of progressive bifocal lenses. It might be a godsend while in the hospital. Stay the course. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LexieCat Posted May 14, 2021 Author Share Posted May 14, 2021 I already have those settings on but it uses up too much screen real estate. Better than nothing, but I'd sooner be able to SEE well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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