| Author | Message | ||
     86129squids |
Hey all- I am beginning the information gathering stage toward the end of getting my love's eyes fixed- she's needing cataract surgery, and it'll fall mostly on me for the financial burden, as neither of us currently has insurance. I'm anticipating being able to work with a payment plan for as much as possible, but I'm aware that the surgeries will probably require payment in full, along with the anesthesiologist fees... Who here has been through this? On one hand, I'll be able to handle the $$$ but it'll be a BIG hit, on the other, we've had friends who have signed onto the ACA and gotten it done, and are very happy with the results. (I really don't want to wait any longer- my honey is someone that just won't complain about much of anything, but she's complaining about this- you all know the type...) She's been recently retired from her 14 year fulltime stint at a bank, now working "part-time" in retail, as in they'll give you 34.5 hours as to not officially make you fulltime, and have to offer benefits (GRRRRRR)- I make very good money as a fine dining server for a family-owned restaurant, but- that's it, no bennies. Thanks in advance for your very valuable, to me, $.02 advice. | ||
| Crusty |
I had Cataract Replacement Surgery back in 2009. I had my right eye done first, and the improvement was so dramatic that I couldn't believe it. The Doctor wanted me to wait a year before doing the left eye, but I pushed him into doing it only 6 months after instead. The procedure only takes about 20 minutes per eye, and is painless (they put anesthetic and antibiotic drops in the eye). The only way to describe the difference is that before the replacement, my vision was like looking through a windshield that's covered with raindrops on the outside and fogged up on the inside; after, it was like looking through a clean windshield on a sunny day. Before you get too worried about costs, I strongly suggest you talk with the doctor. It's probably not as expensive as you think. Knowing what I know now, I think that having it done was a great improvement and I have no regrets about it. | ||
| 86129squids |
Crusty- seems I remember you may have mentioned this back when you had yours done- you've almost exactly repeated what our good friend said about having hers done. I'm not familiar with much of the terminology- "replacement"? Don't they just have a computer-controlled laser essentially shave off the occluded portions of the cornea? (Obviously I've not Wiki'ed it or found a good Q&A site yet...) Also, why would the doc make you wait a year? Heck, 6 months seems like a long time. Is it to ease the acclimation back to good vision? Thanks for that first $.02 in this info piggy bank, friend!  | ||
| Teeps |
My Step Sister recently had Cataract surgery done on one eye, she's close to 70. She has experienced an extended healing time. Due to the Radial Keratotomy, procedure she had done about 30 years ago. So if your friend has had early RK surgery, be prepared for the potential of extended healing time. My sis is about 6 weeks into the healing process and was told expect another 4 to 6 weeks for full recovery. | ||
| Crusty |
The Internet is your friend: http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-health-catarac t-surgery | ||
| Kenm123t |
Dad had his done several years ago Family friend and Dr did the surgery Bentz Eye Center in West Palm Beach Fl look Bob up | ||
| 86129squids |
Ken- given our circumstances and $$$ available, would this be worth the trip (X2, one then the other eye) from E. TN to central FL? I'd like to think so, kinda doubt it. But, holler with more input if you can. Thanks. | ||
| Ourdee |
Brad, $$$ is different with and without insurance. If I was in your boat, I'd go talk to a doctor and find out just what he would need to take care of her. I'd even offer butler service once a week in a barter type deal. Once you know the actual cost, then you can make the appropriate plans to swing it. Knowing another man's needs or wishes lets you know if you have value to him. | ||
| Ourdee |
I got this from someone else. Two people were fighting over one orange. Each of them determined to have it. This happened every time some one left one free orange in a communal area. One day when there was no orange and the two were talking the issue of, or the reason for each of them wanting the whole orange came up. One needed the scrapings of the peel for a cake and the other needed the juice to go with breakfast. They never fought over the orange again. | ||
| 86129squids |
RD- I'm quite aware of the $$$ difference- actually, many times the cash price for health care seems much more fair/sensible than what is charged when insurance is in play. We will be doing exactly what you mentioned. One angle I need to try to work is this: My restaurant naturally attracts a wealthier clientele, many of them doctors, and we routinely host pharma biz dinner functions... I might be able to fish out a good soul who happens to be or know a good eye doctor. Thanks all for the input, keep 'em coming! | ||
| Kenm123t |
Look on bobs Web site. Dad was covered by insurance I paid cash for mine and my sweetheart s lazier very It's a common surgery I. So fla it's advertise d on TV and radio cataract surgery is as well | ||
| Daddio |
Squids, I had this done in my left eye about 2 years ago, when I had insurance. A small incision is made in the cornea, and the skin is flapped over, the old lens is cleaned out, and a custom lens is inserted, flap closed, and you're set. I had had the stone knife RK done about 25 years previous, the scarring was obvious to the surgeon, so he took appropriate measures. At the time, I had a high-risk-to-eye-impact job, so took a week or two off, then limited to a desk for another week. Biggest difference I can tell is night driving; on-coming traffic glare would just about white-out my left eye. Good luck to you and your love. | ||
| 86129squids |
"and my sweetheart s lazier very" Hey Ken- ??? | ||
| Kenm123t |
hey the tablet auto correct cant spell lasik Dad did well he doesnt need glasses any more at 87 One great thing about So fl is the great drs here and choices for your health care | ||
| Buellmeister57 |
Had it done 5 years ago, both eyes a few weeks apart. Was very nearsighted most of my life. The replacement lenses they used pretty much took care of that, mostly all I need now is readers for close work. Had surgery done on friday, back to work tuesday. Headlight glare from incoming vehicles is worse, really cut back on nighttime riding/driving. Anwar Eye Center Moundsville WV | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Sort of off topic but... A study found that 60% of Japanese Dr's have cataract's. The rest have rincolns | ||
| Bob_thompson |
I had mine done by the VA two years ago doing one eye and then the other a few months apart. This was in conjunction with the Univ. of Utah medical center which is next door to the SLC VA facility and used their eye clinic personnel. It is a miracle of modern medicine. About 40 minutes each from start in pre-op to post-op., all as an out patient and sent home right after with my wife driving of course. An anesthesia is administered keeping you awake so you can help with eye movement to help the surgeon remove the old lens which is replaced with a good one; the old one being discolored dark preventing light to reach in and hardened so it cannot flex and adjust to focal lengths of various distances. A laser is used to break up the old lens into small particles, then a very small incision is made in the lower part of the eye out of the line of vision and a very small suction tube is inserted to remove the particles of the old lens. You are awake to move your eye up, down, left and right to help the surgeon remove all the particles of the old lens. Then a new lens is folded, inserted and opened up inside the eye and positioned correctly. It automatically attaches itself to the inside and remains in place indefinitely. And viola! new vision. There is absolutely no pain involved what so ever. Then the other one in a few weeks or so. A few post op visits to insure everything has been done correctly and now two years later 20-20 in one eye & 20-25 in the other. They make single lens and bi-focal lens but they are more expensive if I chose. Mine were single lens and completely covered by the VA at no additional cost. My vision now has a focal length from about 15" to infinity with good brightness considering my age. I use reading glasses just for reading a micrometer or some of those small warnings on aspirin bottles, HA! I can read a newspaper very easily but at short arms length. I feel like I'm 40 again! There are, I understand, a few different methods of doing cataract surgery but I believe this is one of the latest. I had some apprehension on the surgery as could be expected when its your vision but read about a 95%+ success rate and with the help of a few good friends who had this done I went in with a good feeling and was delightfully rewarded....twice. One last thing; I'd rather go through this then have stitches taken for a bad cut or even a prostrate exam. Its that easy. Expense can vary so you can shop around but choose your surgeon wisely as you would your Buell mechanic. Sorry about being long winded. Hope this helps somewhat. P.S. Unlike Buellmeister57, I had much headlight glare and starburst effects before surgery and absolutely none now. Night time driving is a pleasure again. (Message edited by Bob_thompson on September 23, 2014) | ||
| 86129squids |
Thanks, Bob. We got to visit with my step-dad yesterday, and he re-related his experience, which was 100% positive. Heck, I'd forgotten he'd even had the surgery! We've been calling around some today to line up the needed exams- someone recommended that we look into "CareCredit" to arrange for financing the stuff. We'd still be interested in finding out if there are enough provisions in the ACA to allow for this, but I'm of the mindset that says we should just get it done on our own, ASAP. As long as we can set up a fair and sensible (non-extortionate) payment plan, I'm fine with the $$$. Once again, I really appreciate everyone who can offer advice or experiential stories- you BW peeps are great! |
