The Cataract eye Surgery I, Life

Hiroko decided to have the cataract eye surgery on October 1.  Hiroko’s eyes were so bad last 3, 4 years that she had to use magnifying glass all the time.  Reading a dictionary, certain Bible, Hymn books in the church, need the magnify glasses.  2 years ago, Hiroko’s optometrist said, they couldn’t make the degree of the glass stronger any more.  So Hiroko visited her own doctor for consultation, recently.

Many are telling Hiroko the surgery is very, very simply done.  It would be done within 30 to 45 minutes.  Many said that those who take this surgery would make life changing experience.  How can the surgery change one’s life?

The surgery might be very simple, but all the procedure will not be so simple.  Before the surgery, it is necessary to see the doctors three times.  The statement of very simple surgery for cataract is half true like Hiroko who prefers not to visit the doctors.

1^st visit to the ophthalmologist – consult with the doctor whether it is better to have surgery or not after testing your eyes thoroughly. Hiroko had already made a decision, so there are not too much to talk about it.  One thing, Hiroko’s eye has Astigmatism, so the doctor suggest of Hiroko to think about using the Astigmatism lens or not.  After that with the surgical coordinator those who decided to have the surgery makes the schedule of the surgery date and appointments before and after the surgeries. 

Here is the Hiroko’s schedule and appointments:

September 22, with Hiroko’s own doctor for physical

Same day, with eye surgeon for sizing eyes.

(Hiroko is lucky, her physical doctor and eye surgeon are located at the same building,)

October 1, for left eye surgery

October 2, for the following day of the first surgery visit

October 8, for the one week after surgery visit

October 15, for right eye surgery

October 16, for the following day of the second surgery visit

October 22, for the one week after surgery visit

WOW!  It takes one month to complete the surgery.

Now, Hiroko understood why the Hiroko’s friend optometrist suggested Hiroko to have the surgery while the weather is good.  In Chicago’s winter, no one knows when the snow storm comes of under zero weather happened the snow storm or under zero weather.  No one can keep the appointments under these weather.

Another minus thing is eye-drops.  There are three different eye-drops and start putting the drops on the day before the surgery, and so many times a day.  Well, Hiroko has to study about it how the schedule is.

As of September 29, Hiroko finished her physical check-up.   Everything is fine for operation.  One thing, Hiroko’s constipation will be a problem after the operation.  So one week before the surgery, Hiroko has to try to take prunes and prune juice, and stool softener.  It seems not working.  Oh, well, Hiroko will do somehow or others, over all give thanks to the Lord God.

Visiting the eye surgeon in sizing the eyes was finished.  With the initial visit, Hiroko was told that there are three different choices for cataract eye surgery regarding the new lenses. 

·         Monofocal Lens – Improved distance vision. Cost usually covered by insurance and Medicare.  Will likely still require glasses for close-up vision

·         Astigmatism-Correcting Monofoal Lens – Improved distance vision, usually without glasses for astigmatic patients.   Will likely still require glasses for close-up vision.  Cost of the lens is $1100 for one eye and will not gbe covered by insurance and Medicare

·         True performance at all distances, near through distance.  Reduced the need for glasses.  May experience glare/halos around lights at night and difficulty in low lighting situations like driving at night.  Cost for these lens will not be covered by the insurance and Medicare.

Hiroko will use the Monofocal Lens.  Hiroko heard couple of problem stories using these special lenses.  Beside the cost of the lens are surprising numbers.  Hiroko doesn’t mind using the glasses.

Well, this post is before the cataract eye surgery, and Hiroko will post another one how the surgery would be done and how Hiroko would be doing.

Please pray for Hiroko.  Thanks!