Do I need to carry IOL cards in case of emergency?

[Azmv]

I had cataract surgery in both eyes this summer.  They gave me wallet sized cards listing the details of the IOLs.

Do I need to carry these cards with me in case of emergency?  What information about the IOLs would doctors need in case of emergency?

Or can I just keep them at home for future reference?

Thank you.

[KayakerNC]

Hate to disagree with the good doctor, but if your driver's license has a Restriction Code that requires you to drive with corrective lenses, then you certainly should have the cards with you in case of a traffic stop.

[JohnHaganMD]

That is absolutely wrong.  The only thing you need when stopped is driver's license, proof of insurance and if glasses restriction on license wearing your glasses.    A police officer will never need or ask for that and it doesn't remove need to wear glasses if on the license.

[MrPresley]

I was asked by a small-town police officer once years ago where my glasses were since my license stipulates "with corrective lenses" and to show proof of insurance. I politely replied "contacts" and informed him that since I was in a government vehicle that the vehicle was self-insured by the government. He proceeded to issue me a speeding ticket.

[JohnHaganMD]

Ticketing out of towners is the staple of keeping small town government funded.  They are called 'speed traps' for a reason.

[KayakerNC]

Sorry again Dr Hagan, but I don't think wearing your old glasses after cataract surgery corrects your vision is a good idea.  Why carry around an old pair of glasses, when a card fits nicely in your wallet?
In my case I have 20-20 after my surgery, but my license was recently renewed before the surgery, so carrying the cards was a "just in case" option.  I'm just to cheap to spend money on a renewal after only a year, on a 5 year license.

[JohnHaganMD]

You are missing the point.  The question was not about wearing old glasses.  After surgery you need new glasses or you may see well enough not to need glasses for distance. HOWEVER if you license says you have to wear glasses to be in compliance you have to go to the driver's license bureau and pass the vision test without glasses and have a new license issued (In Missouri costs $15) that has the glasses restriction removed.  Showing a police officer an IOL card will get you nowhere legally but a citation.  If you were actually stopped and a police officer accepted that IOL card as meeting the requirement then you are one lucky person. This comes up many time each week including when my wife had IOL surgery.  

[JohnHaganMD]

Not need to carry.  Just file in place you remember.