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Cataract surgery on a 26 yr old

i went for a routine eye exam, the optometrist informed me i had cataracts in both eyes. i was given a referral to see an opthamologist. the opthamologist recommended surgery in both eye, told me about mono and said i might not need glasses if i got reading and far implants (which was a lie), he told me that would take care of my inability to focus. i asked him one question, with glasses will i be able to see like i do now and he said yes (another lie). Now after surgery, he gives me a prescription. When the glasses arrive, that is when i found out what progressives are. He didn't explain to me about progressive lenses and what they were. I hate them, i can't get used to them. My vision before was fine to me, now i'm struggling with this lenses. i have gotten 3 single vision lenses for far, intermediate and for near. When i use the far, i can't write because i look down and can't see. With intermediate, i can't see far or near, just intermediate. i was really upset and called him explaining he didn't tell me glasses were not like the single vision i use. Now i am reading more about it, i began to question why the surgery was done in the first place, i attained 20/20 on both eyes with glasses, i had no issue with  glare or nighttime driving, i didn't even know i had cataract. Now my house is littered with specs everywhere i even struggle to do things as simple as shaving. I read that cataract can be taken out anytime so legally my surgeon is in the clear, but ethically he shouldn't have. my eyes were worth more than any amount, i'm only 27 now and that is all i think about. i regret doing it, how can i cope with this, i don't even know if i'll be able to see good enough in nursing school. Are there any side effects that might develop as i grow older? when i asked him about how i got it, he asked me some basic questions (Diabetes, eye trauma) and when the answers were no, he said there was no way he could know how i got it since i was born outside the country. Is this true?
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Avatar universal
I’m 26 years old and was diagnosed with Cataracts 2-3 years ago I’ve undergone a long process and am finally getting surgery BUT it’s only because i ALSO was diagnosed with uveitis which is an inflammation in the lens and i have trouble seeing in general but also my eyes don’t dislate therefore making t difficult to see at night.. so in MY case it makes sense to get surgery, obviously BUT your story sounds weird if you had 20/20 vision with glasses why would your doctor have you get surgery ? Especially if it didn’t effect you at all as you say ? Very weird. Yes it’s true cataracts, especially in young adults like you and i, is NOT common but it happens and it is caused by eye trauma but if that’s not the case your doctor should’ve asked for specific blood work to make sure you don’t have limes disease or any other causes to cataracts.. i think you should look more into it- i don’t want to think the worst for you but t seems like this doctor was not too sure of what he was doing. I wish you the best
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1 Comments
Uveitis is inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea) which has 3 parts  iris-ciliary body-choroid.  It has nothing to do with the lens.  Uveitis can cause cataracts.   Cataract surgery is more difficult and complicated in people with uveitis and often special medications and or procedures have to be done. Also some times of IOLs should not be used in uveitis patients.  You need to have your retina/uveitis specialist consult with your cataract surgery and rheumatologist how best to proceed with your case.
233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Some people could adjust to that and others can't. The big difference in the first number is called "aneisometrophia" and when the numbers are more than 1.50 dioptiers apart many people have trouble adjusting.

So yes I have given RXs like that before but I've warned people about difficulty adjusting and usually say if they can't adjust in 2-3 weeks then We will have to cut back the number in one eye or wear a contact lens on the LE and glasses over or if appropriate consider lasik on the more myopic eye.

Your best bet is likely getting 2nd and 3rd opinions

JCH MD
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Avatar universal
Just one final question, is this prescription one you would give a patient? does it make sense because i'm having a hard time coping even with progressives

R -0.25, CYL +0.75, Axis +90
L -3.00, +0.75, + 90
ADD R +2.50
       L  +2.50
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233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You mean what caused the cataract in the first place? If so sometimes, possible causes: trauma, heavy alcohol or smoking, being on steroids, family history of cataracts at young age, diabetes, radiation exposure.

These are most common causes.
JCH MD
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Avatar universal
thank you Dr, i just have a follow up question, is there a way my doctor could have found out what caused the cataract surgery in the first place
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Avatar universal
yes i got one set for distance and the other for near,
my prescription is  R -0.25, CYL +0.75, Axis +90
                            L -3.00, +0.75, + 90
                            ADD R +2.50
                                    L  +2.50
Sara there is so much u need to know about cataract surgery before you have it that the doctors don't tell u or u can't ready anywhere. I don't even know where to start telling u. it's so much.
I have good distance vision on my right hand but can't see the hair on my hand with that eye. On my left eye, i can't make out the faces of people that are sitting on a dinner table opposite me but i can read. Computer use is impossible without glasses, reading huge textbook is impossible without glasses, because once you look up u're out of focus, because books are not vertical like computer screens they are horizontal. This is just the beginning there is just so much more this surgery they don't educate people on. Progressives are nothing like normal glasses. Pls get intouch with me privately so i could tell u more. My eyes weren't that bad with glasses prior to the surgery i wish i just waited. For young people like us, there has got to be different protocols, loss of focusing ability is too much to bare for people our age
Helpful - 0
233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This why I wrote this article (link and its also on Today's Pulse). You should read it carefully to help you understand where you are now.
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/841991/Consider-ALL-the-Options-Before-Your-Cataract-Surgery-Working-Through-Whats-Best-For-You

I would suggest you see at least two other refractive/cataract surgeons to learn your options.

You safest and easiest is progressive bifocals. No one said you had to like them its the best choice to see at all possible distances.

The implants are not at all likely to have to be removed because of rejection/irritation, etc. Your eye could develop other problems like anyone else as you grow older.  That is related to getting older not having the implants.

JCH MD

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Avatar universal
So did you get one lens set for distance and one for near? What are your lenses (for example.. Was one set at -2.0 or something near that and one "Plano"?)
     I also cannot get used to progressive glasses... This scares me about upcoming cataract surgery for me and I am only 30 right now. I pray I can hold off for a few more years.
    Do you see well at any distance without glasses on?
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