Campfire

[Queen]

I need cataract surgery, even though I'm not quite 55, all those years of life guarding back in the day when I couldn't afford prescription sunglasses did a number on my eyes. However, I have ocular albinism (there are two kinds of albinos, one is hair skin and eyes, the other is eyes only, that's me) and the cataract provides the only UV protection my eyes get so the docs don't want me to have the surgery until they are much worse.

[Redetotry]

Thank you for all the replies about cataracts and needing to do two appointments I learned a lot! I don't know if this is something new they are doing here because I've heard others who go to this eye place in various locations all over the area as they have bought out all the independents. They also do the majority of the eye surgeries. I plan to question his comment that cataracts always occur in both eyes when I go back for my vision check. I'm thinking of going to one of their other locations to a different person who used to do my exams. I know I shouldn't be so skeptical but I think as one gets older many unnecessary procedures are suggested. Especially for those who have insurance. I did ask if I would be charged for the second visit and they said it will be charged differently, since my eyes were dilated would be billed as medical. Her explanation reminded me of buying a car and trying to get an answer about how they arrived at the price!

[JudyJB]

Redetotry, I disagree strongly. You SHOULD be skeptical of any procedures done on your body. That doesn't mean you should not get them done, but you certainly should ask questions and demand answers. Though unlikely, there can be problems with any surgery, so we should all make sure we understand everything in advance.

I will say that I was somewhere and a lady and I were talking about an approaching ship. She could read the name of it much farther away than I could. She told me she had had cataract surgery and had lens implants. She said she had had horrible vision all her life and now could see better than most people without glasses!

[monik7]

I just need glasses to see up close.Martha

I don't need glasses for anything. Still the best purchase I've ever made. Maybe I just HATED glasses more than some.
Sandi

[Acadianmom]

I looked up the RESTOR procedure and I don't remember my doctor ever saying that would be an option. I guess he didn't think that someone that wouldn't have surgery until medicare would pay wasn't going to pay extra. The web site said it could be $1,500 to $4,000 out of pocket. I guess it depends on how much your insurance or medicare would pay. I might have gone for $1,500 but not $4,000. Not everyone is a candidate for the procedure. I know one of my eyes can't be corrected as much as the other for some reason.

Martha

[Liz]

I was offered but not pressured to take that option when I had cataract surgery. Mine was more complicated due to prior (unsuccessful) PRK surgery, and I was leery to pay so much for what I considered a risk. Besides, I am used to wearing glasses all the time, so even though I only need them for reading, I got progressive lenses that I can wear all the time, so I don't have to keep putting glasses on and off.

[Acadianmom]

I got the progressive lenses too. I was so use to my glasses getting dark I just didn't like any of the sun glasses I bought.

Martha

[Redetotry]

Redetotry, I disagree strongly. You SHOULD be skeptical of any procedures done on your body. That doesn't mean you should not get them done, but you certainly should ask questions and demand answers. Though unlikely, there can be problems with any surgery, so we should all make sure we understand everything in advance.

I will say that I was somewhere and a lady and I were talking about an approaching ship. She could read the name of it much farther away than I could. She told me she had had cataract surgery and had lens implants. She said she had had horrible vision all her life and now could see better than most people without glasses!

Judy, I strongly agree with you I just didn't admit to being way more than skeptical. I live in an area where the choice of medical care isn't great. If I do have to go in for unexpected problems here, any tests they do I have sent to a doctor in STL for her to review. So far either her diagnosis is never the same or I have to have additional tests as she felt the ones done here were not complete enough. A few years ago, DH had a medical issue that the doctor here wanted to put him on a drug that had very alarming side effects. I researched the condition and found that it was not suggest by one of the more well know hospitals in NY, for this drug to be prescribed, unless the condition was at a different stage. At my strong urging, he went for two second opinions, the first to a specialist at a larger clinic in a larger town that was highly recommended. When we arrived I needed to use the rest room and it was absolutely filthy, it was early in the morning, so it was obviously it hadn't been cleaned in some time. I stayed with him during the consultation telling him in no way was he having anything but a discussion of his tests as the exam room also needed a good cleaning. The doctor would not give a personal opinion and thankfully did not suggest any type of exam. He did however give the impression that he didn't have the level of competency we expected. We then went to another specialist, this time in STL. The doctor was in full agreement with the recommendation I had found online that, the drug the doctor here wanted him to take was inappropriate. He did however, contact the doctor here to discuss it and they worked out a treatment plan together.

These are only a couple of my experiences that make me very skeptical of our medical system. I have been very fortunate that acupuncture has been very helpful for me. When it was suggested I needed to take thyroid medication, instead of taking the medication I had acupuncture once a week for five weeks, went back for the six week blood work and was told I was perfect, just continue taking the drug. I told them I had not taken the drug but had gone for acupuncture, the only response I received received was a blank look. When I saw the doctor in STL to review the results of the tests here she said she would not have recommended taking medication at that point but she also did more tests, adding another level and all was well. She was impressed and happy that the acupuncture had made a such a difference in the original blood work.

It seems a shame that we have to do so much research for our health care. I can't imagine what people who don't have access to Google do! And yes, I do realize that the information on line isn't absolute, but, it does give us the advantage to ask if there are options available or make us aware of other questions we need to ask.

[JudyJB]

Below is my dinner tonight!

[Bethers]

Yummy!

[MandysMom]

Yummy indeed.
Velda

[MelissaD]

Thanks Judy for the tease hope it tasted as good as it looks.

It's interesting how things change. In colonial days lobster, being plentiful and a scavenger was food only the poor ate and chicken was a rich man's food.

http://www.lobsterhelp.com/lobster-history.html.

http://www.gma.org/lobsters/allaboutlob ... story.html

[gingerK]

This is too funny not to share with you all--today I found the perfect dress for my Niece's wedding....and it only cost $1!!!! Of course I bought it!

[Bethers]

This is too funny not to share with you all--today I found the perfect dress for my Niece's wedding....and it only cost $1!!!! Of course I bought it!

That's fantastic!!!

[MandysMom]

That dress wins bargain of the week ESP since it makes you happy!
Velda