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Post by guido2 on Aug 31, 2021 10:34:21 GMT -5
Sorry Bart .... I wasn't paying attention to this link since it seemed it was done. I like the guy that said "I am mixing your cocktail today" very witty. Sounds like the progress and improvement you are having is pretty consistent with what I have been reading about. I am happy for you. Now, one question. What was your vision like prior to the operation, you don't mention glasses. Thanks again. I've worn glasses pretty much since High School as I had to get them for my drivers license as i was just over the limit. Of course getting older into my 40's or 50's the need for Bifocals became necessary though I got the no line ones. I don't know the exact numbers but I'm certainly Not Blind without them. I can run around the house all day without them unless I'm watching TV or messing with my PC or laptop. Now in my 60's I was told about my cataracts a couple years ago. Daytime driving isn't any problem. It's the last year or so that I noticed that night time driving was becoming more of a bother. Headlights coming the other way but mostly the people that get those really bright ones but especially taillights and traffic lights were multiplying in my vision really becoming a bother. I can see them but you know it's just not right and uncomfortable. So I finally decided to get them done.I think I mentioned before I took my Mom when she had hers done years ago before she passed and saw back then it seemed to be a Routine thing for older folks. Well now I'm old now Dammit! I'm Glad I'm getting them done now. So far it just feels better.
My vision went from 20/20 during the summer prior to my going into 6th grade. I remember it distinctly because at the beginning of summer I was playing in Little league and was a pretty good hitter. By about 1/2 through I was striking out a lot. And by the end I was riding the pines. Which must ah been pretty tough on my Dad because he was the teams coach. Anyway. If I am following you correctly, prior to your surgery it sounds like you vision was no picnic but to be able to walk around the house and only needed glasses for TV or reading I would have killed for that. I joke that 'I am so nearsighted that I am farsighted' is an understatement. Lets put it this way, if I don't have my glasses on to read a newspaper I have to bring it within 3 inches of my face. The other joke is 'my glasses are so thick that if I was shot in the eye the bullet would be deflected.' So it sounds like with only one eye done your aren't having visual dissociation. That is meaning your eyes are so different that you really can't see well at all. That is going to be a big problem with me since I am so 'blind' having one eye (hopefully near 20/20) and the other 20/200 (I think) without glasses is going to be a hassle. I asked if I should just pop the lens out of the 'good' eye. He said you shouldn't need that I could look through that lens. Or they could give me a soft contact for the other eye. I dunno.... having my fixed eye straining through that lens can't be good. Yeah, I am doing more research and I am still in discussions about what to do with him. Anyway, thanks again for sharing your experience(s). Please keep informed as you move along if you have time. Appreciate it.
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Post by Bartman on Sept 22, 2021 17:39:36 GMT -5
Going for 2nd (Rt Eye) tomorrow 9/23. Thought it would be just a couple weeks but it wound up being 4 weeks, heavy scheduling I guess. Anyway the Bills so far in round numbers were after my Ins part with Ae (I won't spell it out} was in round numbers $400 just for the Anesthetist, $200 and change for the Clinic and $800 and change for the Doc with Barenberg. So I'm supposed to have a $1000 "Deductible" with Ae which I have shelled out so I don't know how much they'll cover for the 2nd round after I've hit that mark or what I'll still have to shell out.
Will advise on how the 2nd OP goes/went either tomorrow or Friday depending how I feel.
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Post by Bartman on Sept 26, 2021 6:38:48 GMT -5
Sorry but was just too busy Saturday! Was a little different the 2nd surgery on the right eye. Last time they hit me with the Anesthetic and I didn't remember a thing. This time I think they shorted me on the knockout juice. This time I recall being awake in the Op room and I mentioned that but the Doc said that was Normal for the 2nd Op and I got to see the tool poking around in my eye. Almost freaked me out but I stayed as calm as I could and kept quiet. Getting home I just rested and could see the results Post-Op were the same as the first. Blurry vision and a lot of black floaters in the eye, same as the first time. Saturday most of the blurry vision was gone but a few floaters remained. Today, Sunday there's just one in the upper right corned which will probably clear by tomorrow. Vision is as clear as the Left Eye now. The main problem is that I can see that I'll need a new Prescription for my glassed as the Bi-focal lower part doesn't work well and I'm having a hard time reading fine print and this laptop screen print. I have to lift the glasses to the very edge of the bottom of the frame to make out the type. That should be an easy fix. Overall I'm pleased with the results and I should have done it sooner.
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Post by guido2 on Sept 28, 2021 15:37:34 GMT -5
Well I had the left eye done today. And so far everything went well. Unlike some of you I wasn't knocked out but they gave me a intravenous to replace a couple of cans of beer .... they joked. But I was wide awake during the whole thing.
I had the lazer work and a corrective lens put in which is extra work but it was still done in 20 minutes.
The best thing was......for the first time in 60 years I was able to see everybody, signs, equipment everything clearly with no glasses in that eye. I now look at the TV and see everything with that eye absolutely clear. And the colors are so much brighter and different. What was beigh is now white.... dark blue is now light blue.
Remarkable.
Have a post op tomorrow. Get the right eye done in October.
Thanks everyone for your support and information.
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Post by guido2 on Sept 29, 2021 13:33:29 GMT -5
Just a quick update. I went for my post-op checkout today. Which included reading the chart etc. Well, God must have been guiding the surgeons hands (and the computer).
I now have 20/20 in my left eye a day after surgery. Being able to drive with out glasses was a "maybe". The right eye still has to be done in Oct. but I am hopeful. 🙏
And they are saying things will even better as the eye heals. I have noticed even my close vision is improving.
🤩
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Post by ishmael on Sept 30, 2021 18:17:21 GMT -5
Just a quick update. I went for my post-op checkout today. Which included reading the chart etc. Well, God must have been guiding the surgeons hands (and the computer). I now have 20/20 in my left eye a day after surgery. Being able to drive with out glasses was a "maybe". The right eye still has to be done in Oct. but I am hopeful. 🙏 And they are saying things will even better as the eye heals. I have noticed even my close vision is improving. 🤩Great news guido2!
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Post by guido2 on Sept 30, 2021 18:26:57 GMT -5
Just a quick update. I went for my post-op checkout today. Which included reading the chart etc. Well, God must have been guiding the surgeons hands (and the computer). I now have 20/20 in my left eye a day after surgery. Being able to drive with out glasses was a "maybe". The right eye still has to be done in Oct. but I am hopeful. 🙏 And they are saying things will even better as the eye heals. I have noticed even my close vision is improving. 🤩Great news guido2! Thanks ish. I have to admit this is the happiest I have been in a long time.
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Post by Bartman on Oct 1, 2021 17:34:10 GMT -5
Well you went for the Whole Boat! Lasic plus the Cataract job. I don't think my Wallet would have stood that with my Ae (Not spelling it out but you can guess) coverage! Already had to shell out some $1400 for the 1st eye job but haven't gotten the bills for the 2nd yet. What blew my mind was I had to shell out some $1500 for a Brake Job 2 days before the 2nd eye job. I didn't need that on top of everything else and my next 6month Car Insurance for another $600 is due in a couple weeks too. I feel like I'm being Bled dry right now.
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Post by guido2 on Oct 3, 2021 12:01:56 GMT -5
Well you went for the Whole Boat! Lasic plus the Cataract job. I don't think my Wallet would have stood that with my Ae (Not spelling it out but you can guess) coverage! Already had to shell out some $1400 for the 1st eye job but haven't gotten the bills for the 2nd yet. What blew my mind was I had to shell out some $1500 for a Brake Job 2 days before the 2nd eye job. I didn't need that on top of everything else and my next 6month Car Insurance for another $600 is due in a couple weeks too. I feel like I'm being Bled dry right now. Just saw this. Yeah I went for the Platinum plan. 😄 Both eyes are going to be well over 6000 when including co-pays. But when the Dr's say the best they can ever get me to (even with a standard lens replacement) is 20/30 or 40 WITH glasses. And then figure in that because of my glasses lens prescription it costs me 1200 or more just for lenses ..... no frames. Well to me it was like the old Fram Oil Filter ads "You can pay me now or pay me later". Now the trick will be to live long enough to recoup my investment. 🤣 And what kind of health insurance do you have? I'm on Medicare and Cigna Medicare Surround. And if I went for the vanilla plain lens and let them use scalpels etc instead of a laser. They would have covered everything except for co-pays. And I still would have sever astigmatism and be very nearsighted. Meaning expensive glasses. To give you an idea how bad my vision is the edges of my glasses are about as thick as your pinky finger. BTW seeing great out of the left eye even my reading vision is getting better. I go in for a pre-op tomorrow for the right eye and get it done on Tuesday. Never thought I would look forward to having an operation. 😊
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Post by Bartman on Oct 9, 2021 20:57:20 GMT -5
Well you went for the Whole Boat! Lasic plus the Cataract job. I don't think my Wallet would have stood that with my Ae (Not spelling it out but you can guess) coverage! Already had to shell out some $1400 for the 1st eye job but haven't gotten the bills for the 2nd yet. What blew my mind was I had to shell out some $1500 for a Brake Job 2 days before the 2nd eye job. I didn't need that on top of everything else and my next 6month Car Insurance for another $600 is due in a couple weeks too. I feel like I'm being Bled dry right now. Just saw this. Yeah I went for the Platinum plan. 😄 Both eyes are going to be well over 6000 when including co-pays. But when the Dr's say the best they can ever get me to (even with a standard lens replacement) is 20/30 or 40 WITH glasses. And then figure in that because of my glasses lens prescription it costs me 1200 or more just for lenses ..... no frames. Well to me it was like the old Fram Oil Filter ads "You can pay me now or pay me later". Now the trick will be to live long enough to recoup my investment. 🤣 And what kind of health insurance do you have? I'm on Medicare and Cigna Medicare Surround. And if I went for the vanilla plain lens and let them use scalpels etc instead of a laser. They would have covered everything except for co-pays. And I still would have sever astigmatism and be very nearsighted. Meaning expensive glasses. To give you an idea how bad my vision is the edges of my glasses are about as thick as your pinky finger. BTW seeing great out of the left eye even my reading vision is getting better. I go in for a pre-op tomorrow for the right eye and get it done on Tuesday. Never thought I would look forward to having an operation. 😊 My Co. Aetna (see you made me name them)insurance plan pays 80% after my out of pocket hits $1000. So I haven't yet got any bills for the 2nd eye job. I had separate bills from the 1st job for the Anesthesia guy, the Eye Doc from Barenburg and the bill from the Eye Clinic where it was done. Next I have to go back to Barenburg 'cause I'll need my glasses prescription adjusted for my remaining Astigmatism and Bifocals so I can read small print like this 'cause my old glasses I still have aren't cutting it. Still I'm seeing way better than when I had the cataracts, you don't realize how much it sneaks up on you when you get older. I could tell the difference in the vision between the eyes after just having the 1st eye done. It really shocked me! Now it's way better but I still need the glasses to make it 100%.
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Post by guido2 on Oct 10, 2021 11:01:39 GMT -5
Just saw this. Yeah I went for the Platinum plan. 😄 Both eyes are going to be well over 6000 when including co-pays. But when the Dr's say the best they can ever get me to (even with a standard lens replacement) is 20/30 or 40 WITH glasses. And then figure in that because of my glasses lens prescription it costs me 1200 or more just for lenses ..... no frames. Well to me it was like the old Fram Oil Filter ads "You can pay me now or pay me later". Now the trick will be to live long enough to recoup my investment. 🤣 And what kind of health insurance do you have? I'm on Medicare and Cigna Medicare Surround. And if I went for the vanilla plain lens and let them use scalpels etc instead of a laser. They would have covered everything except for co-pays. And I still would have sever astigmatism and be very nearsighted. Meaning expensive glasses. To give you an idea how bad my vision is the edges of my glasses are about as thick as your pinky finger. BTW seeing great out of the left eye even my reading vision is getting better. I go in for a pre-op tomorrow for the right eye and get it done on Tuesday. Never thought I would look forward to having an operation. 😊 My Co. Aetna (see you made me name them)insurance plan pays 80% after my out of pocket hits $1000. So I haven't yet got any bills for the 2nd eye job. I had separate bills from the 1st job for the Anesthesia guy, the Eye Doc from Barenburg and the bill from the Eye Clinic where it was done. Next I have to go back to Barenburg 'cause I'll need my glasses prescription adjusted for my remaining Astigmatism and Bifocals so I can read small print like this 'cause my old glasses I still have aren't cutting it. Still I'm seeing way better than when I had the cataracts, you don't realize how much it sneaks up on you when you get older. I could tell the difference in the vision between the eyes after just having the 1st eye done. It really shocked me! Now it's way better but I still need the glasses to make it 100%. Well both eyes are done now. The 2nd one was way different than the first post op wise. Vision in that eye was hazy unlike the first but it cleared up soon enough. But it looks like I may not have 20/20 in the right eye, which of course is my prodominant eye and of course the one I sight through when shooting targets. They said that it may just settling in slower than the other eye (which is common) and we'll know better when I go back in a two weeks. Again no guarantees but since I had the lazik surgery ..... they maybe able to fine tune the right eye using it again. But I am VERY happy with what I got out of it. My distance vision is excellent more than adequate for driving. And all I am using to read is a pair of drug store 2x cheaters. That was one of the advantages of having the 'Platinum' that it was able to take care of the nearsightedness as well as my astigmatism and of course the cloudy lens. Yeah the bills coming in from everywhere and everyone ..... even though I went to one place. Everytime I go back I ask about a bill that I paid but have paper that says I don't..... then they look it up and it's 'oh yeah you did right away'. 🙄 Anyway, I got the phone number of their billing dept and am getting a complete print out of the bills and payments when this is over. This a text here, and online there and email the other place..... to messy and confusing. Well good luck with your progress. Hope getting new glasses will be easier now that you are 'clear eyed'. 😀
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Post by ishmael on Oct 29, 2021 13:55:21 GMT -5
Thanks ish. I have to admit this is the happiest I have been in a long time. Just found out I may need macular hole surgery. Ophthalmologist is hoping the hole will close by itself, but said "at best 50/50, so get ready". Will know Nov 11. Unfortunately, the procedure generally leads to follow on cataract surgery within the next 6 - 12 months.
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Post by guido2 on Oct 29, 2021 14:17:24 GMT -5
Thanks ish. I have to admit this is the happiest I have been in a long time. Just found out I may need macular hole surgery. Ophthalmologist is hoping the hole will close by itself, but said "at best 50/50, so get ready". Will know Nov 11. Unfortunately, the procedure generally leads to follow on cataract surgery within the next 6 - 12 months. I just did a few reads on this. Yeah it seems that the surgery has a high likelihood to speed up the lens fogging up and the need to replace the lens through cataract surgery. theretinagroup.com/macular-hole-surgery/Good videos and explanation of things www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-macular-holeHopefully your eye may heal by itself, it does happen. Has he/she suggested any treatments for you to do at home or medicine or supplements. Keep me in the loop. Good luck!
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Post by ishmael on Nov 24, 2021 15:36:45 GMT -5
Just found out I may need macular hole surgery. Ophthalmologist is hoping the hole will close by itself, but said "at best 50/50, so get ready". Will know Nov 11. Unfortunately, the procedure generally leads to follow on cataract surgery within the next 6 - 12 months. I just did a few reads on this. Yeah it seems that the surgery has a high likelihood to speed up the lens fogging up and the need to replace the lens through cataract surgery. theretinagroup.com/macular-hole-surgery/Good videos and explanation of things www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-macular-holeHopefully your eye may heal by itself, it does happen. Has he/she suggested any treatments for you to do at home or medicine or supplements. Keep me in the loop. Good luck! Macular hole surgery, tentatively Dec 6, at Baltimore General.
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Post by guido2 on Nov 24, 2021 16:20:35 GMT -5
I just did a few reads on this. Yeah it seems that the surgery has a high likelihood to speed up the lens fogging up and the need to replace the lens through cataract surgery. theretinagroup.com/macular-hole-surgery/Good videos and explanation of things www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-macular-holeHopefully your eye may heal by itself, it does happen. Has he/she suggested any treatments for you to do at home or medicine or supplements. Keep me in the loop. Good luck! Macular hole surgery, tentatively Dec 6, at Baltimore General. Well good luck with it. Have you gotten a second opinion? I was real happy with the expertise at Select Eye Care. They have their own associated eye operation room so I avoided being around people having God knows what. I don't know if they do the work you need. But I imagine it wouldn't hurt to pick up the phone and ask? Hope I am not coming across as a busy body. Just trying to help.
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Post by ishmael on Dec 1, 2021 10:28:26 GMT -5
Macular hole surgery, tentatively Dec 6, at Baltimore General. Well good luck with it. Have you gotten a second opinion? I was real happy with the expertise at Select Eye Care. They have their own associated eye operation room so I avoided being around people having God knows what. I don't know if they do the work you need. But I imagine it wouldn't hurt to pick up the phone and ask? Hope I am not coming across as a busy body. Just trying to help. January 10. Couldn't have gotten me in till December 13th, and the recovery period would have interfered with Christmas. Surgery will be at Greater Baltimore Medical Center and the surgeon was the primary teacher at Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute.
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Post by guido2 on Dec 1, 2021 12:29:49 GMT -5
Well good luck with it. Have you gotten a second opinion? I was real happy with the expertise at Select Eye Care. They have their own associated eye operation room so I avoided being around people having God knows what. I don't know if they do the work you need. But I imagine it wouldn't hurt to pick up the phone and ask? Hope I am not coming across as a busy body. Just trying to help. January 10. Couldn't have gotten me in till December 13th, and the recovery period would have interfered with Christmas. Surgery will be at Greater Baltimore Medical Center and the surgeon was the primary teacher at Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute. Well that sounds reassuring. My Dr. Scottt LaBorwit who did my surgery is an Assistant Professor at the Wilmer Eye Clinic. Is yours the same one by any chance?
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Post by ishmael on Dec 1, 2021 12:41:01 GMT -5
January 10. Couldn't have gotten me in till December 13th, and the recovery period would have interfered with Christmas. Surgery will be at Greater Baltimore Medical Center and the surgeon was the primary teacher at Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute.Well that sounds reassuring. My Dr. Scottt LaBorwit who did my surgery is an Assistant Professor at the Wilmer Eye Clinic. Is yours the same one by any chance? David E. Barañano, M.D. Ph.D. received his B.S. from Yale University in 1996. He earned both his M.D. and a Ph.D. in neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2004. He completed his medicine internship at the University of Maryland – Mercy Medical Center and his ophthalmology residency at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins. He completed a two-year fellowship in vitreoretinal disease and surgery at Emory University. After completion of his training, Dr. Barañano returned to Baltimore to join the faculty at the Wilmer Eye Institute. He was chosen to serve as the 102nd Assistant Chief of Service (Chief Resident), supervising and training the 21 physicians of the Wilmer residency. Afterwards, he joined the Retina Division of Wilmer, where he taught retina fellows and residents and led Wilmer’s pediatric retina care. He was delighted to join Dr. Thompson and Dr. Sjaarda at Retina Specialists in 2013. Dr. Barañano is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and has subspecialty training in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Retina Specialists , Society of Heed Fellows, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology and the Maryland Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons. He is involved in national clinical trials, speaks at national conferences, and publishes extensively.Pretty sharp guy. Definitely all business, but neither snooty nor unfriendly about it.
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Post by guido2 on Dec 1, 2021 12:54:35 GMT -5
Well that sounds reassuring. My Dr. Scottt LaBorwit who did my surgery is an Assistant Professor at the Wilmer Eye Clinic. Is yours the same one by any chance? David E. Barañano, M.D. Ph.D. received his B.S. from Yale University in 1996. He earned both his M.D. and a Ph.D. in neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2004. He completed his medicine internship at the University of Maryland – Mercy Medical Center and his ophthalmology residency at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins. He completed a two-year fellowship in vitreoretinal disease and surgery at Emory University. After completion of his training, Dr. Barañano returned to Baltimore to join the faculty at the Wilmer Eye Institute. He was chosen to serve as the 102nd Assistant Chief of Service (Chief Resident), supervising and training the 21 physicians of the Wilmer residency. Afterwards, he joined the Retina Division of Wilmer, where he taught retina fellows and residents and led Wilmer’s pediatric retina care. He was delighted to join Dr. Thompson and Dr. Sjaarda at Retina Specialists in 2013. Dr. Barañano is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and has subspecialty training in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Retina Specialists , Society of Heed Fellows, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology and the Maryland Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons. He is involved in national clinical trials, speaks at national conferences, and publishes extensively.Pretty sharp guy. Definitely all business, but neither snooty nor unfriendly about it. Sounds like you are definitely in good hands. Good luck. Keep me in the loop.
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Post by ishmael on Nov 30, 2022 11:02:16 GMT -5
Thanks ish. I have to admit this is the happiest I have been in a long time. Just found out I may need macular hole surgery. Ophthalmologist is hoping the hole will close by itself, but said "at best 50/50, so get ready". Will know Nov 11. Unfortunately, the procedure generally leads to follow on cataract surgery within the next 6 - 12 months. And, pretty much right on schedule, cataract surgery to be scheduled sometime in January...and the hits just keep on coming!
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Post by guido2 on Dec 2, 2022 16:18:13 GMT -5
Just found out I may need macular hole surgery. Ophthalmologist is hoping the hole will close by itself, but said "at best 50/50, so get ready". Will know Nov 11. Unfortunately, the procedure generally leads to follow on cataract surgery within the next 6 - 12 months. And, pretty much right on schedule, cataract surgery to be scheduled sometime in January...and the hits just keep on coming! So is the macular hole thing resolved now? And the cataract surgery is the next step? Either way, Good luck!
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Post by ishmael on Jan 18, 2023 14:52:32 GMT -5
Cataract surgery went well. Longer in preps for the procedure than the procedure itself! Already seeing more clearly. Kudos to Dr. Frank!
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