Thank you, Ibrahim. For the sentiment, and for making me smile!
Cataract Surgery
- Thread starter Ralph
- Start date
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For the US members, did Medicare help with any of the expenses.
Rixpx
Well-known member
Medicare covers the surgeries and basic monofocal implants and a portion of the postop glasses, if needed. It doesn’t cover the up charge for multifocal or toric implants
Fiat
Active member
TMK, The original Medicare plan covers only part of the surgery cost (80%) but not the postop glasses. However Medicare Advantage plans usually cover all costs plus postop glasses, but both implant lenses and afterglasses are limited to monofocal.
Glad to see you can see, it's a nice feeling when you get your sight back. Back in '14 I noticed one night at work that when I looked at something in the distance directly it was blurred, and I couldn't see it but I could see it if I looked to the side of it. That's when I knew something was wrong and went to get it checked out. I'm T2D and that's probably what brought on my cataracts and the surgery really helped. (20/20 - 20/30) I don't have to drive with glasses anymore and that's great!
Maurie
Active member
After wearing glasses for 35 years, I had both mine done 11 years ago, with bifocal implants. No more glasses, just freedom! Just do it! 
My medigap covered what my medicare didn't cover. Not sure about glasses, don't remember. Anyhow, the surgery itself was covered.
Just got back from the eye doctor. I need cataract surgery. He is suggesting Clareon Vivity Extended Vision IOL lens for distance, mid-range, and arms length.
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Fiat
Active member
Thank you for the news. Mind sharing more details? (I am anticipating and preparing mine) Do you do both eyes? each same trifocal lens? what's the cost?
$2500 for each lens. One eye and then the other in a week or two.
Fiat
Active member
Thanks, Jerry. How much does your insurance (Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicap, etc.) cover that price?
Do not know yet. Medicare covers the surgery and some lens. Not these lens. See post #79
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Fiat
Active member
Appreciate, Jerry. I'll wait for more info from you.
Go for it !! this is what I have done. You will not regret it.
Fiat
Active member
Good to hear about your experience. Do you now have good vision completely without wearing any glasses? How about viewing menu and LV display when shooting photos?
For much of my career in academia I wanted to be famous. Then I got old. Now I take photos, feed birds seed, enjoy watching my grandchildren progress, and hope the viewing will be clearer when I finally have cataract surgery.
Robert S
Well-known member
I have medicare , parts A &B. It covers 100% of the surgery and monofocal lenses using the traditional surgery. If you elect laser surgery or one of the bifocal or trifocals lenses that’s an added cost that medicare does not cover. It’s several thousand dollars more.
I elected the basic monofocal lenses which medicare covers 100% if you have part B. I see great. Best i’ve ever seen. I use reading glasses for up close work. Anything within the view finder is crystal clear. For previewing the photos on the camera LCD I just put on reading glasses. Not a big deal for me since I’ve worn glasses most of my life. I only use reading glasses now, no longer need glasses for anything else. Do one eye at a time. Two weeks in between each surgery.
Fiat
Active member
Thank you and appreciate for sharing, Ralph.
Those who use mono focal lenses for distance, do you need glasses when working on the computer?
Depends how far back you are. I can function without them but if I sit close then I use reading glasses.
I had cataract surgery about 5 years and paid for the bifocal lenses and using a laser to place the lens. Medicare only covers the basic lens and doesn't cover the laser but I asked the doctor what was the BEST and I purchased what he recommended. The additional cost was $4K per eye.
Result.......
I can read without glasses. My eyesight is near 20/20. Not bad for 82.
Tom
Result.......
I can read without glasses. My eyesight is near 20/20. Not bad for 82.
Tom
I no longer need glasses for anything other than the tiny, tiny, tiniest of print, and even then I could read it , but with some effort. Camera menu's and LV displays, Computer work, reading the paper etc. are absolutely "a piece of cake". It certainly is amazing how the brain sorts it out , but it does.
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realspeed
Well-known member
I have a slightly different problem as well as a small cataract in one eye which is not bad enough at the moment to be removed. I also suffer from glaucoma in both eyes. In one eye I was told I would go blind, but due to having one of the worlds best eye surgeons he took out the eye and placed a "stint" behind it and put the eye back in. He saved my sight in that eye, thank you so much Mr Gauld (I think that is how he spells his name). the other eye I am treating with eye drops to stop the swelling behind it. My eyesight is good enough to pass the UK eyesight standard for driving which I have to undergo every 3 years due to age.