The Cataract Saga, Part IV

I dread going to Cataract and Laser.  Sometimes I don't even sleep well the night before my appointments.  There is often a long wait to be seen and I haven't seen much improvement.   This time I said I was going to refuse the capsolotomy on my right eye because it had done nothing for the left eye.  I was told to come in anyway to be evaluated so I agreed to do so.

After K, the receptionist, greeted me, I asked her how she was.  The reply was a hesitant "Okay."  I asked what was the matter and she said it was just all the Christmas stress and she would feel better when it was all over.  I told her about the class I am teaching at our church on Sunday on Unplug the Christmas Machine and how I would feel less stressed when it was done.  It made me realize that this class may be a good idea and needed.  She told me that she had let everyone know what my feelings were about the treatment and they were prepared for me!

I was called almost immediately to be evaluated.  No wait today!   N examined my eyes and administered the drops.  We chatted more than usual and later after I saw the doctor,  she told me that her mother had died two months ago and she was full of guilt and anger.  I told her about my grief when my mother died at age 59.  She seemed to really want to talk.

Then it was Dr. I,  the optometrist, who always to explain what is gong on and what the options are.  He said my left eye was improved to 20/40 and convinced me that it would be a good idea to go ahead with the procedure for the right eye.  He said I could get glasses for temporarily helping with the night vision and glare and then down the road get lasik surgery again.

After a very short wait,  Dr. C was ready to zap the eye which takes all of 30 seconds.  But he too was chatty and ended up asking me about the value of IQ tests.  It was pretty funny when my chin was in the holder and he was zapping away and he told me to keep talking!  He left saying he had learned something because I had told him how my dyslexic adult student compensates so well by having her iphone read to her.

A treat after the surgery

All of this in one hour with everyone seeming to wanting to chat (I am a familiar face!), and taking my issues seriously.  I felt better about Cataract and Laser!

But today I had my post-surgical follow-up at the Midwest Eye Clinic.  Dr. R said my left eye was 60/20 and was not nearly as optimistic about glasses helping with the night-time glare.  But it seemed worth a try.  I ordered new lens to be put in my old glasses with a non-glare surface and we shall see what happens.   I was surprised to learn that our Medicare Supplemental Plan will cover the cost.

Sadly, the money saved by our visual insurance plan got spent on the deductible for our car insurance when 15 minutes later, I hit the garage door and knocked the side mirror to pieces.