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RE: Cataract with complications - 2/3/2010 12:27:03 AM

Termyn8or

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I am not avoiding it, in fact I am seeking it, thus the reason for this thread.

I'm told at the local hospital that it will be $150 for the initial exam. If I specify that can be with an opthamologist rather than an optometrist. An opthamologist is already a qualified optometrist by nature.

Part of my job is optics, and detecting defects therein, as well as the electronic parts. I know the different effects and such due to clouding of lenses, or coolant fluid, which would be analogous to the "humor" in the human eye. I know what to look for. In the hazy image I see out of that eye I can still clearly see the floaters in my humor, which means most likely that the humor is not the problem. I also know it is not a damaged cornea, Not only have I inspected it (with the other eye of course), but it would have some sort of pain, or exhibit a visible haziness to result in this level of the symptom. There is also a separate humor between the lens and the cornea which could become contaminated, but that would start to obscure or at least blur any external inspetion of the iris. This is not the case here.

Even without Ocam's Razor it is pretty clear. And they told me that I have to pay up front, which means of they botch the job they still have my money. Sure, I will go to them for the technical advice, sure, I don't want this procedure done in the backseat of a Pinto. But then I don't need to flown to Switzerlund either. At this point I see I have to pay for it, OK fine. They don't owe me a thing. But I want the best bang for the buck now. Somewhere in that happy medium, wherever that is.

T

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RE: Cataract with complications - 2/3/2010 12:44:06 AM

LafayetteLady

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FR-

Look, we all want the best doctor our money can buy, that's natural. In all liklihood, you probably do have a cataract. But you are also pretty young to have developed one. The point is that you are letting your overwhelming distrust of doctors in general cloud your vision (no pun intended). You could get a reasonable diagnosis of your eye at a Pearl Vision Center as easily as at the hospital, and probably for less money. Yes, you need an opthamologist for the surgery, but the only real difference between an opthamologist and an optomitrist is that the former does surgery.

So now you know how much they want at the hospital for an exam, so start calling around to other places and price them out until you find one that has the cost you find affordable. As for them messing it up, cataract surgery has been around for a very long time and even though there is risk with any surgery, the risk is pretty low. The other thing with calling the "chain" vision centers (hell, Walmart even has an optomitrist now) is that they will be able to give you a list of places that do cataract surgery, some of which might even allow for payments on the procedure. I know when my mother had cataract surgery nearly 20 years ago, it wasn't done in a hospital, it was done at a place that only did procedures involving the eyes.

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RE: Cataract with complications - 2/3/2010 1:31:20 AM

Termyn8or

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That's what I want. I have other conditions and I don't feel like addressing them right now. I am not pressed. I am not going to go on cholesterol drugs for example, unless that is a direct cause of this condition. I really doubt it is. At rest my BP is 120 over 80, which I know is borderline, but I simply don't care about that right now. It is not so bad it will kill me. When the olman went in and they used the heavy duty cuff on him his BP set off the alarm. I thought the place was on fire ! Stupid fucks, you think someone's BP is going to be 105 over 70 when they are playing quarterback in the superbowl ? The pipes should be able to handle the pressure.

My roids, my feet, my back, my ribs (yup again), my dermatological situation (which is not all that great) and who knows what else, I don't care. All I want is good vision. If I can just get it on an outpatient basis that would be great, but by that I mean just do it. I will sign the waivers that if I die I won't sue them. I'll do anything, but I can't asl them to take that kind of risk. If I could do the job myself I would open up a place in Mexico and be semiretired now and living quite comfortably.

There are three possible outcomes, I could die. I could live and be blind in one eye. I could live and see well again. So far so good. I'll sign any waivers it takes to get them to just do it. I have enough confidence in my overall health that I don't think cararact surgery will result in cardiac arrest. Geezus Fucking Krist, what does it take ?

At this point having read responses and looking aorund on the net, as well as letting my fingers do the walking locally to find someone, I have come to a conclusion, at least temporarily. There are free standing places that do this. They are specialists. People pay them and walk out usually able to see, otherwise they would go out of business no ? Even with the discount from the big boys, their fees might be lower, and the quality of service might actually be better. So next I will look to the private sector for this. Eye clinics are all over the place, it's time for another round with the phone. Soon thereafter I want to be walking in the door.

And the mention of my license being pulled, don't worry about that, they can't. But I do not want to endanger others. As long as I can purposely cross my eyes and see double vision I can get depth perception. It is harder to drive, but I don't just go cruising and boozing anymore. I would not be so stupid to think I could drive a big rig right now or anything, I know my limitations. If I hurt someone who didn't have it coming it would hurt me worse than it hurt them. If you know me you know that is true, and you would know that I am very careful in that respect.

T

(in reply to LafayetteLady)

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RE: Cataract with complications - 2/3/2010 4:38:05 AM

DesFIP

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From: Apple County NY
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LL, you are entirely incorrect. An opthalmologist is a MD. Only an opthalmologist surgeon does surgery, plenty of opthalmologists do not do surgery. An optometrist is a much lesser trained person. Possessing neither the training nor the equipment to diagnose glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, etc. All of which he will be tested for during an exam by an opthalmologist.

Age doesn't determine cataracts. There is a condition where you are born with cataract spots that over 40 years continue to grow requiring the removal earlier than average.

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RE: Cataract with complications - 2/3/2010 9:22:30 AM

DameBruschetta

Posts: 116
Joined: 1/10/2010
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or

I am not avoiding it, in fact I am seeking it, thus the reason for this thread.

I'm told at the local hospital that it will be $150 for the initial exam. If I specify that can be with an opthamologist rather than an optometrist. An opthamologist is already a qualified optometrist by nature.

Part of my job is optics, and detecting defects therein, as well as the electronic parts. I know the different effects and such due to clouding of lenses, or coolant fluid, which would be analogous to the "humor" in the human eye. I know what to look for. In the hazy image I see out of that eye I can still clearly see the floaters in my humor, which means most likely that the humor is not the problem. I also know it is not a damaged cornea, Not only have I inspected it (with the other eye of course), but it would have some sort of pain, or exhibit a visible haziness to result in this level of the symptom. There is also a separate humor between the lens and the cornea which could become contaminated, but that would start to obscure or at least blur any external inspetion of the iris. This is not the case here.

Even without Ocam's Razor it is pretty clear. And they told me that I have to pay up front, which means of they botch the job they still have my money. Sure, I will go to them for the technical advice, sure, I don't want this procedure done in the backseat of a Pinto. But then I don't need to flown to Switzerlund either. At this point I see I have to pay for it, OK fine. They don't owe me a thing. But I want the best bang for the buck now. Somewhere in that happy medium, wherever that is.

T

I would seriously recommend you just go for the eye exam and get it over with. When you know what the situation is - then weigh all your pros and cons and consider the treatment. This could be a lot less of a deal then you make it out to be. You can also have a damaged retina (which would explain your floaters) without knowing it. I've done it myself, and so have some of my family members. One of them tore it so badly we were lucky she managed to get treatment in time. Its also possible that you've had a slow grade eye infection that exasperated or even caused this. Your floaters could even be begin and not even need treatment - most floaters don't!

The big difference with all of this is that you do not know - you are making assumptions and do not have the real equipment necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.

Honestly, unless you have had issues with blurryness/cloudyness, and colors loosing colors before you got this I doubt very much its a cataract at all... and I don't remember you mentioning that. While I'm certainly not an ophthalmologist, I've never heard floaters being a symptom of cataracts (complication of the surgery? Yes, symptom? No.) Cataracts are all about the lens and the clouding of the lens (that's why cataract surgery removes the lens) anything floating is in the eye fluid. If it was a catract your entire line of vision in that eye should more or less just be progressively getting worse.

Get it checked out - then you can stipulate as much as you want about how its not worth it and what the risks are... because then you can actually consider the real risks and concept of worth since you'll really know what it is.

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RE: Cataract with complications - 2/3/2010 12:43:06 PM

LafayetteLady

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Joined: 5/2/2007
From: Northern New Jersey
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quote:

ORIGINAL: DesFIP

LL, you are entirely incorrect. An opthalmologist is a MD. Only an opthalmologist surgeon does surgery, plenty of opthalmologists do not do surgery. An optometrist is a much lesser trained person. Possessing neither the training nor the equipment to diagnose glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, etc. All of which he will be tested for during an exam by an opthalmologist.

Age doesn't determine cataracts. There is a condition where you are born with cataract spots that over 40 years continue to grow requiring the removal earlier than average.

Actually, you seem to be thinking of an optician. Optomitrists regularly test and diagnose glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts etc. They go through 4 years of schooling for their field.

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RE: Cataract with complications - 2/4/2010 9:53:43 PM

Termyn8or

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Optometrists do diagnose those conditions, but they do not treat them. They treat myopia, presbyopia and astigmatism. They might now have a subcategory of those who perform PRK and such, but for diseases or cataracts and such, and opthamologist is required.

Since I don't need new glasses at this time, and whatever happens is due to change my eyesight drastically, I will jump to the opthamologist right away. I have worn glasses just about forever and this symptom is different, so I will save my money for a valid visit to an optician after everything settles down.

Anyway, since I have to pay anyway, I will be looking into the private clinics. I just have to make arraingements for a ride or someone to drive because if they need to dilate my pupils with drops there is no way in hell I will be able to drive home.

Monday I was on the phone half a day. Next Monday is the next round. I'll figure out where I want to go and go from there, probably with an appointment the following Monday if I can get one. We will have alot more specific information then.

T

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RE: Cataract with complications - 2/5/2010 12:34:15 AM

LafayetteLady

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It isn't a matter of them dilating your eyes. You will be sedated. Not asleep sedated (my mom wasn't anyway), but sedated all the same and they will NOT permit you to drive yourself home. The eye they do the surgery on will also be under a patch.

It may or may not change your eyesight drastically. But most do need a new pair of glasses in the end. I seem to recall you saying you hadn't gotten a new pair in quite some time though, so you will likely need new ones anyway.

Even if you call the "chain" vision stores to get a referral to somewhere else, they might have information about places that can be helpful. After all, they will at least know which places they wouldn't want you to go to.

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Post #: 28