Scientists have developed an eye drop that can dissolve cataracts A whole lot better than surgery.

[PADemD]

Researchers in the US have developed a new drug that can be delivered directly into the eye via an eye dropper to shrink down and dissolve cataracts - the leading cause of blindness in humans.

The new drug is based on a naturally-occurring steroid called lanosterol.

http://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-have-developed-an-eye-drop-that-can-dissolve-cataracts-from-eyes

[cantbeserious]

1. Thank You For Sharing

eom

[Marie Marie]

2. Interesting..

I wonder how long before this is an actual viable alternative to surgery. Sounds promising.

[PADemD]

3. Soon, I hope.

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. Whoa...the article says cataract surgery is "painfull"!!

an alternative to the only treatment that’s currently available to cataract patients - painful and often prohibitively expensive surgery.

Since I am probably going to have said surgery, I was relying on people who said it was not painful.
Who to believe??

[HubertHeaver]

6. It depends on the skill of your surgeon. My wife had the surgery a couple of years back.

It seems there was some pain involved but the sight improvement was so great she didn't care.

[AtheistCrusader]

7. Your eyes have a TON of nerve endings. Bound to feel it.

But it's more discomfort, than outright pain.

[JDPriestly]

11. Have you had it done?

I had no pain and came out with much better eyesight than I had ever had in my life. It was great.

[AtheistCrusader]

13. No, close relatives.

2 of the three complained of discomfort.

There are, of course, varying levels of invasiveness for the surgery as well. No two cataracts are the same.

[JDPriestly]

15. Right. My grandmother really suffered from cataract surgery. But that was

long, long ago. Sometimes the surgery is very difficult. It partly depends on whether the cataracts are removed early enough. There are other factors. My doctor explained that to me, but I don't remember the technical aspects that well.

[JimDandy]

8. That stuck out to me too.

My mother had cataract surgery on both eyes this past year. Not painful either time.

[elleng]

9. NO PAIN at all here,

a few months ago.

And insurance covered everything.

[JDPriestly]

10. I went to Kaiser. My doctor was great. Can't say enough good about him.

I had absolutely no pain at all.

And since I was extremely near-sighted before the surgery, I was especially happy because I now have 20/25 vision. A true miracle for me.

It was great. But I had it at Kaiser where they do a lot of those surgeries. It was like a super machine for cataract surgery. One after the other. No mistakes in my case.

It was great. Changed my life for the better.

[elleng]

14. Was gonna mention 'new' lenses > BETTER vision!

Good to go to place where lots are done, 'super machine.' I didn't do Kaiser (my friend will soon,) I happened upon an excellent high-volume specialist.

[Hoyt]

26. I have Kaiser too. The thing about this drug is, will it still result in a replacement lens?

If not, I think I would prefer the old surgery.

I am extremely nearsighted -- worse than 20/400. I look forward to a replacement lens and being able to see my feet in the shower.

[JDPriestly]

31. You are going to love it. My 20/25 vision has changed my life.

But of course there is a tiny price. I have to put on glasses to thread a needle. I used to take my glasses off. I could see any tiny little thing close up without my glasses. I bet you can too.

I absolutely hate glasses. And once I was over 60 something (can't remember the exact age, maybe 61), I could not wear contacts any more.

I'm so, so, so happy with my new eyesight. It's just the best ever.

[Hoyt]

32. Just this year, I finally found some contacts I can tolerate. But the thought

of needing glasses only occasionally, almost makes growing old worth it.

I've worn glasses all my life, even need them to see my dreams.

Thanks for encouragement.

[JDPriestly]

33. My second grade report card says it all. ______'s behavior has improved since she got her

glasses.

I hope you really enjoy full sight after your cataract operation. It's so great. What a gift.

I wore my glasses in the bathtub, first thing when I woke up in the morning, last thing off at night. And I hate to admit this but they were well not always, but nearly always, dirty. So I never saw things clear until I got contact lenses.

When I got my contacts, I really found out what I had been missing. Suddenly i got asked out on dates. My social life was transformed. I met my dear husband (52 years now), and my life really changed. There was something about wearing glasses (mine had to be bifocals from a very early age) that put a barrier between me and other people. Psychological on both sides probably, but really a social impediment.

So having to go back to wearing glasses after years with contacts was tough.

I don't know about you, but I am not a very visual person. The one thing that worries me the most is that I might be a witness say to some crime and never be able to identify anyone or really describe what happened. I am so lacking in visual awareness at times. Sounds are my thing.

Unfortunately there is no equivalent of cataract surgery for the ears. And hearing aids don't seem to be very popular with the people who wear them.

The secret is to be thankful for what you have when you have it. That makes for a happy life.

Good luck with your new try with contact lenses.

[DeeDeeNY]

34. Yes. Me too.

I now need reading glasses but the great distance vision is worth it.

[Siwsan]

38. I had the same issue (extremely nearsighted) and also had wonderful results

It took me months to stop reaching for my now non-existent glasses, when I woke up or after I finished showering. I had worn either glasses, and they were THICK, or contact lenses since I was about 10. The feeling of liberation was wonderful. I paid for an upgrade in the implants so I don't even need 'cheaters' to read, except to read very small print on a colored background. And the doctor told me this degree of vision will last me for the rest of my life.

[JDPriestly]

39. Small print on a colored background.

Websites with dark backgrounds are tough. I wonder why that is.

I had to have a couple of eye tests for reasons unrelated to my surgery afterward. Just the feeling of being able to see the chart without glasses. I have to laugh out loud for joy every time I get to the lower part of the chart. That feeling. It's like something I missed as a kid.

I see the leaves on the trees with clarity. It's just wonderful. My glasses made everything look really small. So my sense of distance is till adjusting.

I still reach up to my nose at times to push imaginary glasses up. It's a habit I couldn't even break when I had contacts.
'

[NWProf]

16. Cataract surgery IS NOT painful!!!

I got this surgery nearly 10 years ago now. The doctors provide you with some very nice sedatives. They were so nice in fact that it was like taking a trip and never leaving the farm (to quote the lyrics from an old marijuana song). The Docs also numb your eyes. You will be happy and numb. Just keep looking at the ceiling and the doctor will do the rest. Do not rub your eyes for about 7 to 10 days and you will revel at how much more beautiful the world has become. All about you things will be bright and sharp! I have never been so happy, and each day I get to look at the world with my new eyes.

By the way, if it is American journalism, believe half of what you read. Sensationalism and fear rule...

[Mbrow]

19. Wow! that is weird,

when i had mine done they did not use that needle in the eye thing, just numbing drops and a sedative in the IV. I went from 20/200 20/400 to 20/25 20/35 no pain at all from start to finish..

[packman]

21. Painful - NO WAY

Had one eye done, thinking it would be painful. Mild tranquilizer at hospital via a drip, sort of puts you into a twilight stage. Then the operation and YES you (or at least I) are awake. Interesting light show as the old cataract is removed and an new lens put in _ BUT NO PAIN at least, again , for me. A few minutes in recovery and out the door with an eye patch. A few days later the bandages were removed and , GOD, what a difference in colors. What I thought was light green was white, reds brilliant. I had gotten used to color changes over the years and the lens corrected it. Begged the doc to do the other eye which I had done a few weeks later.

Best decision, best surgery I ever had. Be confident. You won't regret it. If worried about pain , ask for a booster tranquilizer.

[dixiegrrrrl]

24. ty, packman.

People have explained that the clinic I am going to actually gives you a sedative which knocks you out for a minute, which is when they do the injection.So I was happy and lulled until I read that, and then read some of the comments here where people DID have pain.
Apparently depends on where you go.
Best eye exam I ever ever had was at the clinic where I think I will be going.

but...not till fall, when weather is much much cooler. There is no need to add stress to my heart by tromping around in this heat.

[murielm99]

28. I had the surgery.

It was not painful.

It is a lot easier than it used to be.

[hobbit709]

49. Didn't feel a thing When I had it done back in 1996.

You're conscious but numbed out. You see a lot of weird floaters and then the surgeon stepped back and said "That's it"
They peel off the tape holding your eyelid open, sit you up and the surgeon says "How is it?"
I looked around and said "Everything is in focus"

Month later, they did the other eye.

[PADemD]

73. Do they do both eyes even if there is cataract on only one eye?

[hobbit709]

74. Had them in both eyes.

[IphengeniaBlumgarten]

53. No pain for me or for my SO nt

[William Seger]

66. I had no pain, and...

... the surgery was, like, "Look at the light... (whrrrr)... Okay, we're finished." Don't worry about it.

ETA: The procedure corrected my near-sightedness, as expected, but the biggest surprise for me was how much brighter and colorful things were.

[Stonepounder]

75. I had cataract surgery several years ago.

I think the proper word was 'uncomfortable' - and not as a synonym for 'painful'. It was not at all painful, and the anesthesia they gave me left me not really caring about the fact that somebody was zapping my eyeball with a laser. There was almost no post-surgical pain and the procedure left me seeing better out of my left eye than I had since I was a teen.

Strange coincidence, I am heading out to see my opthamologist in about an hour to get a new prescription for glasses and check my other eye to see if it needs cataract surgery. I will certainly mention this to him.

[matt819]

76. My experience

I had cataracts removed about seven years ago. One eye at a time over the summer.

The anesthesia is local, and I was awake while the doctor went about his work. He kept asking how I was doing, etc., and as I kept thinking about what the doctor was doing, I began feeling nauseated. No paid, mind you, but nauseated. I told the doctor that I wasn't feeling t. . . and before I could finish the anesthesiologist had me out in a flash.

During the second eye op, I was out from the beginning.

As for cost, yes, it was expensive, but my insurance picked up a large portion of it.

The tragic part of all this is that the lack of insurance, or the lack of decent insurance, could still make the cost of this procedure prohibitively expensive (though I don't know this for sure), and that's unfortunate because it made a big difference to me.

[SoapBox]

5. Wow...

This amazing. Hope it progresses to a viable treatment for humans.

Now if they can get Macular under control.

[SheilaT]

12. Cataract surgery is NOT painful.

Anyone who says that has probably not had cataract surgery.

Plus, just dissolving the cataracts won't fix the other vision problems usually present.

I've needed corrective lenses all my life. I couldn't see the blackboard in first grade, got my first glasses the next summer. Every year I needed a stronger correction for my near-sightedness. When I was 17 I got contact lenses. The hard ones, because that was all that was available in 1965. They were wonderful. I could see, really see. for the very first time.

In the late '70's I got soft lenses and loved them, but I still always had to plan ahead for late nights, since I'd still need to put in the lenses in the morning.

I'm now 66 years old. Three years ago I had cataract surgery. My life has been turned around. I don't need to worry about cramming lenses into my eyes every morning, and when I wake up I can see. OMG! I can see! I can read the clock across the room. It's amazing.

Yeah, I still need reading glasses, but that's trivial compared to waking up and being able to see, and NEVER having to put lenses into my eyes ever again.

If eye drops that dissolve cataracts can do that, then fine. But I'll hold my breath until then.

[Tess49]

18. My history is much like yours. I just turned 66, and began wearing glasses when I was around

16 months old. i started wearing contact lenses when I was about 15 years old. My bilateral cataract surgery will be in August. I am looking forward to being able to see without groping around for my glasses or putting in contact lenses. Everyone I know tells me they would have done this years earlier if they had known their vision would be so improved. I'm a little nervous, but I am looking forward to this.

[SheilaT]

20. In the lead-up to my surgery,

and at the surgery itself, I was invariably the youngest patient in the waiting room by at least a decade, sometimes two. Older people have tended to postpone it because it was more of a big deal some years back. They didn't implant lenses, so people were left to wear extremely thick glasses. The cataracts could come back, which won't happen any more.

I tell people that cataracts were the best things that happened to my eyes.

[Tess49]

22. Hoping I have the same quality outcome you did!!

[SheilaT]

27. I hope so too.

My regular eye doctor is very impressed at the improvement in my vision; it's apparently even better than he expected.

I feel as if I can read small signs on distant mountains.

Last summer I visited my son in Portland, Oregon, and we were on one of the hills just west of downtown, watching planes landing at the airport. I could not get over how absolutely crystal clear my vision was, watching planes land about five miles away.

[Tess49]

35. My ophthalmologist (sent there by my optometrist) tells me that I will be astonished by the

difference. Currently, I just don't drive at night due to the awful blinding glare from other car headlights. Plus, my current eye prescription can only correct my vision so much do to the cataracts. He explained how light hits the cataracts, and scatters. At night that causes the glare. During the day it causes some color deficiency. He expects my "new" vision to be close to 20/20. I will likely need reading glasses, but that's okay. Sounds like you did great!

[SheilaT]

37. Yes. I had those symptoms, although not to the point where I'd given up night driving.

I tell people that the very first time your eye doctor tells you it's time for the cataract surgery, do it. Don't delay. There's no point. The doctor wouldn't be suggesting it if your eyes weren't where they needed it.

It's now been three years, and I've almost forgotten what a hassle it used to be to be putting in those contact lenses every day.

[Tess49]

41. So true. I've been wearing only glasses now for several weeks. Don't miss the contacts.

[SheilaT]

44. I had not had a usable pair of glasses for at least fifteen years.

The last time I bought glasses, and it was probably in the late '90s, the eye doctor screwed up the prescription. He should have ordered a "slab off" (if I'm remembering correctly) meaning that two different kinds of glass had to be put together, one for the regular prescription, the other for the bifocal part. Since he didn't order it correctly, I could not see out of the glasses I paid $400 for. Glasses are vastly more expensive than contacts, unlike back when I first got contacts in 1965, when it was the reverse. Anyway, I never wore those glasses and never again got glasses. Lots of contact lens wearers I knew thought I was nuts, because (understandably) glasses are needed for backup. I simply did without.

Actually, I did without a glasses backup for the first twenty years that I wore contacts.

One of the things I loved about contacts was the vastly improved vision, especially the peripheral vision, as compared to glasses. Especially as I have always been extremely nearsighted. I'd often get frustrated with people who thought they had poor vision. Then I'd hand my glasses to them, and they'd gasp, because they'd just fallen off the edge of the earth.

I have always been grateful that I was born in a century where I could get good vision correction, be it glasses or contact lenses. Had I been born a hundred years earlier, I'd have gone through life not seeing much of anything.

Now, after the cataract surgery, life is wonderful. What I have found interesting is that as my vision was fading with the cataracts, I was accepting it as normal. Back before cataract surgery, we all just took it for granted that most old people lost their vision. Now, that won't happen to most of us. Oh, yes, other sorts of things might happen to rob us of our sight, but the fading that happens with cataracts is largely a thing of the past. I, for one, am very grateful.

[Tess49]

48. Didn't you have to be out of contacts for a while before the cataract surgery?

I have to be out of mine so my corneas can return to their normal state (whatever that is). I've made it 5 weeks wearing a pair of glasses that were made ages ago, and can barely see with. My next appt is this coming Tuesday. If there is no change from my baseline exam, I'll be good to go. I suspect that changes have occurred, however. I'm terribly farsighted. I was wearing semi-hard, gas permeable lenses, not the soft ones. Don't know if that makes a difference in how long it takes the eyes to recover from years of contact lens wearing or not. If I didn't have these old glasses to wear, I wouldn't be able to find a light switch!!

[SheilaT]

50. I had to be out of them for three days for

the measurements of my eyes to be made for the lenses that would be implanted. It may need to be longer if you wear hard ones. Just three days for the soft ones.

I was then able to go back to wearing the lenses normally, and I don't believe I had to be out of them prior to the day of the surgery.

Immediately after the surgery there is some swelling, and your vision will be a bit odd. The swelling normally goes down in a couple of days. Mine went down in about four hours, at which point I was seeing quite well.

Also, typically one eye is done and the other one about two weeks later. I could have had my second one done later that week. It was really interesting spending that time with one eye that saw extremely well, and the other one with the cataract.

[Tess49]

61. Three days would have been wonderful. My 2nd one will be done 2 weks after the first.

One of my friends told me that she couldn't believe the yellowish tint to her pre-op vision in the eye done second. It was only when the first eye was done that she realized how bad her vision had become.

[SheilaT]

67. Yep. That's usually the way it is.

I had the relative good fortune to have my cataracts progress very swiftly between one visit and the next, a year apart. I'd been noticing the changes, but hadn't understood what was going on, such as the improvement in my near vision. That's a very typical sign of cataracts.

I can't begin to emphasize how much, in an earlier era, I'd have just thought that the deterioration of my vision was normal and inevitable. It was normal and inevitable, but thanks to living in the 21st century, correctable.

I also can't begin to emphasize enough how amazing my vision is now. Please, for all of you who might read this thread, when your eye doctor says it's time for cataract surgery, believe him, and schedule the surgery.

[dixiegrrrrl]

78. "improvement in my near vision"

ahhhhhh...that's where I am at now.
I am reading on a Nook, which has good background light, at first I thought that was the problem solver, but noitced I can see pretty well now in near vision and so have not been needing my reading glasses.
Distance is shot, night driving is impossible, any light keeps me blinded even when I have stopped looking at it, so I have sunglasses for anytime I go out doors.
Really need to go to local doc for update and get the surgery scheduled.

[SheilaT]

79. Yes. If your near vision is suddenly

quite good, get to your eye doctor.

Apparently cataract surgery is the single most common surgery in this country.

[dixiegrrrrl]

56. Please let me know how your surgery went

and, if you have Medicare, how much out of pocket you had pay, and details so I will know what to expect.

Would really appreciate it.

[Tess49]

60. I will. I will know about the total cost at this next visit. Some of it depends on what type

of lens they use. Medicare pays at least 80%, but doesn't pay for some of the non-standard lenses.

[No Vested Interest]

62. I am also expecting to have an anesthesiologist expense.

My cataract surgeries were July 7 and July 22- this month.
Both times I was visited beforehand, in the pre-op room by an anesthesiologist.
The first one was a nurse anesthesiologist, the second time a physician anesthesiologist, who I presume ran that practice, as the original nurse anesthesiologist came in immediately before surgery.

My bills haven't arrived, and frankly, I didn't talk costs beforehand, as it was going to happen either way.
I'm seeing much better, and feel safer driving now- without glasses.

[Tess49]

63. I'll ask about that. I'm like you though, it's going to happen either way, regardless of cost.

It has to be done.

[Tess49]

64. So you just had your second one last week -- great!! and already driving!!

[No Vested Interest]

65. I was told I would be able to drive to the opthalmologist's office for an appt. the day

after surgery, and I did, without any trouble.
This was after the second eye, and by then I felt very comfortable, having had the experience in the meantime of driving very comfortably after the first eye surgery.
Dr. was checking the eye pressure, which he said was fine. His assistant checked my vision, which she said was fairly close to 20/20.
I will go back again in 4 weeks to get a final (I presume) check-up and a prescription for any future glasses needed. I am fine with using glasses for reading. It was my distance vision I was concerned about, and a concern for driving safety.

[Tess49]

71. Impressive! Hope I do as well.

[JayhawkSD]

25. A small point...

The headline of the post suggests that the drops do a better job that the surgery does. It may be just a missing period and the intent is to say that having eye drops is a lot better than having surgery. If the former, the article doesn't say that. If the latter, I certainly have no arguement with it.

The article was in our local paper, and gave my wife an opportunity to kick my ass, because I have been putting it off and she has been having to do all of the night driving.

[murielm99]

29. Don't put it off any more.

I am so glad I did it. I need reading glasses, but that is all. It is wonderful, after wearing glasses and contacts since I was thirteen. I don't need any of that any more!

[Hoppy]

30. Wife had both eyes done in June

No pain from surgery but burning from the anti-biotic yet drops

[stuffmatters]

36. I hope prescrption costs stay low, that UC & taxpayers not Pharma reap financial benefits.

It's time for patients and taxpayers to benefit primarily from the research they finance. These patents are part of our "commons" that are surrendered for pennies on the dollar to global corps who often don't even pay state or federal taxes. Then make what should be inexpensive drugs unaffordable to the millions who need them.

[No Vested Interest]

45. Generics are available in place of the name-brand meds.

My ophthalmologist prescribed three meds that I was told by the pharmacist would cost $600+, as they would not e covered by my very good insurance plan.

I called the Dr.'s office to check that all three meds were necessary, knowing that one cannot return them if the meds are not really needed.
The office person asked how much I would have to pay; when I told her $600+, she said don't get them, and called in three generic replacements, for which I paid a total of $12 for all three.
I was told the only difference was that I would have to use the generic eye drops one more time per day than the expensive meds., i.e., four times per day for the first week for the generic drops, while the $200+ eye drops would have been used three times per day.

My surgery was just completed three days ago, Wednesday - for the second day. I am very happy with the results, not only with the improved vision - no glasses for driving and TV, and lower power glasses for reading - but I feel more stable on my feet since I'm seeing better. I had been carrying and frequently using a cane for balance and stability, and notice I mostly don't feel that need any more.

[dixiegrrrrl]

57. THAT is excellent info...thank you!

I had heard the drops were expensive and know of 3 people who had surgery, but also have 100% insurance coverage, so they had no problem paying for everything.
All I have is Medicare, which is limited in what it pays for.

[carolinayellowdog]

40. How much does the surgery cost?

Last time I got glasses the doc told me cataracts had started; two years later I am starting to notice the effects in one eye. Had run across mention of these drops and wondered what the financial implications are-- how much would be saved if this can spare me from the surgery.

All these rave reviews of the surgery leave me wondering how much out of pocket cost is involved.

[valerief]

43. I didn't have to pay anything, but it could have been my insurance plan at the time.

I don't think it's expensive. It's pretty routine surgery, totally outpatient.

[djean111]

52. I believe that Medicare pays for basic lenses.

Even the basic lenses improve your eyesight dramatically, but you may still need reading glasses or something like that. The lenses you pay extra for evidently fix other problems you may have. If you Goggle cataract lenses there is a lot of info out there.

[carolinayellowdog]

58. thanks-- 62 this year so

will have to look at what my current coverage pays vs. 3 years down the road. Night driving becoming an issue already, but not something I'm much inclined to do anyhow.

[valerief]

42. In what world is cataract surgery painful? It wasn't in mine. nt

[No Vested Interest]

46. Agreed -no pain. My eye surgeries were just this month - July 2015. nt

[marble falls]

47. Good. I was told I was developing a cateract in on eye. Too bad there's no timeline.

[GoneFishin]

51. Not making a joke, it will likely be possible to treat older pets who often have bad cataracts.

[PADemD]

54. Third World Countries

It will also be useful in Third World Countries which do not have adequate hospital facilities.

[GoneFishin]

55. Oh yeah. No need for surgical facilities.

[Person 2713]

59. Yes I thought of this immediately when I read this. My pet has other vision problems but I have

often read how common cataracts are in older pets while researching his problem . Great news for all creatures big and small

[dixiegrrrrl]

68. No joke...our Goldie has cataracts.

He is 10 this year, his age is showing, but he still can see enough to get thru the days.

[Towlie]

69. But my retinas are shielded from ultraviolet by my implants! Can your eyedrops do that?

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

70. I'd like to see cost a reduction in costs so that anyone who wants it can afford

presbyopia-correcting IOLs to be implanted during cataract surgery. I've just begun to suffer presbyopia and it's a total fking pain in the ass that all the print in the world seems to have been put through a Shrinky Dink oven! I'm almost looking forward to cataracts so I can get the PCIOLs implanted--if I can afford it. Which I probably can't.

If you need cataract surgery, you may have the option of paying extra for new presbyopia-correcting IOLs (intraocular lenses) that potentially can restore a full range of vision without eyeglasses.

Multifocal and accommodating IOLs are the two main types of presbyopia-correcting IOLs. These IOLs may offer significant advantages over conventional single-vision IOLs, which typically provide clarity at near, intermediate, or distance ranges — but not all three at once.

For example, a single vision or monofocal IOL might enable you to see objects at a distance, but you would still need reading glasses for sharp near vision. Or you might be able to see objects close-up, but you would still need eyeglasses to drive.

The FDA approved certain presbyopia-correcting IOLs only within the last several years. This means that, for the first time, people undergoing a cataract procedure have a chance to simultaneously correct for presbyopia and thus achieve independence from reading glasses. Remember, however, that for certain near vision activities you may still benefit from wearing eyeglasses, even if you do choose a multifocal or accommodating IOL.

But aren't presbyopia-correcting IOLs a lot more expensive? How much extra do I have to pay?

Presbyopia-correcting IOLs are more expensive because they cost more for companies to develop and produce, and because extra surgeon skill is required for a procedure that includes the use of these lenses. Also, extra care must be taken with these lenses to make sure you receive the exact right prescription for your eyes. Costs vary, depending on the lens used, but you can expect to pay up to $2,500 extra per eye. Otherwise, basic costs of cataract surgery are covered by Medicare and most other health insurance policies.

Why won't Medicare or health insurance cover the full cost of presbyopia-correcting IOLs?

A multifocal or accommodating IOL is not considered medically necessary. Medicare or private insurance typically will pay only the cost of a basic intraocular lens and accompanying cataract surgery. Use of a more expensive, presbyopia-correcting lens is considered an elective refractive proc

edure, a type of luxury, just as LASIK and PRK are refractive procedures that also typically are not covered by health insurance.http://www.allaboutvision.com/faq/presbyopia-iols.htm

[burfman]

72. Cool! Just like Dr. McCoy would have in his med kit.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_McCoy

[HassleCat]

77. That's good

For people like me, I should have the surgery, because they install a new lens and correct myopia at the same time they get rid of the cataract. For people who don't need correction, it would save a lot of trouble.