 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Medical Forum / General / Vision / September 2005Post-operative refraction
Following cataract extraction, I am keen on getting lenses (probably glasses, initially) to neutralize the remaining refraction. I am wondering if this is likely to be stable at one month, considering the large incision made to implant a sclerally-fixated IOL. Any opinions?  SignatureRobert T. Kopp http://analytic.tripod.com One month would probably be the minimum; ask your surgeon. But whatever he/she says, there is no law that says you can't get an Rx now and a different one in a couple of months, esp. if you don't mind paying for the change. You might ask the dispenser to order them from a lab that has a generous remake policy... w.stacy, o.d. > Following cataract extraction, I am keen on getting lenses (probably > glasses, initially) to neutralize the remaining refraction. I am wondering > if this is likely to be stable at one month, considering the large incision > made to implant a sclerally-fixated IOL. Any opinions? > One month would probably be the minimum; ask your surgeon. But whatever > he/she says, there is no law that says you can't get an Rx now and a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > w.stacy, o.d. I belong to an HMO, and can't get an appointment before Oct. 5. That should probably be enough time. As a former contact-lens wearer, I have not purchased glasses in some time. But I have benchmarks for the price. For example, 39dollarglasses.com sells bifocals for $79, so even if the prescription changes, it isn't a frightening waste of money. >> Following cataract extraction, I am keen on getting lenses (probably >> glasses, initially) to neutralize the remaining refraction. I am >> wondering if this is likely to be stable at one month, considering the >> large incision made to implant a sclerally-fixated IOL. Any opinions? It amazes me that a lot of very intelligent people are so stingy when it comes to their eyeglasses. Did you stop your surgeon before your implants were put in, and ask him to make sure he used the cheapest one? The reality is that a well made pair of progressive lenses from a reputable manufacturer, with 100% UVA and UVB protection, costs more than double that 79 bucks at wholesale to the optometrist or optician who fits you in them. A price point of about 200 for the lenses alone will get you into a decent pair of lenses. > > One month would probably be the minimum; ask your surgeon. But whatever > > he/she says, there is no law that says you can't get an Rx now and a [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > >> wondering if this is likely to be stable at one month, considering the > >> large incision made to implant a sclerally-fixated IOL. Any opinions? > It amazes me that a lot of very intelligent people are so stingy when > it comes to their eyeglasses. Did you stop your surgeon before your > implants were put in, and ask him to make sure he used the cheapest > one? The IOL's cost less than $100 each. But they add something to the bill for installing them... Cataract surgery costs about $3500 an eye, on average, here in the U.S. The actual amount of PMMA that goes into the eye might be valued at no more than a few pennies. So, you might also say that each surgery had a "markup" of 3499.98. My point, which I'm sure you got, is that your 7 thousand dollars worth of surgery should not be sitting behind 39 dollar eyeglassses. > Cataract surgery costs about $3500 an eye, on average, here in the U.S. > The actual amount of PMMA that goes into the eye might be valued at [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > My point, which I'm sure you got, is that your 7 thousand dollars worth > of surgery should not be sitting behind 39 dollar eyeglassses. Why get more expensive ones if the $39 glasses are good enough? For simple reading glasses, 99-cent readers are good enough. Maybe the OP doesn't want progressives -- a lot of people hate them. Mostly when people say "You get what you pay for" they're wrong; you usually get far less than you pay for. Whenever I have chosen to go first class I have inevitably been disappointed and regretted my choice. SignatureCheers, Bev =============================================================== Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely and in a well preserved body, but to skid in sideways, totally worn out, and shouting HOLY sh.t!!! WHAT A RIDE!!! > Why get more expensive ones if the $39 glasses are good enough? For simple > reading glasses, 99-cent readers are good enough. OK I'll agree that $39 should buy a dandy pair of OTC readers that may be "good enough" for some folks. Maybe some outfits can do it for 10. But I doubt anyone can make a decent OTC reader for 99 cents... w.stacy, o.d. > > Why get more expensive ones if the $39 glasses are good enough? For simple > > reading glasses, 99-cent readers are good enough. > > OK I'll agree that $39 should buy a dandy pair of OTC readers that may > be "good enough" for some folks. Maybe some outfits can do it for 10. > But I doubt anyone can make a decent OTC reader for 99 cents... I have a number of them. Chinese, of course. No distortion, perfectly clear, and the frames don't hurt. What do I get for the extra $38? SignatureCheers, Bev *********************************************************** "Everyone ought to stop and smell crayons once in a while." -- DA > I have a number of them. Chinese, of course. No distortion, perfectly > clear, > and the frames don't hurt. What do I get for the extra $38? Don't ask us Merkuns. We pay $9/gal for water at the convenience store and complain about the price of petrol... -MT > > I have a number of them. Chinese, of course. No distortion, perfectly > > clear, and the frames don't hurt. What do I get for the extra $38? > > Don't ask us Merkuns. We pay $9/gal for water at the convenience store and > complain about the price of petrol... "What you mean WE, white man?" I'm very proud of my Colombian daughter-in-law, she finally decided that it was safe to drink our tap water. Apparently in much of the outside world the tap water is a health risk even for the natives. People just don't have a clue about shopping... SignatureCheers, Bev ============================================= If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country. decent OTC reader for 99 cents... > I have a number of them. Chinese, of course. No distortion, perfectly clear, > and the frames don't hurt. I'm not sure what your standards and methodology for determining "no distortion, perfectly clear", but I'm really puzzled as to how anyone can make any money manufacturing a pair of glasses, shipping it to wherever you purchased it from, and then getting the final product to you. I don't think China is losing money on anything they produce. It just doesn't pencil out. I mean I couldn't ship a box of air for 99 cents. But then, my product would also be "perfectly clear, with no distortion" as well... w.stacy, o.d. > decent OTC reader for 99 cents... > > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > cents. But then, my product would also be "perfectly clear, with no > distortion" as well... "No distortion" according to my optician who looked at them with some machine; he asked where I got them and thought he'd get some himself. It also means that if you tilt them up and down and back and forth you don't see any waves. "Clear" means not foggy or fuzzy or tinted unless you want sunglasses -- which are also 99 cents. These are generally pre-priced at $4-$10, so you're buying the same things for a higher price elsewhere. The 99-Cents-Only stores sell a lot of Chinese stuff which can clearly be made to sell for 99 cents. If they're dumping product on us they've got away with it so far. I decided I don't need to buy Chinese toothpaste as long as I can get American toothpaste for the same price with coupons, but most other things are significantly cheaper than supermarket stuff. http://www.99only.com/ Repeat: What do I get for the extra $38? SignatureCheers, Bev ============================================= If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country. > I have a number of them. Chinese, of course. No distortion, perfectly clear, > and the frames don't hurt. What do I get for the extra $38? Made in America? DrG > > I have a number of them. Chinese, of course. No distortion, perfectly clear, > > and the frames don't hurt. What do I get for the extra $38? > > Made in America? Are you sure about that? My Anne Klein (a fine American brand) sunglasses were made in Italy, which didn't keep somebody from selling them to me for a quarter. Couldn't find a picture, but AKs seem to retail for $100-$150. They're fine sunglasses, but a bit too small and allow light in over the top, which seems stupid. They'd make OK reading glasses. When "Made in America" means something, I'll consider it. Anybody in America make glasses frames? SignatureCheers, Bev ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Self Test for Paranoia: You know you have it when you can't think of anything that's your own fault. I like Dan's answer better. DrG > I like Dan's answer better. Who is Dan and what did he say? SignatureCheers, Bev ------------------------------------------------------------- "We've got some stupid people out there. This morning, I woke up in a bathtub filled with ice and I had an extra kidney." > I have a number of them. Chinese, of course. No distortion, perfectly > clear, > and the frames don't hurt. What do I get for the extra $38? 1. frames fitted for your eyes 2. prescription lenses, which aren't always the same strength for both eyes 3. feedback from a professional as to how your glasses are *really* working > Why get more expensive ones if the $39 glasses are good enough? For > simple [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > usually > get far less than you pay for. Yes! Anyhow, I already have a pair of glasses that cost just under $200, from Kaiser, and the metal frames are so flimsy that I now must take them in for repairs. (Before surgery, getting a broken pair of glasses repaired would have been an emergency--I would have had to be taken to the optician by someone else; but now I can take my time.) Does anyone who is familiar with Kaiser know on what terms such repairs are made? The frames were not subjected to abuse, though they are about two years old. When they were purchased, only one eye had been operated on. The other lens has a power of -1.5 to allow for the ripening of the cataract in the unoperated eye, which was fitted with a -9 D contact lens, still worn at that time. Now the -1.5 lens alone is pretty close, but not quite right. > Yes! Anyhow, I already have a pair of glasses that cost just under $200, > from Kaiser, and the metal frames are so flimsy that I now must take them in [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > made? The frames were not subjected to abuse, though they are about two > years old. My wife is very hard on her glasses, and paid a few extra bucks for two years of service. My experience with Kaiser is that they are more interested in keeping you happy than in going by the book. I suspect (but can't promise, of course) that they will fix them for free, if they don't look too abused and you aren't in every other week. They generally just bend them back into shape. I have bought three pairs of glasses from Kaiser, and my first question of the optician is whether the frames I have selected are sturdy. Of course, I live in the town where the DMV clerks are fast, efficient and friendly. Maybe the Kaiser here isn't typical either? >Of course, I live in the town where the DMV clerks are fast, efficient >and friendly. Maybe the Kaiser here isn't typical either? > I'm impressed. Does the mailman even deliver your own mail and nobody elses to your mailbox? Sounds like paradise. w.stacy, o.d. > >Of course, I live in the town where the DMV clerks are fast, efficient > >and friendly. Maybe the Kaiser here isn't typical either? > > > > I'm impressed. Does the mailman even deliver your own mail and nobody > elses to your mailbox? Sounds like paradise. Pretty much. About 25 years ago we had a problem with getting somebody else's mail. I can't blame the mailman though, since it had our address on it. That got straightened out, and we met the guy (he had a daughter same age as our son, and they were in school together). He was pretty flaky and I'm sure it was his error. We lived on the same street but his address was 113 and ours is 133. Your glasses are two YEARS old, and you hope to have them repaired? At no cost? Do you own a suit that you have worn daily? If you do, are you planning on taking that in for repairs, too? Your eyeglass frames have been drinking up your skin oils and sitting on your face for plenty long enough to throw them away and buy new ones. I have this mental image of the "regulars" on this newsgroup all driving 15-year-old Volvos with 225,000 miles on them, asking how to get a good cheap warranty repair. I live in a very middleclass, blue collar community in Northern Illinois, and most folks around here expect new glasses (frames and lenses) every two years, and expect to spend about $300 on them. The rampant socialism that leads to the "Kaiser owes me!" mentality is a major contributor to the cost of healthcare in this country. > Your glasses are two YEARS old, and you hope to have them repaired? At > no cost? Do you own a suit that you have worn daily? If you do, are > you planning on taking that in for repairs, too? We're talking about a person with recent cataract surgery who has been wearing contacts, not glasses. I took two pairs of glasses in about a month ago which I had had for *way* more than three years and asked Kaiser to refit them, check their strength and remove the left lenses (I had cataract surgery three years ago and hadn't worn these glasses since then). They were quite happy to do that, at no charge. > Your eyeglass frames have been drinking up your skin oils and sitting > on your face for plenty long enough to throw them away and buy new > ones. I have this mental image of the "regulars" on this newsgroup all > driving 15-year-old Volvos with 225,000 miles on them, asking how to > get a good cheap warranty repair. And I have an image of people whose suits have sat in the closet for two years, since the last wedding they went to. They aren't going to buy a new suit because there is another wedding coming up and they've already worn that suit once. > I live in a very middleclass, blue collar community in Northern > Illinois, and most folks around here expect new glasses (frames and > lenses) every two years, and expect to spend about $300 on them. The > rampant socialism that leads to the "Kaiser owes me!" mentality is a > major contributor to the cost of healthcare in this country. I couldn't agree less. Kaiser does not push the purchase of new frames every two years. My private OD doesn't either, but his opticians certainly have. "What do you mean you don't need new frames after two years, Mr. Abel, your insurance will pay for them!". > Your glasses are two YEARS old, and you hope to have them repaired? At > no cost? Do you own a suit that you have worn daily? If you do, are [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > driving 15-year-old Volvos with 225,000 miles on them, asking how to > get a good cheap warranty repair. If such things are true, it would seem that one might save money in the long run with contacts. However, older people with small degrees of myopia sometimes find contacts a nuisance, because then reading is more difficult. > Mostly when people say "You get what you pay for" they're wrong; you usually > get far less than you pay for. Whenever I have chosen to go first class I > have inevitably been disappointed and regretted my choice. You obviously haven't flown British Airways. DrG > > Mostly when people say "You get what you pay for" they're wrong; you usually > > get far less than you pay for. Whenever I have chosen to go first class I > > have inevitably been disappointed and regretted my choice. > > You obviously haven't flown British Airways. Absolutely right, I've flown exactly 8 times in my life. I would never even THINK of paying first class rates for transportation. OK, let's consider... I decided to hang the expense and get fancy multi-focal RGPs for $450 including fitting from a guy who came highly recommended by a friend who spends money like water. I consider this WAYYY overpriced in terms of the cost of bifocals in cheap frames, but wotthehell. I ended up with 6 pair of soft contacts that were highly variable in terms of visual quality. I had the Cadillac dealer replace my differential. On my way home I noticed the new bearing sitting on the floor of the passenger side -- they had obviously forgotten to replace it. They gave me a loaner while they did the repair over, but I had to scream a lot before they gave in. Other stuff, some of which was funny. Assuming you get what you pay for is a mug's game. SignatureCheers, Bev xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx "We returned the General to El Salvador, or maybe Guatemala, it's difficult to tell from 10,000 feet." -- Anon. > > One month would probably be the minimum; ask your surgeon. But whatever > > he/she says, there is no law that says you can't get an Rx now and a [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > bifocals for $79, so even if the prescription changes, it isn't a > frightening waste of money. When my mom had her cataracts done maybe 10 years ago Lenscrafters would remake glasses for free for cataract patients. I don't know if there's a limit, but I think she had them redone twice. SignatureCheers, Bev =============================================================== Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely and in a well preserved body, but to skid in sideways, totally worn out, and shouting HOLY sh.t!!! WHAT A RIDE!!! |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.