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Is it true that there is no help for my husband?

My husband, in his mid-40's, has been told by two different ophthalmologists that he has early cataracts.  This has been going on for more than two years.  He has a lot of trouble seeing from one eye, and overall he says everything is out of focus.  His doctor told him that even with a new prescription his vision cannot be corrected (in the bad eye) to better than 20-50.  He has trouble driving during the day (always thought the problem was night driving) because of glare, and cannot read signs.  Today he saw his doctor, who told him that his cataract probably isn't bad enough to have surgery that would be covered by insurance, and Lasik surgery isn't a good option because he'll just have to have cataract surgery down the road.  He did not dilate his pupils or otherwise examine him beyond a perfunctory check, and sent him away with a shrug, telling him that he just has to accept it for now.  My husband is so discouraged and sad - he has resigned himself to not being able to see though he is worried about being unable to drive safely, especially with our two small children in the car.  I am furious, but I need to focus on finding help for him.  Is there help?  Thanks!
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233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are welcome JCH MD
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Avatar universal
I was unclear - I meant that I imagine there are a lot of cataract surgeons in Florida and I confirmed today that there are.  I made an appt for 4/16. Thanks again.
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233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Well since my practice for over 30 years has been cataracts I can't imagine that you're having this problem. Chose your next eye surgeon with some care, ideally someone with FAAO behind his/her name (Fellow American Academy of Ophthalmology) and FACS (Fellow American College of Surgeons). Emphasize to the surgeon how much of a daily problem the vision is.

JCH MD FACS  FAAO
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Avatar universal
Yes - Florida, which seems to me would have a lot of cataract surgeons given the large number of retirees who live here.
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233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Do you live in USA?

JCH MD
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Avatar universal
Thank you very much for your reply.  It seemed so obvious to me that there must be something that can be done.  He has reluctantly told me, as I write this, that at certain times of day he can no longer discern whether traffic lights are red or green.  We are going to have a consultation with a cataract surgeon as soon as possible.
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Avatar universal
As a former cataract patient (now with implanted lenses), I can tell you that no glasses or Lasik-type procedure will help with cataracts.  The problem is that the natural lens, which is in the interior of the eye, is clouded.  It simply has to be taken out and replaced (these days, though not in years past, when Coke-bottle glasses were given to such patients).

I think you need--yourself--to talk with your insurance agent to see what your coverage actually is.  If your husband's eyesight is so bad as to be medically disabling, I would be surprised if there were not a provision for this in your health insurance.  Ask them about it.

The fancy lens implants, which I have, are very pricey, and are not suited to everyone.  However, the basic, no-frills lenses--plus glasses--usually give cataract patients back their ability to function normally, and in the great scheme of things are not horribly expensive to install.

I am sure that one of the generous eye doctors here will have further advice for you.

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233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Something is wrong. If the "bad eye" was able to see normal (about 20/20) when he was younger and before the cataract developed and now it's 20/50 due to cataracts and he has glare/driving problems that would meet the definition for needing cataract surgery any where in the USA (all private insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid, Tri-Care).

So if you live in the USA ask your family MD to refer you at a cataract surgeon or go to www.geteyesmart.org and find one near you.

If you live outside the USA, especially in a country with socialized, government run healthcare like UK then this is often part of official NHS directives that "ration" healthcare.

JCH MD

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