Making the right decision

DEAR DR. GOTT: This is a follow-up to your Q&A on cataracts that I read with interest. During the past two weeks, I had cataracts removed from both eyes and intraocular lenses implanted at the same time — with no waiting. I had two other lens choices, neither covered by Medicare. Those were lenses enabling me to see without glasses at all, at several thousand dollars. For about $600, I could have chosen lenses that would require glasses for reading only; however, the main issue was the fact that there is no waiting for lens implant after removal of cataracts.

DEAR DR. GOTT: I read your column advising surgery for cataracts. I was told several years ago that I would soon need cataract surgery. I’m a wimp and don’t want to even think about surgery! I Googled cataract eyedrops and found a supplier. I’ve been using the drops for several years, and my doctor no longer even mentions surgery to me. He just says “keep on eating those carrots.” Used in Russia and China, eyedrops are effective 80 percent of the time.
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