Hi!
I'm new here. This forum is an amazing resource. I've learned a lot reading other posts.
I'm 38 and my mom is 74. Just before Covid lockdowns started my mom needed to renew her driver's license. I brought her to the local Costco optometrist for new glasses. The optometrist said she had cataracts and would need surgery. My mom still passed her driver's eye exam but stopped driving. It's now been over a year (I've been doing all errands since) and she's scared to see an ophthalmologist for evaluation because she read she will need topical antibotics after the surgery. She is very allergic to antibotics. When she was a teenager she was hospitalized for a year due to the allergy and doctors not diagnosing her correctly. I can understand her anxiety over the thought of antibotics but I don't want her going blind. Any others have experience getting cataract surgey with an allergy to antibotics? Thanks for reading this. Any advice is appreciated.
I think topical means the eye drops u need to take. Best thing, call the Eye doctor who would do the surgery. He can tell her what problems could occur. Be nice to know what antibiotic was used. May not be on the market anymore.
Talk to the doctor and tell them what has happened and find out if they have an alternative drop that is not in the same class as penicillin.
I'd get an evaluation from a doctor about the antibiotic issue, and especially from the ophthalmologist who would perform the surgery (and I'd never consider anyone from Costco under any circumstances!).
I've had cataract surgery on both eyes; antibiotics was never discussed. I did take eye drops before and after; that's mandatory according to my ophthalmologist. They stung, no question that for a short time (maybe 10 or so minutes) after taking them my eyes were uncomfortable. But the dosage decreases by week and after 4 weeks, no more eye drops.
I also would consider seeing an ophthalmologist instead of an optometrist at a chain store. For years I saw either an ophthalmologist or an optometrist, but the optometrist was top notch, and in private practice. (She also taught at the local teaching university,) I tried Lenscrafters and got glasses through them for some years, but wouldn't consider going back.
Their optometrist was good, but nowhere near as thorough as my ophthalmologist. And I've had too many problems with their glasses. They broke too easily, And they didn't fit right; I got tired of going back for refitting.
When it comes to eyes, I'd go for the best you can find.
Antibiotic eye drops
Besivance, Vigamox and Zymaxid (gatifloxacin) are antibiotics often prescribed after cataract surgery to prevent infection. Eye doctors may like the newer antibiotic eye drops because they believe there is less antibiotic resistance.Aug 21, 2018
Sometimes you just need to figure out a way to get your elder "beyond" the sob stories and fears to acceptance. Not an easy road.
Tell Mom I know a man who was 98 when he had his removed with no problems. My friends who have had it down (in their 70s and before) say the procedure was nothing. The eyedrops were a pain. Not pain in they hurt but a pain remembering to put them in for the weeks that followed. They are all glad they had it done.
It mentions that SOME doctors recommend antibiotic eye drops a few days before the procedure.
Most folks develop cataracts as they age. Surgery only becomes necessary when the loss of vision from them is significant. If your mother can still see well enough not to be bothered by them, she has no motivation to overcome her fear, right?
You asked about my grandmother. When she couldn't read anymore, she gave in and had her cataracts removed, painlessly! She was amazed and said she could have kicked herself for not doing it earlier.
I would let your mom be for now. Find a good opthamologist for her to see when she's ready.