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Well, let's see if I can write this without writing a whole book. I have astigmatism and one eye that is very far-sighted and one that is not. I love wearing contacts because they give me monovision, which is the best vision I ever get. Unfortunately, my prescription requires a level of correction most brands don't carry and the ones that do don't have the correct fit for me. I wear them anyway but can only tolerate them for a few hours and often have to wear reading glasses over them. So I've been looking forward to the part of old age where I get cataracts and can get lens implants to correct my issues and be able to see better (since my hobbies are reading and genealogy).

I went for my eye exam a few weeks ago and found out that I have cataracts (which is also causing me to question why I didn't figure this out on my own since I've been really struggling to see well and have gotten pretty clumsy - it's like "duh"). I was excited and started the process to get the surgery and get lens implants. After my 3rd appt. (i.e., 3 copays), I finally got to ask questions and I'm just absolutely blown away by the cost of the lens implants. I had the idea they were a few hundred dollars so I wasn't prepared for the news that it's going to cost me $7000 ($3500 per eye) for the lenses (that's not including the cost of my appointments and the surgery and followup care, etc.)

So I'm sitting here trying to decide what to do and am wondering how much the implants cost in other areas?

The ones I'm looking at are the premium package, corrects for astigmatism, distance and near. I could cut back and get the Standard package which corrects intermediate vision and astigmatism for just $2500 per eye.

And, of course, I can opt for the clear lens which is covered by Medicare and I'd have no out of pocket expense for the lens themselves.

All these years I thought waiting until I had cataracts would make getting the lens implants way less expensive but now I'm thinking I should have just done it years ago cuz I'd have saved the cost of glasses and contacts and been able to see better all this time.

And it's really non-productive to revisit our past decisions because the house I sold 2 years ago has doubled in value since then and if I'd waited, I'd be on a round the world cruise right now.

Anyway, has anyone had lens implants recently and do you recall how much they cost?

I can tell you that the price they are giving you seems on the high side.
However I would shop it by other eye dr's in your area. Yes MCR will not pay for the fancy lenses. My MIL did pay the extra and I believe it was about 5K about 3 years ago. She had great outcome from it. She doesn't need any glasses at all now. Not even cheaters, and she sews, and quilts, and does fine work up close all the time.

For her it was well worth the cost. Also she had worn coke bottle glasses since she was kid as a result from a head injury.

W opted for basic replacement lenses that corrected for near vision and paid for glasses for far vision and astigmatism. It was still worth it in her ...um... eyes.

Lifelong astigmatism here. I chose to correct my near vision because I didn't want to have to wear readers all the time, and I'm happy with not having to wear glasses around the house anymore unless I'm cleaning Crystal clear for reading and screens. I was given the option of getting the $10K progressive implants but chose the cheaper route.

I paid extra ($2000 CDN - operation is covered by medical plan) for toric lenses and still wear progressive eyeglasses for middle and distance because I've had glasses since I was 8 and it's no big deal. My progressive prescription is way less correction now and I haven't had to update the prescription since the lens implants in 2018.

The big bonus was that colours are far more vibrant now.

That’s very high. I am having the same surgery in a few weeks and my cost for the lenses is $5200 total. I also live in a very expensive part of NY state.

My was not lenses but it was a dental procedure. I think comparing prices among great options with well qualified providers can be worth it.

I think getting what you want is also very important.

The difference between having the procedure done in Madison WI at a dental practice that considered themselves holistic

and the price at an excellent place with amazing reviews and multiple certifications in a more rural part of NC near a person who took me and looked after me

Was as best I can tell so far thousands of dollars...NC was near excellent medical schools and was the much less expensive place.

Thanks for the input, everyone. I've postponed it all for right now because I can't decide what to do and also because I ended up in the hospital for 4 days with double pneumonia (viral) and very low potassium. I'm back home but moving slowly and taking lots of naps. I'll think about the lens implants later on when I'm doing better.

Being in the hospital was a quite an experience. At age 73, it was my first time ever in an ER or admitted to the hospital so it was all very new to me to be on the receiving end of the care.

I'm anxious to see my bill cuz I swear a lot of what was done was to help their bottom line.

And how can a hospital give a patient probiotics? Are those not a supplement, not controlled, licensed or approved by the FDA?

They also tried to give me melatonin which I refused because I have sleep apnea. But again, I think melatonin is a supplement, not controlled, licensed or approved by the FDA with no proven health benefits and potential side effects (disrupting hormones?).

But the food was good and I enjoyed it a lot, especially since I ate like a horse but lost 13 lbs. (Lasix).

I had 5 different IV's inserted but none of them worked for more than a few hours. Then they had a guy come in from the closest city to put in a midline. I dread seeing that bill since it didn't work either. Fortunately, they seem to have given me the right treatments because I was ready to go home after 4 days and so didn't need to have another IV put in.

Glad you are on the mend!

And how can a hospital give a patient probiotics? Are those not a supplement, not controlled, licensed or approved by the FDA?

There are several name brand probiotics that are made by drug companies, and have been used in studies to show they are specifically effective in preventing and treating CDiff, and IBS.

I'm not sure about the melatonin, I avoid that stuff like the plague. Much better giving a med that is proven and safe. I have seen some people have bad issues w/ melatonin. They probably have a source that is proven pure, and accurate, like a the above.