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eye care

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majicjack
  4/2/2014 18:09 EST

I went to GHMC for eye testing and it was discovered I had a cataract. This is when I discovered that the procedure would have to be done in the USA in order for my insurance to pay for it. Fortunately during this visit I met another American that had cataract problems and he informed me about a clinic run by Cuba that has all the latest equipment for eye problems. Today I visited this clinic in Cuidad Sandino and everything he told me was true. I got to the clinic at 10:30 and was taken right in. By 11:15 I had had a full screening and was again diagnosed with a cataract. I was told that surgery was needed but they could not do it today. I ask when, they said tomorrow at 7:00 AM. I was never asked for a passport, cedula or any type ID. They asked my name, any medical problems and age. I will have surgery tomorrow and leave the hospital in less than an hour and a half. The cost? What ever it takes in fuel to get there and back to Poneloya. It is 100% free. The doctors are very nice and very professional. If any of you expats are having eye problems, you should really check it out. The surgery is laser.

wagsa
  4/2/2014 20:30 EST

majicjack,

That is the best post you have placed since we started chaching. Thank you on behalf of all of the xpats that will benefit from your information. I guess that you are not such a bad guy after all. wagsa

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gcrtexas4
  4/3/2014 10:51 EST

I hope your surgery went well. I never thought you were a bad guy....in fact, a pretty good one. Can't say I always agree with your political point of view but I never hold that against anyone. I do believe in freedom of thought and it makes life interesting.

majicjack
  4/4/2014 21:22 EST

Thank you for asking. Matter of fact, it went very well. Not as fast as in the USA but I am sitting here writing this post with no glasses and 20/20 vision.
As far as political views go, I pulled two tours in Vietnam as a cobra helicopter pilot. I only made 9 months of the second tour because of an RPG. Was a very bad day. When you are in the military, you swear an oath to defend the constitution of the USA. This means you protect criminals, and any one else covered under the constitution. I may be out of date, but I still believe I may not agree with what you say but will fight to the death for you right to say it. My [political beliefs at the present? One group is a pack of liars and thieves and the other group doesn't have the balls to do anything about it. This is the reason I currently live in Nicaragua and have no plans of ever living in the USA again

glockdiver69
  4/5/2014 00:43 EST

Glad to hear you are doing well.

TerriMarie
  4/5/2014 01:28 EST

I couldn't remember who had upcoming surgery and am very glad to see that it went well!. I was a bit concerned when you posted about the upcoming surgery. Your very brave.
My husband had the surgery last summer and his cataracts were very difficult to remove because he had waited so long. Thank God he had it done and his vision is also 20/20 but he does have to use cheaters for reading.

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majicjack
  4/5/2014 15:00 EST

This Cuban Clinic is very good and professional. You have the surgery one day and there is some pain involved but they give you meds for it and after taking two of the pills you don't need anymore. When I left the surgery in Texas I could see right then. Here it takes a day or two for the vision to fully return. On the second day you return and they give you a full eye exam and more medication for the eye(drops) and give you rules and regulations in post op care. You will be required to return in 8 days for a final exam. My wife was with me waiting for my surgery and they told her to come into the room and they gave here a complete eye exam while she was waiting on me. Too bad our governments can't get along like this.

cedelune
  4/5/2014 18:01 EST

I don't know if you know the answer to this, but can you explain the difference between the being able to see clearly right after surgery in Texas, and not for a day or two after with the Cuban clinic. Is it a matter of different equipment/technique, or difference in skill levels? Eyes are so precious that I'd be afraid of an irrevocable mistake, but won't have the option to return to the U.S. for medical care once in Nicaragua. Did the surgery at the Texas clinic result in pain and the need for pain meds?

Thanks for any answers you have.

cedelune
  4/5/2014 18:11 EST

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/laser-cataract-surgery.htm

I just read this and it did a good job of explaining the difference between traditional and laser cataract surgery. Wonder if it will clarify what they do at the Cuban clinic?

TerriMarie
  4/5/2014 20:21 EST

My husband also had the laser surgery to remove his cataracts as well as correct his astigmatism. He was going to go the regular route and I convinced him to do the laser to correct the astigmatism. His vision was pretty blurry at first, I think because it was pretty traumatic since his cataracts were very dense, also his pressure was up which can go hand in hand with the cataracts. He could not believe the difference in his vision, he hadn't realized how bad it was before the surgery. No pain medications but you do have to use eye drops several times a day for about three weeks for inflammation and as a preventive against infection.

TerriMarie
  4/5/2014 20:22 EST

My husband also had the laser surgery to remove his cataracts as well as correct his astigmatism. He was going to go the regular route and I convinced him to do the laser to correct the astigmatism. His vision was pretty blurry at first, I think because it was pretty traumatic since his cataracts were very dense, also his pressure was up which can go hand in hand with the cataracts. He could not believe the difference in his vision, he hadn't realized how bad it was before the surgery. No pain medications but you do have to use eye drops several times a day for about three weeks for inflammation and as a preventive against infection.

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majicjack
  4/6/2014 14:56 EST

In the USA they give you a shot of valium before the surgery. Here they don't. The procedure is safe here just not as advanced as the USA but just as effective. They put a new lenses back on with Laser and remove the cataract with Laser. I had talked to two other North Americans before attending the clinic. One was very hard to please and he was very happy with the work.

majicjack
  4/6/2014 15:22 EST

They clip of the lenses manually, they then remove the cataract with laser, they then clean out the area that the cataract with in with laser. The eye is then flushed with chemicals and a new lenses is put back on the eye with laser. The trauma is when they are cutting the lenses off but not much. The later pain which last for about 6 or 8 hours comes from the work that has been done to the eye. The eye is very delicate. Just the beating of your heart is enough to cause pain but it is short lived. They give you two very strong pain pills and that is all you will need.

majicjack
  4/6/2014 15:27 EST

I had one removed in the USA and one removed here. I would do either again. It is a wonderful feeling when you are restored to 20/20 vision. The Cubans do hot have the latest and greatest equipment as in the USA but they are very professional and do a great job with what they do have. You will not be put on a waiting list I went one day and the next I no longer had a cataract.

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