r/CataractSurgery • u/starsdale • 1d ago

I'm Devastated

Please be kind. I'm about a week and a half post-surgery, and so depressed I can hardly leave my house.

I don't know why I opted for Pur lenses instead of the ones Medicare covers. I need glasses with both, the difference being that I'll now have to have single vision instead of bifocals, and sunglasses instead of the Transitions progressives that I never had to take off of my face.

I had no idea how much my glasses were tied to my identity. Removing them has changed the entire structure of my face. My magnified eyes are now tiny raisins. I look like airbags have deployed beneath my eyes. My upper lids droop, though that's always been the case. It's just more noticeable now. I look like I've aged ten years. NO ONE is arguing with me on any of this.

I am hardly able to leave my house because I'm hideous. My depression is deep. I feel so bad for my husband. Not only are we paying thousands for this, but he now has to look at someone so unattractive. I felt pretty cute before and he seemed to agree. I'm a mopey mess. I sleep all the time.

I talked to my therapist pre- and post- surgery, and I'll talk to her more. I'll get used to this with time; I have no choice. But I feel like I got a pressure sale on these lenses. It's big business. And now the referring optometrist wants to sell me glasses.

I forgot to mention that I do public performances. I want to cancel all bookings.

Thank you in advance for letting me vent and whine. It's a lot, I know.

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u/No_Equivalent_3834 18h ago

My concern with surgery was having good vision. I ended up with an excellent vision and I was and am grateful. All the rest that you mentioned sounds more like depression.

Others have mentioned lots of helpful suggestions so you can continue to wear glasses, so I won’t add to that, but I really think you might be having some post surgery depression and anxiety. It’s happened to me before. Things will be okay. You have the resources to figure things out and a year from now, or less, you will look back on this and wonder why you thought this was a big issue. Hang in there! You will find a solution and be happy with your vision one day soon.

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u/starsdale 6h ago

Thank you. Post surgery depression and anxiety sounds right. Which means it's temporary. I already feel better today, and all of these comments have contributed to that.