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She has moderate dementia but is in denial. She has a recent history of multiple falls, recently was hospitalized for 3 broken ribs. Her eyesight is poor, but she thinks it's fine. Her doc is recommending cataract removal, but she doesn't believe she needs it. I believe it would be beneficial, but I'm not sure how well she'll deal with wearing an eye patch, etc. How strongly should I push?

I’d leave Mom alone . She’s not complaining about her eyesight . Don’t upset her with a procedure . She may not be cooperative either .
Falls come with dementia anyway ,
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My daddy kept bumping into things because the cateracts were bad. Once he had it done I just made sure he never bent over, he had slide on shoes and placed eye drops in his eyes three times a day. To me it was easy and the surgery was faster than anything. I sat down and they called me to let me know he was ready to get dressed and go. He wanted to drive and I had to tell him I was driving hee hee! He was fine with going places - he wanted to go shopping so we did. Yes he was tired after that but he was also 83 years old. If her doctor recommends it - do it! Quality of life!
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Wenfo623 Apr 8, 2025
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Eye surgery usually requires self control to avoid wanting to touch, scratch, finger the eye area, and accept drops. If M’s ‘moderate dementia’ means that she won’t do that, it might be best to avoid it. The risk is not the surgery itself, it’s what happens afterwards. I and also my DH have both had eye problems. Mine took 10 days of self control for a detached retina, DH’s about a day for a wet macula (but multiple times).
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Wenfo623 Apr 10, 2025
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Glad it all went well. My husband and I, 75 and 78, just had ours done, no coverings but drops for 4 weeks each eye. Husband saw no difference but he didn't need glasses 24/7, mainly readers. He got the standard lenses. I have worn glasses since I was 6. Then contacts at 20 till my surgery. I had to have correction. I think I see better than I have my whole life. Even with wearing glasses and contacts.
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Her falls are much more likely due to the aging brain, which loses balance. I would discuss both with her eye MD and with a neurologist. Corrected vision, while a real boon to those who need it, do often have no effect whatsoever on the numbers of falls.
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Wenfo623 Apr 10, 2025
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My 87 yo mother had double cataract surgery last year, and she was just fine. I made sure that she got the required eye drops for the next week. The clear plastic eye cover only had to be worn the first night. Her vision is so much better now. She had become used to the cataracts and did not realize that her vision had deteriorated because of them. I had mine done last year as well (I'm 69). The surgery was quick and easy with very little discomfort afterwards. Neither mom or I were completely put under with the anesthesia.
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UPDATE

We went forward with the surgery. No eyedrops were needed, but she did have to wear a funky eye cover for four nights after each surgery. She fought this after the first eye, but she eventually agreed. After the first eye, we removed the one lens from her glasses so she could see with her "bad" eye. After the second eye, we removed the other lens because she insisted on wearing glasses. So she is currently walking around with glasses on and no lenses. Her new glasses will be available soon.

She was not given a general anesthesia during surgery, just a sedative. It took about 90 minutes for her to return to her "normal" state afterwards. If I had to go through it again, I would. I feel much better about her ability to see now. It wasn't easy, but what is really? Thank you, all, for your advice.
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Isthisrealyreal Jul 25, 2025
Wen, thank you for the update.

Were they able to fix the glaucoma with the surgery?
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This is a question you need to ask an Opthamologist. Cateracts will cause blindness. My husband just had his done. There was no patch. Lots of eyedrops for the next 5 weeks. The procedure itself takes 10 min. My DH was in and out in an hour. Her fallscould be caused by not seeing well.
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Isthisrealyreal Apr 8, 2025
JoAnn, did your husband have to be careful about bending over or anything like that?

It has been a couple of decades since my granny in law had hers done and I remember her saying she couldn't lift much and couldn't bend over. Curious if the after care is the same.

I think that is the biggest challenge when dementia is involved.

Thanx for the information.
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I’ve been thinking about this some more . Have you tried to see if she would be cooperative with the eye drops ? .You could maybe just try some artificial tears multiple times a day , just as a test . My initial thought had been that she would not be cooperative . But maybe you could try this ?? The eye drops are very important as well as not rubbing the eyes post procedure .

You would have to ask the doctor how bad they are , as far as going blind . Some go faster than others . My Dad never did his, , didn’t go blind , died at 88.

FWIW , my sister had her cataracts removed last year at 69 years old just before approaching moderate Lewy Body Dementia . Since then has had multiple falls due to the dementia .
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Wenfo623 Apr 10, 2025
Thanks for your response. Mom takes eyedrops for glaucoma, so eyedrops should not be a problem. And they might actually be able to fix the glaucoma during the cataract surgery.
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Hi answering based on recent experience & from Alberta, Canada. My Mom has been living with dementia since 2019 (official diagnosis) but probably longer. Currently she's been living with me since 2022 and dementia is at the advanced stage. She's still eating, is incontinence, mostly speaking her cultural Language which I don't fully understand. My mom has always been wearing glasses but in the last 3-4 yrs hasn't. For a while she was saying "they don't do anything". In 2023, we did have a consult for cataract surgery but the opthalmologist wasn't helpful, leading to a very frustrating, negative experience.
My mom's depth perception is off, when trying to grab things, because of poor vision, she doesn't like to eat dark green vegetables even though she's a vegetarian, she's afraid of some images on the tv. She's walking into things. So I suspect things are just looking very distorted to her.

This wk (April 15) we met with a different Opthalmologist who we were referred to by an optometrist. Part of the visit involved testing by a technician first but that couldn't be fully done as my mom wouldn't be still. Even attempting to put eye drops in was beyond challenging. Later on Opthalmologist came in, I had to restrain my mom so she could get a better look at her eyes and confirmed it is indeed cataract (the left eye is worse than right). They will have to administer general anesthesia and was informed drops will be put in as part of the surgery but will not be given after (at home) as she may rub her eyes making things worse. Just awaiting on surgery to be scheduled. They said within 2-3 months but hopefully sooner if cancellations take place.

I'm no expert but my recommendation is to schedule an appointment with an Opthalmologist. Not sure where you're located but here in Canada one has to see an optometrist first then get a referral with a specialist (opthalmologist).
If I can be candid I'm a little annoyed I waited this long to reschedule with a different optometrist but I went with a recommendation from one of her caregivers as I didn't want to have a similar experience as the last. So if you're questioning if you should schedule an appointment, just do it now if you haven't yet. Even if she's combative just know you're doing it with positive intentions. At least the specialist can confirm.

As for falls haven't experienced that yet but wondering if taking your mom to physiotherapy is an option for balance exercises to help with mobility. I did so before (2023) when my mom was experiencing pain in her hand & wasn't able to remove her clothes to use toilet & it helped. I'm taking her back physio this wk as she's starting to lean to the left, & confirmed she's in pain. I suspect the pain is from how she sleeps..finding her in awkward sleeping positions, putting more weight to the left side and having to readjust her through the night.

Happy to followup with you once she gets a date for the cataract procedure if you're interested.
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Wenfo623 Apr 22, 2025
Thank you.
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