I'm having a real problem with my opthamologist and terribly upset. I need someone who can give me advice on this. Any attorneys here?

I went to the ophthalmologist yesterday and I don't feel he was fair with me. He didn't ask me whether I'm not I wanted cataract surgery. He just right away gave me an appointment for surgery. By the way, I DID pass my eye exam at the DMV and drive fine, but this "doctor" said I shouldn't even be driving! He was very pushy and talked to me like I was a 3-year-old, which I certainly didn't appreciate! Legally, I feel it is my right to refuse cataract surgery and I definitely feel it's up to me to decide whether I want cataract surgery or not, and I should not be denied a prescription to get regular glasses. I'm not walking around half blind! He refused to give me a prescription to increase the strength of my glasses, which is all I feel I need. I called back up to get a prescription and told them I'm not ready for cataract surgery and would consider it next year but the receptionist told me that he cannot give me a prescription for eyeglasses because that would cause a liability on himself. But I feel this is my choice, not his! Where is the right of the patient? The FTC says that I have the right to get a prescription right after my exam but the receptionist said no that does not apply because it's to the point where I must have cataract surgery, but I highly disagree because without my glasses, I can see in the distance perfectly, but I just need a bigger strength for reading. I feel like he violated my rights to choose whether or not I'm ready for surgery. I can't get glasses anywhere without a prescription and why should I be forced to have cataract surgery when I'm not ready for it? Now I don't know what to do and I'm terribly upset. Any advice would be appreciated. And please, please don't tell me how easy cataract surgery is and that it's a breeze. That's not the point! I am not ready for surgery right now and I shouldn't be forced to have it, but they won't even give me a prescription to increase the strength of my glasses. This is outrageous in my book. What can be done? Who is an attorney on this site where I can get some advice?

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HannahSky · F

Usually, unless you've waited to see the doctor, they're actually the ones waiting for the surgery, the doctor. They only do that surgery when they see that it's really time. They refer to it as, waiting til they're ripe, for the surgery. It's not uncommon that if you're cataracts have reached the point of surgery that there's no point in prescribing a new prescription, it won't help enough. Your vision is too impaired from the cataracts. You don't have to have the surgery, but they aren't going to be able to give you a new prescription either. It is a liability at this point, she's right to tell you this.
You're option would be to ask for a second opinion, continue as you are, or do the surgery.
Sorry it's been such a bad experience for you.

LadyGrace ·

@HannahSky I know all that information yes but I also read online that there's no such thing that you have to wait till they're ripe and you can decide even before that time if you want to have the surgery early.

HannahSky · F

@LadyGrace two people I know, different doctors, both were told this. One had the surgery, one's still waiting. I'm not sure why they wait. You'd be getting a new lens basically, but they seem to want to wait.
Maybe if you talk to another doctor, they would be more helpful to you, at least you'd have done what you can.

Adrift · 61-69, F

@LadyGrace ripe usually would translate to dr has an opening on that date. Otherwise you probably would still be waiting.

HannahSky · F

@Adrift I don't think so. People I've known still wait months for the actual appt.

LadyGrace ·

@Adrift no not at all. I was told that my cataracts at one time were not ripe enough yet or advanced enough in other words to have surgery at that time.

HannahSky · F

@LadyGrace can I ask.. Is your vision getting cloudier? Are you noticing the cataracts symptoms it worsening?

Adrift · 61-69, F

@LadyGrace Usually cataracts progress without you noticing the difference. Both my parents didn't think their vision had gotten that bad untill after the surgery.
Both of them remarked at how much clearer things were and they could see like a kid again.

LadyGrace ·

@Adrift well I'm very glad for them but I am not wanting cataract surgery. A new prescription for reading would be just fine