I posted two weeks ago after my first cataract surgery with an excellent result.

Today I had the other eye done, same surgeon and staff. Right at one hour for prep time, into the operating theater, 12 minute procedure, and within 20 minutes I am being driven home. Now I expect to have nearly perfect vision within the next few days.

Even easier than the first eye, probably because I knew what to expect and had no real concerns like I experienced the first time. They really have these procedures figured out, folks! Mild sedative to help keep the patient calm, surgeon explains every step in the process as it moves quickly along, zero pain, and only the usual mild discomfort of having the eye dilated and numbed a bit.

They tell me that cataract surgery is now the most common outpatient surgical procedure in the US, and successful results are reported in more than 95% of all cases. Cataracts affect more than 75% of the population by age 70. Post-operative complications are quite rare. Recovery time is about 2 weeks total (in my experience the vision improvement was evident in less than 24 hours).

Like me, many others are very sensitive about their eyes, and the thought of someone performing surgery can be pretty scary stuff. But I am here to tell you that there is absolutely nothing to be concerned about. I have had far worse experiences having dental work done, and all of my (too many) orthopedic surgery experiences have been far more stressful and painful.

I hope that everyone who experiences cataract problems will go forward confidently and get the relief they need without discomfort or unease.

Soon...very soon you will experience absolutely stunning vision!!

Randy

I am glad yours turned out well. Colors are much more vivid now.
I must be part of the 5% that have problems. I went into it knowing I would still need glasses after the recovery time. Surgery was the 2nd and 16th of July. New glasses ordered 7 Aug with 10-14 days to receive them.
On day 14 Lab that Insurance Co.(VSP) specifies had back order on lens material. They arrived last week at 5 week mark.

I refused new glasses since they hardly helped at all. I saw the eye doc Monday this week told me that since my prescription change was a big one and that I have been with out a prescription since July I should have took them to get used to them. However he noticed a small something when looked inside my eye balls this time and ordered a retina scan. I have not one but 2 swollen retinas which cause blurry vision.

Now I have an appt. to see a retina specialist for eval and treatment. Bad news is he comes to town once a week and I get to see him on 28 OCT.
This is not a rant I am not bashing my Optometrist, I have been seeing him for quite some time and trust him fully.

Actually this week my vision has improved slightly. The Walgreens reading glasses help type this and I can actually read a text on my phone now. At least I am retired and do not have to go out in the world every day.

Lobo congratulations on your successful surgery.

__________________
U.S.A.F---E-7--Retired

I am curious about the lens options available today. Is there a flexible lens that will be good for reading as well as distance? Or are reading glasses still needed?

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Had my right Eye, second operation done on 9 Sep.
Mine also went well and I’m moving ahead toward full improved vision.
As I told the Prep Nurse, when you get the Second One-
The good news is you know what’s coming.
The bad news is you know what’s coming!
Go see you Eye Professional.
If you need it, get it!

__________________
NRA LIFE MEMBER

Nightowl:

I think there are three types of lenses. One just corrects the vision, the second fixes astigmatism and the third give you near and far vision. When I had mine done, I could only afford the first one. My sister just had hers done and she the second version. She felt the added expense for the third type was too much for her.

Been there, done that. Congratulations!

I still have to wear reading glasses.......

Have a blessed day,

Leon

Lens options will be discussed with you by your surgeon. Precise measurements of your eye are taken prior to ordering the new lenses with the goal being maximizing your vision results. Your age, occupation, usual activities, etc, should all be taken into account when making these decisions.

A lens may be contoured to maximize distance vision, or for close vision. Some people select a distance lens for one eye and a close lens for the other eye, and the theory is that the brain will train itself to interpret the input of the eyes as required. I know a couple of people who have tried this, and the results have been mixed.

I am retired, no exceptional demands on my vision one way or the other. I selected the distance lens option for both eyes. I expect to use glasses for close work and reading. So far, the bifocal portion of my old prescription lenses is working pretty well for the close stuff and reading, and I may end up with bifocals again when my recovery is complete and a complete vision exam can be done properly.

We specifically discussed my needs to focus at arm's length distance for shooting. For me that is approx. 28" to 30" or so for handgun front sight, and about the same for open sights on the rifles, and my first distance lens seems to be doing that quite well. For a scoped rifle I figure I can just adjust the focus as necessary. It will be a few more weeks before I can test these decisions (but I have a new CZ 455 American .22LR sporter with aperture rear, bead front, and a new scope and rings to play with for that purpose).

I hope to be back at the range within the next couple of weeks. Between the cataracts over the past couple of months and the ulnar nerve surgeries on my right elbow and wrist before that, it has been too long since I have been able to get much done very well, handgun or rifle.

Congrats. I had both done this year as well. One month apart. Can't believe what real colors look like. No more wearing glasses to drive. Can wear regular sunglasses again.

Today I went shooting for the first time since May. Took my Model 65-8 which I had never shot before.

.357 158 grain Aguila's at 7 yards.

Attached Images

IMG_1692 (Medium).jpg (76.5 KB, 35 views)

__________________
Mike
S&WCA #3065

I had both eye's done for distance so I still need glasses for reading anything close.
I've worn glasses sense I was 18 years old so I had bifocals made with the reader part on the bottom and clear glass on top.

My wife had her left eye done last week, right eye is being done October 1. She says she can see better now than in years. I'm afraid I'll have to be much more stealthy when I'm up to stuff around the house.

__________________
LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

Had both eye done in March, and elected to have laser to correct my vision back to 20/20 again. I also was told it takes 6 months to get completely healed.

Good luck, love my new eyes.

__________________
USAF/RET. 1966-1990

Had mine done over last Fall and Winter.
Had almost always been nearsighted, and am now fixed for distant vision.
Not in love with carrying readers around, but it's great to see so well at a distance, and enjoy a variety of OTC sunglasses.

I actually saw my acuity keep increasing for many weeks after healing from the surgery. Pretty neat.

Good luck!

__________________
Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

Thanks for the replies. I had Lasik about 17 years ago and have been about 20/20 since then. I know I have some cataracts, but a long way from needing surgery. I think!! :-) I need reading glasses and have been using the variable type with no correction on top,to reading close up at the bottom. For shooting I have lenses ground to the front sight as other do.
Technology has come a long way in the last 17 years and am hoping that by the time I need cataracts removed, a replacement lens will totally correct my vision. Well, I can hope, can't I?

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

This is timely. I was just informed by my eye Dr that I will need to have cataract surgery, both eyes. I am planning to have it right after the first of the year. Right now I wear progressive bifocals. We'll see how everything works out. Putting the urge for new prescription shooting glasses on hold till next yr.

Glad to hear everything went well. Do what the Ophthalmologist tells You and see the world. You may need glasses as most people do after cataract surgery, but it only enhances the sharpness. After My surgery and a visit to the optometrist I see the horizon clearly, and the colors clearly. Most people before cataract surgery cannot see the horizon. Enjoy Your newfound great vision. The blue circles You see while driving at night will go away soon.

Ray, it may take more than a couple of days for your vision to really improve but in about a month or so you'll wake up one morning and realize just how well you can see. It will be gradual and a pleasant surprise.

__________________
Why duck?? It's a 9mm!

I had my left eye done today. Basic cataract surgery with distance lens implanted. Hoping for a good outcome.
The right eye gets done Oct. 8th, but haven't decided if I want distance or near vision lens.
I plan on using glasses since I've worn them since I was 5 or 6.

I was thinking about this discussion just this morning. I had both eyes done a little over a year ago and my vision is great altho I do wear glasses for reading. I get up when it's still dark and my habit is to step out onto the deck and take a couple of deep breaths of that sweet cool morning air. I looked up at the half-moon peeking through the tree branches and then noticed that there was the constellation Orion right overhead. I had my reading glasses on but took them off for a better look and was amazed - THERE WAS ORION ! Each star a pinpoint of light separate from each of the others. Crisp and sharp and distinct. I hadn't seen old Orion so perfectly since my Dad pointed it out to me when I was a kid and it's always been something I look for in the night sky. Can't tell you how happy I am that I had my surgery.

rolomac

bgrafsr, I had my rt eye done for distance and the left one for near vision or reading. It worked out great except that being rt eye dominant it's hard to see the front sight when shooting. I've worn glasses since I was about 11 and no longer have to wear them at all. It's a great change and you won't miss those glasses one bit if you go the route I did. But I still catch myself reaching to remove my specs from time to time.

__________________
Why duck?? It's a 9mm!

For me it's been about 15 years... I saw my Grandfather and Father have the same...... the strides over the past 50 years is amazing. My Grandfather was in the hospital for a week with his head sandbagged ....... still needed "thick" glasses.... but could drive. Dad was a overnight with 'readers" Me..... like Lobo.... in and out..... 20/20 the next day.

I opted for distance......I'm still 20/20 and 20/15...... 3 packs of 'cheaters" are about $12........ I have three versions....... normal reading, computer and in bed reading /chest rest ........

Bought some shooting glasses ..... but with red dots and fiber optics .... really not necessary for 'defense' shooting........ bulls eye still requires the shooting glassed.

I'm left eye dominant and shoot left handed. Today, I went outside with only the sunglasses on, and I couldn't believe how much better I could see with the left eye. I'm just having the basic lens implanted, so do plan on wearing glasses.

Well this hasn't happened yet. I postponed it to have Chemo and radiation therapy. Didn't need too much going on at one time. Hoping to have them done by Thanksgiving. Here's to hoping.

"A lens may be contoured to maximize distance vision, or for close vision. Some people select a distance lens for one eye and a close lens for the other eye, and the theory is that the brain will train itself to interpret the input of the eyes as required. I know a couple of people who have tried this, and the results have been mixed." (quote)..

I had this done 3 years ago... right lens is distant, left is good at 14-16"... right is perfect with a rifle scope, with a handgun I just shut my right eye and the front sight is clear as a bell... still working good and no glasses..
JIM.......................

__________________
SWCA # L-1911

You have my congratulations. I hope you get as good an outcome as I got earlier this year. I have some calcium deposits on my retinas so I can't get 20/20 in either eye but I got 20/30 in each eye. Not glasses needed for driving or reading or tv or ANYTHING. Colors are bright and every thing I see looks wonderful. Very sharp images. My vision before the surgery was 20/60.

this experience gave me a feedom I've never known...only dreamed about.

__________________
Real men love cats!

Allow me to repeat my caveat from the 1st cataract thread. The cataract surgery done on my left eye provided excellent vision, altho I chose to have it remain needing correction. It may be time to have it done on my right eye, but 2 doctors have said, not under the present COVID circumstances. My emphysema makes me very susceptible to the virus, terminally so.

Also a factor is the bussing-in to the clinic of nursing home patients with dementia. Unfortunate folks, who did not know where they were, were having eye surgery performed on them. Of course, to bill Medicare... And, worse, the prevalence of COVID in nursing homes also gives me pause. Not now, Billy.

I'd be interested in some thoughts from the membership.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I'm looking forward to just being able to go without glasses to drive, and to be able to buy cheap sunglasses and be able to see with them. My right eye is getting worse by the day.

I had my left eye done 3 weeks ago, and my right eye done yesterday, both for distance. I’m very happy with the results, now being at 20/20, and as a bonus, an improvement in up close reading.

Dr Boehlke at Duke/Raleigh gets thumbs up.

__________________
Sure you did

Mike, I am glad all went well. As you know I had both mine done 9 months ago. Not related to the surgeries, I now have (in my right eye) retinal hemorrhaging, a blocked blood vessel and a Portuguese Man-O-War floater.

Like Roseanne Roseannadanna said: "it's always something!"

__________________
Music/Sports/Beer fan

Doggone it Rusty, I hope there's a fix for all that? Tell me they can take care of all that.....

__________________
Real men love cats!

I have another appointment at the Eye Institute in three weeks.

In the meantime I have been watching reruns of Flipper and learning echo location.

__________________
Music/Sports/Beer fan

Rusty, I still have an issue with my right eye, an abrasion. Since my vision is so much improved, and the doc cannot guarantee anything will get better, I’m letting sleeping dogs lie.

I had some floaters previous to the surgery, not seen since.

Do you have a blood pressure problem in your eye?

__________________
Sure you did

No pressure issues. There are surgical options available but they want to wait a bit. It's like watching a game of Pong being played with a raw oyster.

__________________
Music/Sports/Beer fan