Cataract surgery, part two

[LoboGunLeather]

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.

 

[growr]

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

Randy

 

[dg101win]

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.

 

[Nightowl]

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?

 

[THE PILGRIM]

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!

 

[brick]

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.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

Been there, done that. Congratulations!

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

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[LoboGunLeather]

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?

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.

 

[Targets Guy]

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.

 

[sureshotbob]

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.

 

[sheepdawg]

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.

 

[onebadvet]

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.

 

[Old Corp]

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!

 

[Nightowl]

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?

 

[buttsm]

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.

 

[dave1918a2]

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.

 

[fiasconva]

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.

 

[bgrafsr]

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.

 

[rolomac]

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

 

[fiasconva]

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.