Shooting after cataract surgery.

[LarryMNH]

From what my doctor says, I will probably be having cataract surgery soon.
My mother is 87 and had both eyes done. Now she doesn't need glasses to read. Now that seems like a dream come true. No more reading glasses. Oh yes!
Looking for any advice about post cataract shooting. And is there anything specific I should discuss with the doctor.
I shoot mostly hand guns and would love to be able to see the front sight again as I did pre 43rd birthday.
Larry

 

[H Richard]

It all depends on your individual situation. There are lots of different lenses that can be implanted. Most opt for clear distance vision, and most then often need cheaters for reading. There are multi-focal lenses, but not covered by Medicare and cost about $2500 per eye. There are new laser procedures that can do near the same, but also not covered by Medicare and around $4000 per eye.

You need a long discussion with your Dr. as to what is available.

 

[vonn]

Had it done not long ago and still need help up close but iron sights work great. My eyes weren't candidates for anything else but distance but it was worth the expense for sure. Do your research.

 

[ddixie884]

Mine was done a year ago last Feb. I didn't realize how dark things had gotten. Thank GOD for modern medicine............

 

[Texas Star]

Had my eyes done about three years ago and see fine, with bi-focal eyeglasses. No problem seeing sights, but still don't feel too
good about using a rifle with iron sights at any great range.

My doctor said she had no knowledge about shooting after surgery.
Another doc said he thought shooting a shotgun would be okay, but I've not fired my 12 ga. since, and have limited rifle shooting to .270 Winchester and 7mm-08. Everything is probably okay, but if I had, say, a .416, I might be a little leery of using it.

Writer John Wootters, Jr,. and another Houston writer, Bob Brister, I think, both had retinal separations and I suspect that long exposure to heavy recoil may have caused or contributed to that. But neither had had cataract surgery.

With handguns, which are fired at arm's length, well away from your eyes, I don't see any issue.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Had glasses since I was 9. Near sighted.
Cataract surgery on left eye in '04, done on right eye in '07.
20-30 left eye and 20-40 right eye.
Only need reading glasses now from the Dollar Store.
Hunting and shooting are much better now and white objects ARE white!

 

[LarryMNH]

Thanks for the info, All.

Always best for me when I hear from folks who have already walked the road I am on.

Now it is me and Google searches. Plus, I better see what insurance will and will not cover.

Thanks again.
Larry

 

[ddixie884]

When I was contemplating having mine, I read on this forum, at length. We are an older demographic, so there is a lot of feed back on this type of thing. Hearing from the members here helped me feel better about the surgery. As usual, you guys steered me right.

 

[Rpg]

I had cateract surgery 7 years ago.

Left eye for reading, right eye for distance.

Works great: no glasses for anything unless I take my granddaughter to see a 3D movie, then I wear prescription glasses that correct my left eye to distance.

My Dr. is a shooter and understood what I needed.

My vision now is better than 20/20. No problem seeing sights.

 

[wingriderz]

Had glasses since about age 4 to 5. 56 this year .Had bolth eyes done about 3 years ago . Amazing how much clear you see and oh yeah colors too. Red was not seen till I got them done. Painless I might add too

 

[walkin jack]

I'll be having both eyes done next month so I, too, and interested in this thread. My distance vision is not all that bad although it has gotten worse in the last 6 months but my close up vision is awful and rapidly getting worse. Prescription Reading Glasses I had made 6 months ago are all but useless now and my reading for pleasure (as well as all food and drug labels in on hold till I can git-r-done.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Every person is different and also on how the operations and lens work.......
Some are lucky and do not need glasses after the operation.

I need prescription or 2x readers for close up computer work, since the
operation on my left eye was messed up........ to 20/40.

If you wait over a year to fix it, there is a 200% chance of problems happening !! Most doctors have you sign a waiver, if they mess up to
where they can't be sued unless they really mess up, big time.

Know what you are getting into and your options.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I had mine done in 2009; I was very nearsighted with some astigmatism. I need reading glasses but man I can see for miles. I shoot iron sights a lot and have prescription glasses specifically to see the front sight clearly.

My wife just had both hers' done this month. She will still need glasses but can now drive at night.

If you are having trouble with night vision you may well have cataracts.

 

[rwsmith]

After I had both eyes done...

My doctor got it close. Only need correction for seeing small signs when driving and small print when reading (everything is printed small these days) and I shoot well w/o correction but I can't see the holes until I bring the target closer. My sights are in focus and the target is a blur, but the center colored portion is solid enough to aim at.

 

[max]

I had both eyes done 7 or 8 years ago. The Dr asked me for a testimonial letter to put in his lobby and I shot a pretty decent target with my Gold Cup and sent him that. Last time I was there, it is still in his waiting room. I had the multi-focal lenses implanted and can read without glasses if the print is big or the light is good. I like this time of year cause I can read the papers on the patio.

I am more than satisfied and my wife had hers done last year. She is also very pleased. We both wore glasses or contacts for over 50 years.

 

[Grayfox]

I got my first pair of glasses at age 12. At age 62 I was wearing tri-focals and still not seeing well. I had cataracts in both eyes. Last February I had both eyes done with corrective lenses. They cost me 3 grand each. Insurance would only cover regular non-corrective lenses. but it was worth it.
I do need a pair of cheap drug store readers for reading and up close work. However, intermediate and distance vision are 20/20.
On doctor's advice, I've intentionally avoided shooting rifles up to now as not to subject my head and eyes to the recoil until everything has completely healed. However, next range trip, I taking the Garand. I can see the sights now!

 

[DWalt]

My personal recommendation would be to get standard lens implants (not toric lenses) for distance vision only, and wear glasses for reading and any close-up work. I have worn glasses for well over 30 years, and continuing wearing them presents no issues for me. After surgery, bifocal glass lenses will probably require some mild correction for distance vision, while the bottom of the bifocal lenses gives correction for close-up (2' or less). Over the past four years, I have had cataract surgery done on both eyes, as has my wife, and that works fine for us. I can now shoot both rifles and handguns with no vision problems.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Had both mine done about .....10 years ago.... runs in the family.

Wore glasses for 40 years......................couldn't be happier.........quick, easy, painless.................

now 20/15 in left eye 20/25 in the right ( no change over the 10 years).................use CVS 3 for $15 cheaters..... reading and computer............close work...... 2.0s



Been working on shooting glasses........ 1.5 cheaters work for me;crisp sights ..... very slightly out of focus target.


Have used Eagle Eye shooting glasses ( last 9 years about $200)... lately trying something new (talked about here) SSP Tactical glasses ($35) w/ bi-focal in the upper right corner of the right lens. As good as or better than the $200 prescription glasses. Price is right to get 2 or 3 sets.

Red dots on rifles two thumbs up ..........and ........ fiber optic front sights are great also

 

[vytoland]

1999...cataract surgery both eyes
2002...detached retina surgeries (vitrectomy, scileral buckle) both eyes

with corrective eyeglasses shooting and everyday activities are no problem.

don't be in a hurry to get glasses right after cataract surgery. give yourself plenty of time for your eyes to heal. then purchase quality eyeglasses (if necessary) from a top notch optician.....

 

[DWalt]

"don't be in a hurry to get glasses right after cataract surgery. give yourself plenty of time for your eyes to heal. then purchase quality eyeglasses (if necessary) from a top notch optician....."

The surgical clinic will tell you when to be checked for glasses. Usually you will be scheduled for a thorough eye exam to check healing progress within a couple of weeks after surgery and also to get a test for what corrective lens prescription is needed. Note that Medicare will pay some of the cost for new glasses after surgery.

 

[chaparrito]

Take my word for it, DON'T opt for mono-vision implants.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Follow up on my earlier post...................

It was my Ophthalmologist that recommended the use of "cheaters" vs prescription readers. He's facility at the U of Pittsburgh School of Med.

Usually have half a dozen pair spread out between home office car/truck and in my pocket...............

 

[steelslaver]

I got the mono vision setup and personally I love it. Got my right eye done first and it is set up for 20-20. Left eye is set for 20-25 and I can focus on front sight of revolver, read a paper, menu etc with it. Never notice anything outside. Sometimes reading or some I will block left eye with coffee cup or something and p-aper blurs out. Only time I wear anything other than safety glasses is when I am going to do a bunch of reading or fine work. Eye Dr set me up with work space glasses. Clear vision with both eyes at about 10-15 ft and small high mag bifocals for close up vision for fine detail.

Why my left eye instead of my right for short range? Well, my right eye had gotten so bad I had switched to my left eye some time ago for handgun shooting and it works and had become habit. Plus, I never really thought about it until right eye was done and wouldn't focus on front sight. Talked to my Surgeon who was very helpful. Only long guns I have without scopes are my S&W 45 cal revolving carbine and an old Stevens 22 Crackshot

I had my second eye done shortly before hunting season and my surgeon assured me I could shoot high powered rifles after 1 month checkup