Posted on 11/23/2015 10:26:03 AM PST by Allen In Texas Hill Country
Its been about 5 weeks ago I had my first cataract replaced and 4 weeks ago the second. Not meaning to stir up any (too much) controversy I can unconditionally say that if I had it to do over again I absolutely would not have had it done. And I'm posting this entry mainly for nearsighted persons of which I was one. On the one hand I can now clearly see forever and drive a car without glasses. On the other hand, while I only wore glasses while driving a car I now wear glasses near all the time. :<(((((
If your nearsighted you take it for granted when you sit down to eat, look at a computer console pick up the paper, look at a sales tag,,,,,,,,,, and I could go on forever,, that you can read and understand the print, food and whatever. Now I can't! I did not understand that I would lose my nearsightedness. I guess I also should say that I'm guessing that cataract replacement causes this to happen in most/all nearsighted people. If it doesn't and I'm the only unlucky one I apologize for the entry.
So, if you are nearsighted and considering cataract replacement go ahead and do it if it is NEEDED. If it is not needed then give it a bit more thought and/or ask your eye doctor about the effect of your near sightedness. Oh, I did have some cloudiness and now also have a myriad of floaters in one eye that should go away in a month or more.
I’ve known two friends and one close relative who received cataract surgery. In all three cases it allowed them to see MUCH much better. I don’t know about the original poster, but the people I have known to have had cataracts lead to more cataracts until the world is a dark-yellow-gray blur. Two of the three wore glasses all the time anyway (the relative needing three different pairs: near, far, and mid for organ playing). The one who only needed reading glasses still only needs reading glasses. The third one passed away due to complications from diabetes, but he raved about the net results at the time.
Obviously every case is different, so it must be important for the doctor to describe the specifics. I know I ruled out RK for myself as my nearsightedness has blessed me with not needing reading glasses despite my middle age. Folks 30 years my junior are amazed at how I can read the tiny 8 point type on the big screen, with no glasses.
5 years ago, I was nearsighted and wore progressive lens glasses all the time for distance and reading.
Then I developed cataracts, they (my natural lenses) were removed and replaced by soft plastic artificial lenses.
Since then, my vision has been crystal clear and I’ve got better than 20/20 in each eye.
For reading, I use a cheap pair of drugstore reading glasses. Otherwise, I’m glasses free.
I would never go back to my previous situation.
You had a choice.
I too chose to lose my near-sighted ability and gain better distance vision.
But you could have chose the monofocal implants that allowed for 20/20 within 2-3 feet.
http://grandpawallysnaturalremedies.com/castor-oil-treatment-dissolves-cataracts/
I used cod liver oil and vitamin A to dissolve my cataracts........but Grandpa Wally tells a good story about using castor oil.
My eye doctor has made it very clear that, 1. I may still be nearsighted and need glasses even after cataract surgery, 2. I will definitely need reading glasses after surgery.
A doctor from down your parts did mine, Dr. Tshapie or something like that and he absolutely nailed my vision. I have two multi-focal lens implants and I never, ever now have to wear glasses now. Just a huge difference it makes. My only complaint(and I learned to live with it) is the halo effect on oncoming cars and other lights at night, a small price to pay.
Cataract surgery is an absolute miracle! Yeah, talk to your doc about whatever corrections you’re going to get so you have proper expectations but man, what a blessing. Get ‘em done or slowly go blind. Easy choice. Not a mistake.
And yes, I’ve had both my eyes done. I was a tough guy and waited until the last possible moment. I could hardly drive and was dangerous when I did. Had to carry around a magnifying glass to read WITH my readers. It does not “get better”.
I don’t understand, if you had a cataract how could you see at ALL?
I was so nearsighted up until about 6 yrs. ago. I had laser
surgery & doctor did it where one eye is for distance vision
and the other is for up close. Nothing is perfect; but this
works ok for me. - I also take a few of those vision
nutrients occasionally. They seem to help; and I can tell
when I need to start taking them again.
I had beginning cataract in one eye...blurred vision...used a drop of Castor oil into the eye socket each evening,,,,seems to work as vision almost back to normal after 6 months
also: Lutein and zeaxanthin are two types of carotenoids (kuh-RAH-teh-noids), which are yellow to red pigments found widely in vegetables and other plants. Though lutein is considered a yellow pigment, in high concentrations it appears orange-red. In nature, lutein and zeaxanthin appear to absorb excess light energy to prevent damage to plants from too much sunlight, especially from high-energy light rays called blue light.
The “halo effect” WILL improve with time. I still don’t like
to drive at night; but after 6 yrs. the “halo” deal has
about gone away.
My asian eye doctor asked me if I had a cataract. I said, “No, I have a Rincoln and a Chevy Cavarear.” (just had to use that stupid joke)
You don’t get the surgery....you eventually go blind. Simple as that.
That was exactly my father’s experience. Had to hold his laptop up about 18” from his face to see it.
Now he rarely even wears his glasses.
They can also do one eye for near and one eye for far.
Takes getting used to, or so Im told.
I hear ya!
I haven’t had cataract surgery (yet); I had corrective lens implants back in ‘08. I was 45 and my eyesight was really bad - LASIK was out of the question.
Yep, had 20/20 vision again but like you, it took away my short vision. I wasn’t told beforehand. I felt crippled. Hated having to always carry a pair of readers everywhere but now I’m used to it.
However, my vision has since deteriorated and I’m back to needing glasses on top of the implants.
Oh yeah, and another side-effect of the implant surgery - I’m developing cataracts....
Sheesh....
I had clear lens replacement done about 4 years ago. It’s the same as cataract surgery but I paid for it to eliminate having to wear glasses all of the time.. I chose to get bifocal lenses. They allow me to read and see far. They use a fresnel style technology to allow both visions. The two things I do not like is 1) in low light I cannot see poor contrast text. 2) I get lot’s of floaters now. I don’t know if having the surgery was the cause. I do need glasses for close up work to get a focus outside of the near vision prescription.
Tough call.
It did wonders for both of my parents.
Mine was only done in the left eye, and it improved distance vision.....BUT..
I now have a distracting blur in the 8:00 to 12:00 periphery in that eye.
It’s more distracting during night driving.
Not sure what I’m going to do when it’s time for the right eye.
The clinic I used is top notch, with all the latest gear.
Must have been 22 different machines to measure various aspect of my eye and vision.
Ultimately, it’s the eye surgeon’s skill that makes the difference.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.