Posted on 07/09/2015 8:40:07 AM PDT by Swordmaker
I am going to have my right eye lens removed and replaced this morning because a cataract has grown rapidly in the last six months obscuring my vision somewhat. I can still see through that eye but daylight glare has made it very difficult to discern things on the dashboard of my car.
That cataract in that eye is in the center of the field of view and when the background light is bright, things tend to get faded out. As a result my vision in that eye could only be corrected to 20/40 on my last visit to my optometrist and was worsening. Looking at my dashboard I just barely make out my speedometer and tach and the blue LED odometer and distance until empty, also in a blue LED were invisible.
I have another cataract in my left eye that is a halo coming from the periphery inward. That will have to be done as soon as possible after the right is healed.
I have worn glasses since I was eight year's old and I was hoping I could opt for the multi-focal replacement lens, but the surgeon explained that my severe myopia—minus 12 diopters, think coke bottle lenses in my glasses—would make success of that problematic, maybe only 15% chance, that I would have to settle for the much less expensive regular replacement lenses. . . and have to wear reading glasses. RATS. Still, it will be something new not to have to wear glasses for distance.
Pray for me that I don't hear the surgeon say "Oops!" during the surgery today, which will be sometime around 10:45AM Pacific Time.
An outside opinion will differ. They can now be done even at the earliest stage of formation.
No worries. Had cateracts removed from both eyes and implants put in about 6 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did for myself. Was always very myopic and my vision now is nearly 20/20. I was amazing how I could define leaves on trees, see cobwebs in my house (lol) and never need to have “must wear glassses” again on my driver’s license. It’s truly a medical miracle this can now be done with very little risk.
Prayers.
This advice is too late for you today, but take comfort that if you have no other eye issues, the surgery is quick and simple. Regarding the lens replacement, there is a third alternative, although more expensive. They are called accommodating lens implants. They are lens that move within the eye to achieve the proper focus. I had two of them implanted a number of years ago with 10+ diopter eye glass prescriptions before the surgery and have been very pleased with the results including no need for reading glasses.
Its a simple surgery you will be fine.
Don’t count on not needing glasses for long distance vision. Vision correction for your implanted lens is largely guesswork.
Good Luck!
I was about a -11 diopters (extremely nearsighted)
LASIK surgery gave me 20/20 in both eyes for a couple of years and now I am about a -1.5 which was not unexpected.
I too will be going in for cataract surgery in the next year or so.
Please tell us how the surgery went and how much your nearsightness was reduced.
About 30 years ago, a friend of my parents had cataract surgery. As I recall it required an over night stay in the hospital.
Had both eyes done due to cataracts in 2002. VA did a wonderful job, but now the lens in each eye are both slipping due the weakening, or breakage of the muscles that hold them in place. Have to go in again in the near future for new lens installations that can be stitched in place, because those muscles won’t hold them in position any longer. (IOW I’m seeing through the upper edge of the lens as it has slipped downward. It’s like looking through fog.)
For those that have had lens replacements due cataracts DO NOT RUB YOUR EYES. Apparently that is the reason for my having to return all these years later to have the job done again. Apparently rubbing the eyes can cause the thousands of little fibreous muscles that suspend the lens to deteriorate, and break thus dropping the lens. Worthy of discussion with your doctor.
Note: IF I bend over say to tie my shoe the lens moves back to position due gravitational pull, and I can see 20/20 looking down, but the minute I stand, and look forward the lens drops again due gravity, and I see through the upper edge of the lens, which appears as fog.
Really not looking forward to this again, but find I would rather see than not.
Just about everybody I know who has had cataract surgery says it’s one of the best things that every happened to them. They all report remarkably better vision. At my last eye examination the Dr. said I would probably need the surgery within the next 5 or 6 years.
Not to worry. I had both my eyes done, at different times, three years ago and have been 20-20 ever since. Its simple and safe as long as you choose a reputable eye doc.
Get ready for brightness and colors to return! The technology is magnificent!
I had the surgery on one eye about six months ago. The surgery was such a blessing that I had the other eye done a week later.
However, the doctor gave to me a pair of sunglasses to wear over my glasses.....and I HAVE to wear them. Otherwise, the sunlight is much too bright! ;-)
The return of brightness and colors was terrific! Prior to the surgery there was a yellow tint on everything but the process was so slow that I didn’t notice it.
The surgeon doing my implants is considered the best in Northern California. We considered doing those, but their success rate with my elongated eyeballs is only 15% as well. The risk of failure requiring revision surgery was too high. . .Which has a much higher risk of failure as well. It was my choice and vision is too important for convenience of no glasses to trip it over to take the risk.
I just had the surgery in May. No problem. I now have 20/20 vision. Medicare paid the $10,000 bill.
Thanks. Mine isn’t yet interfering with my vision.
It's amazing!
Prayers for you, family, and the doctor. My mom had cataract surgery, it’s akin to a miracle. Pretty routine these days, but there is always a chance of some complication - prayers that you suffer not the slightest of discomfort or complication.
I have had both eyes done and this is a great operation. Totally safe and Pain free, eye drops are a bit of a problem. Your aim will be a bit off and you will miss the eye sometimes.
Prayers up for you, Swordmaker.
It’s amazing how routine this surgery is now.
Good luck.
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