Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Going in for Eye surgery this morning. . . cataracts in my eyes.
Vanity Fair | June 9, 2015 | Swordmaker

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.


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081 next last
To: Swordmaker
Just had both of mine done in May. Piece of cake, went to the hospital at 6AM was home before 11Am.No discomfort at all.The most annoying thing for me was putting the eye drops in my eyes four times a day for two weeks prior to the surgery and for two weeks after. Hope all goes as well for you as it went for me.
61 posted on 07/09/2015 10:10:15 AM PDT by dearolddad (/i>)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: null and void

Be glad you’re having the surgery. I’ve had both of my eyes done and am far better off than before.


62 posted on 07/09/2015 10:15:45 AM PDT by libstripper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: tet68

Go to a private ophtamalogist for an independent opinion. I had each of my eyes done when I could notice a definite deterioration in the sight of each. My MD did each without ever mentioning a “ripeness” issue. One caveat: although a vet and possibly eligible for VA benefits, I’ve never claimed them since private insurance and, later, Medicare, took care of my needs.


63 posted on 07/09/2015 10:22:32 AM PDT by libstripper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Swordmaker

Prayers for you bro. UC Davis Medical Center by any chance?


64 posted on 07/09/2015 10:23:36 AM PDT by Mark17 (Thy goodness faileth never. Good shepherd may I sing thy praise, within thy house forever. Amen)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Swordmaker

I had both eyes done in May. Had multifocal implants. Piece of cake. Starting the IV was the worst part.


65 posted on 07/09/2015 10:42:01 AM PDT by PeachyKeen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: C. Edmund Wright

Had this done to both eyes in the last two months. Vision is better than 20/20. I went to Dollar Tree and got a sack of reading glasses a a buck apiece. One for each room in the house. I think you’ll be delighted.


66 posted on 07/09/2015 10:51:19 AM PDT by MisterArtery
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Swordmaker

It’s a piece of cake. I was a little worried about my cataract surgery until I went through the procedure on the first one.

I was in the operating room for less time than I spent in the waiting room of the doctor’s office. Recovery takes a few days for careful healing, but it’s nothing.

I opted for the long distance vision lens and now have vision that is better than 20/20. The doctor says my vision is good enough to be a Marine sniper.

I wish now I had taken the option for a lens that is graduated and gives both near and far vision. But at the time, the doctor said they were still too new and might be less effective than taking one option over another.


67 posted on 07/09/2015 10:55:14 AM PDT by wildbill (If you check behind the shower curtain for a murderer, and find one.... what's yoIur plan?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GGpaX4DumpedTea

LOL One friend I play with hits that distance regularly.!


68 posted on 07/09/2015 11:34:14 AM PDT by woodyinscc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: wildbill

Figured that. I’m waiting now. . . IV started and eye dilated. . . they’re waiting for the surgical suite to clear.


69 posted on 07/09/2015 11:35:27 AM PDT by Swordmaker ( This tag line is a Microsoft insult free zone... but if the insults to Mac users continue...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: Swordmaker

Prayers that it all goes well for you.


70 posted on 07/09/2015 12:18:37 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Swordmaker

You’ll do fine. Surgery doesn’t take a long time, out with a patch over the eye.
Wear if for one day and they’ll remove it and you’ll be fine. You may not make
20/20 but the advance and clearing will be very noticeable. Take care.


71 posted on 07/09/2015 12:25:42 PM PDT by deport
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: ErnBatavia

>> It’s no longer considered necessary for the cataracts to “ripen” <<

Absolutely. I had an excellent surgeon, who told me that he’d do the cataract operation whenever I decided I wanted it.

I waited a while, then went ahead when I needed better vision for a drivers’ license renewal. Total success, no regrets!


72 posted on 07/09/2015 12:29:18 PM PDT by Hawthorn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: All

Out of surgery wearing a very rakish eyepatch, but not, unfortunately in black pirate leather. Instead I have a high tech aluminum sieve patch which from my view point is Scotty’s transparent aluminum. Eye is a bit scratchy and itchy, but tolerable.

Thanks for all your prayers and comments. They’ve helped a lot! I’ll keep you posted!


73 posted on 07/09/2015 2:13:04 PM PDT by Swordmaker ( This tag line is a Microsoft insult free zone... but if the insults to Mac users continue...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Swordmaker

Prayed for you just now. I’ll pray for you again tonight.

If it be God’s will, I want your eye sight totally healed and restored and the surgery to be blessed. I asked Jesus to be in the room with you. You invite Him in, too.


74 posted on 07/09/2015 4:23:46 PM PDT by SaraJohnson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: woodyinscc

“LOL One friend I play with hits that distance regularly.!

Half your age? Maybe your son? :) And btw, straight down the middle? :)

He could play from the pro tees at Firestone CC in Akron and maybe do the 16th in a par or a bogey!


75 posted on 07/09/2015 5:47:06 PM PDT by GGpaX4DumpedTea (I am a Tea Party descendant...steeped in the Constitutional Republic given to us by the Founders)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]

To: woodyinscc

I can read any fine print, but, distance needs some assistance. I am a golfer also and still have trouble following the ball off the tee as it flies.


76 posted on 07/10/2015 3:01:26 AM PDT by MountainYankee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: Swordmaker

Bttt for your update


77 posted on 07/10/2015 5:31:26 AM PDT by novemberslady
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies]

To: MountainYankee

I am just the opposite. I have to use reading glasses


78 posted on 07/10/2015 9:19:18 AM PDT by woodyinscc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]

To: All
I am on my way home from SEEING the eye surgeon. Great news! Aside from a bit of cloudiness due to the medication they've put in my eye, I now have 20/20 vision in my right eye! YAY!

The other big change is the brightness of the colors. What I had thought were some greenish blues have turned out to be actual blues! Orange tints to things had crept up on me over a space of time and I had not noticed it. There is a slight color tint difference between my left eye and right eye now, with truer colors in my right eye.

The surgeon is recommending I wait for a while before having my left eye done and using an extended wear contact lens to correct that eye. The color issue may tilt me over into going ahead and having it done. . . and having that lens set for reading distance. Then I would never have to wear glasses again.

Followup appointment one week from now. . . and I will discuss that with my surgeon. Any advice from all of you who've gone either route?

79 posted on 07/10/2015 11:18:56 AM PDT by Swordmaker ( This tag line is a Microsoft insult free zone... but if the insults to Mac users continue...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: Swordmaker

At least make sure this eye heals up completely before getting the other eye done.

BTW, putting “All” in the “to” field doesn’t seem to work.

Glad you’re happy with the outcome. As most people said, the technology today for lens replacement is awesome.


80 posted on 07/10/2015 4:53:38 PM PDT by Moonman62 (The US has become a government with a country, rather than a country with a government.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 79 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson