Since 4th grade I’ve tested at 20/400 (I think that’s what the doctor said) — at least that’s where they stopped calibrating. I couldn’t buy white soap ‘cause if I dropped it I couldn’t see it in the white tub or shower. I had to break eyeliner pencils in half to get close enough to the mirror to see my eyes — and it was still a challenge.
At age 63 I had cataract surgery in both eyes. (I paid extra out-of-pocket for toric.) It changed my life! I woke up the day after my first eye was done, opened my eyes, and I could see leaves on the tree outside my window. I actually cried because for the first time in my life I could see.
Three weeks later I had the other eye done.
A hint: The time between surgery #1 and surgery #2 is pretty bad because there’s no good way to get good, balanced vision.
If your vision is very bad, best not to pop out the lens in a pair of glasses for the eye that’s been fixed; it doesn’t work well. The distortion almost made me seasick feeling.
If you wear contact lenses, hold on to those suckers until after the second surgery. With the first eye fixed, use a contact in the non-fixed eye. It’ll make life easier during the time between surgeries.
About 15 years ago a ophthalmologist told me that I’d thank God when the time came for cataract surgery. I didn’t believe him, but should have. It changed my life.
I had a clear lens put in my main glasses just prior to surgery and that worked great right after.
Love your description of poor vision. It’s funny but I’m sure not that funny to you. I realized I was in trouble when I was feeling my door key to see what position to put it in to open the door.