8ntruck 8,494 #1 Posted January 8 About 2 years ago, I was informed that I had a cataract, and it was time i should start considering getting it taken care of. We'll, at the time that didn't really fit in with what all we had going on. Well, last year's eye exam showed a big degradation in my left eye. Last summer, I noticed that my short range depth preseption was off - the finish nails I drove to flush were actually standing about 1/4" proud. Bolts on machinery i was working on were farther away than where my eyes told me to put the wrench. I was having trouble getting a good sight picture of the pop can target when shooting my Daisy Red Ryder. Bunch of little things, but enough was enough. 3 weeks ago, I had my left (dominant) eye operated on, as it was the worst. Wonderful improvement! Yesterday, I had my right eye operated on. It is still dilated and not focusing quite right at reading range, but a noticable improvement in distance sight. The most impressive thing is how sharp and vivid the colors are now. If anybody out there is considering cataract surgery, I'll encourage you to go get it done. The procedure (outpatient) itself is a breeze, involving just enough knock out drugs to relax and enjoy the 'light show'. I think my reply to the "how are you doing?" question in recovery was "that was a pretty cool trip". Had a special lens installed yesterday that corrected an astigmatism. While discussing this with the surgeon pre-op, I asked him if the lens also had a .010" eyecrometer scale - he got a chuckle out of that one. 1 6 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 15,663 #2 Posted January 8 2 hours ago, 8ntruck said: pop can target when shooting my Daisy Red Ryder But you you still coulda “shot your eye out” or hit the window, right? 2 hours ago, 8ntruck said: eyecrometer scale I'm gonna remember this one! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,644 #3 Posted January 8 @8ntruck can relate to eye surgery glad I had it done , number of joint ,and retina centers near me , thats all they do . related care and help is also very simple to get , another thing about getting it done , is facing any fear you might have , have had a number of procedures done , all lazer supported / tracked , verification of work , progress . if I need it , i get it done , pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 44,120 #4 Posted January 8 8 hours ago, 8ntruck said: If anybody out there is considering cataract surgery, I'll encourage you to go get it done. I was amazed to see the colors and detail restored. The cataract growth is so slow that you never realize how much vision is lost until you have those new clear lens installed. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 16,653 #5 Posted January 9 My last flight physical (many moons ago) showed my vision at 20/12. I was very proud of that exam. 35 years later during an eye exam, I bragged about that old 20/12 result. The eye doctor informed me that I still had 20/12 vision, but no less than 10 feet from my face! Congrats on the surgery @8ntruck. My mother also had that procedure several years ago, and she was also amazed at the difference afterward as well. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 8,494 #6 Posted January 9 (edited) 4 minutes ago, kpinnc said: The eye doctor informed me that I still had 20/12 vision, but no less than 10 feet from my face! That's where I started needing glasses - my arms weren't long enough to read a book anymore. Pretty sure I'm going to still need readers once everything heals up. Been looking at 1/2 lens reading glasses on the interweb today. Edited January 9 by 8ntruck 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 12,510 #7 Posted 4 hours ago I had cataract surgery in 2018 shortly after the big show that year. I knew my problem was getting serious but I drove to PA anyways for the show. Knowing my issues my wife was pretty peeved that I would drive that far but she got over it. Later that summer I went in to an eye doc that my daughter recommended because I had no clue who was any good. It wasn't far into the checkup when he said I was one step from being 'legally blind'. In my case he meant that one eye was out of the legal limits for driving and the other one right at it. He immediately referred me to a specialist. I was soon to be going in for the first eye. It would be impossible for me to wear contacts because I have a phobia about things in my eyes. I was terrified at the thought of a sharp object probing around in there. Turns out that 8n's description about the 'light show' was spot on. When I got home and pulled the patch off I just about cried. Not even healed yet the vision was unbelievable. I couldn't wait until I had the other eye done. When it was all done I had perfect vision in one eye and just a barely imperceivable touch off in the other. After a couple years I did have the quick laser thingy done to clear a slight cloudiness but that was predicted and a one and done thing. It was handled at the same time as the checkup and it took less than 5 minutes. To this day my eyes haven't degraded a bit and cheap readers are all I need for close up. The bottom line is, as already mentioned, the surgery is a breeze and the difference is unbelievable. My fear kept me from doing it longer than I should have. Don't make the same mistake. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,779 #8 Posted 3 hours ago I had cataract surgery about 10 years ago. Quite an improvement, especially with night driving. But I still have to wear progressive lens glasses. I sit 15 feet from my 50" TV and still can't read the closed captioning. Doctor says I have 20/20 vision. I am going to go to a different opthalmologist next visit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
