Getting Old

[Log Catcher]

Made the mistake of going to the eye doctor yesterday for a routine check up. Now he tells me I have to have cataract surgery done on both eyes. I can still see to make a cast and tie my knots. I fail to see the problem. 

[Way2slow]

Getting old! I've already done that, now I'm just getting "older".  

 

Couple of tips on the eye surgery, been there, done that on my right eye,  After that one, I figure I'll wait until a go blind in my left eye before I have it done. 

I've always had way better than average vision, I'm talking 10/10 and 5 with both eye open.

At 65 I felt I was starting to need glasses, the ophthalmologist said no, I was just starting to see the way the rest of the world sees, my vision was 20/20.

When he suggested it was time to have the cataracts removed, I decided to do the right eye first, since I'm left handed, left eye dominate and shoot left handed. 

They said I had a slight stigmatism in my right eye. My insurance and Medicare would pay for the surgery and the lens but not the $1,500 extra they wanted for the lens to correct the stigmatism.  I said to heck with that, I've always had good vision.  DUMB move!  Now I have a permanent slight double vision in my right eye.   Corrective lens in glasses are supposed to be able to fix that, but I guess they haven't found the right lens yet. 

Another aggravation is dry eye after the surgery.  I was bothered with that and was supposed to be able to drops for that.  It seemed the more I used the drops, the more often I had the problem.  I quit using them and it took a while but now I rarely have a problem and when it does, it doesn't last long.   

That has been my experience with it, I hope yours is better.

 

  

 

[gim]

44 minutes ago, Log Catcher said:

I can still see to make a cast and tie my knots. I fail to see the problem. 

 

It may not be an issue for you now, but its probably only going to get worse.  Should you choose to wait, the problem will magnify and one day you may not be able to see what you want to.  @Way2slow pointed out that he waited and resulted in "double vision."  My advice to you is to trust what the medical expert says and follow through with it.

[Fishes in trees]

I had cataract surgery a few years ago.  I also have glaucoma.  Anyway, it worked for me.   I see better now than I did before.   While they were inserting the plastic lens, they also put a stint in the bottom of my eyeball to help with the pressure regulation.   It has worked.   Before the surgery I was having to use some meds, dropped into my eyeball at the same time each day, to regulate the pressure in my eyeball. (At the cost of roughly a buck a drop ).   Going on 4 years now, eye pressure has stabilized and haven't had to go back to using the drops.   All I can say is that the cataract surgery worked for me.

 

The whole experience was pretty weird though, they couldn't put you totally to sleep, because they asked me questions from time to time, asking me to move my eye, look here or there and I don't know why.  Couldn't feel a thing.   Intellectually, from time to time I knew that when he was asking me questions, he probably had some tool inside my eye ball, but I was so goofed on the drugs that I didn't care.   Good drugs.   Then after the surgery the drugs wore off.   oh well  . . .

Recovery was pretty simple. - wear some plastic fit over sunglasses over my regular glasses & take it easy for a day or so.   Surgery was early in the am and by 4 pm, I was kinda antsy and went for a hike.   Next day check up - everything was fine.

 

So, in my opinion, going to the eye doctor is seldom a mistake.   Glad I had decent insurance though.   I'd still be broke if I had to pay for all that stuff out of pocket.

[Bankbeater]

I would get a second opinion. I was told I was starting to get cataracts in one of my eyes.  I switched doctors when I was unhappy with my eyeglass prescription.  I asked the new doctor about the cataracts, and said I was clear.

[Log Catcher]

I knew something wasn't right by the way things went on the vision check. I knew two years ago I had a cataract in my right eye. I had no idea I had one in my left eye. The one in my right eye is the worst one but my vision is better in it than the left one. Guess I will try to get things set up next week and see what has to happen when.

[slonezp]

Doc said I should get cataracts but instead I got Mercedes..... 

[Log Catcher]

The place he has referred me to is supposed to be very good. They are the first place in the state to be able to do cataract surgery with a laser if need be.

[TnRiver46]

I took my old fishing buddy captain Kenny to get cataract surgery on both eyes. His was a remarkable improvement but I believe he had avoided the surgery until he was basically blind. The doctors would say everybody come in here you’ve got to see how bad this cataract is! Seems like he had the textbook case

[jimmyjoe]

10 hours ago, Log Catcher said:

I fail to see the problem. 

 

   Is that a pun?   ?                         jj

[DanielG]

Cataract surgery is a quick outpatient thing. They do it so much it's become a very routine, foolproof fix. It should be done earlier than later as it's more difficult if you wait. It also produces better vision if done sooner. I know a lot of people who have had it done with great success. It only takes an hour or less. I'll need it in a few years. Doc is keeping an eye on mine.

[throttleplate]

My wife is 22 years younger than me, she wont let me feel old.

Also my eyes are ok for now and i did ask a optometrist about wearing sunglasses which i do everyday sunny or cloudy.

 

He said the human eye has a built in filter to protect the eye from harmful rays and that sunglasses dont do anything to prevent cataracts. I didnt read up on what he said so if anyone has more info on this let it rip.

[Glenn]

14 hours ago, Log Catcher said:

I fail to see the problem.

I see what you did there.

[MN Fisher]

37 minutes ago, throttleplate said:

He said the human eye has a built in filter to protect the eye from harmful rays and that sunglasses dont do anything to prevent cataracts. I didnt read up on what he said so if anyone has more info on this let it rip.

Get a new optometrist. By not wearing sunglasses enough in my youth (I'm 61), my eyes were exposed to UV rays - and I got cancer (Choroidal Melanoma). Now I'm a 'one-eyed wonder' as the right eye was removed 6 years ago.

 

WEAR YOUR SUNGLASSES - and make sure they protect against UV rays.

[N Florida Mike]

 My biggest health issue ( that I know of) is my weak right eye. I have to pay basically double for contacts for that eye, but I see good with them. Without the contact, I was 20/80 the last time they told me. Basically , all I see is light and movement. With the contact , I think it’s 20/20 or 20/30.

Another problem is those dang floaters. Im always swatting at them thinking it’s bugs! ?

[The Bassman]

I've had cataract surgery in both eyes and can see as clear as when I was a teenager. Before the 1970's if you had cataracts (which eventually most do) you pretty much went blind. We're really blessed with what's available to us these days.

[Fishes in trees]

I like the floaters - I think that they re cheap entertainment.   I never know when they are going to show up or which way they will drift.  They aren't really an issue to me, unless I choose to focus on them.

[slonezp]

9 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Get a new optometrist. By not wearing sunglasses enough in my youth (I'm 61), my eyes were exposed to UV rays - and I got cancer (Choroidal Melanoma). Now I'm a 'one-eyed wonder' as the right eye was removed 6 years ago.

 

WEAR YOUR SUNGLASSES - and make sure they protect against UV rays.

Are you related to One eyed trouser snake?

[MN Fisher]

Just now, slonezp said:

Are you related to One eyed trouser snake?

Na - he's gotta be one of yours...

[DanielG]

On 5/8/2021 at 12:32 AM, throttleplate said:

My wife is 22 years younger than me, she wont let me feel old.

Also my eyes are ok for now and i did ask a optometrist about wearing sunglasses which i do everyday sunny or cloudy.

 

He said the human eye has a built in filter to protect the eye from harmful rays and that sunglasses dont do anything to prevent cataracts. I didnt read up on what he said so if anyone has more info on this let it rip.

Whoa! miss informed doctor there. Vulcans do but not humans. That is simply not true. My dermatologist says cover up and use sunscreen, the days of sunbathing are over for humans on the planet as it is now. I'm having a stage 0 melanoma removed tomorrow... Got it very early so no issues. Thing is, cataracts can be caused by different things but if you've got cataracts, then you need to also watch your skin as you're probably getting too much sunlight. Cataracts are pretty fixable. Melanoma is a killer.

My optometrist says to use sunglasses when I can, visor cap when applicable, and consider the sun gradient prescription glasses (and she doesn't sell glasses just does eye tests from her office). I've got the beginnings of cataracts in one eye, so a few years before they'll have to be dealt with.

 

I live in Maine but for those of you who live in the sun belts areas, you're getting sunlight a lot more than as northerners.

 

The map below shows the age people need cataract surgery. People mostly have it done a lot earlier in the southern states. Okay... I've gotten way to detailed with this... sorry.

[Log Catcher]

I knew I had a cataract in my right eye two years ago. The eye doctor was surprised it got as bad as it did that quick. He thinks it may have gotten bad quicker from some of the meds they had me on when I had my knee replacement surgeries.

[TnRiver46]

12 hours ago, DanielG said:

Whoa! miss informed doctor there. Vulcans do but not humans. That is simply not true. My dermatologist says cover up and use sunscreen, the days of sunbathing are over for humans on the planet as it is now. I'm having a stage 0 melanoma removed tomorrow... Got it very early so no issues. Thing is, cataracts can be caused by different things but if you've got cataracts, then you need to also watch your skin as you're probably getting too much sunlight. Cataracts are pretty fixable. Melanoma is a killer.

My optometrist says to use sunglasses when I can, visor cap when applicable, and consider the sun gradient prescription glasses (and she doesn't sell glasses just does eye tests from her office). I've got the beginnings of cataracts in one eye, so a few years before they'll have to be dealt with.

 

I live in Maine but for those of you who live in the sun belts areas, you're getting sunlight a lot more than as northerners.

 

The map below shows the age people need cataract surgery. People mostly have it done a lot earlier in the southern states. Okay... I've gotten way to detailed with this... sorry.

According to this map it’s always raining in Alabama. I camp there every year and I would say that’s accurate!!! 
 

but seriously I’ve worn a hat and shades everyday since I graduated high school (we weren’t allowed to wear hats to school). 

[Jigfishn10]

Back in the ought 2000's I had 2015 vision. In 2017 I found out that I had a separated retina in my left eye from fluids building up and not draining. Now I have permanent damage in that eye that is basically useless. 

Don't take your vision for granted. 

[Way2slow]

Yep, when you are young and tough, you don't think things you do then will have the consequences that can have later in life.  I have annual Ophthalmologist exams of my right eye, because of spots that could turn cancerous.  

I go tomorrow morning the have the stiches removed from having my seventh skin caser cut out.  Two of those have been melanomas, and have probably had a couple dozen precancerous ones frozen off.  I also have to have a full body search every year for melanomas since having the first one. 

[Log Catcher]

I got my first appt. set up. I go on 6/28 for them to do an exam and evaluation before the surgery. They said that would take about three hours.