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Post by cassyjane on Apr 12, 2023 1:20:06 GMT -6
So, I went to the opthamologist on Monday, and he said that I have cataracts and need removal sugery. I was floored. I really had no idea.
Has anyone else had this?
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Post by eyeofthestorm on Apr 12, 2023 5:45:44 GMT -6
Gina recently dealt with this with her DH. She will probably have experience to share.
In recent years, my optometrist was commenting on cataracts. It sounded like most (if not all) people lose at least some vision over the years due to changes in the eyes' lenses. Before this past autumn, he would also comment something to the effect that my cataracts looked normal for someone my age (I'm 55). Then, this past October, he noted that the cataract in one eye is developing much faster than the other. He seemed thrown off my this, partly due to my age and partly due to it only being one eye. He said if it contiues at this rate, I will be a candidate for surgery in that eye next fall... and went on to say that when the do the one eye, they want to do the other.
(Thanks for reading my story so far). It came out that he's REALLY concerned that the vision in that eye will continue to detoriate, but gradually, so I may not notice. He directly said he's concerned I will rear end someone because I won't realized how much depth perception I have lost.
So. I already avoid driving after dark except in areas where I am SUPER comfortable (basically, home to church to the grocery store, all neighborhood streets, no freeway or highway). And he has me check my vision every couple of weeks with a home test. It's just a sheet of paper and I think it's meant for macular degeneration, but he talked to me about other things to be aware of.
For me, right now, it's a wait and see (and be extremely cautious when I drive) issue. I am not convinced that I want to jump right into surgery.
Something for you to consider: My optometrist said that the real issue is that he can no longer correct the vision in that eye. While he's concerned about the (sudden) development being different from the other eye, his issue is that he can no longer provide a lens that lets me see clearly with that eye. For example, sometimes I can't read the hymnboards at church unless I close that eye.
If he can't correct your vision, you may have to make some decisions about what you can or can't do, and about moving forward with surgery.
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Post by ginakay57 on Apr 12, 2023 8:21:48 GMT -6
As Sandra said my dh just had his second cataract surgery done about a month ago. He had his left eye done about 8 months ago. He’s 69 yrs old and being a trucker it’s very important to have as perfect as possible eyesight. He thinks it’s all the LED head lights on the newer vehicles (and him driving at night exposed to them) that caused his vision problem. The surgery itself takes very little time (around 20 minutes) and no lifting 5 lbs or more for around 3 weeks afterwards.
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Post by roseofsharon on Apr 12, 2023 19:19:28 GMT -6
My hubby had cataracts in both eyes; he had them removed last year. Is there anything specific you would like to know?
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Post by cassyjane on Apr 12, 2023 23:43:55 GMT -6
I think I'm just nervous about it. They gave me three options. He did say he thought the laser option was best. I think I will do that one, but actually having my lens removed and replaced with an artificial one sort of freaks me out. It would be nice not to need glasses anymore though.
I haven't felt comfortable driving at night for a while now. That should get better too
I have always been a little afraid of going blind. When my grandfather was thity eight years old it was discovered that his optic nerve was dying. Nothing could be done. He was totally blind from the age of forty. So, I have always been grateful for my eyesight.
I guess having eye surgery just scares me a little bit
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Post by ginakay57 on Apr 13, 2023 11:58:41 GMT -6
It’s really nothing to be scared of. Dh isn’t used to having any medical procedures done or even going to the doctor yet to him this was a breeze.
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