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Cataract surgery

Maggot

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood"
Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Jul 27, 2007
    25,897
    29,182
    Virginia
    Just had it Tuesday and what a difference. Theres a 8x12 picece of white wood at the edge of the field behind my home, about 150 mtrs. Vision had gotten so bad I couldnt make it out anymore. Now I see it clearly, almost like through a low power scope.

    The edges on stuff seem a bit hard, not as smoothe sa your natural lens, but alot better than before. Sounds like a job for Carl Zeiss Optronics...I bet they could build a more natural lens.

    If youve got this problem dont fear, get it done. You wont regret it.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    I had an old neighbor, my coffee drinking buddy (passed on now). Was a great guy. He live alone but spent most of his time at my house.

    Anyway he had Cataract surgery, got home, looked around at his house, called the doctor saying he wanted the cataract's back.

    His house wasn't dirty until he had the surgery.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    That's great!

    How long did you have to deal with it until it was ready for the surgery?
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kraigWY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had an old neighbor, my coffee drinking buddy (passed on now). Was a great guy. He live alone but spent most of his time at my house.

    Anyway he had Cataract surgery, got home, looked around at his house, called the doctor saying he wanted the cataract's back.

    His house wasn't dirty until he had the surgery.</div></div>

    emo30.gif


    Thats absolutely hilarious...cause I noticed the same thing. I thought it was clean, swept regular and all, but when they took the patch off, jeez, what filth.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fw707</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That's great!

    How long did you have to deal with it until it was ready for the surgery?</div></div>

    NOt sure what your asking. I had noticed vision getting less focused for several years but just thought I needed glasses. When they told me cataracts I almost crapped. Vacillated between "Why me?" and being thankful that I lived in a time that it could be fixed.

    As to the operation I went in at 12:30, they operated at 1:30, and I was out of the outpatient care by 2:30. Piece of cake.

    Though I they wont see it Id like to thank Dr. Andrew Collins of Charlottesville, Va. and all those who participated, both in my operation, and in the development of the technology. It was really humbleing in a way.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    Congrats on the successful surgery.

    Eye surgery is one of my most dreaded things, having seen a few on TV. Cataract surgery look wild.

    How was/is the pain?
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: High Binder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Congrats on the successful surgery.

    Eye surgery is one of my most dreaded things, having seen a few on TV. Cataract surgery look wild.

    How was/is the pain? </div></div>

    Thanks, Cory. NO shit, dealing with losss of a limb is one thing...your vision is really scary. The pain was really mild on the first day, worst thing was feeling the small suture rubbing on the insid of my eyelid. Has gotten less each day. Really mnimallly invasive.

    I do wish LL and the Mods would start a Men's Health thread. Seems at least as worthwile as Hunting/Fishing, and theres a lot we older guys could advise youu younger ones on. Like: Ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) while making you look cool as shit with your deep tan, wiill give you skin cancer when you get older. Be wise, wear sunblock when possible. The same sunlight that we see by will give you cataracts...wear your poliroids. Etc.

    Seems like fairskinned, males, with light hair and eyes are most susceptable. Black folks, especially males, are much more prone to high blood pressure and heart disease...presumably because of body adaptations over years of too much pork.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: maggot</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: High Binder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Congrats on the successful surgery.

    Eye surgery is one of my most dreaded things, having seen a few on TV. Cataract surgery look wild.

    How was/is the pain? </div></div>

    Thanks, Cory. NO shit, dealing with losss of a limb is one thing...your vision is really scary. The pain was really mild on the first day, worst thing was feeling the small suture rubbing on the insid of my eyelid. Has gotten less each day. Really mnimallly invasive.

    I do wish LL and the Mods would start a Men's Health thread. </div></div>

    Man, I get a case of the shivers reading about suture and the eyelid. Man, it sucks getting old. I'm with you on the men's health forum. I find that doctors give me a diagnosis (most recently a torn meniscus) and then send you packing leaving you with a lot of questions that turn into guesswork on the internet so it would be nice to bounce things off others who may have had the same problem/s.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fx77</div><div class="ubbcode-body">U know..everyone dies of something..
    smile.gif
    </div></div>

    Yeah, but it's a question of <span style="text-decoration: underline">when</span>.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: High Binder</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fx77</div><div class="ubbcode-body">U know..everyone dies of something..
    smile.gif
    </div></div>

    Yeah, but it's a question of <span style="text-decoration: underline">when</span>. </div></div>

    And your quality of life while reaching that point.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    I spend just about everyday sticking needles into peoples eyeballs for a living. Cataracts are a normal aging change that fortunately can be fixed rather easily today. 30 years ago people would go blind from cataracts and or glaucoma. No need for that today.

    I would hazard a fairly educated guess that just about ALL of us over the age of 40 have cataracts. I am blessed with good vision (probably the last part of my body that still operates as originally designed) and regularly read the 20/10 line with good accuracy but when I let myself be examined for training I discovered I have trace NS (nuclear sclerotic) cataracts in both eyes. 10 years ago I would have freaked out, but after working in the industry for a while I just wonder how far I will let them go before I get them removed.

    What kills me is how long people will let their eye sight go before they decide to do something about it. Diabetics and folks with hypertension (high blood pressure) NEED to get their eyes checked at least once a year. If you have diabetes you need to start looking for a retinal/macular ophthalmologist. A dilated eye examination is the only place in the human body where blood vessels can be seen operating in their natural environment and as such can diagnose diabetes and hypertension long before a Primary Care Doc will get around to saying "Yep, you have passed the threshold, you have it."

    A simple but very effective self test for vision is called the Amsler Grid. You can find it on the internet and read how to do it so I won't go into it here. The thing is if you look at it and see a curved line you need to go see an ophthalmologist NOW!!!! Sometimes you can get your vision back with treatment but the reality is you don't want it to get any worse.

    Cheers,

    Doc
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doc76251</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I spend just about everyday sticking needles into peoples eyeballs for a living. Cataracts are a normal aging change that fortunately can be fixed rather easily today. 30 years ago people would go blind from cataracts and or glaucoma. No need for that today.

    I would hazard a fairly educated guess that just about ALL of us over the age of 40 have cataracts. I am blessed with good vision (probably the last part of my body that still operates as originally designed) and regularly read the 20/10 line with good accuracy but when I let myself be examined for training I discovered I have trace NS (nuclear sclerotic) cataracts in both eyes. 10 years ago I would have freaked out, but after working in the industry for a while I just wonder how far I will let them go before I get them removed.

    <span style="color: #FF0000">What kills me is how long people will let their eye sight go before they decide to do something about it. </span> Diabetics and folks with hypertension (high blood pressure) NEED to get their eyes checked at least once a year. If you have diabetes you need to start looking for a retinal/macular ophthalmologist. A dilated eye examination is the only place in the human body where blood vessels can be seen operating in their natural environment and as such can diagnose diabetes and hypertension long before a Primary Care Doc will get around to saying "Yep, you have passed the threshold, you have it."

    A simple but very effective self test for vision is called the Amsler Grid. You can find it on the internet and read how to do it so I won't go into it here. The thing is if you look at it and see a curved line you need to go see an ophthalmologist NOW!!!! Sometimes you can get your vision back with treatment but the reality is you don't want it to get any worse.

    Cheers,

    Doc </div></div>

    Owned, but I must add, that its kinda like the headlights in your car. They dont just one day go out...they get dimmer little by little and you dont really notice it til you change one and then its "holy shit why did I wait so long.".

    Good post Doc.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    Hey Doc, I sure hope you ment sticking needles along the side of peoples eyes. Into the eye ruins everyones day. Unless you are retina of course.

    When a patient complains the next day that it doesn't hurt but is a bit sore I tell the " well yesterday I stuck a knife into your eye and then sucked the insides out' Yes it was delicate but in essence that is what I did. don't you think it should be tender?

    that usually stops the complaining. NOW real pain is rare and something different.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: devildogdad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey Doc, I sure hope you ment sticking needles along the side of peoples eyes. Into the eye ruins everyones day. Unless you are retina of course.

    When a patient complains the next day that it doesn't hurt but is a bit sore I tell the " well yesterday I stuck a knife into your eye and then sucked the insides out' Yes it was delicate but in essence that is what I did. don't you think it should be tender?

    that usually stops the complaining. NOW real pain is rare and something different. </div></div>

    Well put. Tender yes, but I havent complained even once...the gift of sight is overwhelming. Having cataracts is about like trying to see through waxed paper.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: devildogdad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey Doc, I sure hope you ment sticking needles along the side of peoples eyes. Into the eye ruins everyones day. Unless you are retina of course.

    When a patient complains the next day that it doesn't hurt but is a bit sore I tell the " well yesterday I stuck a knife into your eye and then sucked the insides out' Yes it was delicate but in essence that is what I did. don't you think it should be tender?

    that usually stops the complaining. NOW real pain is rare and something different. </div></div>

    No I meant INTO the eye (retina & macula). Anti-VEGF, Avastin, Lucentis, Eylea etc. Yeah they are sore the next day when we do a vitrectomy but the face down positioning is the part that kicks most peoples a$$. Of course the ones that come back 2 days later with oil or gas in the AC that swear "I have been doing just what you said." are always fun and in general have a bad result.

    Cheers,

    Doc
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doc76251</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: devildogdad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey Doc, I sure hope you ment sticking needles along the side of peoples eyes. Into the eye ruins everyones day. Unless you are retina of course.

    When a patient complains the next day that it doesn't hurt but is a bit sore I tell the " well yesterday I stuck a knife into your eye and then sucked the insides out' Yes it was delicate but in essence that is what I did. don't you think it should be tender?

    that usually stops the complaining. NOW real pain is rare and something different. </div></div>

    No I meant INTO the eye (retina & macula). Anti-VEGF, Avastin, Lucentis, Eylea etc. Yeah they are sore the next day when we do a vitrectomy but the face down positioning is the part that kicks most peoples a$$. Of course the ones that come back 2 days later with oil or gas in the AC that swear "I have been doing just what you said." are always fun and in general have a bad result.

    Cheers,

    Doc </div></div>

    Not me, herr Doctor. Been using my Zymaxid and Prednisolone 4 times a day, religiously.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: maggot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
    Not me, herr Doctor. Been using my Zymaxid and Prednisolone 4 times a day, religiously. </div></div>

    They are both good things for a little while (like a week post op). Just watch out in about 2 - 3 months if that amsler grid changes, it's fairly common to get some macular/retinal swelling after cataract surgery. Topical NSAID's can usually take care of it but every now and again we get one that needs a NEEDLE
    laugh.gif


    Cheers,

    Doc
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: devildogdad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">you us cataract surgeons tend to forget there is a retina
    grin.gif

    </div></div>

    We notice
    laugh.gif
    laugh.gif


    Cheers,

    Doc
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

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    Re: Cataract surgery

    I've had both eyes done, each time with "twilight" anesthesia that wasn't quite enough. It was like being at the bottom of a pool, really weird.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    Great Scott!

    What kind of lenses did ever one get that have had this done?

    Did your doc mention the different types etc ?
    multi focal verses mono focal ,standard distance lenses?

    Any after effects?
    My left eye twitches,and the doc said it would Go Away,I cannot tell what part of the eye has the twitch,but feel it..
    I can see I can see,
    Stand right there darling ,let me take in the view is what I said the day after the first eye was done.
    cannot remember ever seeing such depth,color,contrast and curves,is whut Eye sayud to the pretty lady..
    I was legally blind before the sugery,no glasses could bring my eyesight into good enough vision to be legal to drive before.

    My lenses are standard distance lenses.I am unsure what that means exactly.....
    Seems the eyes do real well,butt at times eyes are slightly blurry.
    One man told me he had 4 pair of prescription glsses in one year ,his eyes shifted,or changed.
    i will need reading glsses for the small stuff from now on unless thier are more options later.
    but I can see to drive,read,most reading done with reading glsses.
    I can see the sights an the M1A almost perfectly with either eye,tho left eye is better.
    The Ar sights are a little differnt,but can see well enough to shoot,
    And I can see the reticle in the 3 different scopes I have purchased off here,before I could not see the reticles.....

    Did any ones Doc mention personality types in relation to type of lens.?type A,Type B.

    I was told ,TypeA,do not do well at all with a multifocal lense.That would mean,engineers,extreme perfectionists,etc.
    They would not do well with a multifocal lens.
    Any way I read a whole lot on some different cataract type forums last year before the sugery,and found some info regarding what the doc had told me on the personality connection with the different lenses.
    I ask my doc direct ,What happens if the lenses do not work,what is our options,can we remove them and replace them later.?
    I swear the doc face ,??????He said,We try to get it right on the first try.
    That was all he would say.
    I also ask him if he had ever heard of a Lyme disease,cataract connection,?He said no.
    I will try and mark and save this thread for reference.
    Dr Wang in Nashville did examine me ,and told me I was very young to have a very fast growing case of cataracts,very unusual is how he put it.
    My sister drove me out there....
    He did not do the surgery tho,....
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 152</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Great Scott!

    What kind of lenses did ever one get that have had this done?

    Did your doc mention the different types etc ?
    multi focal verses mono focal ,standard distance lenses?

    Any after effects?
    My left eye twitches,and the doc said it would Go Away,I cannot tell what part of the eye has the twitch,but feel it..
    I can see I can see,
    Stand right there darling ,let me take in the view is what I said the day after the first eye was done.
    cannot remember ever seeing such depth,color,contrast and curves,is whut Eye sayud to the pretty lady..
    I was legally blind before the sugery,no glasses could bring my eyesight into good enough vision to be legal to drive before.

    My lenses are standard distance lenses.I am unsure what that means exactly.....
    Seems the eyes do real well,butt at times eyes are slightly blurry.
    One man told me he had 4 pair of prescription glsses in one year ,his eyes shifted,or changed.
    i will need reading glsses for the small stuff from now on unless thier are more options later.
    but I can see to drive,read,most reading done with reading glsses.
    I can see the sights an the M1A almost perfectly with either eye,tho left eye is better.
    The Ar sights are a little differnt,but can see well enough to shoot,
    And I can see the reticle in the 3 different scopes I have purchased off here,before I could not see the reticles.....

    Did any ones Doc mention personality types in relation to type of lens.?type A,Type B.

    I was told ,TypeA,do not do well at all with a multifocal lense.That would mean,engineers,extreme perfectionists,etc.
    They would not do well with a multifocal lens.
    Any way I read a whole lot on some different cataract type forums last year before the sugery,and found some info regarding what the doc had told me on the personality connection with the different lenses.
    I ask my doc direct ,What happens if the lenses do not work,what is our options,can we remove them and replace them later.?
    I swear the doc face ,??????He said,We try to get it right on the first try.
    That was all he would say.
    I also ask him if he had ever heard of a Lyme disease,cataract connection,?He said no.
    I will try and mark and save this thread for reference.
    Dr Wang in Nashville did examine me ,and told me I was very young to have a very fast growing case of cataracts,very unusual is how he put it.
    My sister drove me out there....
    He did not do the surgery tho,.... </div></div>

    There are three types of lenses, I went with teh more expensive Toric, because I have an astigmatism (Eye is not perfectly round in the rear). Just came from my one week follow up and I have 20/15. I can see distances perfectly, and can read if its not too fine. Some cheap magnifiesrs let me read anything with out problem.

    Before it was like ollking through wax paper. Its been an emotional week...you dont know how much your sight means to you until you lose it. For a couple of days I was just riding around reading street signs.

    Aparently, white, fair skined, light hair and eyes, men, are more susceptible to the sun and UV's We also have a higher incidence of skin cancer. A word to the wise to you younger guys.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doc76251</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I spend just about everyday sticking needles into peoples eyeballs for a living. Cataracts are a normal aging change that fortunately can be fixed rather easily today. 30 years ago people would go blind from cataracts and or glaucoma. No need for that today.

    </div></div>

    The sad thing is that I was diagnosed when I was 34 as having cataracts. It's quite possible that I've had them most of my adult life. I have horrible vision, and, up until recently, thought it was due to poor genetics. However, since the '3-D Eye x-ray' technology, where they take a 3-D picture of your eye, they have found my problem and I am working on getting it corrected.

    It scares the hell out of me thinking about someone getting a needle near my eye. They will have to give me a strong anti-anxiety med to get me to even come in for the procedure.
    grin.gif
    That's one of the things I've been putting off, but I really need to get it done.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    One of my more recent health problems was my cataracts in my eyes. Because of my messed up insurance It took me several MONTHS to get everything approved and all the doctors to sign off that I actually had a problem.

    But I had the surgery on my right eye the week before Christmas and the left eye the first week of January. I could see the clock on the wall in the recovery room, even through the perf metal cup guards they had taped over my eyes. While both eyes showed a little blood in the whites of my eyes, I never took so much as an aspirin for pain. Except for the doctor poking his finger in my eye, and having a little pain from that, it was pretty much painless. I can see very well at distance. But from 10 feet in if starts getting a little fuzzy. My large print Bible I can just barely read without any glasses.

    Everyone talked me into getting progressive lenses in my new glasses. But for computer work or reading I prefer $10 reading glasses from the drug store.

    If anyone is having this problem, I strongly suggest that you see your eye doctor and get a good surgeon. See what your insurance will and will not do. Mine covered everything but less than $200. (After I finally got everyone on the same page. On that I have to thank my lovely wife of 42 years. She kept after everyone for me until it was done.)

    Good luck gentlemen and be careful.
    Victor
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    I may not be able to tell you how to convert mildot to MOA but I am a cataract surgeon for over 33 years. If you have any specific question pm me. At least I can answer those questions.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sgt Keebler</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sng6uZEt_TQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player </div></div>I'm guessing those surgical instruments aren't cheap.

    Very cool procedure. I plan to have it done in the next few years to correct my vision. I had Lasik, and it was fine for four years, then I chose to get glasses instead of having Lasik done again. But glasses are wreaking havoc with my shooting, so the intra-ocular implants seem like the ideal solution for me.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: devildogdad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I may not be able to tell you how to convert mildot to MOA but I am a cataract surgeon for over 33 years. If you have any specific question pm me. At least I can answer those questions. </div></div>

    I have a million more questions concerning this topic,
    Google has been helpful.
    I am unable to convert mils,(dots) to moa as well,but it dont matter.
    be pming you...
    thanks
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    Hohopelli

    Read my post a few above. Had the surgeries done in Knoxville. My direct email is on my profile.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hohopelli

    Read my post a few above. Had the surgeries done in Knoxville. My direct email is on my profile.</div></div>

    I found this thread via goggle and I've been reading most everything I can find. Email sent.. Thanks.. Ron
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hohopelli</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hohopelli

    Read my post a few above. Had the surgeries done in Knoxville. My direct email is on my profile.</div></div>

    I found this thread via goggle and I've been reading most everything I can find. Email sent.. Thanks.. Ron </div></div>

    As I said upthread, I've had both eyes done. It's unnerving when you think about it, and nothing but a blip in the rear-view mirror once you're done. Remember to follow post-surgical instructions RELIGIOUSLY, especially the schedule for the various drops and not physically straining after your surgery for a predetermined period of time. Until you're out of the woods, you don't want to lift anything heavier than a slice of pizza (okay, I kid, but the limit is like 10-15 lbs. or so, don't push it at all) for three or four days after they do you.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    imWell I went with the toric option and the surgery went well. After two weeks it appears that the eye has improved about 50%' I was hoping for more, but 20/50 is what I got. My astigmatism is about half what is we before.. what can ya do..

    the left eye is scheduled for this Monday.. Ron
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hohopelli</div><div class="ubbcode-body">imWell I went with the toric option and the surgery went well. After two weeks it appears that the eye has improved about 50%' I was hoping for more, but 20/50 is what I got. My astigmatism is about half what is we before.. what can ya do..

    the left eye is scheduled for this Monday.. Ron </div></div>

    Give 'em hell and be happy with improvement.
     
    Re: Cataract surgery

    Yep.. He knows I'm not terribly happy with the 50% improvement, but it certainly is better than before. He did the left eye this morning and the correction is better at distance. The right eye has a little near focus, but not the left. Looks like I got the "mono-vision" option without asking.. Cheers.. Ron