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Post by AlanC on Nov 27, 2017 7:58:36 GMT -5
As Andrewrg seemed to notice, we are getting pretty damn old. There is a lot that seems to go with that state: grand kids, retiring, assorted aches and pains, dying.
Early next year I will have my nascent cataracts removed and new lenses installed. How many of you have had this done? As of right now I plan on getting the same lenses that I have been using for my contacts which is left eye for close up and right eye for distance. They call it mono-vision.
This has worked well for me for almost 20 years now and has allowed me to make a living at my laptop without bifocal glasses. But last night I began to have second thoughts. I could get both eyes corrected for distance and then use cheap WalMart cheaters when I work. I'm wondering if that would not be better for night driving? Like I said.... second thoughts.
Have any of you had your cataracts removed and lenses installed? Anyone opt for mono-vision?
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Post by dradtke on Nov 27, 2017 9:15:57 GMT -5
Melva had it done earlier this year. She went from coke bottles to no glasses. If you're already used to it from contacts you shouldn't have a problem.
The nurse at the eye clinic told Melva that everyone is nervous and scared before having the first eye done, then can't wait to get in and do the second eye.
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Nov 27, 2017 9:29:52 GMT -5
I am unfortunately in line for this also. But not yet. I got maybe a year or two before I need the surgery. I was also told at my last checkup, that I have a small amount of age related macular degeneration. Oh, the joy.
Mike
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Post by Russell Letson on Nov 27, 2017 11:47:08 GMT -5
Yeah, cataract surgery sounds ickier than it feels. But by the time the various anasthetics and other drugs kick in, not only do you not feel pain, you won't care if they decide to perform the procedure with kitchenware. And the results, at least for those of us who spent decades wearing glasses and then had to put up with cloudy vision for several more years, are pretty striking. I remember amusing myself for hours in the weeks between eyes, closing one eye and then the other to see the effects (cloudy-clear, cloudy, clear. . . .)--and then opening both to see how the cloudiness vanished as the repaired eye became the dominant one.
I was given a choice of lenses--basically reading or distance focal lengths--and went with distance, since my astygmatism would require reading glasses anyway. Now I can drive without glasses if I need to, though I still like the complete clarity my glasses provide.
In the years before the surgery became necessary, I kept asking my optometrist about how replacement-lens tech was progressing, hoping that they'd come up with a prosthetic that completely mimics the natural-lens focusing function. No joy there, and maybe not in our lifetimes, thanks to the engineering challenge of hooking up the focusing muscles to artificial lenses. I also had the option of a monovision set, but I'd passed on the contact-lens version of that solution years earlier.
(I still follow this technology a bit because C. hasn't had cataract surgery yet.)
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Post by epaul on Nov 27, 2017 12:34:36 GMT -5
They are in my future, but it will be five to ten years off as it is just getting starting in one eye. When the time does come, I am thinking of going with the rosy lenses so I can enjoy my golden years untroubled by anything.
(the rosy lenses work best when combined with beer and late-night popcorn while watching what are technically re-runs on TV but for some reason are fresh and engrossing)
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Post by Village Idiot on Nov 27, 2017 13:13:20 GMT -5
I got my eyes checked this summer and told the doctor that I’m seeing better than I have in a long time. In fact, I take my glasses off when I get home leave them off mostly.
Her response was that I wasn’t going to like the reason why that is, because the reason is that I’ve got cataracts. Apparently in the beginning state they’re in they actually help with refraction errors. I didn’t know that. She also said I won’t be needed the surgery for quite a few more years.
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Post by RickW on Nov 27, 2017 13:36:24 GMT -5
Hasn't come up yet. I wonder if they can clear out all the floaters when they do. I'd go for distance in both, Alan, and reading glasses.
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Post by AlanC on Nov 27, 2017 14:15:55 GMT -5
I got my eyes checked this summer and told the doctor that I’m seeing better than I have in a long time. In fact, I take my glasses off when I get home leave them off mostly. Her response was that I wasn’t going to like the reason why that is, because the reason is that I’ve got cataracts. Apparently in the beginning state they’re in they actually help with refraction errors. I didn’t know that. She also said I won’t be needed the surgery for quite a few more years. That's exactly what happened to me. My eyes got better. I asked how in the hell could that happen? I guess we know now. I'm not dreading it. I have been nagging her for several years and finally they got to where she could in good conscious write it up for me. I was firmly on the side of mono vision because of working but now that I will be working less, maybe I should rethink that and go for whatever gives me the best night vision for driving. Opinions, like Rick's, would be appreciated.
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Post by Russell Letson on Nov 27, 2017 14:54:25 GMT -5
I wonder what effect monovision has on depth perception. If night-driving vision is important, I'd be asking about that. When I was Googling around to check on the latest & greatest tech in this area, I noticed that at least one eye surgeon mentioned that as a tradeoff with monovision solutions.
(I also noticed that "accomodation"--the ability to squeeze the lens to tweak focus--is something the designers are working on. Not sure they're there yet, though.)
BTW, I don't think they can do anything about floaters with normal cataract surgery, though there's a particular procedure for that--and apparently it's not always effective or permanent.
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Post by Don Clark on Nov 27, 2017 15:33:44 GMT -5
It was at least 5 years ago when I was diagnosed with stage 1 cataracts. Must not have changed much, as nothing else came up about them at my exam last year when I got new glasses. I can tell a difference, especially at night. Traffic signs are blurry until I get right to them. I was told they usually don't remove them until they reach stage 4, the next to last stage. It'll be a while for me.
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Post by TKennedy on Nov 28, 2017 10:19:25 GMT -5
I am a year and a half out from having both done. A good friend did them just before he retired. I was severely nearsighted with a little astigmatism. Wore glasses since second grade.
My doc friend said there were “permimum” lenses that were supposed to correct astigmatism and some that were like progressive bifocals but he was pretty conservative and said they were not foolproof and there could be issues like night glare etc. I opted against the mono lens thing as I do do much close up,work I wanted near vision to be as perfect as possible. I do have two friends that love the mono thing so I know it works for some. One is a professional musician.
I can see pretty darn well without glasses. It’s great for outdoor sports and I can drive OK but everything is a little clearer with the astigmatism correction of my glasses.
What do I miss? Before I could see perfectly at about four inches, almost like wearing loops. I never needed magnifiers in the shop when doing fine work like binding miters etc. just took my glasses off. Now I use loops all the time.
I too have lots of big floaters, they bounce all over the place driving and are a hell of an annoyance. I guess you can break the big ones up,with laser and I am going to look into that. I don’t think there is a slam dunk solution floaters.
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Post by coachdoc on Nov 28, 2017 10:39:10 GMT -5
"BTW, I don't think they can do anything about floaters with normal cataract surgery, though there's a particular procedure for that--and apparently it's not always effective or permanent."
"I too have lots of big floaters, they bounce all over the place driving and are a hell of an annoyance. I guess you can break the big ones up,with laser and I am going to look into that. I don’t think there is a slam dunk solution floaters."
Floaters are vitreous tears, a different part of the eye than where the lens resides. Surgery/laser for them is marginal at best, and sometimes worsens the situation. Live with 'em. And hey! It's exciting when one drifts into view and you think your cat is about to pounce from behind you on the sofa.
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Post by Doug on Nov 28, 2017 11:43:00 GMT -5
I got a few floaters a couple of years ago. I took the advice of a couple of other old farts and ignored them and my eye learned not to see them. Now the only time I see them at all is driving long distances.
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Post by epaul on Nov 28, 2017 12:29:05 GMT -5
Two friends commiserating:
Bill: Dang, lately I've been seeing these big spots floating across my eyes.
Fred: Have you seen a doctor?
Bill: No, just spots.
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Post by t-bob on Nov 28, 2017 14:39:28 GMT -5
20/10 My eyes are pretty good. But I read with 8pt. I have read glasses 1.5 or 2.0 I have tinnitus, a pacemaker and speech problems sometimes That’s all
That’s all. My old fart issues.
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Post by RickW on Nov 28, 2017 17:10:21 GMT -5
I just get tired of the floaters, as they blur things on occasion. But I pretty much got the same report, they are what they are, and are not going away. Sometimes they'll break up on their own.
Having also worn glasses since the second grade, I'm used to them, they don't bother me. It would be nice to have close up vision without them, for playing guitar and reading. But I think I'd like to not have to wear them driving, or while out walking. Of course, then I'd probably be wearing sunglasses.
Having each eye different would be a detriment to driving, I'd think. You need that depth perception thing.
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Post by Marshall on Nov 28, 2017 17:25:40 GMT -5
I've had mono-vision from Lasik for 15 years. Doesn't bother my driving. It does make it difficult to read street signs, though, with only one good distance eye. And that one is not 20/20. I can pass the drivers vision test for one eye. The reading eye would not pass the test, so I get a qualification on my drivers license that I have to drive a vehicle with both side mirrors. That's what they do for one eyed people.
You don't need perfect stereo vision to handle road conditions. I have no real problem with distance driving issues, other than being able to read street name signs when I'm in unfamiliar territory.
I also do pretty well playing racquetball (and now pickleball). Tennis is tougher, though, to pick up a ball screaming at your head when you're at the net.
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Post by Chesapeake on Nov 28, 2017 17:26:18 GMT -5
I had both eyes done (one at a time) about eight years ago, and, after I got over my pre-op anxiety, it was a walk in the park. I was actually able to pass an eye exam for a new drivers' license without glasses to correct my astigmatism and farsightedness. Not only was my vision sharper, but colors were markedly more vivid.
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Post by AlanC on Nov 28, 2017 18:53:57 GMT -5
Marshall, if you had it to do over would you still go with the mono vision?
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Post by millring on Nov 28, 2017 18:59:18 GMT -5
I remember back in Greek mythology there was a story about two Cyclops who got a great 2 for one deal on cataract surgery.
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