Cataract Surgery ?

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Framar

Framar

WOW Framer
Joined
Jul 24, 2001
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Buffalo, New York, USA/Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada
Since Jerry posted his question about back surgery, I thought it might be OK if I posted a query about cataracts.

Has anyone had this surgery in the last couple of years? I know the surgical procedures are becoming more refined by the minute, but I would appreciate more personal information than my Doctor is likely to give me.

How long a recovery period am I looking at? I really really need this done soon, and I do have the Canadian health procedure to wade through, but is it advisable to try to get it done before the "busy season" or should I wait until after the new year?

I have the "slow growing" kind of cataracts that the medical establishment has been monitoring for several years now, saying, "Not yet, not yet." 5 months ago my Optician said my left eye was almost ready and since then it has clouded up at an alarming pace.

I won't be much good at framing if I don't get this fixed soon!

So tell me your cataract stories and I thank you very much!
 
My mother just had both her eyes done a few months ago.....one eye at a time, ofcourse. I believe they were about a week apart. They kept the surgical eye patched for one day - removed by the doctor on the first post-op day at his office. Because of the vision change, it was decided that she should not drive until her second eye was done. The next week they did her second eye and she was driving within a couple of days.

The doctor placed lens implants in each eye which gave her nearly 20/20 vision. She threw her glasses away. I'm SO jealous! I want to be able to toss my glasses too, but I don't have cataracts! Dang! :rolleyes:

My recommendation is to be sure you get references on your surgeon. I bet you have customers that have had the surgery - you could ask them who did theirs!

You will LOVE having the cataracts removed! The world (and your artwork) looks SO much clearer once they are removed!
 
What Sherry said.
Went through it with Mom, aunt and uncle.
 
I have it coming up very soon. I only have one eye, and that eye has 20/25 vision. There is only one doctor in San Diego that will do it for me. I can see just fine for most things except flying. I am having trouble spotting other small aircraft or detail on the ground.

Also when a customer comes in my store and the light is behind them, all I can see is a black silhouette.

Normally they would wait longer, but I can not solo until I pass the physical. The chief instructor and my doctors concur, that I should wait until I am positive about flying. I have made up my mind and will probably go for it in the next month or so.

There is about a five percent chance that I will have worse vision when it is over, nullifying the whole purpose of doing it. There is also about a five percent chance that I will get an infection, and end up completely blind, nullifying just about everything in my life.

The operation itself only takes a few minutes, and if all goes well, I can probably drive myself home.

The whole thing is frustrating for me, but then what isn't if I can't do the things I love. The heck of it is, I can qualify for my pilots license with 20/25 vision, but flying with my cataract is downright dangerous. I have been waffling for weeks about this.

Framar, the eye surgeon I am seeing is one of the top in the country, his name is John Bokowsky. He does it all with lasers. He charges $4000.00 per eye. He owns one of the regions top eye clinics. They have their own OR and treatment facilities. It may be worth your while just to fly out here and have em both done.

John
 
Wow, John! What a decision YOU have to make!!! Yikes! My surgeon is FREE (covered by Canadian medical program) and he has already repaired a torn retina for me about 5 years ago. He is tops in the area and I trust him completely. He is the one who keeps saying that he will not operate until the time is right. This guy is one of the first in the area to even do laser surgery and every time I go there he has new "toys."

It NEVER occurred to me that the surgery could also be of a corrective nature!!! No one ever mentioned this little gem of information! Is this common, or just for some types of vision problems?

Good grief, I have had glasses longer than Ron had his mustache! I would feel NEKKID without them! However would I be able to hide without my glasses??? And my customers won't recognize me!!!

I have always been very sensitive to light - especially that blinding variety the Doctor uses to examine my retinas! He practically has to get someone to sit on me to keep me from pulling away. The retina surgery was brutal. I just kept hyperventilating and trying to remember all the pretty colors!

At my last visit the Doctor did say he would "put me out" for this surgery. I breathed a sigh of relief, but that was a year ago and I will have to remind him before he does it.

I simply cannot imagine not having to wear glasses.
 
Not to make light of a surgery such as this, but I went to school with a cheerleader who had one glass eye.

They'd go to the 'Pizza Hut' in Raleigh after each football game, where, if they wished, they'd be served beer, even though they were under age.

Beverly, who didn't drink, was driving home, and the other cheerleaders, who did, were hanging out the windows, yelling, and generally causing mayhem.

An astute and observent highway patrollman spotted them and stopped them. Beverly, being the driver, came under scrutiny and the patrollman shined his flashlight in her eyes. "Miss," he said, "have you been drinking? Your eyes look a little glassy." She removed her glass eye and held it out so the patrollman could see it.

He was so taken aback and surprised, he nearly stepped into oncoming traffic! Needless to say, he let them go, with heartfelt apologies. She popped her eye back in and drove on home.

And no, this is not an urban legend. I know for a fact it realy happened!
 
I don't have a glass eye, just the mangled remains of what once was an eye. Friends and doctors have been trying to talk me into getting one, it's a little more sophisticated than your friends, but at my age, who really cares what I look like. I always seem to find something else I would rather do with the money.

It's kind of like a dent in a new car, if you leave it long enough, you get used to it. I've put so much money into my mouth, I'm going to have the best looking teeth in the graveyard, I don't have to have the best looking eye as well.

John
 
I had my left eye done on August 18th of this year and the right eye done last Wednesday. I was given the okay to drive each time the next day (my doctor does a 24 hour check). So recovery time is quick.

What was absolutely amazing when I had the first one done was the difference in colors between the two eyes. I didn't realize it since the change was gradual, but I was no longer seeing whites - they were more of a tan. I worried about pieces I had designed over the past couple of years but it was pointed out to me that the art would also have a color shift too so designs were probably okay.

The surgery is painless. Afterwards it feels like you have a grain of sand in your eye. Take a tylenol PM and sleep it off. Before they gave me anesthia, I was told I would not remember the operation. I remember the operation vividly but not the ride home. I think their timing was off. The second operation, I don't remember. You're not really knocked out, they call it a twilight sleep.

I was operated on Wednesday, I went to the Penn State vs Purdue game on Saturday. Looking at the band on the field (400 kids dressed alike) I was able to pick out my daughter. I am thrilled with my new vision. My doctor also did my eyes for monovision - one eye is for reading and one eye is for distance. I never have to use reading glasses or anything.

Good luck - you'll be pleased with the results.

[ 10-12-2004, 08:19 AM: Message edited by: Maryann ]
 
JRB.......

OK - I will be the first to admit that I'm the most gullible person ever! Given that, I am still gonna publicly ask..........

Do you have the wildest sense of humor or have the aviation rules really changed over the years??

Take no offense when I ask you - do you REALLY fly a plane with one eye?????

faintthud.gif


I just HAVE to know if this is for real!!! I know you can compensate really well with one eye.....but.......oh, I just gotta know this!
 
Sherry Lee, I know it may seem a little odd, but yes, I fly a Piper Cherokee warrior. It is a small one engine, low wing aircraft that seats four.

I also just purchased a jeep, so I am now getting my drivers license as well.

I have been told by the flight school, my eye doctor and the FAA that I can get my license.Even if that never happens, I can still fly a plane under a "sports" license.

The only license that I can not qualify for is a commercial license. Commercial flying hold no interest for me, I'm a picture framer.

It is rare when a valid question offends me.

John
 
I had my right eye done last November and experienced the very same results as Maryann. The doctor said that, when he took off the bandages the morning after the surgery, I physically jerked back in the chair when the vivid flash of bright colors hit that new lense!! I was amazed at how dim my vision had gradually grown! I was scheduled to go in for my left eye on Sept. 14th but Ivan changed that plan. I now am waiting for a new appointment in Biloxi at the VA eye clinic for the second operation.

I drove home from the first operation with only a pair of sunglasses! I was just like a little kid with a new toy! I was talking to myself all the way home telling me how I could read those interstate signs from a half mile away now!! And I just sat on my back porch marvelling at the bright colors of the oak tree leaves and the blue sky and thanking the good Lord for giving me back a portion of my life that I had lost.

I don't have the luxury of picking my surgeon as I have no medical insurance and have to rely on the Veterans Administration to take care of my medical needs. But I came out of the first operation with no after pain and 2 micro-stitches, one of which is still in. It doesn't bother me and I about came out of the chair when I saw that doctor heading in with a tool to snip them out. So he decided to leave the other one in if it didn't give me any trouble. So far I don't know that it's in there.

You will be OK, Mar, and you will rejoice at the visual results you will have after the operations. And don't worry about the glasses either. That was a throw-away that I truly enjoyed.

Framerguy
 
Well John......

Congratulations on being a pilot!! That's really cool. Now, do you fly over Phoenix?? Joking, just joking!

I learned something....that's always good!

You will do fine with the surgery, but I certainly understand your concern. Re: feeling naked without glasses on, my mother bought some 'cheapies' at Walgreen's because she too felt undressed! (fyi)

Keep us posted with your progress.
 
Originally posted by Framerguy:
I physically jerked back in the chair when the vivid flash of bright colors hit that new lense!!
I was talking to myself all the way home telling me how I could read those interstate signs from a half mile away now!!
Framerguy
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Omar, remember the 'experiments' they performed on us in Langley back in '69? Hmmmm...

Ain't nothin' wrong with VA hospitals, either. They kept my daddy alive, after losing 80% of his cardiac output for 11 years! He was 100% service-connected disabled, and, ******, ANY veteran that's served our country deserves government medical care free!

Good on ya! When you get the other eye done, come on up and bring the Vicious Guard Dog and visit me and Bo. Unless, of course, the timing interferes with 'thong season'. Then Bo and I may show up on YOUR doorstep. I'm teaching him to attack(gently) and retrieve thongs, by the way.
 
I had both eyes done about 4-6 years ago (2 years between). The first eye I had done by a typical eye surgeon that used the surgical suite in a hospital and forbade me to lift anything over 5 lbs and I had to wear a guard over my eye at night for 10 days after the surgery. Total pain in the ***.

The second eye I had done by Pacific Cataract Instutude. Totally different approach. Their offices are set up with their own surgery rooms and their doctors do literally hundreds of these operations a year. In fact they'll do 20-30 on a single day. They line you up assembly line style with 4-5 of us at different levels of prep. The whole thing took about 30 minutes with the actually surgery done in less than 10. The insision is so small they don't bother to do any stiches. I wore a bandage for couple of hours and had to take it easy for a day or two then I was back to work.

Neither time was I put under any anesthetic and I can't imagine why you would bother. The whole thing was no worse than going to the dentist and having a cavity filled. They did give me a pill the first time to relax me but the second time I was so casual about the whole thing they didn't bother. Although they were about ready to bonk me over the head for razzing the other patients. There's nothing so fun as telling horror stories to someone whose already so nervous they're about ready to wet themselves.
 
Sherry Lee, pilot and student pilot have very little in common. I have a long way to go before I can call myself a pilot. If I ever do get my license, I'll fly over and give you a ride. It is a heck of a lot of fun. Phoenix is only a little over an hour away, I think. I'll be able to stop by Bob's and give him a hard time as well.

Frank, I hope I don't run into the likes of you while I'm waiting my turn, I think wetting myself will be minor compared to what will be going through my head. No matter what I do, I have to go through with it sooner or later. I have full VA benefits, but for this one, I'm going to spend the money. I only get one shot at it, that's it.

John
 
So, Maryann - how is the decision made as to which eye is distance and which eye is close-up? I look through my camera viewfinder with my right eye. I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around "monovision." Doesn't it screw up your "binocular" vision? Depth of field, etc.

My Ex only had one eye and he used to drive off the road onto the shoulder all the time due to his lack of binocular vision.

My GP tested my vision this morning - I have 20/80 in my left eye and 20/40 overall in both eyes. She said I was "ready!" Gonna call the Optometrist tomorrow morning..... She said if my vision was any worse I wouldn't be able to drive. Perhaps this explains my "sense of direction" thing! LOL!

John - Please keep us informed as to your progress - I will keep you in my prayers for a safe outcome. BTW, as to infection - couldn't they put you on a course of antibiotics BEFORE the surgery? My other Ex had open heart surgery when he was a kid (he was one of the first in the country!) and whenever he had any dental work done they made sure he was "covered" by antibiotics in advance.
 
Framar, thanks, that is a great idea. I will run that by Bokowsky and see what he says. I like it a lot. I am probably a month or two away from doing it.

I have to go for my drivers eye exam and written test in a few days. If I fail that exam due to my cataract, I will go in a lot sooner.

I'll keep everyone posted how it goes, unless I lose, then I wont be able to.

My employee, Mary, has agreed to let The Grumble know if something bad happens to me. Like if I crash my plane or Jeep. I expect a great sendoff in the true Irish tradition. That means at least half of you will be arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct at my wake.


John
 
how is the decision made as to which eye is distance and which eye is close-up?
Click to expand...
My contact lenses were monovision since I was in my 40's. I couldn't recommend it if you've never tried it before. Some people just can't get used to it. I wore glasses since I was three years old and my contact lenses were 9.0 diopter (10.0 is the strongest that they make, I think). So I just love not having anything to do with glasses.

As for infection, my doctor started me on eye soaks, cleaning eyelashes with baby shampoo and antibiotic drops a week before the surgery.

Framerguy is right about the vivid colors. My patch was taken off about 15 minutes after the surgery and it was just incredible how bright things were. Cataracts happen so gradually you just don't realize how your vision changed.
 
The eye surgeons always recommend doing the operations one eye at at time. The insurance companies reimburse them 50% on the second eye if done at the same time . You figure it out.

Pat :D :D
 
Maryann,

You were lucky to have to do the "eye margin" washes for only a week! As with anything else, the govenment overdoes things and the VA specialist that attended me had me soak and wash with Johnson's baby shampoo for a full month!! Every night! I swear I had the cleanest eyelashes in the entire state of Florida!

What I never realized was there is alot of bacteria around your oil glands on your eyelid margins and and at the base of each eyelash and they are really dirty areas unless properly clensed every so often. Most of post-op infection comes from these areas being dirty and having bacteria migrate into the eye area through sweat and tears in your normal daily routines.

I find that, having one good eye and one that needs work, seriously restricts my depth perception. I have trouble even after a year taking a tool and placing it precisely on a small point that is in front of me, like puttying a nail hole in a shadowbox moulding, for example. I can't wait to get that back to normal.

FGII
 
I cut my left eye, back in '75, almost deep enough to have sliced the lens, and the surgeon tested me for double vision in that eye! I had to wear a patch for 6 months, while it healed. It definitely effects the ability to judge depth, but after a couple of days I was able to drive just fine. YOU won't have this problem, because, in all probability your bandage will come off the next day. That's the way the surgeries went on my 3 relatives.

Opthalmologists are the only doctors, in NC anyway, that can perform surgery on your eye or even eyelids, if the eyelid surgery could effect your vision. Optometrists can check vision, and fit you for a pair of glasses. Been there, done that too.

There's a way to find out which eye is the dominant one. It sounds stupid, but the military uses it if they're having real problems getting a trainee 'on target'.

1- With both eyes open, extend your right arm, fully, raise your index finger, and cover, say, a light switch across the room with it. (Both eyes open, now. It's gonna look a little blurry, but not for long, as the test continues.)

2- Leave your finger EXACTLY where it was, covering the light switch, and close one eye. If you close your left eye, for instance, and your finger remains exactly where it was, over the switch, then your right eye is the dominant, or shooting eye.

3- Leave the finger covering the switch, and close the OTHER eye. Your finger will no longer cover the switch. That eye is your non-dominant eye. Not necessarily the STRONGER eye, but the one that focuses correctly.

I know it sounds stupid, but a bunch of us used to do 600 and 1000 yard shooting on weekends, at Butner, NC. A guy who was the armorer for the Delta Force, and another that wore the Green Beret uniform showed us that trick. (The Delta guys always wore civilian clothes, but the Green Berets wore uniforms. Both are headquartered at Ft Bragg in Fayetteville, NC. We saw them a lot.)

You can do this sitting on your couch. You don't have to go to a range. Just pick an object to cover that's 8~12 feet away. The surgeon that did my folks surgeries confirmed this was true, and was surprised that I'd ever heard of it. It's caused, he said, because NOBODY's eyes both focus on the same exact point. The dominant eye is the one that focuses where your point of reference is, IE: where your finger covers. It needs to be something that your finger will actually COVER, hence the light switch example.

Having a dominant and non-dominant eye doesn't mean you go through life looking like
icon43.gif
this.

And that's the truth!
 
Alright Charles, I did your little exercise and I found out that my dominant eye is my right eye. Would that be my close-up eye or my distance eye? Yikes!

Don't worry, they don't let Optometrists operate on patients in Canada either. They just make you go to one FIRST before you are allowed into the inner sanctum of the Opthamologist! And when I experienced the torn retina I had to see the GP first who sent me to the Optomitrist who made the appointment for the Opthamologist. This sequence transpired over the same day and my laser surgery was 4 days later.

Now Canada is cutting off some health benefits beginning November 1st so my Optometrist is jammed with patients trying to get in on the freebies. I can't see him until November 12! Heaven help me if I witness any vehicular crimes - I noticed tonight that I can't read the plate of the car in front of me in a traffic jam!

Hopefully, if the surgeon isn't too jammed, I'll get shunted to the head of the line because that time I won't be able to see anything (at the present rate of cataract growth!).

And now I can fall asleep thinking about all those creatures that live in my eyelashes! Gotta get me some baby shampoo!
 
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