Eye Problems

[Astro14]

I'm sorry to hear of your challenges, Trav and hope that the surgery goes well.

 

[Donald]

These days there is a wide range of available lenses avaliable for cataract surgery. Of course many at extra cost. But your evesight should be top notch after the surgery.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Shannow

Cataract surgery isn't all that new... Monet had them out nearly 100 years ago, and they weren't new then.

I have to wonder, just what did they do 100 years ago? removed the lens, and ...?

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: supton

Originally Posted By: Shannow

Cataract surgery isn't all that new... Monet had them out nearly 100 years ago, and they weren't new then.

I have to wonder, just what did they do 100 years ago? removed the lens, and ...?

And left it. It amazes me that they could do that with some precision (remove the lens, and a bit of the iris) all the infection risks (Hollowes foundation reckon they can do it for less than $20 in the third world today). Provided glasses to provide close and distant work...and there's records of post cataract removals having decent accomodation post op. My supposition here...only artists could afford the costs/risks 100 years ago, while Nana knitted mostly blind by feel

 

[supton]

I'm amazed too. Well, 100 years ago they did have pain killers, and knew how to use 'em--I put the tiniest scratch into my eye a few years ago, and I've never had quite so much pain before. But still. I'm rather impressed. I think I have a good decade to go before I need mine removed. I have the start of one in one eye, and my father had his removed while he was in his 50's (I think his mother did in her 50's also). They also had bad teeth, so I know to not have any fancy dental work done either. I'm sad how fast my vision seems to be changing in my 40's. Stuff just isn't quite in focus like it used to be. :sigh: But I can still see things guys 10 years younger need a microscope, I just need more light than I used to.

 

[Trav]

Thanks guys, your the best! I have an appointment on the 20 June with a specialist who is going to do the measurements for the lens and he will go into the details of what he thinks will be the best thing for me. Of course the final decision is mine but he has a good reputation and highly regarded. I am not really worried about it, it is worse living with it and waiting.

 

[LoneRanger]

If the Crystal Lens type IOL which Cujet mentioned is close to the size of the natural biologic lens, I would encourage you and your Surgeon discuss that option especially if you have been badly myopic in your vision. Here's why: Myopia generally brings with it elongated egg shape eyeballs instead of the more rounded form that is the norm for non-myopic vision. Egg or oval shaped eyeballs can be more prone to retinal detachment particularly from middle age and older due to the vitreous liquifying which usually begins in middle age. When the vitreous liquefies it doesn't always do so uniformly and part of it can tug on the retina. What I am getting at is the smaller IOL's (smaller than the natural lens that is removed) can open up "wiggle room" for the vitreous to move around a slight bit more and if you have vitreous liquification going on (unavoidable with age) then the extra wiggle room can increase the risk of retinal detachment. I know because that happened to me after cataract surgery. Aug 22 2016 I had the small standard type IOL put in, October 21st I had retinal detachment. I'd posted here on bitog about it back then.

 

[Trav]

The ones being discussed are multi focal so I guess they are special made. I have astigmatism in both eyes and need something more than just the standard, they say these correct near, intermediate and far. Honestly at this point anything is better than looking through frosted windows and using dragon soft.

 

[LoneRanger]

The difference after the new IOL's are in will blow your socks off. You're going to be seeing like you did when you were 25 yrs old again.

 

[sleddriver]

Sorry to hear of your fading eyesight Trav. My best for a speedy recovery.

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

Originally Posted By: Trav

Not going anywhere, but my post will probably be missing letters and numbers and god knows what else. Edit: They will do the right eye on the 9 July and the left on the 23 July.

Best wishes Trav. I had both eyes done in 2014. Piece of cake for me. I now have better vision now then I had as a small child.

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

Originally Posted By: Trav

The ones being discussed are multi focal so I guess they are special made. I have astigmatism in both eyes and need something more than just the standard, they say these correct near, intermediate and far. Honestly at this point anything is better than looking through frosted windows and using dragon soft.

Really. multi focal. Never heard of that. I'll have to ask my dr. when I get my next checkup. My eyes were so bad, near sighted in my left eye and far sighted in my right. Much astigmatism in both eyes. I now have perfect vision from about the tip of my fingers out to the horizon. 20/15 in my left eye and 20/20 in my right. I use a 1.75 reader for most close up stuff. $6 off the rack at Dollar General.

 

[53' Stude]

Trav: prayers sent for successful operation and speedy recovery sir

 

[Trav]

Yep, they are called Multifocal Vision.

 

[Cujet]

Originally Posted By: Trav

The ones being discussed are multi focal so I guess they are special made. I have astigmatism in both eyes and need something more than just the standard, they say these correct near, intermediate and far. Honestly at this point anything is better than looking through frosted windows and using dragon soft.

You might want to try multifocal contact lenses first, just to see if you can tolerate the multifocal aspect of the implanted lens. I've tried multifocal contacts and they are downright infuriating to me, they claim your brain adjusts. Baloney, you simply get used to less than ideal vision and less than perfect focus at any distance, over time. They are useless while driving at night, The stars are not sharp, light points such as headlights create flare patterns, and the FAA specifically disallows them for pilots . They currently use concentric lens rings, each with a different focus distance. I believe that most multifocal cataract lenses are made this way too. If I were to choose, I'd choose a water clear, conventional lens that corrects my distance vision to perfect. Then wear appropriate reading glasses for the near vision I desire. Clarity and sharpness is very important to me. I'm sorry you are having trouble, but it's very likely you will have amazing vision when it's over. What ever you choose, make sure you understand exactly what you are choosing. https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/multifocal-iols.htm The pictures above show how the lens is focused. Could you imagine using a camera lens like this? I will say that some people really like the multifocal lenses, and are thrilled with the results, AND fewer need glasses. Remember, my needs and wants will differ from yours. http://www.cochrane.org/CD003169/EYES_mu...ataract-surgery

 

[Trav]

Thanks, I will talk to him about that.

 

[Number_35]

Trav, best wishes to you! You'll be in my prayers, and I'll try not to mess up too many mechanical projects while you're laid up. As others have said, this is now pretty routine surgery, and you'll be very pleased with the outcome.

 

[Uphill_Both_Ways]

Originally Posted By: Shannow

Cataract surgery isn't all that new... Monet had them out nearly 100 years ago, and they weren't new then.

It goes back quite a ways, perhaps to the ancient Egyptians, according to this: http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs/42710/InTech-The_history_of_cataract_surgery.pdf More certain is this (yikes!) from the same article:

Quote:

The lens could be removed by suction through a hollow instrument. Bronze oral suction instruments that have been unearthed seem to have been used for this method of cataract extraction during the 2nd century A.C. Such a procedure was described by the 10th-century Persian physician Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi, who attributed it to Antyllus, a 2nd-century Greek physician. The procedure "required a large incision in the eye, a hollow needle, and an assistant with an extraordinary lung capacity" (Savage-Smith, 2000).

Silver Blaze is a Sherlock Holmes story written in 1894. http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/40/the-memoirs-of-sherlock-holmes/573/adventure-1-silver-blaze/

Quote:

“This is a very singular knife,” said Holmes, lifting it up and examining it minutely. “I presume, as I see blood-stains upon it, that it is the one which was found in the dead man’s grasp. Watson, this knife is surely in your line?” “It is what we call a cataract knife,” said I. “I thought so. A very delicate blade devised for very delicate work. A strange thing for a man to carry with him upon a rough expedition, especially as it would not shut in his pocket.”

So it's safe to say they've had lots of practice.

 

[Eddie]

I had Cataract surgery in both eyes about 5 years ago and now seeing is great. The lens replacement takes about 10 minutes per eye. Eyes done a week apart. The only discomfort was everything was so bright with the new lenses that the brain has to readjust over several days after. You will love your new eye lenses. Ed

 

[andyd]

Hoping for you Trav. Thank you fellow BITOG'ers for your input. My eye guy of late noticed a cataract in my left eye. Not bad yet. I've got questions for him now and some research to do.