Cataract Surgery (Split from Cozumel Reef Closure Thread)

[El Graduado]

It happens. Two years ago, a group of people went in for cataract operations at a clinic in Cancun that was sponsored by a national charity. Twenty-seven ended up permanently blind in both eyes, and two had to have one of their eyes removed entirely. The problem was an infection contracted in the operation room.

 

[tridacna]

I don't really know about this but I researched Lasik a lot before having it done. 99% success doesn't mean 1% lost eyesight. Most of the 1% is simply no improvement, or requires followup action for improvement. And of the fraction that might show deterioration, most are due to failure to screen unviable candidater or not following post-care procedures.

Lasik is elective. Cataracts will make you blind. Not much of a choice.

 

[Leighen]

Lasik is elective. Cataracts will make you blind. Not much of a choice.

Not having cataract surgery will lead to blindness.

 

[tridacna]

Not having cataract surgery will lead to blindness.

Otherwise the cataract will make you blind. Your point?

 

[lowviz]

Lasik has absolutely NOTHING to do with cataracts!

I had both eyes done for cataracts and agonized over the correction that I wanted. I went for the easy one, perfect distance correction. No freaking way I wanted monovision. (one eye for distance, the other for close. That comes with the big cost of total destruction of your depth perception) I also looked at varifocus lenses. IMHO, they aren't there yet.

I used to have microscopic close vision but couldn't tell if that was a bus or a barn. (I chose perfect far vision for my implant correction) Now I live life in reverse. (I'm highly adaptable) I have cheap readers lying all around the house. Look at readers.com. I like their 'brookside' model, (I have no association with "readers.com", they are just the ones that I ended up using) they seem to hold up to a bit of abuse. Call and request 40% off a collection: +1.5, +2.5, +3.0, and +4.0. Color code them to your preference and play with them. I also ordered a pair of +7's for taking out splinters. That comes out to less than $60 for 5 pair. With that selection, it won't take long to determine what is comfortable for the job at hand. (reading menus, newspaper, close work)

No regrets.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Lasik has absolutely NOTHING to do with cataracts!

I had both eyes done for cataracts and agonized over the correction that I wanted. I went for the easy one, perfect distance correction. No freaking way I wanted monovision. (one eye for distance, the other for close. That comes with the big cost of total destruction of your depth perception) I also looked at varifocus lenses. IMHO, they aren't there yet.

I used to have microscopic close vision but couldn't tell if that was a bus or a barn. (I chose perfect far vision for my implant correction) Now I live life in reverse. (I'm highly adaptable) I have cheap readers lying all around the house. Look at readers.com. I like their 'brookside' model, (I have no association with "readers.com", they are just the ones that I ended up using) they seem to hold up to a bit of abuse. Call and request 40% off a collection: +1.5, +2.5, +3.0, and +4.0. Color code them to your preference and play with them. I also ordered a pair of +7's for taking out splinters. That comes out to less than $60 for 5 pair. With that selection, it won't take long to determine what is comfortable for the job at hand. (reading menus, newspaper, close work)

No regrets.

Glad to hear that you have no regrets as that is the same choice that I have made but my surgery isn't until next year.

However, I shall truly miss the near sight that I have now, most especially for diving. But I had to pick one, distance sight or near sight.

And this is important to the younger amongst us. The reason that I'm not eligible for varilenses is not because my specialist thinks they aren't good enough yet. It's because I had lasik done a couple of decades ago.

I know what I'm in for because when I had the lasik, I could see far but I could no longer see near. I couldn't see babies faces when I held them, my food, read a book or put on my makeup without readers or magnifying glass or magnifying mirror. It was a profound loss that eventually became an annoyance.

Now that I'm developing cataracts, my near sight has returned and it's enormously enjoyable especially when scuba diving and looking for the macro. I've missed a few bump face parrot fish though.

I'm mentally preparing to go back to the readers. Geez, I hope I'm not making a mistake.

 

[lowviz]

You can't possibly make a mistake. You have no choice.

All will be well. It comes down to adding a few more things to do in your daily life. Suggestion: Flood the homefront with cheap readers, keep some in the car...

Worst part is something like: 'where the hell are my glasses!' and then you find out that it is just some phone spammer calling your home phone. <wink>

you are a big enough person to survive. Getting old mostly sucks, only the tough see the sardonic satisfaction in it...

 

[chillyinCanada]

You can't possibly make a mistake. You have no choice.

All will be well. It comes down to adding a few more things to do in your daily life. Suggestion: Flood the homefront with cheap readers, keep some in the car...

Worst part is something like: 'where the hell are my glasses!' and then you find out that it is just some phone spammer calling your home phone. <wink>

you are a big enough person to survive. Getting old mostly sucks, only the tough see the sardonic satisfaction in it...

I still have all the readers from last go round, at least the ones with both arms, that is. I'm not old enough for this crap.

 

[lowviz]

I'm not old enough for this crap.

Nah, you are going into it with realistic expectations and more than enough internal strength.

That's kinda funny, I always appreciated those who refuse to go down without a roaring (but futile) fight.

Keep the faith...

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

Was just quoted $13,000 for double lens replacement...now I'm HOPING for cataracts so Insurance will cover some of it...

Jay