the joys of getting old..... My eye Dr has now said my sight is bad enough i need laser surgery. It is scheduled and I will have a bifocal type lens put in, I should, hopefully, have great long and medium distance (able to see close up within arms length) but will need aids to be able to be able to read. I have been severely near sighted since the 4th grade and am nervous this will affect my diving especially my photography skills. Any old farts out there that have had this done and how did it effect your diving. I can always get a mask made it need be. I hope this will improve my diving experience but am a bit nervous. My next trip isn't till October so I have plenty of time to recover and make any adjustments needed. Thanks for any tips or advice of even just word's that it will make diving better. Bill
Diving after cataract surgery
- Thread starter wildbill9
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
AfterDark
Contributor
Not yet but I have an appointment with an eye surgeon about a cataract in my left eye. I'll be watching this thread with interest. Had 20/15 vision for most of my life now not so good but I can still read my gauges with a small cheater glued to my mask. My wife was legally blind without glasses, she had laser surgery a while ago and is doing well, her vision isn't quite has good as forecasted but it's a lot better than before and she was snorkeling, doesn't scuba shortly after the op.
Good luck to you and keep us updated please.
Good luck to you and keep us updated please.
Ricardo V.
Contributor
@wildbill9,
I had cataracts removed form both eyes when I was 30, a bit earlier than most. I’m an avid diver and passionate about underwater photography.
Cataract procedures in my case, had no adverse impact on diving. There is a recovery time, which varies according to each individual as well as the type of procedure your Doctor follows. Some surgeries are no stitch, just a small self folding simple incision... in and out, while others require longer recovery from the nature of the cut(s) and how invasive the procedure ended up being.
Today, cataract surgery is pretty straight forward. It’s got excellent success rates. Not trying to give medical advice here, just sharing some recommendations from personal experience:
1. Make sure your Doctor is truly proficient with the procedure, at a level that you have trust and confidence in his or her skills. You want to go in trusting them.
2. Ensure they don’t skimp on the intraoccular lens you will be fitted with. Once the natural lens is emulsified and removed, a new implant will be inserted. This new intraoccular lens will accompany you the rest of your life. There are some very rare instances in which an intraoccular lens is exchanged, but that’s not the norm.
Why is this important? Well, the doctor is making an educated guess, anticipating that certain power- prescription strength or correction built into the intraoccular lens is going to work better for you. They go ahead and insert the lens; however, you truly won’t know until it’s in, and you’ve had a chance to heal. Most doctors have an assortment of prescriptions- power corrections in stock, they pick the one that is most likely going to fit you best.
Like with everything, there are cheap lenses that are tried and true, and there are fancy super innovative revolutionary amazing lenses that may not be that great in the end.
When getting a pair of shoes. You go to the store, try the best fit and pay according to what you pick and what’s available. If your size is 11-3/4, but the manufacturers have 11.5 or 12, then it’s going to be one of the 2 available. They won’t have one just right. Like getting used to a new pair, with time... you won’t feel them provided they are close enough to your size.
3. Most doctors or cataract specialist stay mildly quite about the final level of satisfaction patients have with intraoccular prescription correction. You will hear about patients no longer needling glasses and being able to see near and far.... playing tennis and golfing the very next day etc.etc.etc. I don’t think that’s the result most of us end up with. Close, very close, but not totally free from needing glasses.
I must use glasses all of the time. For work and for diving, but then, most people need to use readers before and after cataract surgery. For diving, I use scleral lenses, but that’s a different topic.
I’ve had other eye conditions aside from cataracts which are more challenging and complex; however, to answer the second part of your question, I enjoy underwater photography and the cataract procedures had no adverse impacts on my hobby.
I do use a magnified viewfinder with my cameras, but most underwater photographers find that to be a useful device and a must have gadget.
4. Last but not least, not sure about your comment pertaining to laser. In my case, the doctors had to perform a yag laser procedure to break a clouded tissue that forms between the intraoccular lens and the natural capsule where the lens sits. It’s quick, painless and simple. The cloudiness happens a few weeks right after surgery. Once the laser opens or burns away the clouded tissue, the clouding goes away. If that’s the laser you are talking about, that’s normal.
Best of luck with your procedure, and speedy recovery.
Cheers,
Ricardo
I had cataracts removed form both eyes when I was 30, a bit earlier than most. I’m an avid diver and passionate about underwater photography.
Cataract procedures in my case, had no adverse impact on diving. There is a recovery time, which varies according to each individual as well as the type of procedure your Doctor follows. Some surgeries are no stitch, just a small self folding simple incision... in and out, while others require longer recovery from the nature of the cut(s) and how invasive the procedure ended up being.
Today, cataract surgery is pretty straight forward. It’s got excellent success rates. Not trying to give medical advice here, just sharing some recommendations from personal experience:
1. Make sure your Doctor is truly proficient with the procedure, at a level that you have trust and confidence in his or her skills. You want to go in trusting them.
2. Ensure they don’t skimp on the intraoccular lens you will be fitted with. Once the natural lens is emulsified and removed, a new implant will be inserted. This new intraoccular lens will accompany you the rest of your life. There are some very rare instances in which an intraoccular lens is exchanged, but that’s not the norm.
Why is this important? Well, the doctor is making an educated guess, anticipating that certain power- prescription strength or correction built into the intraoccular lens is going to work better for you. They go ahead and insert the lens; however, you truly won’t know until it’s in, and you’ve had a chance to heal. Most doctors have an assortment of prescriptions- power corrections in stock, they pick the one that is most likely going to fit you best.
Like with everything, there are cheap lenses that are tried and true, and there are fancy super innovative revolutionary amazing lenses that may not be that great in the end.
When getting a pair of shoes. You go to the store, try the best fit and pay according to what you pick and what’s available. If your size is 11-3/4, but the manufacturers have 11.5 or 12, then it’s going to be one of the 2 available. They won’t have one just right. Like getting used to a new pair, with time... you won’t feel them provided they are close enough to your size.
3. Most doctors or cataract specialist stay mildly quite about the final level of satisfaction patients have with intraoccular prescription correction. You will hear about patients no longer needling glasses and being able to see near and far.... playing tennis and golfing the very next day etc.etc.etc. I don’t think that’s the result most of us end up with. Close, very close, but not totally free from needing glasses.
I must use glasses all of the time. For work and for diving, but then, most people need to use readers before and after cataract surgery. For diving, I use scleral lenses, but that’s a different topic.
I’ve had other eye conditions aside from cataracts which are more challenging and complex; however, to answer the second part of your question, I enjoy underwater photography and the cataract procedures had no adverse impacts on my hobby.
I do use a magnified viewfinder with my cameras, but most underwater photographers find that to be a useful device and a must have gadget.
4. Last but not least, not sure about your comment pertaining to laser. In my case, the doctors had to perform a yag laser procedure to break a clouded tissue that forms between the intraoccular lens and the natural capsule where the lens sits. It’s quick, painless and simple. The cloudiness happens a few weeks right after surgery. Once the laser opens or burns away the clouded tissue, the clouding goes away. If that’s the laser you are talking about, that’s normal.
Best of luck with your procedure, and speedy recovery.
Cheers,
Ricardo
Thanks Ricardo, Dr is McFarland who started no stitch surgery and has tons of experience, going to get a Symfony lens. Not cheap but will last a lifetime. My viewfinder is not a concern it's the camera settings, I have a tg4 with case and changing settings is difficult now. Been practicing changing them blind folded without success. I really appreciate the advice. B
- Messages
- 7,660
- Reaction score
- 4,718
- # of dives
- 200 - 499
Yep. I'm a believer. Cataracts, both eyes fixed.
Find a stellar doc. You just do the search and make a call. Don't confuse personality contests with proven results. My eye doc is an ex-combat Marine with a proven record and a pedigree that is longer than a holiday sermon.
You get a choice. Fabulous distance vision and +3 readers or a damn good compromise. First choice is 'free' (insurance) second choice is about $1500 USD per eye. Vision is a funny thing, I use it damn near every day. Your nickel, your choice...
Edit:
Sorry for the delay. Real life and all that...
I just re-read the OP for content and intent. So, first find out if Lasik (I'm guessing) is right for you. If you need cataract surgery then Lasik is great for the doc's BMW payment, but just another step along the way for you. If you do need cataract surgery then go directly there. You (in the here and now) have a compromise to make. See above.
Last edited:
I got cataract surgery in both eyes a couple of years ago. I paid the extra (over what insurance paid) to get the multifocal implants. For the first time since I was 10 years old I don't need to wear glasses. About 20/30 (30/20?) in both eyes. I can wear readers if I'm doing some super close-up work, and I could get some glasses to give me 20/20 or better at distance, but I haven't bothered.
Biggest issue was finding my plain lenses to switch back into my scuba masks.
Biggest issue was finding my plain lenses to switch back into my scuba masks.
No issues with diving or photography (but photos still are not worth a damn) after cataract surgery. I went from needing glasses for distance and reading to needing no glasses. My wife's procedures were not as successful, but still a lot better than they were before the procedures. As others have said, spend as much time as you need to pick the right surgeon, and spend the money on the best lenses for you long term because you won't get a do over even if you have a lot more money in the future. I have not regretted for a second spending the money to get the best vision possible.
- Messages
- 7,660
- Reaction score
- 4,718
- # of dives
- 200 - 499
Give her a thrill.
Reading Glasses under $20 | Readers.com
You call the 'Customer Happiness Representative' (yep, just go with it, my experiences have been good/funny) and tell them you won't buy anything for less than 40% off. (You could bite at 30)
Get a +1.75, +2.0. +2.25, +2.5, +2.75, and a +3. $60USD for the lot. Let her play with them for as long as she likes. I'm guessing she will want a +1.75 for arm's length work or computer screen and a +2.75 or 3 for trying to see what you are trying to show her...
Saltyhawg
Contributor
Not a fan of multifocal lenses. Much prefer great distance vision and wearing readers or Rx mask for close up.
Research your doc thoroughly. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion. Vision is way too precious to take any chances. I've lived in the same state you live for many years.
Research your doc thoroughly. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion. Vision is way too precious to take any chances. I've lived in the same state you live for many years.
Similar threads
