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I recently complained to my ophthalmologist that everything seemed dark. If I drop something on the floor and it rolls under the desk, I need a flashlight to find it (even though the room is adequately lit). If I need to adjust controls on a piece of equipment in a cabinet, again I need a flashlight to see what I'm adjusting. It's frustrating!

His response was that I had about five things going on, and each of those blocked a little light. From the outside-in... 1) I wore glasses. 2&3), I've had both RK (radial keratotomy) and PRK (pre-lasik laser corrective surgery) which has left at least one cornea a bit hazy. 4) I have the beginnings of cataracts, and 5) I have the beginning of retinal degeneration (presumably under control with eye vitamins).

Guess I'm lucky to be able to see at all. I don't drive at night if I can avoid it.

In two years I'll be elegibility for Medicare (if it's still in existence) and cataract surgery, and I'm hoping that will improve at least one of those deficiencies.

sjfcontrol wrote:I recently complained to my ophthalmologist that everything seemed dark. If I drop something on the floor and it rolls under the desk, I need a flashlight to find it (even though the room is adequately lit). If I need to adjust controls on a piece of equipment in a cabinet, again I need a flashlight to see what I'm adjusting. It's frustrating!

This is exactly the kind of thing I'm talking about.....having to shine a flashlight onto something that you should be able to see without the flashlight. And I'm the same way. If I drop something on the floor and it rolls under a couch, it's staying there until the next time we move the couch, because I can't see it. Even daylight seems to have less "pop" than it used to.

sjfcontrol wrote:I recently complained to my ophthalmologist that everything seemed dark. If I drop something on the floor and it rolls under the desk, I need a flashlight to find it (even though the room is adequately lit). If I need to adjust controls on a piece of equipment in a cabinet, again I need a flashlight to see what I'm adjusting. It's frustrating!

His response was that I had about five things going on, and each of those blocked a little light. From the outside-in... 1) I wore glasses. 2&3), I've had both RK (radial keratotomy) and PRK (pre-lasik laser corrective surgery) which has left at least one cornea a bit hazy. 4) I have the beginnings of cataracts, and 5) I have the beginning of retinal degeneration (presumably under control with eye vitamins).

Guess I'm lucky to be able to see at all. I don't drive at night if I can avoid it.

In two years I'll be elegibility for Medicare (if it's still in existence) and cataract surgery, and I'm hoping that will improve at least one of those deficiencies.

My opthalmologist knows that I am also a pilot. He tried to get me some lenses with some uv protection that. When you are on medicare you are going to probably going to get the cheapest lenses that the hospital will buy. Not that they aren't good but they are the least expensive. There may be some specialized lenses that you may want to try to buy that cost extra on your own. Find out before surgery. Even the cheapest lenses are very very good.

TAM I had cataract surgery two years ago and at the time had lens implants done. I was near sighted and the doctor gave me the choice of excellent sight at near, mid or far range. I told him that shooting rifles and pistols was my main hobby. He told me that he could give me excellent sight for distance but also where I could still see the sights on a pistol. This is the path I chose and am really pleased at the outcome.

I only wear glasses now for reading and not having to wear them has put me back in the game for long shots with my scoped rifles. The change has been wonderful for me even with a handgun. My only drawback is that the lenses that were used have blue uv filter in them and need a little more light now than I used to. Night vision has improved and really do not need sunglasses during the day.

By all means talk to your doctor and explain to him what you would like and ask if there are any drawbacks to that. I am a little older than you and would do it again in a heartbeat. Good luck in your endeavor to improve your eyesight. I don't miss the trifocals a bit.

rotor wrote: My opthalmologist knows that I am also a pilot. He tried to get me some lenses with some uv protection that. When you are on medicare you are going to probably going to get the cheapest lenses that the hospital will buy. Not that they aren't good but they are the least expensive. There may be some specialized lenses that you may want to try to buy that cost extra on your own. Find out before surgery. Even the cheapest lenses are very very good.

Yes, I am aware of the different lenses available. When my wife got her's, she could use the base lens in one eye, but need an upgrade (I believe it was "toric" to correct astigmatism) for the other. As I recall, the difference was $1000 -- which was all we paid for both surgeries.

TAM - I had early onset cataracts and had the surgery about 6 years ago. My ophthalmologist STRONGLY recommended against the multi-focal lenses. And, a friend - (you may remember our friend June) DID get the multi-focal lenses, and had many problems with them. Her main complaint was that she could see the concentric circles in the lenses.

I ended up getting the mono-vision lenses. Dominant eye corrected for distance, non-dominant for close vision. The effect was dramatic! I could see at night! I could see colors again!

On the downside, I could suddenly see the difference between our TV and HDTV, so we HAD to replace it. Be prepared.

Crossfire wrote:On the downside, I could suddenly see the difference between our TV and HDTV, so we HAD to replace it. Be prepared.

Already prepared.

I had cataracts and surgery at the precocious age of 43, from an eye surgeon in Bryan/College Station. Post surgery, my vision was greatly improved and my hunting/rifle shooting was normal.

Hunting/shooting aside, I would share something about the risks (which, of course, you sign away in that one inch thick stack of paper prior to surgery). I am one of the rare cases where something can go wrong. In my case, one of my lens implants got loose and went crashing around inside my eyeball, causing bleeding. I experienced this as getting cloudy vision, but the serious impact was that it "clogged the drain", leading to a build-up of pressure -- essentially induced glaucoma. After having the problem fixed (by a top Houston eye surgeon -- for the same dang copay as a local yokel), I am now ok except for having to take glaucoma drops forever. Also, since I have neither an implant nor a natural tissue lens in that eye, I have to wear a contact lens.

Non-Rocket-Science Moral to the story -- don't just settle for one opinion, and take advantage of the best doctors that you can. Doesn't sound like that's in issue in the OP's situation.

PM sent. BTW - still have to wear glasses.

Monday, we're going up to Tyler:

Me, for an Open MRI leading to possible spinal surgery. After lunch, I have an appointment and examination/evaluation leading to surgical removal of my cataracts (one eye at a time) In the course of the day, Mrs. Oldgringo will get her hair done and we'll eat lunch at Cheng's Chinese Bistro.

While growing old is a privilege denied to many, it definitely ain't for sissies. You youngsters might as well get braced, it'll be here before you know it.

Well, one down, one to go. "I can see clearly now...." almost.

Oldgringo wrote:Well, one down, one to go. "I can see clearly now...." almost.

Good on you Oldgringo!

Oldgringo wrote:While growing old is a privilege denied to many, it definitely ain't for sissies. You youngsters might as well get braced, it'll be here before you know it.

e

Truererer words have never been spoked, spaked, spoken!

Glad eye one went well. Know eye 2 will go the same. My cataract surgery(lens replacement) was a Godsend for me. I now have the best vision in our family.

How did the spinal exam thing go? Hope you are ok on that point.

joe817 wrote:

Oldgringo wrote:While growing old is a privilege denied to many, it definitely ain't for sissies. You youngsters might as well get braced, it'll be here before you know it.

e

Truererer words have never been spoked, spaked, spoken!

Glad eye one went well. Know eye 2 will go the same. My cataract surgery(lens replacement) was a Godsend for me. I now have the best vision in our family.

How did the spinal exam thing go? Hope you are ok on that point.

Thanks for askin', Joe. After we get the other eye done and hopefully resolve my electrolyte deficiencies, we'll do spinal surgery after the first of the year. *sigh*

Oldgringo wrote:Thanks for askin', Joe. After we get the other eye done and hopefully resolve my electrolyte deficiencies, we'll do spinal surgery after the first of the year. *sigh*

Wul, I'm pulling for you, my friend. & have said a little prayer for you.