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1397648 tn?1288142926

Catarac surgey coming up

I am gathering information on catarac sugery. I have an astigmatism and cataracs. My vision is getting blurry more and more each week. I am 57 years old and scheduled to get the replacement surgery done in the next few weeks. I would like to talk to anyone about what to expect and how my vision will be afterward,. I am planning on getting the multifocal lens so I can see far and near.
I would appreciate any response.
Thanks
Pete
66 Responses
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1397648 tn?1288142926
I went to the surgeon this past Monday to determine how I am progressing. After taking several tests it seemed my vision in my right eye is at about 20/50. It was a relief to me that they were able to bring my vision back up to 20/20 with added lenses with glasses. They told me the lens they would have to put in glasses for my right eye, the one that had the surgery, would be a very mild lens. Not what I wanted to hear but it didn't surprise me and at least, like I said, I was relieved I could get my vision back to excellent eventually. The doctor said there wasn't really any indication of swelling in my eye anymore. For the first time he mentioned the possibility of an explant. He wants me to stay the course, other than reducing the prednisone to twice a day, for another 4 weeks to see if further improvement develops.

Fast forward to Tuesday, I woke up Tuesday and my vision was much improved! All day I could see much better, distance and near.  While driving I kept testing it, one eye open, one eye closed, one eye open, one eye closed. I'd put my glasses on then off, on then off. My right eye was about, in my estimation, 10% to 15% less than my left eye while I was wearing glasses, the best I had experienced to date. In fact my buddy and I rode our motorcycles yesterday evening well into the night, of which I was a little anxious about, with no real problems.Today was pretty much the same thing, although my near vision isn't as keen today, but still pretty good. If I could see another leap of improvement over the next week or two, 10--15 % then I'd be satisfied.

So the roller coaster ride continues but at least I've seen what seemingly is an improvement this week.
Pete
Helpful - 0
1397648 tn?1288142926
I have decent days and then, like today, I have to wear my glasses, which gives me the feeling of being crosseyed. Returning to work wasn't too bad last week although I didn't have to go out of town much last week. My vision is still not as good as when I wear my glasses. I can SEE but it's , for lack of a better word, limiting. Near isn't clear or precise, but I can make things out through the mixture of blurr and clarity. My distance vision? I don't have the keen distance I once had or currently have with my glasses, but again between the blurr and clarity it has been a challenge . I have read many things about multifocal lenses. In the brochures it says people that are very particular are not good canidates for the lenses. I would really love to have the committee that wrote that discription define for me their interpretation of " too particular" I define it as seeing comfortably, it continues to be a struggle and very much an energy drain for me to see. Also the neuroadaptation I have read and heard about. I'm beginning to wonder if it is the same thing as suddenly having one leg slightly shorter than the other and eventually your brain and body adapt to that change so you don't notice it as much,but in the final analysis is that really a neuroadaption or learning to finally accept less than what you once had.
I know I sound negative about this today and I apologize for my down attitude today.I have found this is very draining for me from day to day. I am not retired so I have to enteract with society in a very indepth way daily. No one wants to have this succeed more than me. I will continue to be patient and also realize I'm running against the clock for an explant IF that is what I eventually decide to have done.

On the positive side, I can see TV very clearly, anything with a lighted background, like when I have to read the eye chart, is easliy read. But as I have stated before when realife viewing enters the picture there are a lot more challenges.

I'll keep you all informed.
Pete
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hope your return to work was visibly acceptable. How are you doing?
Helpful - 0
1397648 tn?1288142926
Was a great time this weekend. Stayed at a hotel where they were auditioning for American Idol. I met a guy at the bar that had a friend in the contest. He called his friend over and he sang for me right in the bar. The place went silent as he sang and he was really good! His names Greg, remember it!

I was disappointed in that I couldn't see the baseball being pitched or follow it after being hit at the Cardinals game. It bummed me out so we left after the 4th inning.Also I went to my brothers fund raiser for a union he belongs to today and they had a golf game, closest to the pin deal going on. I have played it every year because my brother is one of the organizers. I hit 5 balls trying to get them as close to the flag as possible. I couldn't see the balls after I hit them, in bright sun, after about 40 yards, another disappointment.
I do see my TV screen and basic stuff but I am finding any finer focusing I need to do is just not there, so far.
Pete
Helpful - 0
1397648 tn?1288142926
Definately had bad morning Friday but after taking ibuprofen when I was leaving to st louis, of which I was driving alone, my eye did a 180 and I could see clearly. I handled the st louis 5:00 traffic with no problem. I could see really well the rest of the night. I am seeing pretty , although seeing my writing on my droid is difficult.
Sorry your patient didn't want to share doc but their choice, maybe they'll follow mine and see what they are going through is normal.
Pete
Helpful - 0
1731421 tn?1358823371
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi Pete, I tried to get my one ReStor patient from yesterday to comment, but he prefers to remain more private. I can honestly say that he is having some of the difficulties you are having, but I am confident he will make good progress too. Thanks for keeping us posted.
Helpful - 0

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