Let's talk about cataract surgery.....

[jtk]

I initially replied to Mr Hazeleton's queries about cataract surgery having myself recently had the surgery. I don't think this is an appropriate forum for discussing old men's medical problems, including my own any more than it is for political discussion.

Why are we so comfortable with "old men's medical problems" and so fearful of women's issues?

And, btw, cataracts are very common among women.

 

[MattKing]

Why are we so comfortable with "old men's medical problems" and so fearful of women's issues?

And, btw, cataracts are very common among women.

Perhaps because, many of us are men "of an age".
And by the way, while cataracts are common among women, prostate problems are incredibly rare.

Now, can we please return to our regularly scheduled discussion - cataract surgery - which is only here because seeing is relevant to photographers and their ability to see!

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I initially replied to Mr Hazeleton's queries about cataract surgery having myself recently had the surgery. I don't think this is an appropriate forum for discussing old men's medical problems, including my own any more than it is for political discussion.

Having fairly healthy conditions are required to do photography. Especially when it comes to eyes, discussing what people do to help see better and improve their ability to practice our hobby, is certainly helpful to be discussed.

 

[benjiboy]

Having fairly healthy conditions are required to do photography. Especially when it comes to eyes, discussing what people do to help see better and improve their ability to practice our hobby, is certainly helpful to be discussed.

In this case, concerning photography Alan, as far as members' vision is concerned I tend to agree with you, but I don't think people's prostate problems and other symptoms of male advancing age, including mine, are suitable subjects for a photographic forum, like this one.

 

[benjiboy]

Perhaps because, many of us are men "of an age".
And by the way, while cataracts are common among women, prostate problems are incredibly rare.

Now, can we please return to our regularly scheduled discussion - cataract surgery - which is only here because seeing is relevant to photographers and their ability to see!

 

[pbromaghin]

Andrea Stillman blames Ansel Adams' cataracts for his strange late-career plunge into excessively dark printing. With them spreading light all around inside his eyeballs he saw light everywhere and was unable to detect the darkness.

 

[benjiboy]

Andrea Stillman blames Ansel Adams' cataracts for his strange late-career plunge into excessively dark printing. With them spreading light all around inside his eyeballs he saw light everywhere and was unable to detect the darkness.

I had cataracts in both of my eyes before I had them removed, and my experience was they didn't so much darken my vision but diffused it, like looking through slightly frosted glass.

 

[jtk]

Andrea Stillman blames Ansel Adams' cataracts for his strange late-career plunge into excessively dark printing. With them spreading light all around inside his eyeballs he saw light everywhere and was unable to detect the darkness.

Ansel Adams: 400 Photographs by Ansel Adams, Andrea G. Stillman

Ansel Adams: 400 Photographs by Ansel Adams, Andrea G. Stillman - Ansel Adams: 400 Photographs presents the full spectrum Adams' greatest work in a single volume for the first time, offering an entirely different perspective on his monumental career.The photographs…

www.freestylephoto.biz

fwiw I don't believe AA's "dark printing" had anything to do with "unable."

I knew others who did at least some of his "late career" prints. As well he supervised an exceptional scanner operator (I happened to meet the man), and that resulted in the very best books of AA's work (IMO of course).

 

[Sirius Glass]

Andrea Stillman blames Ansel Adams' cataracts for his strange late-career plunge into excessively dark printing. With them spreading light all around inside his eyeballs he saw light everywhere and was unable to detect the darkness.

That does not align with the optological phenomenology experiences of people with cataracts. Frankly it brings into question Andrea Stillman's professionalism and understanding of optics and vision. Perhaps she would have been a better baseball umpire so that people could righteously complain about her calls. Cataracts cause loose of contrast, blurred focusing, and other phenomena that are not corrected by increasing darkness. Ansel Adams' shift to darker prints reflects the increased interest in photographs with more pop and much darker blacks that were preferred by the public.

 

[jtk]

Many people (like me) go to eye docs every year or two because they're concerned about possible macular degeneration (which does make things dark, and which Ansel's biographer apparently never even heard of). D'OH!

...and can sometimes be treated if caught soon enough.

Lawsuit coming?

 

[MattKing]

Lawsuit coming?

I don't think AA is currently in the mood to litigate.

 

[Sirius Glass]

About cataract surgery outcomes: I started wearing eyeglasses when I was 12 and have needed them or contact lenses ever since. Now that I am well away from the surgery recovery I now realize how great it is to wake up in the morning and clearly see every thing in focus just by opening my eyes. I am just so glad that I had the surgery and that this feeling is there before I reach to pick up a camera.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

According to my ophthalmologist said we all will get there assuming we live long enough. I needed one eye done. It is the easiest surgery you will have in that you will get up immediately being better than when you went in. I could have chosen the replacement lens better than Medicare would have covered but my ophthalmologist advised that I go with the standard one covered by Medicare. I do not have to have an eye correction for that eye now but I have a minor astigmatic correction. I could now drive without glasses but I have chosen to still wear glasses. One annoying after effect is that in the right conditions I can see the arteries and veins in my eye, but it is only briefly and not a notable problem. I can use any camera with or without correction or any problems. Please feel free to PM me with any questions that you would like more privacy.

According to my optomologist, I might be one of the few people who will not need cataract surgery because, already at age 70, my natural lenses are clear as a bell. So clear in fact that he thought at first that I had the surgery done already. I should also mention that every person I know who has had cataract surgery regrets not choosing the simple uncorrected lenses and deal with eyeglasses.

 

[Pieter12]

According to my optomologist, I might be one of the few people who will not need cataract surgery because, already at age 70, my natural lenses are clear as a bell. So clear in fact that he thought at first that I had the surgery done already. I should also mention that every person I know who has had cataract surgery regrets not choosing the simple uncorrected lenses and deal with eyeglasses.

Not me

 

[Besk]

I was very, very nearsighted all my life. Had the cataract surgery done both eyes a few months ago.
I had the simple surgery/replacement done and don't regret it.
My distance vision is now very good. It is nice to be able to see the full frame of the Leica IIIf viewfinder.
Seems like I am wearing glasses as often as I used to - but now for closeup stuff.

 

[AERO]

Had both mine done (at age 90)..... Seems some people MAY need either glasses for reading or for distance and some luck enough not to require any... I have found however I need readers but no problem driving (or viewing thro a camera viewfinder)...I was told it takes at least 12 months for the eye(s) to readjust. Heck of a difference in colous now..brilliant!!

 

[Sirius Glass]

According to my optomologist, I might be one of the few people who will not need cataract surgery because, already at age 70, my natural lenses are clear as a bell. So clear in fact that he thought at first that I had the surgery done already. I should also mention that every person I know who has had cataract surgery regrets not choosing the simple uncorrected lenses and deal with eyeglasses.

You indeed very fortunate. Enjoy your health and good fortune.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Had both mine done (at age 90)..... Seems some people MAY need either glasses for reading or for distance and some luck enough not to require any... I have found however I need readers but no problem driving (or viewing thro a camera viewfinder)...I was told it takes at least 12 months for the eye(s) to readjust. Heck of a difference in colous now..brilliant!!

If I need reading glasses, it is to real very small print such as 6 point type. On occasion I will put on reading glasses when the available light is not as bright as it should be and that is when I do not need them, but it does make it easier.

 

[benjiboy]

I had cataract surgery on both my eyes, my left eye about twenty years ago , my right eye two years ago and for the first time in my life I can focus my cameras without my glasses.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I had cataract surgery on both my eyes, my left eye about twenty years ago , my right eye two years ago and for the first time in my life I can focus my cameras without my glasses.

That gives you a wonderful feel that those whom have not experienced have trouble empathizing.

 

[benjiboy]

That gives you a wonderful feel that those whom have not experienced have trouble empathizing.

After my most recent cataract surgery I had to get new glasses, and I can truthfully say my vision has never been better in my life.

 

[Frank53]

Not me

+1
very happy to have chosen the possibility to stay away from eyeglasses as far as possible.

 

[Sirius Glass]

+1
very happy to have chosen the possibility to stay away from eyeglasses as far as possible.

At lease as far as one can see.

 

[AERO]

At lease as far as one can see.

 

[eli griggs]

About cataract surgery outcomes: I started wearing eyeglasses when I was 12 and have needed them or contact lenses ever since. Now that I am well away from the surgery recovery I now realize how great it is to wake up in the morning and clearly see every thing in focus just by opening my eyes. I am just so glad that I had the surgery and that this feeling is there before I reach to pick up a camera.

Yeah haw... I to had to grown-up wearing glasses, repaired numerous lenses and am still are thriller at to the core, at being able to see, under the same upon light, The World in all its examples and disappointments and celebrations.