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

[GRHazelton]

I didn't see any section of PhotoTrio which seemed suitable, so.....
I've been a member of this forum for some time, and now I need cataract surgery. My right eye, my dominant eye, shows the world as a blur. I can't use it with my many cameras! I find that using my SLRs with my left eye difficult, since most cameras are designed for right eye use. BTW, I hate holding a camera away from my face, thus giving up the advantages of bracing the camera against my face. Film cameras have to be held to the face, of course.
So I must do something to continue my passion of some 65 years. I am considering having my right eye optimized for close vision, and my left eye, when its cataracts are not so bad - yet! - set for "normal" vision. I'd have to wear glasses to enable "normal" vision in my right eye. To use a camera I'd take off the glasses, which would enable close vision with my right eye, and let me put my eye close to the viewfinder.
I'd appreciate experiences from fellow members who have had cataract surgery. Does my proposed course of action seem reasonable?

 

[Sirius Glass]

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.

 

[Pieter12]

Having cataract surgery is one issue. It is safe, quick and effective. Have it done, don't hesitate. The second issue you bring up is a practice called "monovision." Some people tolerate it very well, having the dominant eye corrected for distance and the other for reading. But others do not do well. You can only know by actually having the corrections done. If your cataract had not progressed to the point of affecting your vision and much as you describe you could try a mono vision prescription with contact lenses. I do not believe it works with glasses. The brain just won't cooperate. I speak from experience. I have had a monovision prescription (contacts) for close to ten years before needing to have cataract surgery. Naturally, I had monovision correction with the surgery. I have heard of instances of patients doing monovision for the first time with cataract surgery and it has been a successful experience--possibly because the difference in prescriptions was not that great, I do not know. Bear in mind that cataract surgery is nonreversible. You cannot have to redone if the prescription doesn't work for you as the implanted lenses become ingrained in the eye.

 

[GRHazelton]

Sirius, thanks for the quick response. My Wife had the surgery several years ago, as have several friends. All have commented on the clarity of vision. Can you get your eye close to the viewfinder without glasses? My film cameras need the eye close to the viewfinder; the high point viewfinder on my Pentax LX delivers a smaller image, not of full coverage as compared to the standard VF

 

[Pieter12]

Another thing--not really a big issue--is there is the probability of a film capsule forming over the implant after a few years, that will introduce a bit of cloudiness. This is easily removed with an in-office procedure. Some surgeons don't let you know it may be a possibility.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I could use monovision but I do not like it so I wear eyeglasses or a contact lens almost all the time.

 

[gone]

This is what's on my mind as well. At 70, I can still focus a camera just fine, but it's best if I switch to my non dominant left eye. That works fine for me, and I can usually fudge things w/ my right eye since one camera has a focus confirmation light in the finder.

They're only going to do one eye at a time anyway, so you'll have plenty of time to mull over any other eye related decisions. If the decision right now is which eye to do 1st, I would have it done on my non dominant eye.........just in case. I wouldn't do anything that sounds like monocular vision, to me it makes more sense to have both my eyes optimized w/ cataract surgery and corrected w/ glasses. Calling an ophthalmologist is actually on the TO DO list, my new insurance doesn't need a referral, you can call directly.

 

[GRHazelton]

Many thanks for all the thoughtful responses! I'd asked the opinions of family and friends who'd had their cataracts removed; they were very happy with the outcomes, but since none are other than casual photogs - generally using point and shoot digitals, held out not peered through - they couldn't grok my concerns. You good folks know where I'm coming from!
I'll get the plain jane lenses, optimized for "distance" vision, and carry some reading glasses, as I've done for several years already as my arms became to short to read comfortably.

 

[DWThomas]

There was a thread about this last year. I went with correction for distance in both eyes, as I have enough astigmatism that I've been wearing progressive bifocals for 30+ years, so I still do. They just don't need as much correction. I just intuitively couldn't envision how the so called monovision could work comfortably and wasn't inclined to experiment.

And I agree with Pieter12, about a year and a half or so after the initial procedures it seemed almost as though they were coming back. A little minutes long laser procedure in the office cleaned it up. The doctor described it as scar tissue forming over the capsule surface where the implant has been placed. The series of popping sounds was a bit alarming, but I drove myself home, no problem.

 

[cowanw]

Naturally, I had monovision correction with the surgery. .

I believe that viewfinders held to your eye like most SLR's are set to infinity, which means if you get closeup replacements in your viewing eye you will then require glasses to bring that eye to infinity. Is that correct, Pieter12?

 

[Pieter12]

The viewing eye is usually the dominant eye. That one gets corrected for distance.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Many thanks for all the thoughtful responses! I'd asked the opinions of family and friends who'd had their cataracts removed; they were very happy with the outcomes, but since none are other than casual photogs - generally using point and shoot digitals, held out not peered through - they couldn't grok my concerns. You good folks know where I'm coming from!
I'll get the plain jane lenses, optimized for "distance" vision, and carry some reading glasses, as I've done for several years already as my arms became to short to read comfortably.

I asked my ophthalmologist to make me somewhat far sighted and I would use reading glasses. She said that she would and did set the implant for distance and yet allow me to read without reading glasses which has been good for close work with my nearsighted eye without any glasses or correction.

 

[Pieter12]

I asked my ophthalmologist to make me somewhat far sighted and I would use reading glasses. She said that she would and did set the implant for distance and yet allow me to read without reading glasses which has been good for close work with my nearsighted eye without any glasses or correction.

That is basically what a monovision prescription is.

 

[waynecrider]

Have the doctor check your blood pressure before which I believe they all do. Mine was a little elevated for two weeks after surgery and had to use drops in my eyes besides the normal drops. One can lose their vision if not attended to. Other then that get'r done. Best thing I ever did.. I took the monovision route.

 

[Tom Taylor]

I had cataract surgery for both eyes about 2 years ago. I went for the distance optimization with reading glasses for close-up option. Before I had to wear my distance glasses to focus an SLR like the F6 and no glasses to focus a LF camera off the ground glass. Now, having optimized distance, I don't need glasses to focus the SLR or spotting scope but need the reading glasses to focus off the ground glass but no glasses to focus off the ground glass thru a loupe. Before I didn't need glasses to read labels, etc, close-up but now I have to carry the reading glasses with me everywhere to read labels, etc.

Thomas

 

[Frank53]

I had new lenses placed in both eyes last Friday. Before I needed glasses for the distance (but only used them to watch tv) and for reading. When I first visited the eye docter, I told her that I wanted to be independed from glasses as much as possible. So I got EDOF lenses (extended depth of focus). A normal lens in one eye and a toric lens in the other.
I’m very pleased with the results. For the first time in years I can read without glasses and I see everything sharp and clear.
The operation itself was not as bad as expected.

 

[wiltw]

I believe that viewfinders held to your eye like most SLR's are set to infinity, which means if you get closeup replacements in your viewing eye you will then require glasses to bring that eye to infinity. Is that correct, Pieter12?

The viewfinder in the camera is actually set to an apparent distance of about 36" (actually, a brand-specific selection of 30" to 1m) so your focusing eye should be corrected for reading distance (or have a variable diopter adjustment)

 

[lxdude]

The viewfinder in the camera is actually set to an apparent distance of about 36" (actually, a brand-specific selection of 30" to 1m) so your focusing eye should be corrected for reading distance (or have a variable diopter adjustment)

A variable diopter adjustment in your eye sounds like a great idea!
You're right about apparent distance. Though as I recall, Topcons were at apparent infinity.

 

[guangong]

I had cataract surgery for both eyes. Because of pre existing distortion of corneas, after surgery contact lenses would abrade cornea. So, problem solved by putting hard contact lens over soft contact lens, which smoothed surface of cornea.
Result, 20/20 vision and no need for glasses (except for some Chinese dictionaries...how can they print such small characters, readable only with magnifying glass? Even my compact OED is easier to read.

 

[Eric Rose]

Best outcome ever from my double cataract surgery. I can read without glasses and 20/20 distance in both eyes.

 

[lecarp]

During my last exam my Ophthalmologist told me I would't live long enough to have cataract issues.
I assumed he was referring to my Heart condition and gasped a little, he realized what he said and quickly rephrased, focusing on the excellent health of my eyes.
We both had a good chuckle about it when all was said and done.

 

[Larryc001]

I would be interested to know if you have had the surgery, and if so, how your vision is now. I had both my eyes done a few years ago. It has been pretty good since. I had a radial keratotomy years before so I had to go to an eye surgeon that specializes in that type of procedure.

 

[benjiboy]

I had cataract surgery on my right eye a couple of weeks ago (my dominant eye), I had the same surgery on my left eye almost 20 years ago, but what's amazing is that I can now see perfectly with my right eye now without glasses and can see the whole focusing screen on all my cameras without glasses, unfortunately this only applies to my right eye, and I will have to have both my eyes retested and get new lenses in my glasses.

 

[pentaxuser]

I had new lenses placed in both eyes last Friday.

How did you manage until you were able to take the coverings off the eyes? I had always thought that immediately after the operation the eye has to be covered completely? Is this not the case nowadays?

Thanks

pentaxuser

 

[benjiboy]

No, the hospital only told me to put 3 lots drops in the eye 4 times a day for a month, I could see O.K almost right away, they told me not to wash, touch or get water in the eye, they didn't cover the eye.