drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

Clearly many Hogs are Baby Boomers and will be/should be/have already been facing cataract surgery. Just had operation #1 (worse eye) done yesterday and I have a couple of interesting observations. First, the little card my ophthalmologist gave me at the follow up visit this morning tells me that my lens implant is a Hoya. I guess if Hoya's good enough for my eye it's good enough to be my polarizer and I won't have to spring for B&Ws anymore. After all, the limiting factor is what I can see!!

More to the point, I've followed a number of threads over the months that talk about calibration of monitors and printers to get the colors in prints to match the colors on the monitor to match the colors we see. The second thing I noticed at this morning's visit (dramatic clarity and improved contrast was first) is the significant change in color temperature as seen in the corrected eye. Colors moved well up in color temperature, as evidenced by the wallpaper color in the office and especially the scenery outside. So as many Hogs are developing cataracts (and the changes can come on so slowly you don't know it) your color perception is changing also, generally toward brownish and warmer colors. So all the fuss and bother we make about matching colors from the screen to the printer may be beside the point as we are "seeing" the colors wrong to begin with. It's an enlightening (no pun intended) experience. Now I can't wait to get the other eye done.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Mike, regardless of your observations, I'm just happy that things went well and you're recovering nicely.
--Bob

Beowulf Loc: Aquidneck Island, RI

I can relate, Mike. After wearing progressive eyeglass lenses for 32 years, I was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes by my opthalmologist. If I removed my glasses while watching TV, let's say, people on screen looked like a Picasso painting with faces that looked in two different directions. After surgery last year, I no longer need glasses, except for mild readers to read newspapers, books, computer screens, etc. My distance vision is perfect. BTW, I am 75 years old.

Enjoy your restored vision.

wayne barnett Loc: Grants Pass, Oregon

Mike

Great to hear that you have had good luck with the first eye. When I had mine done I did not notice any perceptible change in color change but everyone is different. In my case I opted for the far to be good and glasses for the near. This is something everyone needs to be aware of. Thanks for bringing the subject up for the group. Far distance for me is now 20/20 or maybe a little better.

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

I had cataract surgery a year ago. I too noticed that there was an obvious shift in color perception. Due to a cornea problem, they were not able to completely correct my vision, but now that I have new contacts, I see better than I had in over 20 years. The surgery and contacts got me interested in photography again, because I could now actually see the image in the viewfinder.

I am 65.

I'm happy for you and I know you will be recharged after the second eye is done.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I had cataract surgery on both eyes back in 2008, while I was working in a photo lab. I, too, noticed an immediate improvement in color vision. However, I did NOT notice a difference in the way I evaluated prints or monitor color.

Every year, I had my eyes tested with the Munsell Hue Test (online version here: http://www.colormunki.com/game/huetest_kiosk). We used it to test everyone who might work in our color correction department. My before and after test results were identical, despite the improvement in perceived color accuracy. I can only deduce that for some of us, RELATIVE color balance is all that matters. If we can match a standard, we can evaluate color.

toxdoc42

My response was. Now I see what HDall about! is

Photocraig

Hi Mike,
I'm happy to hear eye #1 is done and you'll be stereoscopic soon. I had mine done along with come other cornea complications done 6 years ago when I was 68. I loved to joke that I couldn't scratch my nose without my glasses. Now I can get out of bed and walk around until I figure out that I need my glasses to read. I even passed the DMV eye test, and my license is unrestricted. But I'd only drive without glasses in an EMERGENCY!

My vision before the operations was like looking through a Mid Century Modern Amber Plexiglas room divider--or a shower door.

I now can see better, colors stay true despite the glare. I also think that with easier eyesight and far, far less eyeglass correction, I can compose and use the viewfinder better than before.

A couple of weeks and you're good as new, or maybe better.

C

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Doctor said I will need the same soon. Glad to hear you progressing well.

Don

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

Glad it went well thus far and you are pleased with the results.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Funny your mentioning cataract surgery, just had my left eye done two days ago and my right eye done two weeks ago. Before surgery, I was seeing everything with a light brownish tint, now I can look at my photographs and everything else in a whole new light, literally. It's like everything you look at now is five times brighter and sharper. It's like finally adjusting the white balance in my camera after all these years.

kdogg Loc: Gallipolis Ferry WV

Had both of mine done at the age of 50,young age for this type of surgery. I immediately noticed a change in color perception and contrast. It was like I had been looking through a pair of panty hose for years. am now 62 and I need reading glasses for computer work and reading. Once a year I go to Walmart and get 3 pair of reading glasses for $7.00 and I am good to go till next year, I'm hard on reading glasses.For those contemplating the surgery it is a piece of cake. You spend more time getting prepped than the actual procedure. I'm sure that now they have even better replacement lenses than they did 10 years ago.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I had cataract surgery on both eyes about 10 years ago, but the only difference I noticed in colors was the intensity, the vividness. Now I am facing surgery to reattach a partially detached vitreous. I would be interested to know the effect of such surgery on sight in general and color in particular. Thanks.

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

Exactly!

incognito

I had cataract surgery last October and November. I opted for the Restore lens as it was free for me. I love them during the day or in brighter lighting conditions. The drawback is at night I see the concentric rings of the lens coming from the lights(got used to that after a while) and when looking at the moon it has a slight displaced semicircle off to the side(still very bothersome). It is a little annoying but thank god for Auto focus. I was warned about this before I had the surgery. I will also say that I could not drive at night for the first 2 weeks until I got used to the reflections.