PlymouthWoodworker Loc: Plymouth, MA

I had cataract surgery a few years ago and wondered the same thing: was my photo editing "off" with my old "yellow" eyes? Fortunately, while colors in the natural world now seem a little cooler, my photos look fine, both on screen and as prints. No re-editing needed. I hope this calms your fears.

goldenyears Loc: Lake Osewgo

I had cataract surgery about 5 years ago. The doc gave two choices of lens types. He had cataract surgery, so I asked which type he chose for himself, and picked that one. It was a flexible lens which, when the shape of the eyeball changed by focusing, would flex. After surgery the yellow was gone, didn't need glasses, and I could read the small print on my Rx bottles. I still don't need glasses and can read the small print but need a brighter illumination. All this was before my photography, and so I don't know about the changes that others have described here. Sorry to waste your time with no help, but I was so pleased with the results I want to tell everyone. I heard that shortly after my surgery the type of lens I chose was replaced by something even better.

dgilliam

Definitely.
Between surgery 1 and 2 the difference between the two eyes was striking.
As if I was looking through a yellow filter on the untreated eye, I also noticed sensitivity to
bright sunlight for several weeks after the procedure(s).
For me, after both eyes were done, color perception was identical between the eyes.
After everything settled down, completely happy.
I notice no color shift between my older images and new. Must be the technology and not me.

goldenyears Loc: Lake Osewgo

P.S. Another result of my surgery described above that might apply to the question: I immediately gave up my sunglasses as no longer necessary.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

Yep. My cataract surgery eliminated the yellow cast I didn't even realize I had. Colors now truer.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

I saw a difference. A very pleasant difference. Brighter and more colorful. I do see rings due to my Symphony lenses. Very pleased however as now I can see very small print on my iPhone and can see the photos on my camera without readers.

Dwiggy Loc: Dunedin, FL

I just had cataract surgery in 2021 and the same...did not notice any change in colors, either temp or brighter. I join your oddball club!!

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Two days after I had cataract surgery, I experienced a total retina detachment. Drag City, man.

CTTonymm Loc: Connecticut

Bob: I had that "intermediate distance focus" issue, as well after my cataract surgeries. Solved this handily with Foster Grant Multi Focus "advanced reading glasses" - sold in drugstores around here. I have the +2.75 version - which I think is the closest distance strongest level segment of the three segments of lens strength. I believe I use the strongest level for reading/closeups, the middle segment for computer use and the lowest level for interactions, conversations, signs, etc. Try them out - they are inexpensive....

mrmudshark Loc: south central illinois

a few months back, I had both eyes done over a period of six weeks. The results were spectacular. The ONLY problem I have is keeping track of DAMN reading glasses!!! Being a 74 year-old photojournalist...I suppose I should just be happy to still be breathing and making images.........

spaceytracey Loc: East Glacier Park, MT

I'm looking forward to cataract surgery this summer so the comments above are intriguing. I've heard that overall vision improves but it makes sense that color perception would change as well. To bobforman, it seems you're still needing contacts/glasses, right? How much did your prescription change?

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Interesting. If you are looking through rose colored glasses so to say, it wouldn’t seem that reflected vs illuminated would matter. Then there is the human brain which we know does color correction for us in the presence of different color light. For example A white piece of paper looks white to us indoors under incandescent light and outdoors in daylight. So maybe a similar thing going on. Maybe your brain corrected for the tint. That probably can vary from person to person.

Either way its a good thing that you didn’t notice any change.

mikenolan Loc: Lincoln Nebraska

Your natural lenses have a slight yellow tint to them even before cataracts develop.

I know I see more vivid blues than I used to before my cataract surgery a year ago. (My two eyes don't see the same colors, so I've never been sure which eye is seeing the same colors as everyone else, anyway.)

I'm careful to wear sunglasses when outside in bright sunlight.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

I have had 3 cataract surgeries. One surgery was a corrective surgery to do fine tuning with laser. All my colors are bright. My photos are sharper because I can focus better. However, I did have telescopic lens for distance inserted. Can't focus up close so need glasses for closeup work. I was always nearsighted so I could work on tiny things up close. Not so anymore. Miss my old eyes but don't miss the night star bursts, fuzziness, lack of colors. No glasses required for driving now! First time in my life no glasses.

Effects on photography? Had to change diopter settings and got a lens change on the viewfinder. Out in the elements I can spot things better and farther to focus and shoot. Wildlife is easier to see.

Seeing colors again in sharper cleaner definition makes it easier to post process.

I was recently asked to take photos for a medical reference book that will be published. I was asked to do this because of my reputation for taking crisp clean sharp photos as well as knowing the subject matter. I am not a professional photographer, but this new book may help me move towards that goal.

Enjoy the new eyes and let it be a steppingstone to more enjoyment of photography.

Jim

Wyantry Loc: SW Colorado

Had replacement lenses in both eyes. After first surgery, an obvious color difference was apparent.
It looked as if the windows in a forty-year-smokers’ house were cleaned!

Whites = WHITE. Everything “cleaner”, brighter, clearer!

Sort of like the ad jingle “You’ll wonder where the yellow went . . .”