Cataract Surgery and Photography (Page 2): I had both eyes done at the same time by laser years ago. Since I was used to progressive lenses and I wanted the best vision possible, I...

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I had both eyes done at the same time by laser years ago. Since I was used to progressive lenses and I wanted the best vision possible, I chose single vision. I was fully aware I would need progressive lenses after. As it worked out, the single lenses were off and focused closer than ∞. I was told that correcting it was more involved than the original procedure and recovery was more severe. Since I was going to need progressive lens glasses anyway, I was that much happier with my choice and didn't get the correction. My eyes have changed since then and have become more nearsighted. Had I elected single vision or muli, I would still need glasses today except for reading.

sabfish

MadMikeOne wrote:

I started a topic on the subject back in September in preparation for my own surgeries. For some reason, I am unable to do a cut and paste of the link into this reply. If you go to my topics in my profile, you'll see the topic. Just click on it to get to the thread. So many of our fellow members chimed in with great info. I also posted a topic after I had my surgeries.

Thanks. Your prior posts were very helpful. I had recalled that someone had posted about cataract surgery, not long ago, and did a general search. Either yours did not come up for some reason, or I missed it. In any event, thanks for telling me how to find it.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

sabfish wrote:

Thanks. Your prior posts were very helpful. I had recalled that someone had posted about cataract surgery, not long ago, and did a general search. Either yours did not come up for some reason, or I missed it. In any event, thanks for telling me how to find it.

You're welcome. It seems the topic comes up every few months, which is not too surprising since lots of our members seem to be on the mature side.

There was another topic that had lots of helpful info, also. Link to that topic is below. (I've managed to figure out what I did wrong before when I tried to post the link to mine!)

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-623683-1.html

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Also see this one (frrom last year).

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-672696-1.html

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

cameraf4 wrote:

Might the OP be referring to the older zooms where one had to "re-focus" after zooming to a different focal length?

Referring to the the implanted lens in the eye after the surgery. They now have variable focus/distance just like glasses.

Bill_de Loc: US

MadMikeOne wrote:

I started a topic on the subject back in September in preparation for my own surgeries. For some reason, I am unable to do a cut and paste of the link into this reply. If you go to my topics in my profile, you'll see the topic. Just click on it to get to the thread. So many of our fellow members chimed in with great info. I also posted a topic after I had my surgeries.

This?

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-663648-1.html

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drbart Loc: New York, NY

Hello,

I had cataract surgery in 2015, to both eyes about one month apart. Done via laser removal & lens replacement.
Uneventful recovery with clearer vision as a result. I had no problems taking photo's using auto-focus and with prime or zoom lenses.

I hope this helps with question.

Regards,
Bart

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I should have added, while I was amazed at the improvement of color in all my vision, it did not cause any problems with my photography.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Bill_de wrote:

This?

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-663648-1.html

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That was it, Bill. I messed up when I tried to post the link in my response. The OP did find it, though. Thanks for chiming in!

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I have cataracts at the "If you want the surgery I will OK it." stage ( My Ophthalmologist at Kaiser in Dec 2020). He added that in 1-2 years he will be recommending it or I might lose my driver's license. I am 75, if they let me I will have one eye at a time because I am diabetic and heal slowly and don't want to have problems seeing at all. Besides if I have the worse of my two eyes done and it doesn't work I will still have my better eye. A friend of mine 2 years younger did have his eyes done, one at a time. Both results were good, he now only needs glasses for reading.
One thing I worry about-item to discuss with the Opthalmologist-I was born near sighted and have 75 years of just taking my glasses off and getting close to do fine detail stuff and read tiny print. Not being able to do that anymore might be a bother.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

I also had the single lens distance lenses put in about 2015. Still awesome.

I use reading glasses in dim light or for small print. They are scattered around and not a problem. No problem reading anything more than a couple feet away or in bright light (smaller pupil (fstop) increases DOF).

No laser involved...yet. The surgeon warns that a film can develop on the inside which they can easily remove with laser. So far no need.

buckbrush Loc: Texas then Southwest Oregon

One thing I worry about-item to discuss with the Opthalmologist-I was born near sighted and have 75 years of just taking my glasses off and getting close to do fine detail stuff and read tiny print.

Robert, I have always had same experience with reading small print on pill bottles. I removed my glasses and then I was OK. Now that I'm approaching 80, I find that using the 'Magnifier' App on my iPhone brings all the small print up to a size that I can read it with no problem.

I'd suggest you try using that App. I believe all phones must have something similar if you are not a mac/iphone user.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

sabfish wrote:

I am scheduled for cataract surgery in May and would welcome anyone's experience with the surgery and the affect on your photography. I am also interested in whether you chose multi-focal lenses or the single focus lenses. I am leaning toward the former. I searched past posts on this subject, but most of them were at least 4 years old. The availability of multi-focal lenses has certainly improved since then, so I thought I would seek more current experiences.

I had Cataract surgery 3 yrs ago, because I was having difficulties focusing and I noticed my acuity of color saturation was fading. All is good now, but I still wear glasses.

malawibob Loc: South Carolina

The one difference after surgery was a change in color. Lampshades I had thought beige turned white, so may affect pp work? they would only do one at a time two weeks apart but was a very easy operation. good luck on yours.
Bob

Morry Loc: Palm Springs, CA

sabfish wrote:

I am scheduled for cataract surgery in May and would welcome anyone's experience with the surgery and the affect on your photography. I am also interested in whether you chose multi-focal lenses or the single focus lenses. I am leaning toward the former. I searched past posts on this subject, but most of them were at least 4 years old. The availability of multi-focal lenses has certainly improved since then, so I thought I would seek more current experiences.

My wife and I both had cataract surgery perhaps 10 or 12 years ago. My wife took her opthamologists recommendation to get multi-focal lenses. The same doctor recommended single focal lenses for me which I went with. So how did that work out for each of us? My wife has been happy with her choice. She does not wear glasses at all except for no prescription sunglasses. As for me I wish I had also chosen the same multi-focal lenses. I see ok since but I need to wear glasses especially for reading, computer using and also for watching TV and driving. I wish that I had also chosen multi-focal lenses. That' just my opinion and I realize that people's eyes are all different. I don't see where the choice of multi-focal versus single focal lenses for cataracts would make much if any difference in my photography. I've thought about having the cataract surgery done again and getting the multi-focal lenses . . . but I don't think I will do it. Just my opinion. Good luck.