MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Gitch, if you have no additional underlying problems I would recommend traditional over laser... the diff. is just the initial cut and the expense of NON COVERD laser is horrific to someone on a fixed budget. My first eye was done 2 days ago and it is like I have been given a new eye. NO PAIN WHATSOEVER. Anxiety is the worst enemy. Good luck, God Bless. Bob

MBW66 Loc: NH, USA

Quick! Process a few photos with each eye covered in turn to see the difference and share them with us. Many cataracts are brownish or “brunescent”. It is said that is the cause of Monet’s brownish phase in his painting.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Was amazed to find that the bathroom sink was pure white and not the grayish cream color they looked like before the operation. All covered by Medicare and supplemental insurance. Do need reading glasses though.

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

[quote=larryepage]------- Absorption of UV energy by the lens is one of the big contributing factors to the formation of cataracts. -----

My daughters cat (18 calendar years old) has significant cataracts but has not been an outdoor cat, ever, not even a window cat. This makes me wonder about the theory that UV exposure causes cataracts. I've got em though and growing up in Florida with no sunglasses for about 20 early years I'd expect them to be worse, Dr. says i need to "ripen" for another five years or so before removal. Hmmm.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Thanks!

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Thanks! It is comforting to hear of everyone's positive experience. I'm always a "nervous nelly" when it comes to medical procedures of any kind. This one included!

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"Had both eyes done. Never noticed any difference on my screen. Maybe I'm not critical enough."

Same thing here.

Drdale55 Loc: Prescott, AZ

Ditto on that. Much more sensitive now. Can’t go without sunglasses. Also noticed the changed in color between eyes. Walls of doctors office were white not off white!!

pendennis

I had both eyes done in 2013, and the difference in my vision and color acuity is quantum. My doctor is an independent surgeon, and one of the top in our area. (Detroit Metro).

Just a word about how severe the cataracts had to be in my case. My doctor tested the clarity of both eyes, but that was not the determinant for surgery. How the cataracts affected my quality of life was one of the prime criteria. I was having problems at night with glare, as with daytime vision. I filled out a questionnaire, and really answered honestly. My ophthalmic surgeon then took my information before a board of seven independent ophthalmic surgeons who provided the final OK for the surgery. In my case, the vote was 7-0 for surgery.

Mine was complicated a bit, since I had astigmatism @ 4.5. He offered a new toric lens, which corrected all my astigmatism and completely corrected everything. I do have a bit of presbyopia, but that's common, and is limited by the length of the eye; mine has ceased worsening. I wear +1.5 cheaters for reading.

Toby

Gitchigumi - I was told that I had cats and I was having problems but Dr said if I can correct your vision to 20/20 with glasses insurance will not pay for surgery. I was getting very frustrated because I didn't think my vision was good enough. I finally realized that he was testing my eyes basically in the dark with a projected eye chart. When I went out in the sunlight everything changed. Since various lenses would not correct it I went back in a month or so and told him I wanted the surgery even if I had to pay for it myself. He examined my eyes again and said "wow I can't believe how much they have changed"(BS?). I had the surgery all worked well. No color change noticed. Very happy with results.
Also note that I was asked if I wanted the free implants or the ones that corrected astigmatism. I have friends that got them (+$1000 per eye) and as the eye healed they moved and were worthless. They needed corrective lenses. I asked about guaranties and Dr said no. I got the free ones and wear reading glasses. Love them

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Very interesting Bob. I was never aware of that. My opthamologist said that I would probably need cataract surgery within the next five years too. Thanks for the heads up.

sv3noKin51E

MrBob, I had both cataracts removed in 2010, because the glare and haze was becoming difficult, especially trying focus indoors unless all lights were turned up. With the new implants, it took about a month for me to automatically put on appropriate sunglasses before going outside. Color clarity and perception was hugely different, like the difference between living in a dark cave and suddenly being able to see in perfect 4K after decades. (I didn't realize I was nearsighted as a kid until the schools tested everyone beginning in third grade in the early 60s. I realized that before, all I'd been able to 'see' was vague shadows and a blurry mashup of colors. Life became so awesome with glasses,even with the clunky frames of the era. That's when Dad was able to get me started in photography. I tried contacts but never liked them, they just irritated the eyes.

After the procedure it took a while to adjust to having perfect far-sighted, fighter pilot vision with the implants, and the color is terrific. Maybe someday the implants will come with built-in filtering and color correction.The doc hadn't counseled me about being 'farsighted' and that I'd have to use reading glasses. I now use different strengths, depending on what I'm working on, from 6 inches to 15 feet, which can depend how tired my eyes are. I have a really expensive pair of graduated bi-focals, which are set up for indoor use from 2-16 feet. Luckily I discovered that a dollar-type store existed that had readers of every variety and strength for a buck each; they have great frames with chinese plastic lenses, ground correctly (the state won't allow them to be sold if they don't meet specs). That tends to drive all the optometrists nutz of course. In frame and clarity, they're not much different than the $400 set, and if I drop, scratch damage, lose them or a frame bends, it's only a buck to replace them. Before, the opto-shop wanted $7.50 to adjust a bent frame/ear piece, and only if you purchased them there.

I take off the sunglasses outside and try to shoot from a shaded place if possible, or peek over the top of the sunglasses to focus/shoot. It's great though to get shots early in the day and late afternoon/evening without sunglasses, but still have to use my granny shades to fiddle with settings. At night, shooting is marvelous, but I've gotten away from driving; the modern harsh headlights give the implants a visual beating and the light that reaches the retina takes a toll that give a headache until the next day.

About 2 years into the new visual world, I thought things were beginning to become fuzzy so had the specialist/surgeon look them over. Was lucky that nothing had to be done, sometimes a film creeps onto the implant that they can laser off. It may come to a point that the lenses have to be replaced as focus tends to change as the eyes continue to age. I make it up for close work with my cheaper readers, but from year to year, the focal point change is quite noticeable. Now I'm totally happy I had the procedures before before HD and 4K became the norm; it's make photography and post-editing and watching Blu-Rays very enjoyable!

Best advice is to take really good care of your eyes from here on out; be much more aware of any changes and find which pairs of sunglasses you continue to buy. I have about a dozen and keep two pair in the car. (oddly, mirrored sunglasses look cop-like-dorky, but reflect the harsh rays that have to be blocked, yet allow me to get a lot done in bright outdoor light; I have a set that darkens automatically but don't like them much due to the cost. Seriously, your new eyes (I joked with the doc that I sometimes feel like the six million dollar need to be tended to and checked regularly, to be sure that all is well. I go back when I can but my doc is one that sees maybe 100 people a day, and I can't sit in his office behind a 3-hour que.

Only had one real issue, immediately after the surgery, that made me question what the hell I'd been thinking; not because I didn't like perfect vision, but because the first time I had to shave as a far-sighted only guy, I couldn't seen my face close-up well enough to use the razor. Got used to it. They can give you a mixed set of lenses, one near, one far focus, but that wouldn't be worth it for camera work. Just one of many adjustments to get used to. One last thing, as Colombo says; if you have dry-eye syndrome, check with the doc on what lubricants he recommends for regular use. Some of the drops they prescribe quickly become toxic. I have good long term results with Visine dry eye relief (not a promo, informational purposes only). Good luck! Check back with how you're coming along, because you'll be able to see and shoot some awesome photographs! sv

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I never noticed any color shift, but my mother was amazed at what color things really were. Apparently cataracts affect color shift differently for some people.

Shooter313

I have found mine to be exactly as you described.
Light really bothers me a lot these days because some of my meds cause problems for me in sunlight as well.
The upside is, I can NOW buy the "off the shelf high end sunglasses" without a RX. 😀 First time in over 45 years!!
Thanks for the information.😉

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I have not noticed any color shift since I had my cataracts done./ Have 20/20 vision but do need readers for computer work and reading