Cataracts and Color balance (Page 4): 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...

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

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

I didn't notice the color change, just the change to clear vision. My eye doc just monitored my cataracts for a few years before deciding it was time for surgeries a few years apart. My left eye has astigmatism corrected by a toric lens. The doc had suggested maybe laser surgery but he decided against it. Now I wear progressive lens trifocals as well, which doesn't bother me since I was six when I got my first glasses.
I do find sunlight brighter and use sunglasses.

Nicholas DeSciose

What’s your ability to see and drive at night improved substantially? 1 to 2 stops of light?

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

I have had both eyes' cataracts removed within a week of each other at the time (several years ago). I didn't recognize an apparent color shift but the colors are obviously more saturated. And, of course, 20/20 distance vision.

Bobnewnan

I had the same reaction as most have noted. The "new" eye was bright and clear, the untreated eye was seeing the same white block as yellowish. After both eyes were done everything balances and my previous photos did not need to be reprocessed which I was dreading if necessary. If your ophthalmologist recommends surgery, have it done, it's 99% easy and you will enjoy the clean bright colors. They usually do the first eye and wait two weeks to make sure there are no problems, then do the second. Yes, sometimes there's that 1%.

ebercovici

As a retired ophthalmologist and a photographer, I certainly understand the issue. There are several types of cataracts that occur in older people. The most common are nuclear cataracts and cortical cataracts. Nuclear cataracts are clouding, thickening, and yellowing of the center of the lens. Cortical cataracts are white spoke-like opacities that develop under the lens capsule. Color balance changes are determined by the type and extent of the cataract formation. I recently had my left eye operated and have noticed an increase in brightness and clarity, but the color balance seems to be the same as that of the right unoperated eye. My surgeon told me that I had 2+ nuclear sclerosis and a cortical cataract. Obviously the nuclear changes were insignificant. By the way, when a nuclear cataract is very advanced, it is called a brunescent cataract. Brunescent means brown.

kufengler Loc: Meridian, Idaho 83646

My cataract surgery was many years ago (my early 40's, early 1990's) after I really had difficulty seeing with bright light. I was on a business trip and immediately went to my opthamologist when I got home. It was December when my first eye was done and the second in January. I really never even thought about the color balance at the time. I'm 70 and still get by without glasses in day to day activities which includes driving. I wear glasses (progressive lenses) when I read or watch TV extensively. As I type this on my laptop I have no problem.
I wish I would have taken notice at the time, but being the winter time and being happy to see without contacts I was more than thrilled.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

MrBob wrote:

After having my first eye done yesterday I noticed... (show quote)

My cataracts were fixed in stages. Then the first eye as done, I noticed a great color shift when covering the eyes in an alternating fashion.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Thank you for your very helpful comments not only for me but for those who are sitting on the fence for various reasons and postponing the procedure. Anxiety and apprehension of the unknown is your worst enemy. There is no pain folks... the warm blanket they wrap around you is worth the cost of admission. You will be amazed at the crisp clear whites as opposed to the dingy yellow you have become accustomed to... Remember the saying " The hanged man gets used to hanging after a short time ". Don't get used to and accept impaired vision as I for one put my procedure off for way too long. Do your research, get informed, ask the hard questions and then just DO IT. You will not regret it... Good luck and God bless all of you who are affected. Bob

pdsilen Loc: Roswell, New Mexico

I too am having cataract surgery in the not too distant future. Here's my cause for concern. The famous French artist, Claude Monet had cataract surgery. After the operation he looked at his paintings and he did not like what he saw. So, I'm going through a bit of anxiety over what my photos will look like after I have my operation.

ebercovici

The paintings are quite famous, and obviously Monet had brunescent cataracts. In his day surgery was delayed until the cataracts were quite advanced. If you have any doubts about having surgery, your cataracts are not nearly that advanced. If you are are having difficulty with driving, reading, or glare and your symptoms are due to lens opacities, you can benefit from cataract surgery. The risk is statistically small, and the benefits in quality of life are great.

chippy65 Loc: Cambridge

perhaps the noticeable "brightening" of the images my eyes show me after cataract surgery goes some way to explain my intolerance

of bright sunlight , sunglasses help, polaroids also photochromics also a help.........but confusion when you go into a building.

Also perhaps explains my inability to be able to get along with LCD screens in bright sunlight.

But with the few inconveniences there is no way I would go back to cataracts.........life is brighter.......if a little dazzling

chippy65 Loc: Cambridge

perhaps the noticeable "brightening" of the images my eyes show me after cataract surgery goes some way to explain my intolerance

of bright sunlight , sunglasses help, polaroids also photochromics also a help.........but confusion when you go into a building.

Also perhaps explains my inability to be able to get along with LCD screens in bright sunlight.

But with the few inconveniences there is no way I would go back to cataracts.........life is brighter.......if a little dazzling

Bill UT

Just had the right eye done 10 days ago. I was really starting to have some difficulty seeing/reading focusing on just about anything.
The new lens and vision is remarkable! I am still working on getting the diopter set correctly.

Left eye next.

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

I had my cataract surgeries in 1991 and 92. You should really wear sunglasses even if you don't have cataracts yet. Excessive sunlight can speed up their development. That may be why mine had to be done so early (I was only 44). I have sinus problems and most sunglasses give me headaches from the pressure on the bridge of the nose. I eventually found a pair of ultra light weight ones.