Interesting effect following cataract surgery (Page 6): When I had the first eye done, I noticed that blue bottles on my neighbor's window sill were strikingly blue. If I closed the...

KenY Loc: Glenside, Pa

skipwv wrote:

I had the first of two cataract surgeries yesterday and now notice that in the “new“ eye, colors seem brighter—not surprising—but also much cooler than in the other eye. The difference in color temp seems to be about 4000K or more between the two, obviously because the yellowish lens is now gone. Now I wonder if color photos I’ve processed recently look overcooked or color-shifted. Anyone else have similar experiences?

When I had the first eye done, I noticed that blue bottles on my neighbor's window sill were strikingly blue. If I closed the eye that was recently corrected, the bottles looked green.

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

Chemwood, who else but a photographer would describe his eyesight in f stops? You rock!

JBRIII

All this brings up the question of what the world really looks like, a subject of interest for me. Simple answer, it all depends on an organisms senses.
Part of the differences between people here might be when it was done.
Humans don't see UV because the lens absorbs it and turns yellow as a result. Young people can see a wavelength at 395 nm useful in solar astronomy, but by 40? few of us can. One artist had the lens removed and his older paintings show a harsh white light, UV. Apparently, early some lenses did not block UV and this effect was noted. So, the retina can detect UV, but it does not get thru normally, I doubt it is good for your retina. Finally, how much change occurs no doubt also depends on how bad your catracts were. Finally, on brain reactions, I had an astigmanism since childhood, but was told it had vanished. They removed the correction from my glasss, but had to put it back in as apparently my brain had adjusted for it.

Daniel E Loc: north Idaho

I definitely noticed much brighter and more saturated vision after cataract surgery. The problem I have now is floaters in one of my eyes. Common after surgery I am told, but bothersome, especially with computer work.

profbowman Loc: Harrisonburg, VA, USA

Judy795 wrote:

Yes I had my better eye done first. I could clear... (show quote)

With scar tissue showing up in numerous places on my retina, and the most noticeable areas being in the macular region, I can vouch for the fact that anything affecting one's retina will also influence our color perception. I would expect that a fixed detached retina would effrect one's color perception even after a new lens is in place. There is still bound to be some retinal distortion and holes. My ophthalmologist has suggested that the cataract in my worse eye be fixed as soon as I want to do it. I don't do a lot of acute "seeing" with that eye, but it definitely contributes to the peripheral vision I have, so I just need to do it. The lens in my better vision eye was replaced a decade or so ago. --Richard

In reference to someone not sensing the yellowish tint, I would definitely postulate that how quickly the cataract was repaired after being diagnosed will affect how significant the yellow tint has gotten.

JonTB Loc: Lake Frederick, VA

skipwv wrote:

I had the first of two cataract surgeries yesterday and now notice that in the “new“ eye, colors seem brighter—not surprising—but also much cooler than in the other eye. The difference in color temp seems to be about 4000K or more between the two, obviously because the yellowish lens is now gone. Now I wonder if color photos I’ve processed recently look overcooked or color-shifted. Anyone else have similar experiences?

Same for me. Had my right eye done. Have not had my left eye done yet. The other difference I notice is my laptop screen is not square. It is shorter on the left side than on the right side without glasses on. My reading glasses correct it, but then the right side is slightly shorter. I had a monofocal lens put in to correct for distance and will probably do the same for the left eye. Will be interesting to see what happens when I have the left eye done.

Wyc Loc: Nothern VA

I had cataract surgeries three months ago. The first thing that I noticed was things look much brighter for sure. I can not pinpoint of 4000k, but sky looks much cooler, like more bluish and my red jacket looks somewhat different color than what I used see. So I asked my doctor about color changes I experienced, he said it is real color, which you did not see before.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

GrannyAnnie wrote:

This result is called "chromatic aberration.&... (show quote)

I'm going to disagree with you using the term chromatic aberration which occurs when the different wavelengths of light come in they all don't focus on same point. As an astronomer for more than 30 yrs, one thing we look for with stars in telescopes is the chromatic abertation. It shows up as the object your looking for is white and you have slight color on each side and it's different colors due to the different wavelengths of light focusing different spots.
For astronomers there is some chat about different brands of lenses and some work for telescope people better then others. Most doctors like a particular brand and have more experience with them so tough to convince the doctor to use a lens he might not be familiar with. God forbid there is problem.
Very interesting thread

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

skipwv wrote:

I had the first of two cataract surgeries yesterday and now notice that in the “new“ eye, colors seem brighter—not surprising—but also much cooler than in the other eye. The difference in color temp seems to be about 4000K or more between the two, obviously because the yellowish lens is now gone. Now I wonder if color photos I’ve processed recently look overcooked or color-shifted. Anyone else have similar experiences?

Nope, may cataract surgery only affected focus, not color and had both done.

profbowman Loc: Harrisonburg, VA, USA

pithydoug wrote:

Nope, may cataract surgery only affected focus, not color and had both done.

Are you sure you are not referring to Lasik surgery which is done with a las --Richarder and corrects your natural lenses so that you do not generally have to wear glasses or contacts anymore? Cataracts on the other hand are blurriness in your natural lenses occurring usually over time as one ages. This is not correcte4d by laser treatment but by the removal of the old lens and the replacement with a new "manmade" lens.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

pithydoug wrote:

Nope, may cataract surgery only affected focus, not color and had both done.

I don't think you had cataract surgery either. Sounds like lasik. They would almost never do both eyes at once with cataracts

w00dy4012 Loc: Thalia, East Virginia

skipwv wrote:

I had the first of two cataract surgeries yesterday and now notice that in the “new“ eye, colors seem brighter—not surprising—but also much cooler than in the other eye. The difference in color temp seems to be about 4000K or more between the two, obviously because the yellowish lens is now gone. Now I wonder if color photos I’ve processed recently look overcooked or color-shifted. Anyone else have similar experiences?

Cataracts have a yellowish tint, like a warming filter. When they are replaced, the lens is clear.

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

bobforman wrote:

The brightness you're experiencing will subside rather quickly and you'll consider your new sight to be normal. I didn't notice a temperature change. What I have had difficulty with is getting the proper correction for computer work. Reading is no problem with 1.75 but something at arm's length takes some experimenting.

I had the same problem. Had to have computer glasses made for the distance of the monitor. Problem solved.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

bikinkawboy wrote:

…to get a good color match, you better call for your wife, mom, sister or even hire a hooker…

Ha! That reason to hire a pro I haven’t heard! ;). But whynot? Those girls are multi talented! Does the color match come as a free bonus or does it cost extra?

StanSNY Loc: Port chester ny

My lenses (from cataract surgery) are slightly tinted blue. That's for UV filtering. I asked when it was done if it would have an impact on my vision re color and was told no. I certainly do not use UV (blue tinted) glasses.

Check with your doctor re the lenses that have been used