It’s good to see that so many on this forum appreciate the position of the small business owner.
But some of you don’t have a clue about ethics.
I’m an optometrist and the owner of an optical shop. Not unlike the owners of those disappearing brick and mortar camera shops. We generally can’t compete with the big box stores or on line merchants on price.
But we do offer somethings that they can’t like expert advice and hands on opportunity. Maintaining an inventory, paying rent , insurance and staff , is not free folks.
If you come in and get prices fine, take that price and shop around.
But if you get advice or play with the gear then either you are a person of principle or you are not.
As an optometrist in practice for 38 years, I wanted to give my professional opinion.
* Cataracts are "ripe" when they are ready for surgery but ripe is a relative term, it's different for each individual. A small opacity (cataract) may be ready for surgery if the patient is symptomatic, where a larger opacity may not be ready if the patient is asymptomatic.
* When cataracts are removed vision is corrected with implanted lenses in one of 3 ways, both eyes for far vision, one eye for near and the other for far (called mono vision) or with lenses that correct near and far which is gaining popularity over the past several years.
* In my experience if your main interest is the best,sharpest vision possible then both eyes corrected for far vision is the best option.( you will need reading glasses.)
* If you absolutely hate wearing glasses and are willing to compromise clarity a bit then consider the other two options.
* About 50% of those that try mono-vision adapt very well but 50% do not.
We usually do a trial with contact lenses before the cataract surgery to see if the patient can adapt.
* The newer near/far lenses are getting better and gaining in popularity but in my opinion the sharpest vision is still with the first option.
* Typically surgeries are done 2 weeks apart.
* The success rate of cataract surgery is very high,as several Hogs have noted, with quick recovery, good vision and only the inconvenience of using drops for a short time.
Good luck Zuzanne, I'm confident you will do well with your procedures.
Thank you all for such a warm welcome .
I look forward to posting when I gain confidence in my work
I've been listening in for sometime and learning so much that I decided to become a member. Never more than an amature with a Pentax SLR in the 70's and 80's . Then after a 27 year hiatus I thought I'd like to try photography again. I feel fortunate to have discovered this forum. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. Mitch from NH.