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Ricky D
Trad climber
Sierra Westside
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Topic Author's Original Post - Sep 8, 2010 - 10:12pm PT
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Here's the deal - for the better part of a year my right eye has felt like I am looking through the fat end of a dirty glass bottle. Finally broke down and visited the eye doc who says I have the beginning stages of solar induced cataracts.
However, he also tells me that he won't cut the sucker out until it "thickens" sufficiently (?- WTF -?).
So, since doc is blaming this on my youthful insistence on skiing, climbing and generally farting around at various high and sunny altitudes - I figure that someone among the collective is (a) also an old fart, (b) spent mucho time in the sun and (c) has or has had cataracts.
If you have - what advice would you proffer? Is the doc accurate about waiting until they harden or is he just busy this month and is blowing me off?
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JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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Generally, opthalmalogists won't remove a cataract until it "ripens" or thickens. Why, I don't know.
I had cataracts removed in both eyes about ten years ago. I was 49 and considered a "pediatric" patient.
The operation is painless and quick. I could see better as soon as I got into the recovery room than I could see with glasses before that.
John
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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I had both of my eyes operated on for cataracts in late 2007. I have spent a huge amount of time outdoors during my life, skiing, climbing, fishing, backpacking, and working outdoors as a rancher since 1996. Many opthamologists are reluctant to operate as long as you can still see ANYTHING! My argument was that since I was still working in a laboratory as a polymer chemist and using a microscope daily, my vision was sufficiently degraded that I couldn't do my job effectively. This was called a "clear lens cataract operation." Go to a different doctor and get another opinion. I now have 20/20 with both eyes and pass my FAA flight physical with realtive ease virtue of the replacement lenses.
It is a very easy surgery to withstand; you walk in half blind, and walk out with near-perfect vision. The sedation/anaesthesia is great. No problems at all from my experience. Go for it.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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I had the operation done last February on my right eye... it was very depressing before and unbelievably great afterwards!...
here are two contributions to Melissa's "Wear your sunglasses!" thread:
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=916888&msg=1085782#msg1085782
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=916888&msg=1086501#msg1086501
I posted for advice as you have and got a great call one night from Crowley who was utterly enthusiastic about the surgery... Thanks for the call! I was going to do it, but that stoke definitely helped abate any anxiety.
The day of my surgery I was scheduled for 2:30pm, went into prep at 2:40pm and was in the car (with Debbie driving) at 4:30pm...
basically they numb the eye... and keep giving you great drugs to make you feel calm
they wheel you in, tell you not to move AT ALL! and if you have to move to signal them
then they insert their ultrasonic pulverizer and suck out your old lens bits
finally they insert the new lens and unfold it
the incision is tiny, so they just make sure that you're not leaking and you're done
The difference is amazing, the first week is sorta like walking around stoned on some hallucinogen, the scenes are brighter, the color more vivid and in better focus... you've got to do various eye drops after the surgery for a while to prevent inflammation, infection, etc...
and wear the "fly's eye" at night so you don't sleep on it before it's all healed up...
...I'd recommend getting it done as soon as you can!
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Ricky D
Trad climber
Sierra Westside
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 8, 2010 - 11:36pm PT
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Thanks all - I am particularly intrigued by the idea of having clear and concise vision - for over a year I have been writing off the fuzzies as just another dubious gift that comes from getting older.
To realize that there is a solution to this is exciting.
Thanks again - Rick
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justthemaid
climber
Jim Henson's Basement
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Good luck wit the surgery Rick.
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Regarding the drugs they use: you are "asleep but rousable" was how they explained it to me. I was highly paranoid about ANYONE coming at my eyes with surgical instruments before the 1st operation. The second eye was a "piece of cake!" I couldn't wait to get it done.
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