The Rx is for distance (the movement of the lens provides intermediate and near vision) and apparently can’t be exact – it goes in .5 increments (.5 of what I don’t understand, yet) – so whichever way the 1st one is off, the 2nd one can compensate for (I know it’s a preposition, but I’m in a hurry).
Intermediate Vision
As for intermediate vision, on waking up in the middle of the night I can read the illuminated clock without scrunching up my face into a huge squint. And I can read the bathroom scale (Sue said, “Well, that’s not a benefit) and I can read my watch, all without glasses.
I guess I should say “glass” because the left lens (in my glasses) was removed. I can use the computer now without glasses, and one of these days I’m going to try the piano again.
Near Vision
Near vision is getting better all the time. I was not supposed to read for the first week (which was really difficult) and then start reading to exercise the ciliary muscles and train them to move the lens. After 3 weeks, I found out that I wasn’t doing it correctly.
I was reading a lot but holding the page where I could see it comfortably. I should have been moving it closer to force the muscles to work. As soon as I started doing that, the change was dramatic. Apparently, the lens had been just sitting there, and moving the page closer jarred it loose and made the muscles move it. I can now read very small print easily.
It’s rather disconcerting having one good eye and one bad one (or one bad corrected one). Television is a little better with the right eye corrected, as is the distance in general. But if I’m wearing my glasses when using intermediate vision, like cooking, I find I’m looking through the top half of the bifocal with my chin down on my chest – until I realize what I’m doing and take them off.
Disadvantages of Cataract Surgery (Two Complaints)
- Bags under my eyes that I didn’t know I had! The lower rims of my glasses hid them before, and when I took the glasses off and looked in the mirror, everything was in very soft focus and kind of blurry, so I couldn’t see the bags. Now I can see them, and I guess I’ll have to do something about that! Reminds me of the old limerick:
As a beauty, I’m not a great star
There are others more handsome by far
But my face, I don’t mind it
Because I’m behind it
It’s the folks out in front that I jar. - I keep losing my glasses (glass). I’m doing so much now without them that I keep putting them down somewhere, and then scrambling around looking for them when I occasionally do want to use them. This (minor) problem should disappear when the 2nd eye is done.
Side Effects of Having Cataract Surgery
I had a “scratchy eye” problem a week and a half after the surgery, and, of course, it was on a Saturday night (like plumbing leaks and furnaces that quit). It really hurt!!
I called the answering service and a technician called me back right away and solved the problem (took about 3 days for the scratchiness to completely disappear). I guess it was a dry spot.
It helps a great deal to have an ophthalmologist, optometrist, and whole staff that you trust and like, which I have. They’re all super-friendly, cheerful, and, most important, knowledgeable, and helpful. And they put up with my never-ending questions (no comments from you, Fran!).
I’ve never been a medical guinea pig type, but I’m glad I took a chance on being Dr. Alward’s first Crystalens patient. Actually, it’s the same surgery that he’s done 25,000 times, just a different lens and slightly larger incision. All this after-stuff is different, of course, and I guess we’re all learning together, but if it all keeps going this well, I don’t mind at all being a “practice patient”.
So that’s how it stands, up to this point. After the 2nd one is done on Halloween I’ll send another update.
IN A BLINK OF AN EYE
Cataract surgery might seem scary, especially as we get older. We know that no matter how small a procedure might be, it always has a risk. However, the rewards of fixing your vision are definitely worth it. Over 98% of all cataract procedures are successful, so don’t be scared! The odds are in your favor. Procedures are no longer as intrusive as they were in our youth. Medical technology has advanced so much in the last few years, that your cataract procedure will be over in a blink of an eye.
Suddenly Trivia Answer
- e) all of the above
- b) 150 million
- c) work
