Here’s a story with a beginning, a middle and a very happy ending.
My vision had slowly changed. Everything had become darker and duller and out of focus.
I knew what it was, I had cataracts and although I didn’t relish the idea, it was bad enough that I was ready to do something about it.
So a few days ago I was lying on a table, under a big sheet, in surgery, surrounded by people in pale green tops and pants, nets covering their hair and masks over their faces. 10 minutes for each eye. Yep, it was that fast. In well under an hour I was out, cataracts removed and brand new lenses in place.
On the morning before this was how the world looked.
And on the next, it looked like this.
Really. It was that dramatic. It was amazing. It is amazing. Everything so clear and clean and bright. The colors deep and subtle and rich. Tiny little details crisp and easily visible.
Wow and Wow and Wow again. Thank you modern medicine!
When my husband has his cataracts done, he could read the clock across the room, the first time he could see so well in nearly 60 years! It is indeed a medical miracle.
The clock across the room, the subtitles on my TV and the very best, not nearly so many lights needed as I sew.
My cataracts were done 27 years ago. The last couple of years I can tell there is crystallization recurring on the back capsule of both eyes – not enough to impede my sewing, reading, TV watching, driving – but in the not too distant future I will have to have laser surgery to clear up the back capsule. May be less likely to happen with new cataract techniques, I don’t know about that. But certainly for 27 years I’ve been thankful for my ability to do the sewing/quilting, knitting I love.
Medicine continues to improve! 27 years before your surgery my grandmother had her cataracts removed. For days after she had to lie in a dark room, completely still with sand bags holding her head in place so she couldn’t move! Can you imagine? Thank goodness with each year that goes by cataract surgery has gotten better and easier.
I’m sending many good wishes to you for your laser surgery!
I’m so glad you posted this, I also have cataracts and will need surgery maybe by the end of next year. Now I’m looking forward to it.
I am so happy I made the decision to do it! It is truly amazing.
Ann,
Had this done earlier this year. Shocked at the color difference — so notable as I had two weeks between eyes and could see the contrast so clearly between the two! And so glad I did it before a trip to Barcelona — I would’ve missed so much beautiful color!
Yes! I agree! On the next morning when I opened the shades in my bedroom I literally gasped at the clarity and brightness.
You’ve convinced me. I’ve got to do it! Thanks for the inspiration.
Wow, this is really wonderful news – not only because of your lovely art work, for which you need to be able to see clearly, but note how many people you have helped with this post!
Its an example of being a force for good in the world…..
ceci
Thank you Ceci! I am [as we are all] trying every day to be a force for good!
For everyone who is considering cataract surgery, my story is one more to add to the mix.
I felt born again! (My kind of born again, BTW.) I had mine done 20 or so years ago, one at a time. When I was home with my eye protector with its holes, I could see through them and see the leaves on the trees! Miraculous! I was working at a needlework shop at the time and found the yarn colors almost too bright sans cataracts.
So glad you had this done. With me it was so gradual that I didn’t know how bad mine were.
Yes! I totally relate to your story. I can’t stop saying it, everything is so bright and clear!