True story with no embellishments and nothing of significance left out, including some colorful language.
Timeline.
Perhaps five years ago:
I learned that I have a cataract in my right eye. At the time my ophthalmologist, Dr. Jackson, said it wasn’t bad enough to warrant cataract surgery but at some point it would need to be done.
Thursday of this week:
I was puttering around in my kitchen when I felt something get into my right eye. At the time I had my reading glasses on so I was surprised that something got into my eye, but it did. That eye was irritated for the rest of the evening.
Friday:
By noon the next day my eye was still sore and quite irritated so I called Dr. Jackson’s office for an appointment. Thankfully he took me in almost immediately. I was relieved to not have to go through the weekend with my eye feeling like it did. He never did find anything in my eye (it feels mostly better now) but he told me that the cataract in that eye had quickly become much worse. He said that he rates cataracts on a scale from 1-4, where 4 is the worst, and mine was a definite 4. He recommended cataract surgery relatively soon.
I was in no rush. In the back of my mind I decided to do some research on cataract surgery and ‘probably’ get around to having it done at some point in the future. Or maybe not. After all, I seemed to be coping. Life went on.
Saturday (yesterday):
I made a birding trip to the west desert, in part to check up on the nesting Great Horned Owls I’ve been following in recent weeks. I was hoping the chick(s) would still be there, but half-expecting them to be fledged and already gone. I arrived at their cliff nest soon after dawn and the nest was empty. I was hugely disappointed but I fired off two quick photos of the nest, just in case I could see something in the photos later that I hadn’t noticed through my viewfinder.
That afternoon, after I got home and was reviewing my photos on my computer’s big screen, the first words out of my mouth when I looked at the first photo of the nest were “I’ll be a son of a bitch!”
An adult (probably the female) and one of the chicks were right next to the nest but I hadn’t seen them in the field, even though I was looking hard for them. I have to use my bad right eye to look through my viewfinder (they don’t make left handed cameras).
To be fair, with their cryptic plumage against that cliff they’re very well camouflaged but still, I simply cannot believe I didn’t see them. In my mind I was positive they weren’t there.
Here’s a full frame (uncropped) version of the same photo to show you exactly what was in my viewfinder.
It hurts even more to realize that it’s very possible that there were more chicks that were ‘branching’ somewhere on the cliff and maybe even the other adult owl. And I just drove away, thinking there were no owls anywhere nearby.
Next week, barring potential complications, it’s my intention to get the cataract surgery ball rolling. I wonder how many other wonderful opportunities I’ve missed in the past because I’m damn-near blind in my “shooting eye”.
Ron
PS – I’d be interested in knowing any positives and/or negatives my readers may have experienced with cataract surgery.
Can’t add anything beyond what has been said about the surgery. So enjoyable to see mama and the branchling — glad you went ahead and fired off a few.
“glad you went ahead and fired off a few.”
That’s my habit, Marty. You might be surprised how often shots like this end up to be… enlightening. For unexpected reasons.
Lots of input you’re getting! Here’s an interesting story, from long ago…before the techniques and lenses now used were as perfected! Our friend Don had the operation and discovered an outstanding “side-effect”! He could now see into the ultraviolet range of colors! Being a botanist studying and cultivating flowering plants meant he could suddenly see what insects and birds saw: the ultraviolet patterns in flowers that directed the pollinators to the nectar now stood out to him! He had a blast with his new ability! But, alas, that was not supposed to happen. The lenses they had put in were, in fact, defective, and his eyes were not being protected from UV as was normal for humans! He had to get them replaced. But, as the story goes, he went back in kicking and bucking at the loss of his fun!
Dang, that’s quite a story Barbara. Leave it to a scientist to have a reservations about going back in a situation like that.
Reminds me of Madam Curie, who was well aware of at least some of the dangers she faced in her research. The first symptom of her exposure to radiation was double cataracts. Yet she went on.
I had a cataract removed in one eye and a year later had a cataract removed in the other eye. Before the second one was removed, it was interesting to note the dramatic difference in the color of objects when looking first with one eye and then the other. Put me in the “Should have done it earlier” group.
David, I’m pretty confident that I’ll soon be in that same group – another thing we share.
Both my eyes had cataracts that were bad enough to merit replacement lenses. I’m very happy with the results. I still need reading glasses and a bit of correction for double vision so I am still wearing glasses, but seeing better. It had gotten to the point that I was thinking I had outgrown my Rx within a couple of months of getting new glasses. The hardest part what deciding which lens to get. I decided to go with distant focus in both eyes. I wasn’t eligible for multifocus due to the double vision. My opthamologist also discouraged the idea of one near and one far focus since I didn’t have prior experience with dealing with that.
“The hardest part was deciding which lens to get”
Linda, I’m thinking that will likely be a difficult decision for me too. But at this point I’m leaning toward cheap and simple. I’m used to wearing glasses anyway.
My only experience is after my mother had hers done. She was a world champion complainer. The only thing she found to complain about was that she should have had it done sooner.
Go for it.
And thanks for the owls. I had to look twice to see them though. Not cataracts. Another MS treat.
That’s encouraging. Thanks, EC. I think I will.
Most of my friends and acquaintances are well into our eighth decade. The warm-up conversations at group gatherings often center on health issues and recent “procedures”. A friend calls these medical chats “organ recitals”.
For what it’s worth mine goes something like this…last November I had the cataracts removed from both eyes on the same day. Had I been left with no other choice the immediate improvement was good enough that I could have driven myself home safely 45 minutes after the surgery. I didn’t—and DO NOT recommend it—but that’s how big I found the instant result to be. The biggest discomfort I experienced was the insertion of an IV line in my wrist before the surgery. The two weeks of follow-up precautions were a cakewalk and the vivid colors—without psychedelics—were a big bonus as others here have pointed out.
Don’t hesitate. Get it done sooner rather than later. Do the research particularly with regard to implant lens choices given your photography interests. Your ophthalmologist should be your best source of up to date intel on those options. But be aware that anything beyond the “standard” implants will be at a significant added cost.
Just for laughs 😉 two weeks after the cataract removal I had a total left hip replacement. I’d had no major surgeries prior to these. Like you I was moderately anxious about both…especially doing them so close together. Total recovery from the hip has taken some months but on the day of the surgery I walked into the center on my own at 4:30 am and walked back into my home—under my own power with assistance from Jerry Atric (my trusty two wheel walker)—just before 4 pm. Jerry and I parted ways less than a week later though I still rely on a cane as I await the second hip replacement.
I’m sure your experience with major back surgery was much more challenging—mentally and physically, both before and after— than mine for a gimpy hip. So my bet is you will tolerate the cataract experience far better than a visit to the dentist for a cleaning.
I found the best organ recitals to be the pep talks and not the complications rants. Yes, a lot can go wrong during and after surgical procedures but keep in mind that—statistically—cataract removal has something between a 95-98% no complications success rate; the highest of any common surgery.
Jim, I literally guffawed at “organ recitals”. “Jerry Atric” wasn’t bad either. I have a Jerry sitting in my extra bedroom that I only used for the first few hours after my spinal fusion. After that we became strangers again.
Your entire comment was enlightening and entertaining. Thanks very much.
Hi Ron, I have an interesting story from a now-passed amazing moth painter that I met through the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (GNSI) when I was very involved with that organization. Dr John Cody had had a career as a medical doctor, but his pastime was painting moths: LARGE moth paintings, so that the organism he was painting was maybe 18-20″ long, and he was a very gifted and genial fellow member of the organization. After he had his cataracts replaced, and he looked at his paintings that were still in his home, he told people he was going to have to re-do them ALL! They were all way “off” in terms of the color! His eyes had been misleading him for years, he decided, and the change had been so gradual that he was not able to counteract the issue.
I have not had the procedure done myself, but as Dan noted earlier, he had this done in 2013. The week in between the two eyes’ procedures was awful, I will confirm… He was super grouchy! But, for many years afterwards, he was very happy he had had it done!
Barbara, as far as I can tell, my perception of color in that eye hasn’t been affected but I may be surprised after I have the surgery done. Just like Dr. Cody was.
I strongly recommend it. I had it done many years ago and I’m so glad I did. My eyes are very, very bad now but that’s completely different issues, mostly swelling and damage from the leukemia. At the time the improvement was very dramatic. I didn’t realize how much of an issue it was until it was done. Point sources of light like headlights had become starburst patterns and had begun to really bother me. After the surgery, not only was that corrected but the world was much brighter and more colorful. The eyes were done 2 weeks apart so I could close one eye and see the difference. I didn’t realize how yellow the world had become. The 2 weeks between surgeries was not fun. The eyes were so different it was hard to adjust but after both had been done it was so much better. I had a choice of having correction for distance or close. I was told that some people do one eye corrected for distance and the other for close work. I didn’t think I wanted that so I chose distance. I don’t mind wearing glasses for close work because I worn glasses since I was six years old. I don’t know why I put it off so long because it was such an improvement. I sure wish I had those eye back now.
I wish you had those eyes back now too, Dan. I can imagine how frustrating your present vision is for you but you seem to be dealing with your situation very well.
Ron, I had cataract surgery in both eyes in 2018. The worst eye was done one month before a birding trip to Cuba, so I really wanted to be able to see better. The comments about the eye drops are true. I was still having to administer drops. Shortly after putting drops in my eye, the guide spotted a Bee Hummingbird (one of the smallest hummer in the world). We stopped and jumped out, but my eye was so fuzzy from the drops, that I couldn’t see that tiny bird well. As you can imagine, I was really upset. Luckily, we later stopped at a small farm where there were known to have Bee hummers at the feeders there. While we were there, a beautiful male flew right up to me and hovered in front of my face! I was redeemed!
I’m glad you eventually clearly saw the bee hummer, Marian.
Easy-peasy, Ron, and you will smack yourself upside the head… “Why didn’t I do this sooner?“ Personal opinion: Don’t bother with the fancy stuff; the simple route will probably serve you quite well. And you will be amazed. The fall colors next fall will be awesome. The only downside is… What was that neighbor down the street thinking when he painted his house THAT color? Good luck with whatever you decide!
“you will smack yourself upside the head”
Won’t be the first time, Ellen. That seems to be a habit with me. 🙂
I’m not a big fan of surgery of any kind ,but after having cataract surgery
on one eye , I promptly scheduled the procedure for the other eye . That was 7 years ago and I still see perfectly . I still do not need glasses . Go for it !
Laurel, I can only hope for such positive results. As I say in bird photography, “maybe I’ll get lucky”.
I have no personal experience with cataract surgery other than watching my mother’s many years ago. My sister and I viewed the procedure on a TV screen while Mom was undergoing surgery. I didn’t have a problem with it but my sister didn’t enjoy it LOL.
As part of your research, consider whether you want a blue-blocking intraocular lens. Blue light is important to human circadian rhythms. https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/back-forth-controversy-on-blue-filtering-iols.
As a photographer, you may have needs that aren’t common to the general population.
Thanks for mentioning blue-blocking intraocular lenses, Linda. I’d never heard of them. Boy, do I have a lot of research to do.
I did both eyes two weeks apart 3 years ago – went fine. NO correction – I’ve never minded wearing glasses. The primary thing I wanted to share is the ‘in-between’ … i.e., after the first one was done, the difference in COLOR VISION between the two was amazing. I could shut the not-yet-done eye, and it was like being on an acid trip, the colors were so vibrant with just the ‘new’ eye open… I would sit and look out the window opening and closing the not-yet-done eye … Once the other eye was done, I’m sure there was way more color in my world but it wasn’t as noticeable without the comparison.
Thanks, Louise. See my reply to Nancy below regarding how I’ve tried to check for loss of color perception in my ‘bad’ eye. I assume it’s a reliably accurate method but I don’t know that for fact.
I think we had this conversation a few years ago when you first learned you had cataracts. I mentioned that I was glad I had the surgery because water no longer looked brown – cataracts really can affect your color perception. The hardest thing about the procedure are the eye drops you have to administer (I think both before and after, maybe just after, can’t quite recall). The procedure goes quickly, over before you know it and you have no sensation of anyone coming near your eye. When I opened my “first” eye afterwards, it was like a hazy veil had been lifted and everything was crystal clear. I was amazed! After all the back surgeries and related issues you have been through, this will be nothing at all, much, much easier than a visit to a dentist.
“much, much easier than a visit to a dentist”
Very good to know, Nancy.
When I close one eye and then the other I don’t notice any difference in color perception. But the difference in visual acuity is dramatic.
My vision was like Yuriko’s–“coke-bottle bottoms” glasses from
3rd grade onward, until contact lenses were an improvement of
sorts. I CAN’T TELL YOU HOW THRILLED I’ve been with the cataract surgery results ! I only had the basic lenses implanted, and
only a correction for far distance ( which I’d never been able to see, all of my life ). I now use “readers” for near work. Recovery was swift and painless– I’m happy to recommend it to you !
“I’m happy to recommend it to you.”
And I’m happy, very happy, to get your recommendation, Kris.
I have been near sighted my whole life and also have amblyopia so occasionally see double. I opted for distance vision in my “good” eye and a mid in the one I don’t use much. I love having 20/20 distance vision and don’t mind using reading glasses. I can buy cheap sunglasses and using binoculars without my glasses is wonderful. I had the surgery as soon as I qualified and even at that level of correction the change in colors and brightness was wonderful!
Catherine, thanks for that very useful feedback.
Pretty amazing the difference between what your camera saw and what your eye saw! It seems like you are getting good advice from your followers. No personal experience, but everyone I talk to who has had it done is amazed with the results. 😊
Your last sentence is good to know, Carolyn.
I wore bifocals all the time for many years so when my cataracts got bad enough to be operated on I opted for corrective lenses as well. As someone said, they were not covered by my insurance, just the surgery and ‘basic’ lenses if I had gotten those. My mistake was letting him put a near and far lens in one eye and a far lens in the other due to a small problem there, which I have never noticed. My brain has not adapted well to different lenses, and I have trouble reading. The near and far lens is great. I think if I had spent a little more money I could have gotten x-ray vision.
Mike, I appreciate your remarks about the different types of lenses. Decisions, decisions…
Am scheduled to have my right eye done (at a 4) this coming Friday and my left eye on the 20th. Tired of living in a greyish, fuzzy world. My sister had both of her eyes done last year and is amazed at the difference. She had worn glasses all of her life and now only has to use a pair for close reading. She had no problems at all after the surgery. I’m hoping for the same results!
I wish you the best results, Shirley – both times. Thanks for the feedback.
You may be given the option of 20/20 vision with the lenses to be implanted, From my experience, I would have the same visual acuity implants as your current vision acuity. The 20/20 vision post cataract surgery works for stuff 8 to 10 feet away. I have “reading glasses” on a string so I can see up close. I remove the glasses 20 to 30 times per day as I go from near to far work. Before surgery, I would put on may glasses in the AM and remove them at night.
Good luck, you will see more than, maybe, you should.
Thanks, Richard. You’ve given me some things to think about. And to ask about as I’m preparing for this.
My husband had both done, and had good results. a friend did have some problems with the lens implant not staying in place. She was able to get it taken care of, but it was scary. Majority of people have no problems. My Dr. told me I need not worry for 10 years.
“My Dr. told me I need not worry for 10 years.”
I could live with that, Jo.
No Cataracts, but strabismus in my right eye as a child left me legally blind in that eye. I have always looked through viewfinders with my left eye only and never even knew it wasn’t supposed to be that way. Anyway, I have an R5 and hope you can try using your left eye until you get the surgery. Good luck and I’m so glad you took a few pics anyway so you know you can go back and find them again. And we get to see them!
Ann, I don’t think I could adapt to using my left eye with my viewfinder. But I guess if/when I get to that point I’ll find out for sure.
Definitely go for it. I wore glasses for 50 years. I was extremely near-sided and my astigmatism was really bad. I had the surgery 6 years ago, one week apart. I had lenses put in that my insurance didn’t cover so it was a bit expensive. I had to wear a cover at night so I wouldn’t rub my eyes and accidentally displace the lense. The surgery was a piece of cake. I had them done at the Moran Eye Center, so there was a group of students watching. Now I can read billboards that were blurred before. I do have to wear reading glasses for small print.
Yuriko, one of the decisions I have to make is deciding if I’ll have Moran do it, or Dr. Jackson. At this point I’m torn.
I had mine done at Moran, and I highly recommend it.
Very interesting Ron. I saw the Owls immediately in the photo you shot and would have seen the same if I was there there with you. I am 86 and have not had surgery yet. I have an outstanding ophthalmologist Dr. Mortenson, who at each annual check up always says maybe next year Everett, you’re not quite there yet. My next appointment is coming up this summer so we shall see if I am ready. The eyesight is good, now if I could only hear. 🙂 🙂
Wishing you successful surgery when you do get it.
Everett, thankfully my hearing is quite good. Except for some of the high ranges. For example, I can’t hear Cedar Waxwings calling when others I’m with can.
I have not had the surgery, but both my parents did and they were pleased with the outcome. Seems to be a very safe procedure with good outcomes.
Today’s lesson is, cataracts or not, sighting birds against a background for which they are suitably camouflaged requires a careful closer look. You never know what you might be missing.
“You never know what you might be missing”
That’s for darn sure, Michael. Or what you’ve missed in the past.
Go for it. You’ll be amazed, and wonder why you waited. It’s a piece of cake. You’ll notice immediate improvement. The perfect vision takes a few months to actually become perfect. You probably have been reduced in depth perception with one eye so bad… PS, Love your blog and have recommended it to many friends…
Thank you, Gail. What you and others have said gave me confidence I didn’t have before. With just a few reservations…
I had both eyes done a couple of weeks apart, 10 years ago. Results were brilliant, almost immediately I could see clearly again. 20/20 in one eye, 20/15 in the other. The first surgery, I will admit, was scary. The second was much much easier because I knew what to expect.
P.S. I still use reading glasses. . .
Thanks, Sue. That’s why I’m asking for feedback, so I know better “what to expect”.
TOO funny tho not….. 😉 Happens so gradually one doesn’t realize how bad it really is plus being just the one eye.
I had mixed results as they didn’t get the astigmatism corrected particularly in my dominant eye (I’m cross dominant) so glasses are still in order. I also was quite near-sighted and went for distance which, still wearing glasses, isn’t always the greatest. Joe on the other hand and great results on one eye and was amazed at what he wasn’t seeing and the colors he’d been missing. The other was so, so but he’d had a previously torn retina in that eye so……. One of my sisters got the “bifocal” set up and wasn’t impressed with that tho it hasn’t interfered with her photography. Others I’ve known have had great results. Suspect “expectations” have something to do with it.
Get it done, you won’t regret it. 🙂
Thanks, Judy. I very much appreciate the detailed description of your experience and that of others.
I had my right eye done a year ago and was amazed at the difference. My doctor told me that mine were a 3 and there was no need for surgery yet. But I had noticed a rapid decline in my vision in that eye so I asked to move forward anyway. I was amazed at what a difference it made. I would recommend it before it’s a 4 for people like us that need the best vision possible.
Thanks very much for relating your experience, Steve. The thought of a scalpel in my eye gives me the heebie jeebies.
You won’t feel a thing, and it happens really fast! And the colors you see while it’s being done are psychedelic!