Lasers and Eyes

[Mendalla]

So, the conventional wisdom is that you don't shine a laser in your eye. However, there are exceptions to that, namely laser eye surgery. So, some lucky doctor gets to violate conventional wisdom and shine a laser in my eye.

Why, you ask? Well, rather than getting my cataracts done in hospital, I am getting it done at the local laser eye centre. Which means I am also getting my lenses replaced with premium intraocular lenses that may reduce or eliminate some of my need for glasses. I have been wearing glasses, including fairly thick, heavy left lenses, for close to 50 years now so that will be quite a change if this goes as well as they claim. At the very least, losing the f-ing cataracts will fix my current vision, which looks rather like being out in a heavy fog if I close my good eye (left is much worse than the right).

It's another example of how this s-f fan finds himself living in an s-f world. Maybe not quite the s-f world that people wrote about in classic s-f, but definitely a world that has been transformed, for both better and worse, by science and technology. Laser eye surgery and premium IOLs fall under the better part, by the way.

So, the ape may be scarce for a bit next week depending on how things go but, fear not, it's all so I can keep seeing the world.

 

[Seeler]

congratulations Mandela – I had my cataracts removed and my lenses replaced to counter my nearsightedness over 10 years ago. Very happy with the results. Hope all goes well for you.

 

[Mendalla]

congratulations Mandela – I had my cataracts removed and my lenses replaced to counter my nearsightedness over 10 years ago. Very happy with the results. Hope all goes well for you.

Thanks Seeler. Glad to hear yours went well. Gives me some confidence.

 

[Carolla]

The men in my family have the bad eyes - the younger is contemplating corrective laser ... but still just contemplating. I look forward to hearing more about your experience Mendalla & have faith that all will go well.

 

[ChemGal]

Hope it goes well and discomfort is minimal.

 

[Luce NDs]

I've been waiting for almost 2 years for primary visit to the specialist ... no end in sight!

Also expect a very long wait for cardiac valve care ... perhaps long enough to be driving up Daisy and her likes!

Yet the RVng media and supporters in governing try to express there is nothing wrong ... conservatives support this perspective ... here in NB a new book is soon to be released on the NB Coma ... after the break all will be quiet! Totalitarian overkill ... and the saying is about our enemy? It is within ...

 

[Mendalla]

I've been waiting for almost 2 years for primary visit to the specialist ... no end in sight!

Had I gone with doing it in hospital, I would have gone about a year from diagnosis to treatment. With cataracts, if you're will to go for laser surgery rather than traditional phacoemulsification, you have options outside the system since Ontario, at least, does not fund laser yet.

Not sure what condition you are dealing with but, yeah, there's some seriously messed up wait times in Ontario, too, for some procedures. Which, of course, the private hospitals in Detroit and Buffalo are more than happy to help with. Anyone who thinks we don't have two tier medicine doesn't live near the border. People with money (and I'm not talking billionaires here, anyone with a six figure income can probably manage it) always have the option to queue jump by going stateside.

 

[Luce NDs]

Had I gone with doing it in hospital, I would have gone about a year from diagnosis to treatment. With cataracts, if you're will to go for laser surgery rather than traditional phacoemulsification, you have options outside the system since Ontario, at least, does not fund laser yet.

Not sure what condition you are dealing with but, yeah, there's some seriously messed up wait times in Ontario, too, for some procedures. Which, of course, the private hospitals in Detroit and Buffalo are more than happy to help with. Anyone who thinks we don't have two tier medicine doesn't live near the border. People with money (and I'm not talking billionaires here, anyone with a six figure income can probably manage it) always have the option to queue jump by going stateside.

Imagine the disposal of those people barely making 4 figure income ... here in NB many say these people are useless ... and then we wonder how they got to be useless? The answer is complex and the upper crust does not like sophisticated process a... the rule is keep it simple!

Look what we've got and declare there is no comic tragedy ... when the bS say care and cherish the neighbour ... mostly they are geared to just shafting them ... skewering goes on in the great roast --- some Weasel!

 

[KayTheCurler]

I couldn't see any meaningful improvement after having cataracts removed. Things looked a wee bit brighter - but I still couldn't read without powerful magnifying glasses, or read road signs at a decent distance. Inserting lenses wasn't considered a worthwhile option because of
other eye problems. However, most people seem to be happy with the procedure. Go for it!

 

[BetteTheRed]

I've been in avoidance mode about my eyes but will have to get on top of it. I don't know how much the glaucoma has progressed, but there's some definite fogginess indicating cataracts as well. Hate my eyes. They've plagued me my entire life. I'm legally blind in my left eye, they keep talking about trifocals...

 

[Luce NDs]

It is said the third eye is the diabolical one ...

 

[jimkenney12]

My wife had eye surgery about five years ago for cataracts in both eyes with the premium lenses inserted. The surgery went well and she now only needs glasses for reading and sewing.

 

[JayneWonders]

Hope that things are going well for you @Mendalla

 

[Jill]

Mendalla, I hope your laser surgery gives the results you expect and quickly.

Your post interests me very much. Last year my optometrist repeated once again that I will have to have cataract surgery some day and the need is becoming more evident. She was ready to book the appointment then and there but I stalled. Someone had already described to me very vividly how the surgery is done and I needed time to psych myself up for this type of operation under only a general anaesthetic. Probably this year I will let her go ahead and make the booking. As the time gets closer, I know I will be under stress and will be traumatized by the thought. I will also look into options such as you have done. Shudder.

 

[Mendalla]

Mendalla, I hope your laser surgery gives the results you expect and quickly.

Your post interests me very much. Last year my optometrist repeated once again that I will have to have cataract surgery some day and the need is becoming more evident. She was ready to book the appointment then and there but I stalled. Someone had already described to me very vividly how the surgery is done and I needed time to psych myself up for this type of operation under only a general anaesthetic. Probably this year I will let her go ahead and make the booking. As the time gets closer, I know I will be under stress and will be traumatized by the thought. I will also look into options such as you have done. Shudder.

First off, don't delay. I was not told the true severity of my left cataract (they said it was a 3 out of 5, *snort*) and the surgeon had a hell of a time with it. The sooner you get them done, the easier it is.

Mine was under a local only, not even sedation. They will give oral Atavan to relax you (I'll avail myself of that next time after stupidly saying I didn't need it). I believe that if it is done in hospital, they do use sedation.

Not sure what the situation is where you are, but to get it done funded in a hospital around here you're looking at up to a year just for the consult, then a couple more months after that for the surgery (and that was before Omicron threw our system into chaos again). Would have been too late for me. I went with premium lenses and laser surgery at a clinic down the road from my place, which means I got it done a lot sooner and got my myopia and astigmatism fixed at the same time. But there's no OHIP coverage for doing cataracts that way and even my insurance will cover a tiny portion. So if you go that route, you need $$$$.

 

[Jill]

Thanks, your comments are appreciated. For sure I will take Atavan or whatever they are offering. I will also take a couple of nerf balls to squeeze if I am not allowed to take a family member with me to hold my hand.

 

[Mendalla]

Thanks, your comments are appreciated. For sure I will take Atavan or whatever they are offering. I will also take a couple of nerf balls to squeeze if I am not allowed to take a family member with me to hold my hand.

Actually, the laser clinic had those on hand. Probably good to bring your own just in case, though.

 

[Davyc]

All good wishes for a fast recovery and one that will be well worth the effort - be seeing ya, or should that be you seeing me

 

[Waterfall]

Hope things go well....can you see any difference yet?

 

[KayTheCurler]

Thanks, your comments are appreciated. For sure I will take Atavan or whatever they are offering. I will also take a couple of nerf balls to squeeze if I am not allowed to take a family member with me to hold my hand.

I had mine done without any problems at all. The eye area was completely without feeling. I used the time to do meditative breathing.'