Cataracts....

Sir,
I'm going in for the cataract procedure tomorrow. The biggest problem to date has been keeping all the mundane appointments while still a long-haul-truck-driver...

Today, I started putting 3 different drops in my left eye and they want me to do this 4 times today and for the next week.
It will start for me 9 a.m. tomorrow, I will post after when I can trying to keep "Drama" to a minimum.

I will add for Novelties Sake: I turn age 60 in a couple of weeks-I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd live this long but now that I have- I'm convinced I should have lived a wee-bit-faster... j/k < Grateful to still be here...

 

Enjoy your new eyes when you get that patch off. Keep in mind there will be abnormal light source related imagery until that lens itself settles in place forever and ever. Maybe two weeks if that.

 

Well, Sir,
I'm told to report to the Hospital at 9: a.m. to do the preliminary "stuff" before the scheduled surgery at 10:30 a.m. -
B.P. Check
Questions asked I've answered at least 3 times before, Medicines taking, prior surgeries, heart attacks, any metal in me, diabetic, etc...
Then the nurse dropped 4-5 different drops in the eye being dealt with and put in an I.V. After I slipped into the hospital socks & smock I sat in the recliner in a private room outside the surgery room with a TV I didn't turn on. (I mean, really,,, what's on morning TV worth watching? Heck, what's on evening TV worth watching...?
And then, a nurse wheeled me into the surgery room - Doctor took measurements of the lens in my eye and had me lie down. I'm totally conscious - I didn't feel a thing - but it was quite a "Light Show." I wish to stress, very painless.
Within 30 minutes the procedure was over, and they took my B.P. readings 4 times - good numbers - and the nurse gave me instructions of what to do the first week.
Take 3 different eye drops 4X a day.
Wear the sunglasses they provide - or your own, I suppose- not sure.
Don't lift anything over 15lbs.---------
Close operated eye in the shower because soapy water in that eye is a No-No.
The worst thing concerning all of this (for me) was watching a Youtube video on this procedure being perform a couple of months ago when I knew I had to have this done. I strongly suggest to people to NOT do that...............! lol I'm cleared to go back flatedding 09/20 if no problems arise.

 

I prefer to be one of those taken off line. Either with giant ACME hammer or IV drugs like Demerol And Versed. You can do alot with me in a short time after. I already understand what they go through and I thought my model work is precise. These people operate on a MICRO precision.

I got a little sassy one recent doctor visit. Re: questions. Do you? do you not? etc.

Wrote em all down with answers.

When new staff showed up asking the same questions all over again I pass the paper to them for them to read. Why in the world did I do that? Well, there is a certain air shortage I get when repeating myself too much, its not worth it. If they didnt already know about it as the pulse ox drops.

Most of my regular team of doctors have reduced all of that questioning BS to two simple questions.

"Any complaints?"

"Where are your medicines"

and done.

 

Although I talked to Nurse on the phone yesterday of this same venue - apparently - they don't talk to each other.lol

I did fail one question."When did you last use chewing tobacco?" 5:30 a.m. was my answer. A No-No. Anestologist < I don't think I spelled that right > the guy who "knocks you out> came in and told me we can delay this 4 hours or I can give you minimum - for lack of a better word - dope. I chose the latter and felt no pain. Actually, the eye drops are harder for me. *Note* With all the instructions thrown at me yesterday...I don't recall their mentioning anything about chewing tobacco. He said cigarettes would be OK, though... Go figure...

 

Minimum.

I think not.

A very long time ago they used a special medicine while they kept me awake.

3 hours of wanting to get the eff to sleep but no. They tease so much. Almost criminal.

 

Two years ago, optometrist spotted cataracts. She said not enough to recommend a surgical consult. She also recommended a vitamin supplement called lutein. Been taking them since. Can't always find straight lutein but have found multi vitamins with eye health...happens to have lutein.

Had second exam recently for new glasses, he saw cataracts, but not serious enoghe to recommend surgical consult.

Hope this helps aging folks that have no cateract or early stage.

 

@REO6205 I had LE done in 2015 and RE in March 2019. Takes about 25 minutes and your done. They will relax you pre op. In my case the VA did both. They wheeled me in. Tied my hands down and covered me except for the eye. Then I wore a eye cover for 24 hours then was looked at. Takes about 6 weeks to fully recover. Don't bend your head below the waist and make sure you keep the eye clean and use those drops.

A cataract is the lens itself. There is no known cure. Once it gets bad the vision loss is gradual. Lasix etc is the cutting of a lens to reshape how the lens focuses on the retina. In cataract surgery they take the lens out and replace it with a new artificial one. There are dozens of youtube videos of this procedure.