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Cataract surgery and photography

gdanmitchell
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Cataract surgery and photography

This thread is quite interesting. I'm sure I'll need cataract surgery at some point, since my eye doctor mentioned mild cataracts were developing the last time I saw him. (I have regular visits after dealing with retinal tears and a detachment a few years back. Sigh.)

I'm especially interested in the newer lenses that apparently offer good distance and close-up vision... and with the reports of good experiences with those.

Thanks.

Feb 23, 2021 at 01:20 PM

Camperjim
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Cataract surgery and photography

Here is a quick and easy color vision test. As a photographer, you will want to score close to perfect. Cataracts will interfere if they are bad enough:

https://www.xrite.com/hue-test?PageID=77

In any case I would not postpone surgery. If you are close then it is only a matter of time. In my case I went from maybe to definitely needing cataract surgeries on both eyes within about a year.

You can count on needing eyeglasses afterwards. There was one positive testimonial for the newer lenses but I have also heard horror stories. Talk with your eye doctor. As advised make sure you have an eye doctor with lots of experience who has done lots of surgeries. After my surgeries I tried to get by without glasses as much as possible. I had great vision at 10 feet or so, not bad distant vision but could not read anything as small as typical newsprint. Using a camera was difficult. That meant no chimping but also made it very difficult to adjust settings. After a short while I went back to wearing glasses at all times. My distant vision was fine tuned and the bifocals fixed the reading issue. When I read a lot, I use cheap 2.00 or 2.50 readers. I also have cheap 1.50 readers that are perfect for monitor viewing and post processing.

Feb 23, 2021 at 02:34 PM

mgmonster
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Cataract surgery and photography

I just had my second surgery done about 6 weeks ago. I had significant astigmatism in both eyes. I paid for the toric lenses (work insurance would not cover). Both eyes corrected for distance per my doctors advise. I now have 20/20 vision both eyes. I do need mild readers for dim light reading, but otherwise no glasses needed. Ask around, as all surgeons are not created equal. Based on my experience, I would highly recommended it.

Feb 23, 2021 at 03:33 PM

mcbroomf
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Cataract surgery and photography

I had my 1st done in December (very bad). The 2nd is due week after next. I can only echo posts already made. It's interesting to see the colour difference (as well as eye performance) when you have the 1st done.

Feb 23, 2021 at 03:46 PM

RoamingScott
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Cataract surgery and photography

Interesting thread. I'm not even 40 but already in discussion with my doctors about a voluntary vitrectomy because of AWFUL floaters that are becoming an increasing nuisance, especially with photography. They've mentioned that the procedure would lead to cataracts, I'll have to look more into these newer lenses that might smooth the need for readers so often.

Feb 23, 2021 at 03:47 PM

paulfeng
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Cataract surgery and photography

Other people have spoken to this, but I'll add my voice:

On your second bullet point, if you choose to go with monofocus lenses, I URGE you to reconsider your plan to go with near vision (and continue to wear glasses). While you are accustomed to a lifetime of wearing glasses, it is so liberating not to have to all the time. With your eyes fixed for distance vision, you would only need to wear glasses for reading (maybe computer use).

Look - if you are convinced that you're just fine with wearing glasses after the surgery, have your eyes fixed for distance vision, then you can have glasses made with graduated lenses for mid- and near-vision requirements (the top part of the lens will simply have zero correction), and you can wear those all the time… but you also have the option of taking them off when you don't need the mid/near vision assistance. I suspect that you'll find yourself taking them off a lot.

(FWIW, I don't have cataracts yet, but "look forward" to getting them so I can have my eyes corrected. I'm a bad candidate for LASIK/etc., and even if I wasn't, would fear the chances of a bad outcome. I am a happy contact lens wearer for whom mono-vision works well: my dominant left for distance, including looking through viewfinders, and my right for reading.)

Feb 23, 2021 at 04:11 PM

cortlander
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Cataract surgery and photography

Btw, if you opt for one eye for close up vision and the other for distant, you may want to make sure that you select your dominant eye for distant.

A simple way to find your dominant eye: Keep both eyes open and focused on a distant object, then extend your arm out and point with your index finger or thumb at the object. Alternately close one eye at a time The eye that keeps your finger directly in front of the object while the other eye is closed is your dominant eye.

Feb 23, 2021 at 04:15 PM

gdanmitchell
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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Cataract surgery and photography

RoamingScott wrote:
Interesting thread. I'm not even 40 but already in discussion with my doctors about a voluntary vitrectomy because of AWFUL floaters that are becoming an increasing nuisance, especially with photography. They've mentioned that the procedure would lead to cataracts, I'll have to look more into these newer lenses that might smooth the need for readers so often.

Glad to hear you are talking to your doctor about this. I had some floaters almost my entire life, so when I had some that were somewhat more noticeable I just figured it was an aging thing. (To some extent that is true...) If I had seem my doctor earlier I might have been able to prevent my retinal detachment. We did catch a few small tears in the other eye before any big problems occurred.

These days I counsel everyone who tells me about their eye problems to see a doctor right away!

(The repair of my detachment was an amazing thing, actually. When it happened I knew what was going on, and I feared the potential surgery with its two-weeks of face-down recovery after watching my mother deal with that years ago. When I saw the doctor and he confirmed the issue he said there were several treatment options... including an out-patient procedure that he could do within the hour without surgery. I had no idea.)

My take on the glasses/no glasses question following cataract surgery is colored by my long experience with near-sightedness. Distance vision has been my problem, and I've worn glasses for that since I was pretty young. But close vision has always been pretty good, such that I can still read well by taking my glasses off. So in my case, while the appeal of being able to see distance w/o glasses is there... the idea that I'd have to keep putting glasses on to do close work is not so appealing.

Dan

Feb 23, 2021 at 04:25 PM

RoamingScott
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p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Cataract surgery and photography

gdanmitchell wrote:
Glad to hear you are talking to your doctor about this. I had some floaters almost my entire life, so when I had some that were somewhat more noticeable I just figured it was an aging thing. (To some extent that is true...) If I had seem my doctor earlier I might have been able to prevent my retinal detachment. We did catch a few small tears in the other eye before any big problems occurred.

These days I counsel everyone who tells me about their eye problems to see a doctor right away!

(The repair of my detachment was...Show more →

My mother suffered a retinal detachment from a blunt force hit to her head when I was a kid, and had the gas bubble treatment where she had to keep her head level for 2 weeks. What a nightmare! I've been very careful with my eyes since.

It appears I'm going through the expected vitreous detachment that happens to most folks in middle age, but because of my nearsightedness it's happening earlier than in most folks. My vision is correctable to 20/10 with contacts right now, but with all these floaters, that number is almost meaningless when I'm having to constantly dart my eyes around to clear my field of vision. I'm so glad we have many modern medical options to fix these things!

Feb 23, 2021 at 04:37 PM

davev
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p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Cataract surgery and photography

cortlander wrote:
Btw, if you opt for one eye for close up vision and the other for distant, you may want to make sure that you select your dominant eye for distant.

A simple way to find your dominant eye: Keep both eyes open and focused on a distant object, then extend your arm out and point with your index finger or thumb at the object. Alternately close one eye at a time The eye that keeps your finger directly in front of the object while the other eye is closed is your dominant eye.

I agree with this.

I had Lasik done 13-14 years ago. (I'm 62 now)
I originally had both done for long distance, but went back for mono vision.
With just the distance vision, I couldn't see the dash of my car. (well, I could see it, but not read it)

When the mono vision was done, it didn't come out perfect, but its ok, I can read the dash.
I adjusted quickly to mono vision. I can still see pretty well from the distance eye, but it's getting close to needing some help.

Right now, I only wear glasses when I read.
When I read, say a book, I use reading glasses. (1.5 on both eyes)
When I'm at the computer, I use reading glasses (1.0) the the lens popped out on the near vision eye.
With 1.0's, it sharpens without really magnifying much.

Your dominate eye will do most of the work.
I did find that my depth perception was worse after the Lasik.
Shooting baskets got tougher than it was.

Feb 23, 2021 at 04:46 PM

cortlander
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p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Cataract surgery and photography

Jim McCann wrote:
I just had both eyes done this past November. I no longer wear eyeglasses. I paid $6,000 for the do-it-all lenses. My left eye is still less than perfect although I test 20/20 each time. A big problem for me is my chronic dry-eye. Living in interior Alaska and going through another very dry winter season does nothing good for my dry-eye condition, but I use lots of Oasis Tears drops. I can see up close and intermediate distance well, but not as good at very long ranges. But I'm also 71 and don't expect to have the vision...Show more →

I did have dry eyes after the surgery two years ago. I put Systane instance several times a day. Now after two years, I barely need them. So hang in there my friend, hopefully it will get better.

Feb 23, 2021 at 06:05 PM

mcbroomf
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p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Cataract surgery and photography

davev wrote:
I agree with this.

I had Lasik done 13-14 years ago. (I'm 62 now)
I originally had both done for long distance, but went back for mono vision.
With just the distance vision, I couldn't see the dash of my car. (well, I could see it, but not read it)

When the mono vision was done, it didn't come out perfect, but its ok, I can read the dash.
I adjusted quickly to mono vision. I can still see pretty well from the distance eye, but it's getting close to needing some help.

Right now, I only wear glasses when I read.
When I read, say a...Show more →

This is what I'll be finalizing week after next (but mono vision with cataracts). I had the close eye done in December, distance will be done next. To test it out I wore a contact lens to correct for distance in the eye to be done and drove at night, day, sunlight, read and worked on the computer, Also mountain biked singe track in the woods. No glasses for correction needed but I do read at a good distance from my eyes, so the close eye works OK for computer (which it was corrected for) and reading. The only thing I will need glasses for now is reading fine print or working on something close.

Feb 23, 2021 at 06:45 PM

ross attix
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p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Cataract surgery and photography

I only read the first few replies, so my apologies if this is redundant.

I had both eyes done in December, and it made an enormous difference. I just had a follow up visit last week and the doctor said my eyes are perfect. 20/20

I opted for the standard lenses. The corrective ones were going to be $2500 each, and I was told some people see minor hallowing around lights at night. The corrective lenses have a series of concentric circles in them that can cause that. I was already thinking “no” when I heard the price, but the nighttime thing sealed it.

I still have to use readers, but a lower correction than before, and the whole process was easy and quick.

Feb 23, 2021 at 07:26 PM

bobbytan
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p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Cataract surgery and photography

I have mild cataract but they don't warrant surgery, so says my Ophthalmologist. But I do suffer from double vision and have my new glasses are prism-corrected to minimize the double-vision problem. And I don't have 20/20 vision because of my glaucoma and mild cataract - it's closer to 20/30. But it doesn't have too much of an impact on my photography .... thanks to the Animal Eye AF of the R5!

Feb 23, 2021 at 07:43 PM

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p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Cataract surgery and photography

Get the surgery. You'll be amazed. Had both eyes done 15 years ago. One of the most shocking things was that brief period between the two. With one eye done and one not, I could switch (by closing one eye at a time) from warm to cool colors instantly

Feb 23, 2021 at 08:46 PM

jowul
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p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Cataract surgery and photography

Just had cataract surgery in both eyes (Nov and Dec). Right eye was like looking through a window on a rainy day. But the operation was delayed 7 months due to Covid. Progression of cataracts is not linear and can speed up quite rapidly. I believe you are wasting your money by upgrading your prescription. I had an upgraded lens (+$ 300) but nothing progressive or such. Vision is great again and I can again focus with my right eye. My eye surgeon was not in favour of getting the the fancy lenses being offered at an added cost of $40000 here in Ontario. Keep it simple but get it done. What a difference. However, I need reading glasses. when looking at the smart phone.

Feb 23, 2021 at 10:15 PM

gdanmitchell
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p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Cataract surgery and photography

RoamingScott wrote:
My mother suffered a retinal detachment from a blunt force hit to her head when I was a kid, and had the gas bubble treatment where she had to keep her head level for 2 weeks. What a nightmare! I've been very careful with my eyes since.

It appears I'm going through the expected vitreous detachment that happens to most folks in middle age, but because of my nearsightedness it's happening earlier than in most folks. My vision is correctable to 20/10 with contacts right now, but with all these floaters, that number is almost meaningless when I'm having to constantly...Show more →

My mother had it happen twice, with one due to a fall and hitting her head. With my own issues with retinas, I'm now a whole lot more careful about activities that might risk hitting my head.

When she had her surgery I ended up moving in with her (fortunately she only lived a mile and a half from us) for two weeks and doing live-in care. Not a fun recovery period at all.

My own detachment was related to the vitreous detachment. I had a series of symptoms that I only understood after the fact. (BTW, I don't claim any medical expertise — what I write here is just me recounting my personal experience. Anyone with these or other issues should see a doctor!) You may get the little "sparks" of light in the periphery of your vision. I had some that moved up and down along the edges of my visual field. Apparently these are not always a sign of trouble, or so I hear, but they can be associated with problems. If I had any increase in those now I would see my eye doctor.

When the vitreous detaches (and it is pretty certain to do so if you live long enough!) floaters and such will "swim" around in your vision as you scan left/right and up/down. I now live with some significant degree of that stuff in both eyes. Most of the time I "see through it" and don't think about it a lot, but sometimes it is more noticeable.

The symptom that I really should have paid more attention to was what I might call "dark streamers" in my vision. Imagine something like an ink drop in liquid. That was associated with a retinal tear that I didn't get treated in time, and that is probably what led to my detachment. (I was crazy busy at the time, and we were going through a serous family challenge with an aging parent.)

Since then, as I've talked about my story to others, folks will tell me, "Hey, I had symptoms like that." My strongest recommendation is... don't wait. Get these things looked at. There are procedures that can help a lot if they are done early. The common laser treatment can stabilize those tears, for example. Sight is too valuable to take chances with it.

Dan

Feb 23, 2021 at 11:17 PM

sirimiri
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p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Cataract surgery and photography

bkpix wrote:
With one eye done and one not, I could switch (by closing one eye at a time) from warm to cool colors instantly

Wow, how queer!

Feb 24, 2021 at 01:37 AM

TENOG
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p.2 #19 · p.2 #19 · Cataract surgery and photography

I've always had one eye see colors 'warm' and the other eye 'cool.' I've always wondered which one was more accurate. Perhaps both are off. Maybe we all see colors differently. Many years ago I read something about Japanese pearl graders or sorters who had to have exquisite color vision so they could match pearls for necklaces.

Feb 24, 2021 at 03:51 AM

c.d.embrey
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p.2 #20 · p.2 #20 · Cataract surgery and photography

kimknapp wrote:
Anyone have any experience they can share? Thanks in advance.

Kim

I did the whole nine yards. LASIK on both eyes (to cure astigmatism) and lens replacement on both eyes for the cataracts.

You have choices to make. I wanted to be able to drive at night. If you have other priorities, they will use different replacement lenses. I'm about 18 inches from my computer screen and I'm NOT using any glasses to write this.

My vision now is the same as when I went into the US Army, in 1960. I can use a Canon Elan 7n film SLR camera's viewfinder. No problem with my iPhone either. No problem using Affinity Photo or Pixelmator Pro, on my 21.5 4K Retina iMac

Feb 24, 2021 at 03:58 AM

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