We left our footprints in The Selous Game Reserve, north... now National Park last week from Dar es Salaam, now in the Seychelles Islands Mahe and Prayslin, then Madagascar, 2 Ports, back to east coast and chugging down to Cape Town, then around to the west side and all the way to Barcelona...

quote:

Originally posted by 470EDDY:
We left our footprints in The Selous Game Reserve, north... now National Park last week from Dar es Salaam, now in the Seychelles Islands Mahe and Prayslin, then Madagascar, 2 Ports, back to east coast and chugging down to Cape Town, then around to the west side and all the way to Barcelona...

Did you stop for a Sundowner at Thanda (Shungumbili) Island?

Fulvio-
No, our hosts were Serena Hotels bush camps near the upper Rufigi River in the new Park. They did a great job, super lunch, great Land Rover vehicles, and guides and drivers... it was HOTTER than hinges of Hell... 95OAT on takeoff from park airstrip, fortunately in a 1000hp turbine Cessna Caravan!!

Ive had both eyes done some 25plus years ago and no problems so far..I turned 90 jan 10 this year and my eyesight isn't what it used to be, but it ain't bad!

Happy 90th Ray!!

What procedure did you have 25 yrs. ago Ray?

I’m getting my first eye done on Monday. I decided to go with the lenses that they light-adjust a few weeks after implanting. 2nd eye will be done 2 weeks later. I also opted for the laser procedure as doc said even though it’s more expensive and out of pocket, it generally provides optimum results.

Having terrible vision from cataracts is a real pain in the ass, so I’m looking forward to this very much.

Good luck DLS! Let us know how it all works out.

This is a very interesting discussion.

Feb 7th I had the annual exam, no change in 5 years.
Dr said my cataracts were at least two years away yet.
I just turned 81 end of Jan.
I have worn glasses since 8 years old.

My dau had hers done at 55, son @ 52.
Mom was 80, Dad @ 88, he had macular degeneration too.
Friend Jack, Tysue on here had his first eye done last Thursday @ 83.
"amazing how much brighter things are".

You guys that are still in the process.
Ask your dr what affects these things.
It can't all be age related.

Best wishes Dan.

George

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:
I’m really looking forward to getting it done. Lousy vision sucks!

I'm on the list, with Canada's "Free Healthcare" I'm looking at a year to 18 months, thanks Canada. My wife had the surgery and it made a world of difference, way better than 20/20 vision afterwards. She got a speeding ticket on the way to her post op check up.

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:
I’m getting my first eye done on Monday. I decided to go with the lenses that they light-adjust a few weeks after implanting. 2nd eye will be done 2 weeks later. I also opted for the laser procedure as doc said even though it’s more expensive and out of pocket, it generally provides optimum results.
Having terrible vision from cataracts is a real pain in the ass, so I’m looking forward to this very much.

Good luck, Dan, I hope all goes well. I believe you’ll be amazed at the difference in acuity and colors.

Georgeld,

One thing I’m curious about is whether the amount of sun has had anything to do with progression. I coached baseball for over 20 years in the summer, over 1,000 games mostly in bright sunlight. I wore sunglasses but wonder how those thousands of hours in bright sunlight may have affected my eyes.

Best part is, I’ll have much better vision for my May buffalo hunt in Zim with Alan Vincent.

DLS, I was told several times that the amount of sun can affect cataract, but I used sunglasses only for driving and (not always) for skiing.
Two weeks ago I had a procedure for secondary cataract at the LH eye, while the other was operated 2 yrs ago.
Well, I am one of the few veterans of four cataracts procedures, but I don't complain.
For a short time I can read 2-3 lines of the newspaper without glasses.

Dan,
I know a lot of fishing Captains and yacht drivers; I have never heard of any sun driven cataract issues. Cataracts are generally age-related issue.
Wishing you ALL THE BEST in both of your surgeries, and AMAZING RESULTS!!

Steve

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:
I’m getting my first eye done on Monday. I decided to go with the lenses that they light-adjust a few weeks after implanting. 2nd eye will be done 2 weeks later. I also opted for the laser procedure as doc said even though it’s more expensive and out of pocket, it generally provides optimum results.

Having terrible vision from cataracts is a real pain in the ass, so I’m looking forward to this very much.

You are going to love it.

I’m about 36 hours post-surgery on my left eye and all I can say is WOW! At a post surgery checkup this morning, the doctor measured my left eye at 20/25 but said not to worry, that it should continue improving for about a month, at which point they’ll do a U/V light adjustment on each eye. Everything is brighter and just ‘sharper’ overall. The doc who evaluated my eye this morning indicated my vision is better than they expect the day after surgery.

My right eye, which is scheduled for 3 weeks out, is noticeably softer and more hazy than the new lens in my left eye. The procedure took about 8 minutes, was painless with only mild discomfort.

At this point, I’m glad I elected to go with the light adjustable lens as I should have good vision from book reading distance to distant vision. I’ve asked to be placed on a cancellation list to get in sooner if someone re-schedules.

Between getting my eyes fixed and ordering a set of EAR digital hearing aid/shooting protection plugs, Alan isn’t going to know what to do with me in May.

Dan,
FANTASTIC!!
Wishing you all the best with further healing and your other eye!!
Modern medicine is truly a miracle, and a blessing!!

Now when we wrap up this Africa cruise, I am praying for a fantastic outcome with another spinal surgery to restore my balance and walking!! Recurring Spinal Stenosis!!

This gettin old Ain't For Sissies!!

Steve

Dan:

Thats great news. Thank you for sharing, best wishes on the other eye too.

With all that sunshine have you had any skin cancers from it?
That's the main result I've had.
Every 60 days derm freezes 40-75 sunspots from my face, head, arms, body, ears etc.
Pueblo is 4700 ft alt. I spent five years at 9600' as a teen.
Redhead, pale face, blistered often.
Started driving a farm tractor at 7 and much of my life since.
Dozer and other equipment all no shaded cover.
It's claimed our air is much thinner and more intense sunshine than near the coasts.

George

quote:

Originally posted by georgeld:
Dan:

Thats great news. Thank you for sharing, best wishes on the other eye too.

With all that sunshine have you had any skin cancers from it?
That's the main result I've had.
Every 60 days derm freezes 40-75 sunspots from my face, head, arms, body, ears etc.
Pueblo is 4700 ft alt. I spent five years at 9600' as a teen.
Redhead, pale face, blistered often.
Started driving a farm tractor at 7 and much of my life since.
Dozer and other equipment all no shaded cover.
It's claimed our air is much thinner and more intense sunshine than near the coasts.

George

No, I’ve never had any skin problems despite thousands of hours in bright sunlight. I’m dark completed and I’ve been told that helps. I don’t use sun screen very much at all.

Dan,

Congrats on your successful eye operation. Wow, 8 minutes. That’s gotta’ be a record. Isn’t it amazing?! My doctor said the same thing that yours did, that as time goes by after the initial operation, your vision will improve a bit. Good luck with the other eye. I know you’re anxious to get ‘er done right now!

I got my other eye surgery two days ago. This was for my right, as in dominant shooting, eye. Surgery went great, though there was a delay due to a power outage before my time. They were on backup generator power, but wouldn’t start any new procedures until regular power was restored. That took about an hour. Surgery was 8 or 9 minutes and effortless. My wife was my driver back home but became ill while waiting for me, so I drove home 10 minutes after leaving the surgery center.

Yesterday I had my post op check up. 20/20 with difficulty, which was way better than expected the day after surgery. I’m really amazed at how much brighter everything is with two clear lenses. Colors are more vivid and vision much sharper, though it’ll get better in a month when they do the UV light adjustments to each eye.

I’m really glad I had this done in time for my upcoming buffalo hunt in May.

Well done! Encouraging, need the same. Brian

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:
I got my other eye surgery two days ago. This was for my right, as in dominant shooting, eye. Surgery went great, though there was a delay due to a power outage before my time. They were on backup generator power, but wouldn’t start any new procedures until regular power was restored. That took about an hour. Surgery was 8 or 9 minutes and effortless. My wife was my driver back home but became ill while waiting for me, so I drove home 10 minutes after leaving the surgery center.

Yesterday I had my post op check up. 20/20 with difficulty, which was way better than expected the day after surgery. I’m really amazed at how much brighter everything is with two clear lenses. Colors are more vivid and vision much sharper, though it’ll get better in a month when they do the UV light adjustments to each eye.

I’m really glad I had this done in time for my upcoming buffalo hunt in May.

I can shoot open sights now so I love it
I’m 7 months post surgery

Dan,
CONGRATULATIONS!! Glad it all went well... wow on the power outage, and your wife's illness... you driving home is amazing!! I hope your wife is well, and it was short lived!!

Medical technology today is truly a blessing, as well as the talented Physicians who are so incredibly trained and dedicated to outstanding patient outcomes!!

Have a GREAT HUNT, and HI to Alan!!

Steve

Dan,

Another satisfied eye cataract surgery patient. I’m so very happy that you are experiencing what I did after my surgery. Congratulations on a successful procedure. Yes! Life is more colorfully vivid and clearly sharper. Enjoy.

Just had it done 8 days ago. Unbelievable result. Don't wait. The contrast, color intensity and brightness are staggering.

Crane, congrats to another satisfied cataract surgery recipient. Sounds like your experience pretty much mirrored my own. Very happy for you! Enjoy.

quote:

Originally posted by crane:
Just had it done 8 days ago. Unbelievable result. Don't wait. The contrast, color intensity and brightness are staggering.

Yup, it’s pretty amazing, isn’t it? Which type of lens did you go with?

A mono focal lens by Clareon.

Update, I just had the 2nd UV light adjustment done on my new lenses. It’s amazing what medical technology can do these days! They’ve adjusted all the astigmatism from both eyes. At this point my vision is 20/20 and I can’t remember the last time I saw this well. The only thing we’re still trying to improve is near vision. It’s somewhat difficult to read without reading glasses, but 1.5x glasses work great. One more adjustment next week, then I’m done till after I return from Zimbabwe. At that point they do 2 more treatments to ‘lock in’ the lense adjustments and I’m done.

For anyone contemplating cataract surgery, get it done. It’s been a fantastic improvement.

I had mine done about a year ago. Great for the first 6 months. 20/20 and still is. However, both eyes let go with some large floaters. Surgeon said it was not uncommon. Frequently it looks like it used to when my glasses would fog and get immediately clear again. Sort of freaks you out at first. They tell me that there is a good possibility that eventually they will "float" to the bottom and likely stay there. Not counting on it. I do also still wear glasses for the astigmatism and reading, but regular vision is 20/20. I went with the least expensive lenses so night vision would improve. That worked.

I do miss the very close near sightedness from time to time when working on fine close-up projects. My natural focal point before surgery was about 10" or less.

I think the key to successful cataract surgeries is First: select the best results BOARD CERTIFIED MD (not DO) OPTHOMOLOGIST, in your area, or go to one. Remember, not all MDs graduate Top 10 in thier class...and the last guy is still called Doctor. Second, select the lense that is appropriate to your needs, the newer lenses, not paid by Medicare, do have night lights reflections and doubles, so driving and night landings might be considerations.
I asked my surgeon about these newest laser adjustable lenses. He replied, "they are very expensive,and we don't use them." Why? "Because our pre-surgery measurements are so accurate, we don't need them."
Mine are very good, I do need reading glasses, but no glasses for Drivers and pilots licenses!!
I wore glasses so long,I'm not comfortable without some "protection" for my eyes, both wind and sun!!
Technology and options are such a blessing!!