Dealing with cataracts

[xaerorazor]

Well, I'm developing a cataract. I've had dual eye dominance (I could switch it at will) but my right eye has begun developing a cataract. I've shot mostly off my right side as I'm a right hand dominant. So I'm gonna have to change over to my left side as the cataract is on the edge of the central cone of vision and may well expand into the central core.

Since it's only a small one, they don't want to touch it yet.

Anyone with experience with this sort of thing happening?

[afteractionreport]

Marijuana is suppose to be good for cataracts but i wouldnt know for sure...maybe that will help with your shooting...

[SoberClurichaun]

Marijuana is suppose to be good for cataracts but i wouldnt know for sure...maybe that will help with your shooting...

Thought it was glaucoma because it relieves inter ocular pressure? Don't know if that's the correct terms I'm not a doctor!

[003]

I had cataract surgery for my right eye over 10 years ago. The surgery was straight forward and simple. Recovery was just a few days, and my vision is a perfect 20/20. As it was explained to me, the time for surgery is when it begins to interfere with your normal activities. By that logic if it is interfering with your shooting, then it is time for surgery. Don’t let a doctor make the decision for you. One of the things I learned as an old f--t is that we need to accept responsibility and manage our own health issues. Doctors are there to advise, treat and facilitate, but the individual is responsibility for the final decision.

Good luck.

[P5Ret]

I waited to have mine done. I didn't think it was an issue since it was progressive and I didn't really notice it too much. After it was done the difference was night and day, so in my case listening to the Dr. may not have been the best idea. I say get it fixed now as a small problem, instead of waiting for it to get worse. After all it isn't going to get better, or stay the same, it is going to get worse.

[-hanko]

I first noticed my right eye getting goofy with halos while driving at night.

Saw the doc who diagnosed it as caused by trauma (high school soccer with hard kicked ball to the eye).

Removal and installation of a replacement lens took < 30 minutes. Vision went from 20-800 to 20-15 virtually instantly. Quick recuperation. No pain.

Doc adjusted replacement lens to give it some focusing ability at common pistol and FAL front sight distances. He had me bring the weapons to the office, and measured there. I was blessed in that doc was a state champion silhouette shooter, and this is Idaho.

OP, I would seek a second opinion. And good luck.

[Exospeed]

I had cataract surgery on my left eye from a cataract that was caused by a head injury from playing hockey.
Glad I did it, my cataract was very dense from the impact. It was like trying to see through sand blasted glass.

[Caribouriver]

Yup. Those pesky cataracts. Medicare will pay for a "fixed" focal length replacement lens. You choose if you want glasses for near or far. The fancy implants that adjust like your natural lens used to "may" allow you to go glasses free. But in LA they go for about 5K per eye.

[Exospeed]

^ I paid $3600 out of pocket for a fixed. That includes all bills associated with the surgery. I went with far, since I drive a lot and don't mind wearing reading glasses.
If I remember the option for the fancy implant was about double that.

[SMarquez]

Insurance is the cock blocker for me. I was taken into an exam room and told not to read below :line 5" on the acuity chart if I wanted my cataracts fixed. We'll see how it goes on 12-1.

[sully007]

Thought it was glaucoma because it relieves inter ocular pressure? Don't know if that's the correct terms I'm not a doctor!

Did you stay at a Holiday Inn last night?

[Khromo]

I started to notice cataracts about 8 years ago. My first doctor was one of these that couldn't get the cattle through the chute fast enough, and I had no confidence in her. I kept putting off the surgery.

The cataracts got worse, I got a new doctor. He said the surgery had a 2% complication rate. I went ahead and scheduled.

I got the weak eye done. Outstanding results.

I got the strong eye done. Outstanding results. I could see great!

Ten days later the retina in my strong eye detached. Some people walk across the street and nothing happens. 2% get hit by a bus. I got hit by the bus.

My formerly weak eye is seeing pretty well. I can shoot better than I could before the surgeries. My formerly strong eye is pretty bad, but I still have about 4 months left in the typical recovery period. Time will tell, but the prognosis is probably less than guarded.

Cataracts can blind you eventually. You probably shouldn't wait as long as I did, because the lens replacement surgery is like a miracle for the lucky 98%.

One thing I will swear to, is that you should ignore medical advice you get from a gun forum. Are you kidding? If you're not sure, get a second opinion from a surgeon, not from some guy on a gun forum.

[BrassCase]

Cataract surgery was one of the best medical things that ever happened to me. I do wear reading glasses now as needed but I had bifocals before. My vision was corrected to 20-15 in each eye.

[xaerorazor]

Just set up an Appt. with another doc. I'm going to have to wait till next week....