OJ, sending good thoughts and prayers.

I know just how you feel about someone 'messing' with your eyes- I'm about to schedule my cataract surgery but everyone here (and elsewhere) say it's a piece of cake & the results are wonderful.

Prayers, good thoughts of rapid healing being have been and will be said for you until you're back to tell us how great it is to see well again! High hopes that you'll be driving very soon.

Bless you, Suzi

Hi Ed. My name is Linda and I live in Southern Ontario. I'm a cataract survivor! I had both my eyes done last fall. One in Sept & the other about 6 wks or 7 wks later.

I was scared witless when I went in for the first one. They will check you in and start putting drops in your eye. The first batch stings, no fibbing about that one. It takes about an hour I would think to put all the drops in, then they put you on a gurney with those lovely hats on & eventually wheel you into the operating room. If they offer you a little something-something to settle you down, take it. It won't be much, probably an ativan, and it's just enough to relax you a bit. You are wide awake for the surgery, the doctor will explain exactly what he's doing to you, at least mine did. When the doctor is operating, he will probably have you stare at one of the lights over his shoulder. When he worked on me, the light changed & morphed & the colours changed...reminded me a good deal of a kaleidoscope. The surgery didn't take very long and when they wheeled me out of the surgery, I was absolutely blown away by my vision in that eye.

I could see the minute dots on the clock on the other side of the room. Mind you, my close up vision was any great shakes. I certainly had some problems reading the computer but he recommended that I get a pair of very inexpensive magnifiers & I ended up buying several pairs from the dollar store. He guaranteed that they wouldn't damage my vision.

I was told not to bend over for 2-3 days, and not to lift anything over a couple pounds for a few weeks. You certainly don't want to strain the stitches they've put in. I was able to drive after I think 2 weeks using a great deal of caution because you've only got good vision in one eye and you WILL notice that right away.

When I had the second eye done, I thought I would be brave and turned down that little something-something relaxing drug. The surgery didn't hurt but it was a bit more uncomfortable (you can feel them working on you and you can feel the pressure...not a nice feeling in my opinion). When I came out of surgery, I was slightly disappointed in the result. It didn't seem as dramatic as the first eye. It really was a success ... it's just that my vision was so excellent in the right eye that when the left eye was done, it just seemed natural that I could see and it wasn't a "wow, I can see" moment.

Be sure to put in the drops that you have to get. You probably have all 3 kinds already but don't cheap-out on them and try to go longer between the drops. I never had a bit of trouble with either of my eyes afterwards. I used lots of the drops and actually had to get one of them refilled.

When all was said & done, I've got almost perfect distance vision in both eyes but really poor up-close vision so I do have to wear glasses for reading. I chose to get bi-focals even though the tops are almost like window panes. It just saved me from having to take 'em off and put them on 50 times a day. I was also able to retake my vision test for driving and now I can drive without glasses if I wish. I've had to wear glasses since I got my licence at 16 and I will be 57 in October so you can imagine how strange that feels.

You can be sure lots of people here will be thinking of you and praying for most excellent results for your surgery.

((((Ed))))

You know you're in my prayers!

All my best coming your way, across the border, and converted into Canadian too! ;)

So nice of you to share your story smilin54, I'm glad all is well with you. Really nice to hear. Yes, I'm old enough to be scared of a lot of the medical procedures these days that have become so refined and successful. It's good to be reminded. In a short while Ol Joyful can share his success story too!

Sending good thoughts your way. Linda pretty well covered the whole thing. I had both eyes done about 8 years ago and couldn't believe the improvement in vision.

I, too, got to where I couldn't read road signs or tell the color of traffic lights until I was almost on top of them.

I got multifocal lens for both far and near. Have done well with them, I do now have some $1 reading glasses for up close, just started needing them in the past year, and they are the very least bit of magnifying but does help reading small print.

You will be amazed at the difference in your vision. I wore glasses for over 40 years and didn't realize how bad my vision really was until after the surgery.

Cataract surgery has come far from what it used to be. I remember when I was in nursing school and the patient had to lie flat on their back with head sandbagged so as not to move, for several hours afterwards. Didn't get to go home right after the surgery as they do now.

I've started on one set of the drops - begins three days before.

I've only been instructed to have two kinds - these antibiotic to sterilize everything, and the ones for after to minimize swelling and discomfort.

Looks like I'd better get everything that I need for a while in place before Wednesday.

They told me not to get eyes below waist, and not to lift over 20 lbs. I guess that means that I can pull small weeds.

Can't you just see me lying on the ground, looking up at the bean plants to see which of their offspring are ready to pick?

And which tomatoes may be red (should some become such during the next couple of weeks or so).

Thank you for your good thoughts, folks. And I figure that I need all of the prayers that I can get!

ole joyful

Good luck Ed. You will do great, I just know it. I will be thinking of you and praying you do well.

Will be thinking about you Ed...good luck!

Sure will put you in my prayers!!

Hugs to ya Ed, Donna (^_^)

Sending you good thoughts that you will sail through the surgery and be amazed afterwards on how well you can see. Wishing you a quick recovery.

Good thoughts coming your way!!
My father had it done just last week, he's 83 and I believe he is very happy with the outcome.
I know you will be just fine!
Susan :)

Good thoughts and best wishes for the best results on the way to you, O J. I certainly do hope that the surgery won't keep you off the streets for more than you can stand.

Sending many good thoughts. I know how you feel. I am having my cataracts done next month. It's scary.

Ole joyful - Of course you'll be in my thoughts this week and in my prayers too. I hope that everything goes better than expected. But now I'm a little curious - you always have an interesting philosophical take on things around here. I wonder if you'll see things a little differently after the surgery?

You got them OJ. Here's to a uneventful procedure and a really quick recovery.

Hi Ed,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Many of my relatives have had this surgery over the last 10 years without any concerns. They were all pleased with seeing again and resuming things they could not do in some time.
Keep up the positive attitude and I'll keep sending hugs and good thoughts your way.

(((((((((((((((((((((((Ed)))))))))))))))))))))))))

LOL
Peggy

Sending out prayers for complete success!

Prayers are for yoy,OJ

Certainly, I will offer prayers for a successful procedure.

You'll do just great, I know. I hope you have Bruce or somone stay over night with you, just for reassurance.

I don't like the sound of you pulling any weeds or picking beans unless you sit on the ground to do it. Don't forget a lot of the success depends on you following instructions for a while.

I'm very surprised they told you that you could lift 20 pounds. I'd check that out again. Are you sure they didn't say two, although that seems pretty small. You don't want to pull some of those little stitches and undo the success that has been accomplished.

Prayers and good wishes going up for you, as well. I also like to pray for the surgeon, that he be guided in his work.

It isn't long before you can drive again. Alice, who sits with me at church has had both of hers done recently, and only missed one Sunday, I believe, and she is considerably older than we are.

I'll keep you in my prayers to Ed. I agree. Listen to you Dr. and follow the instructions, in all areas, for the best results.
Leslie

I am sending special thoughts and prayers for a successful outcome. I fully understand your concern. I had eye surgery as a child, and am now facing cataract surgery at some point in the future. Scary...even though everyone says it wasn't bad.

Take care, follow doctor's orders, and I'm sure you will be back on the road in no time.

Sending out good healing thoughts for you, Ed!

I'm sending good thoughts your way.

Good luck Ed! I'll be thinking and praying you get the outcome you're wanting. Just think, you'll be able to see! How cool is that?

Laurel

Ed, my husband had both of his eyes done a few years ago,

and he now sees sharper than ever! Don't worry! Follow

post-op instructions and you will be just fine.

~Carol~

You are in my thoughts and prayers OJ. I will be having that surgery done next year. My doctor said that my cataracts were brought on earlier than usual because of my chemo treatm ents. But I have to wait till I'm done with my treatments before I can think of having the surgery. Now they replace your lens with corrective lens. So I am really looking forward to the surgery so I don't have to wear contacts or glasses anymore!

Sending best thoughts. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the results!

Sending very special thoghts and vibes your way. I hope it all goes well for you, OJ.

sooey

Good thoughts and a couple of prayers coming your way. I had it done too and enjoy the result. I know how you feel, I kind of quivered too, despite that my husband had it done earlier.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!!
You will be great... when my dad had it done, he said that he couldn't believe how bright and clear everything was.

Thanks, everyone.

And for those of you facing it - remember - everyone, including those who've been through it, says that it's a piece of cake.

Hi Mcmann,

Hopefully they won't mess around too much with the furniture that lies (?) behind the eyues??!!

They didn't advertoise anything like that!

Of course ... I have heard that things can glo wrong, at times.

ole joyful

My brother-in-law had both eyes done a few months ago and did great. He doesn't even need to wear glasses anymore. Good thoughts coming your way.

Sending good thoughts and prayers your way.

Sending Positive Thoughts and Prayers to you.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Gayle

MANY prayers for you and blessings to you! Texas sized hugs as well!
J

You've got them OJ.My sister and one of my best friends both had this surgery on both eyes in the last couple months.Both are doing fine and are very impressed with the surgery.Said had they known it was this easy they would have done it long ago.Both said they felt like they have brand new eyes,and can see sooooooooooooooooooooooo much better.You'll be fine.I'll be praying for you.
Kathi

my mom's doc gave her a tape of her surgery, lol...that was way back when it was 2-3 stiches...now it's down to 1..amazing!

think i'd forgo the weeding for a couple of weeks...you sure don't want to get pollen or dust in your eyes...

she did find her eyes were more sensitive to light and bought a pair of sun glasses (otc) to wear, but small price to pay for being able to drive read and watch tv, etc...

Sorry I didn't see this sooner. You have my good
thoughts and a prayer.

My sister had both done last year, and she was amazed
at how easy it was.

I know you will do well and be out there driving again
soon.

Ed,
Good thoughts and a prayer for you. I think you must be quite remarkable doing all the driving you just did. Just think how far you will go next time with no cataracts !
Speedy recovery to you.
Lois

Good luck to you, Ed!

You'll be so glad to get this done and behind you and you'll see so much better. It'll be SO worth it!!

You've got 'em, OJ!!!!!

Good luck!!!!

Donna

Sending good thoughts and prayers from Ohio, Ed.

Tami

Will be sending good thoughts your way! My great grandmother has her's removed about 10 years ago and she was in her late nineties then! She LOVED how much better she could see (but she never learned how to drive- she could fish better though!).

Hugs, Kathy G in MI

Thank you for your concern and assurances, folks.

I'm having some trouble hitting the eye with the drops, rather than the cheek ... plus knowing when I've dropped one drop into the eye and not dropping more.

I got some stakes in to support the tomatoes today and had thought that if I could get all of the stakes in before the op. I could string the lines to hold the branches up later. But I doubt that, as the branches are quite large and heavy. Two rows are nearly 48 inches apart and not only can one not walk between the rows at present ... one can't even see down through there.

We've had nearly record rainfall for summer, already ... and there's quite a lot of summer yet to come.

They say that the nurseries are having a great summer - have been planting throughout the season, as things are growing unusually quickly.

It rained rather heavily over the weekend ... and when I drove down a track near the garden this evening ... I got stuck!

ole joyful

Ed, you will be okay. My dad, who is the ultimate "chicken" when it comes to any medical procedure, handled his cataracts surgery just fine!

Sheryl