Today we'll do the medical; next time we'll do the Biblical. (The Biblical is quite fascinating, because it doesn't mean what most people think today.)
Catracts are patches on the lens of the eye through which one cannot see. The standard treatment is to remove the lens using a technique called phacoemulsification. A surgeon uses an ultrasonic beam to break up the hardened lens, and then vacuums up the pieces from the eye with a suction device. An artificial lens, called an intraocular lens or IOL, is inserted to replace the cataract lens.
That's what happened today — right after lunch. (No breakfast this morning; tea and a tiny bread roll post surgery.) All kinds of drops put into my eye, to fight any potential infection or inflammation, and then to "freeze" the eye. They to the surgery. Then Home. (NO I didn't drive mysef — Momma Bear did that — thankfully!!)
Over the next week my vision is supposed to get better. Right now, it's worse — which is why I'm writing in such large type -- so I can "sort of" see what I'm saying. I have to keep putting drops in my eye for the next four or five weeks, to prevent infection.
The really fun part is that the surgeon will check my eye again tomorrow. At 7:00 a.m. In his office downtown. (Is there really a 7:00 in the morning? I thought they got rid of that a few years ago.)
And bye and bye the surgeon will do the other eye, which is almost as bad.
Other than that, the day was fairly boring. Sadie and Nuala hardly notice anything. I slept when I got home, sitting up. My eye is starting to hurt so I'll take something for that. And I'll probably go to bed fairly early. For not having done much today, I'm feeling awfully tired.
I trust you've found this "insightful."
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22 comments:
Good luck, Rob. My blue heeler is blind from cataracts. We considered surgery, but she would need drops several times a day for days before and weeks afterward. Also, she couldn't play or otherwise get excited. Given her disposition, we had no hope of it working. It's tough watching her walk into things though.
You've been in my prayers...I'm glad to know that you've had the surgery...I will pray for an uneventful recovery!! Hugs, Janine
It was an eye opener!
Ouch Rob-bear. I watched cataract surgery when I was nursing and it made my eyes run. I hope you make a really speedy recovery and everything heals well. Lots of R & R over the next few days and hopefully a great Christmas and really happy New Year for you and yours.
A x
The best of luck to you with this, Rob. The few people (one of whom was my 93 year old dad who ended up with 20/20 vision) that I know who have had this done all say how much better life was after the eye had healed properly.
Wishing you a Happy Christmas and a 2010 with full vision restored.
Don't worry, my mother-in-law had this operation on both her eyes a few months back and her eyesight is now perfect. It will be worth it, promise!
Thanks for popping by at mine and leaving a comment. Have a happy, 'insightful' Christmas and New Year - you'll see 2010 with whole new eyes (groan, that was a terrible pun!!).
Ah yes, have just noticed 'your comment will be visible after approval'. That explains that then. Feel free to delete my excesses!
Thanks for all your supportive notes. They are much appreciated.
Sorry if this doesn't quite work out right — I'm typing with one eye and a magnifying glass.
® Snow: Our earlier dog developed cataracts and other problems. It ended up being a one-way trip to the vet.
® Thanks Jeanine. It will probably be a few more days before I'm back even semi-regularly.
® lakeviewer: and an eye-closer too.
® Wipso: Speaking of watching cataract surgery, you should have seen it from my perspective. Very "interesting."
® FF: I'm looking forward to seeing better, especially after I get my other eye done (which is almost as bad as the one done yesterday). I'm looking forward to a bit of a low-key Christmas — rest and family, and worship on Christmas Eve. Hope you and Mr. FF have a delightful Christmas, and a 2010 which is remarkably good.
Hope you all can "be cool" and stay warm this winter.
Why does anything to do with eyes or teeth make me wince? Nanna had it done and she became eagle sharp at noticing things - not sure that was a good thing for us kids thugh as whereas she used to not notice if cookies went missing she became a lot more careful after the operation...Take care!
Yes, Him indoors had both eyes done. He remarked on the "rainbow" effects immediately after surgery. His eyesight is fine now so I am sure that yours will be too in the fullness of time.
I hope you can see well enough to read the labels on your Christmas presents.
Have fun!
Best wishes to you for an easy recovery.
Maybe the doctors will let you sleep a bit later tomorrow! xo
Wishing you an insightful Christmas, and may your vision of and in 2010 be as perfect as can be!
A friend of mine went through this process a year ago and now has us all driven made pointing out things that she had missed out on when suffering previously from very bad cataracts; hope your vision will be as sharp as hers.
IE
x
Ooo I'm with TW, can't bear (sorry couldn't resist!) anything to do with eyes, knives, needles and such. I hope you're much better soon!
My G had one eye done some time ago and now sees vey will with it. The other eye is not ready yet.
It is a terrible bore having to put in the drops but worth it to prevent infection. You will soon be seeing brilliantly out of that eye.
And while I am here, a very happy and blessed Chistmas to you, Bear.
Mil's just had both hers done - and she was given super-dooper prescription lenses as well. Her only complaint is that she feels naked without her specs! Anyway, hope you are going from strength to strength. Happy Christmas.
Sorry to be a bit slow here. My eyes tire more quickly, and I have had a couple of challenges related to my ethics work which have been dumped on my desk via my computer. Sigh!
® Her on the Hill: Insightful Christmas; seeing 2010 with whole new eyes. Thank you. You've caught on very quickly to how this blog works. Thank you, again. I think we're going to get along just fine!
® Tattie: Thanks. Not sure my eyes will be that good. I'll probably need glasses for reading and working on my computer.
® Rose: Thanks for the good news and encouragement. As for labels on Christmas Presents, see my previous post on "Christmas (P)Resents."
® Frances: Thanks for the note. Doctors be da**ed; I'm letting myself sleep in. If anyone gets me up, it will be the Sadie.
® Thanks IE: I've already taken the prescription lens out of one side of my glasses, at the surgeon's suggestion. I can see better with that eye than with the one where I still have the lens. An auspicious beginning!
® Jenny: I'm somewhat less than thrilled with the process, but I survived to tell the tale. And I'm Bear-ing up.
® Withy: Glad that G is doing well. My other eye will probably won't be done until late winter or early spring. Drops started out as a nuisance; now they're just a habit. Christmas blessings, belatedly.
® Chris: Christmas has not be marred by the procedure. Glad MIL's surgery went well. Hope your Christmas was a delight.
Hello, Rob...I hope that you are doing a little better, and that your Christmas was filled with all the love and laughter that you give to so many!! You are a treasured friend, and I am glad I "met" you this year!!! Hugs, Janine
Dear Bear,
I am wishing and praying for you that you will be feeling so much better soon with your eyesight. Thank you for keeping my spirits up when some days have been a tad difficult especially when you have had a lot of discomfort yourself kind Bear.
May I wish you and Mama Bear and all your family a Happy Christmas and my very Best Wishes for the New Year. Extra Christmas hugs too for Sadie and Nuala.!
Happy New Year, Rob!!! Hugs, Janine
Got to admire modern medicine. Happy New Year.
I've returned to say that I hope your vision has settled down now and that you are feeling a bit brighter.
xx
Thanks for your supportive notes, friends. Great way to start a year — kind notes from friends
® Janine: We had a busy Christmas with family, including the first two-night sleep-over for our grandkids (meaning change of routine for the dogs). Lots of fun, but I'm not quite as young as I thought I was. And I am glad that we have "met" last year, too. Sorry I don't visit you more often.
® Camilla: Glad you had a good Christmas-ish time with family. Do hope you're feeling better, especially after the news of Woozle's passing. Gray fog, not purple haze, to start the year. Sigh!
® Happy New Year, Lee. Or as the Kangas would say. "Hoppy New Year." Marvels of modern medicine indeed, but the recovery time is sloooooooooow in the land of the half-blind.
® FF: I'm felling quite bright; like back in the days when my late mom used to call me sunny (or was that sonny; no matter). I can see extremely well when driving or working about; I can sort-of read what I'm typing into the computer; the written page, however, is a lot of ink-spots. I'm sure Dr. Rorschach would be intrigued by what I see! Hope you have a splendid new year, despite Mr. FF's absences. I have a hospital ethics meeting on Tuesday, for which I have lots of paper. And, yes, I will be taking a magnifying glass! It's all elementary, good doctors!
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