Cataracts [ocular, not Hardinge]

Today's visit to the Eye Clinic brought the not-unexpected advice that I should have both lenses replaced by those new-fangled synthetic ones. **LINK**

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cataract_surgery

So far, so good ... BUT can anyone comment, please, on the pros & cons of chosing a short-sighted or a long-sighted solution?

I am naturally short-sighted, but the Surgeon presumed that I would prefer to be 'made' long-sighted, and wear glasses for all close work ... A chat with my own Optician then raised some doubt in my mind: It may actually be preferable to choose short-sightedness, and continue to wear glasses for driving & walking about.

What I don't know, is the depth-of-field provided by these synthetic lenses; and therefore how much changing between pairs of glasses may be needed with each option.

N.B. ... I don't like the idea of bi-focals or vari-focals.

Grateful for any advice from those with actual experience, or professional expertise.

MichaelG.

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P.S. This is a very seroius matter for me, so could we please keep the witty remarks and the hypothesising to a minimum ... Thanks.

Michael, I have a severe eye condition and am facing my second cornea transplant, the condition means I am hideously short sighted, different condition but similar outcomes. I wasn't keen on varifocals but having switched to them from 2 separate pairs of specs, I would not go back, I invested in premium quality lenses as the transitions are much smoother between distances. That said, If it was a choice, I would go long sighted and keep the specs for close work, the problem is as you say, the DOF, which is where the varifocals win out as they cover the field without the changing between pairs.

Thanks Graeme

... Much appreciated.

MichaelG.

Some time ago, my optician told me that I was just starting to develop a cataract. Since then, I have worn glasses to correct other optical faults, such as astigmatism. My experience is that when bending forwards, they tend to shift, and impair my vision. (Try looking down the back of something like a transverse car engine!)

Given the choice, I would choose to have good near sight and use glasses for long distance vision, such as driving.

H T H

Howard

Michael

Like Graeme,but not so badly affected, I am naturally short-sighted and have used top-class varifocals for years.

I would go long-sighted and keep the specs for near vision

Varifocals are OK for near vision such as reading a book, but for situations that we get into looking closely at machinery it is difficult to get in range of the close lens, and I have to use additional clip-on lenses to convert my long distance lens to a close-range one! S o may as well use close-range specs anyway.

Hi Michael, Just had both my eyes done , cataracts removed and new lenses inserted .My sight is now better than I can remember I can see pylons and wires a mile and a half away .I can type this (just about) without glasses ,but with a cheap pair of x3 glasses no problems. I am going next week to have a checkup to get a proper pair if necessary.

I did not feel or see the operation ,all numbed with drops .Arrived at hospital at half seven and home at half four the same day.Each op was done one month apart,small amount of dis comfort when antibiotic drops put in each day for one month.. I do not wear glasses now at all for driving .driving at night is wonderful ,the clearness of everything is amazing.

My wife also had both of her eyes done by the same surgeon, brilliant man,laughed and joked all the time.

There is nothing to fear ,everything is carefully explained . I was totally scared at having this done to me, but now EASY.

All the very best Maurice.

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Thanks everyone, and especially Maurice ... That ^^^ is exactly the sort of information I need.

MichaelG.

I was short sighted from the age of about 12 and didn't realise how useful it was until age brought my ability to focus close to an end. Have had varifocals for a couple of years and they are great most of the time but in the workshop they are good for reading mics and verniers but some of the distortions of square have had me getting a square out to check, now I am aware of the distortion I can live with it. Bought another pair to sharpen thing up for driving but while this is good for looking ahead and at instruments looking sideways is very strange, the thing with varifocals is to move your head not just your eyes. I can't comment on the lens replacement dilemma but it transformed my mothers life when she had hers done I think she must have the long range option as she only uses glasses for reading.

Mike

Edited By Michael Poole on 29/11/2016 18:11:33

That's exactly what my optician told me 3 weeks ago when I said that close-range was anywhere from arms length to right in front of my nose, both at work and at home. I've been wearing glasses for distance vision for thirty years, and as a mechanic would choose a permanent correction for near sight.

My varifocals have an occupational prescription to give me reading distance at the bottom and computer screen or lathe tool at the top, max top is about 4ft. I find this quite useful but the TV is in blurry world with them on.

Mike

Hello Michael,

​I can echo Maurice's experience but in one eye only, the implant gives me longer sight which still needs crisping up for distance vision and glasses are necessary for reading.

​The impact of seeing true colour again and the restoration of image sharpness were revelations at the time; the work was done 24 years ago. I should explain that the other eye is a barrow job and not a story to explore here.

​So, go for it with enthusiasm. I speak from long experience!

Regards

​Brian

I've just been for assessment prior to eye surgery. Cataract in my right eye, complicated by a tremor, which could affect any surgery. I really do not wish to be conscious during the operation, even though it is routine and quick. Having been short sighted all my life, I would opt for distance glasses, as I find specs a distraction working close up.

Geoff

Michael G I had my cataracts removed one in September the other three weeks ago I am typing this using a pair of +3 specs from pound shop. I see the surgeon on Monday next I shall get prescription reading glasses in about a month. The operation is a doddle, no pain, no discomfort, and only takes about quarter of an hour. having the eye anaethitized and recovery afterwards takes the longest time Drops 4 times a day afterwards but that's no problem. It's suprising the difference it's made. There's absolutely nothing to worry about

Roy ( 82 years young )

I've been wearing varifocals for several years now but switch to single vision close work in the workshop the varifocals always fall in the no focus distance ideal for walking driving and reading and thats about it

Forgive me if I don't thank everyone individually

... This is all very helpful

MichaelG.

My dad was long sighted and in the end, became both long and short sighted, so varifocals came quite naturally to him, but for a short sighted person like me, it seems like a complete headspin to look up and down for different depths.

I would be inclined towards my natural bent of short sightedness because its known territory and it would come as a big shock to be long sighted all at once, if i really want to look at something up close then my glasses are actually more of a hinderance then help (D.O.F problem reported by other people?) For the sheer sake of creature comfort i'd take short sightedness because the shock to a change i'd never lived with before would be too much for me.

Michael W

Useful for me too Michael - sight in my left eye is OK but my right eye is becoming rather blurred. Had a retinopathy appointment recently and it shows an encroaching cloud ( no surprise it's been there for some time). As far as the NHS goes it seems that it's not yet on their "to do" list so I guess it's wait or pay up and go private. I must admit to some nervousness about the proceedure but my neighbour had both eyes done recently and she says it was a breeze.

As to glasses I've been wearing Varifocals for years and, once used to them, they are fine.

Good luck

Norman

My far and near points are about 6" and 5" respectively... so now I have to wear glasses for everything. I focus by moving them up and down my nose and have got better at touch typing as seeing both screen and keyboard sharply is a no no!

Neil

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Perhaps someone should have mentioned that to my body !!

All that happened [prior to the Iris Pigment shedding, and the Cataracts] was that I lost accommodation.

MichaelG.