Wednesday 20 April 2022

Back in business - one eye cataract gone, one to go.

 

Surgery on my left eye took place yester-day. And, so far at least, things are 'looking' very fine indeed. The difference in visual acuity between both eyes is now nothing short of extraordinary. I hadn't expected to have been missing as much as can now be seen with the remedied eye, for both distance and even close-up reading without any aid. Being short-sighted, I'd been wearing contact lenses for exactly 50 years this year, while until recently had always been able to read easily with no assistance. That changed around Xmas time when the speed of deterioration in both eyes for both long-distance and near was alarming, such that for the last few weeks have been hardly able to see or read little at all, even with large magnifying glass - and any writing on this laptop had to be zoomed in on enormously, with my own typing becoming arduous and slow. Now no more. Henceforth I can resume reading others' blogs and making comments on them. Happy days! As at now, though, have to say that seeing properly with just the one good eye feels awkward and lop-sided, though suppose it just needs getting used to. Was only allowed to remove the taped-on transparent, plastic eye-shield this morning, and have just begun the eye-drops ritual, one type four times daily, another twice daily, for two weeks. The uncomfortable grit-in-eye sensation I had yesterday from after surgery until bed-time has receded significantly, though not entirely. Now there's a wait till mid-June to return for a follow-up check which, if satisfactory, operation on other eye will be scheduled. So, assuming the right eye will have the same sort of timetable,  it could be all done and dusted by September, or maybe October - when then I can say "Farewell forever, contacts!" - and perhaps the same for spectacles too. I'd been told that despite being able to see distances I'd probably need glasses for reading. However, that's not the case so far, even if today it's been a little bit tiring. But if it turns out that specs just for reading are needed it'll cause me no consternation at all - and will in any case be far, far cheaper than contacts. 

The surgery itself wasn't too bad, only a little discomfort at having to keep on staring at a very bright light while the surgeon tinkered around and in the front of the eyeball, taking out and replacing the defective lens, which was disconcerting if thinking too much about it, especially when I could see and feel the eye being irrigated every few seconds. The whole procedure must have lasted just seven or eight minutes. Hardly any true physical 'pain' as such. 

Before and after the operation one had to go through a series of specialists, each taking care of a particular aspect of the procedures. All were making an effort to be cordial and to set one at ease, but for every one I could detect a cold efficiency beneath, which was okay as there were about a dozen patients all there for the same operation, and no doubt others too later when mine was passed.

Now I can see the clarity and the colours I'd been missing it's really like another world - Dorothy opening the door onto Oz! I've yet to go outside but it'll be such a relief to be able cross the road safely again and to be able to go shopping without having to guess that what I was picking from off the shelves was what I needed just because the shape of it felt like what I was after.  

Incidentally, it's now more evident than I suspected that the vision in my uncorrected right eye is so much like those sepia-tinted photographs of old, the 1930s and before - exactly like that for my experience - blurred outlines with all the colour toned right down or completely washed out. (Not quite as in the comparative illustration I show above). What a difference in sight to the other untreated eye. Truly extraordinary! And oh, to be able after several months, to read a newspaper again - and books, books, books! 

By the way, one snag I had both getting to and returning home after the surgery, was discovering how prone I now am to travel sickness. The eye-clinic for this area is in the middle of nowhere, an outlandish place to get to, about 20 miles from here, inaccessible by regular public transport of any kind. However, thanks to our glorious National Health Service, a lift both ways can be arranged at no charge (a taxi would cost over £40 or $50 U.S. - each way!). Of course the operations themselves are paid for too. (Ta muchly again, NHS!). Last month had to make my first visit there for a pre-surgery assessment involving several test. But being driven there and back, in a Health Service-provided car, was a most uncomfortable experience. It was my first time on any mode of travel - train, bus, car - in three years, and, boy, did I feel it! Travel sickness. Up and down, start and stop, crawl and shoot along. Yesterday, expecting the same, I went prepared with bottle of water and several plastic bags which I could heave into if the worst came to the worst. In the event, the worst did occur, both going and returning - though thankfully, both times nothing was brought up, my having purposely eaten very little, though making the two drivers, different ones each way, express reasonable alarm at my several loud retching noises. Terrifically embarrassing. Must get something from the chemist for when I have to go next time in June.

So I'm halfway there now. Quite enough to make my presence better known on these pages once more. Can't promise that I can catch up on reading all the blogs I've missed but I still hope to slot myself in here and there without being over-conspicuous and over-bearing. We'll see how it goes. Meanwhile, though I know that several of those who read this blog will have undergone cataract removal surgery themselves and will recognise much of what I've described. For those who haven't and have yet to tread this path, I can assure them that although a degree of trepidation as I experienced will be entirely natural, there is nothing to fear - and there's a very high chance indeed, that your result will be as positive as mine seems to be - and that you also will be singing its praises.  


P.S. All my pussies are fine - now including a 'new' young black-and-white sweetie from a few doors away, and who, without asking permission, has filled the vacancy left by my late, dearest Blackso. He now sleeps and eats here all the time, though of course he can always return to his rightful home should he prefer. I can only hope the landlord doesn't find out as I did promise him that when my then four 'residents' disappeared one by one (for whatever reason), I wouldn't replace them. A photo of the new one, whom I've yet to name, will appear in due course. 

'See' y'all shortly!

26 comments:

  1. That is such good news and I am so happy for you. My mum had hers done a few years back and said the result was wonderful. I look forward to a photo of your new cat.

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    1. Thanks, Carol. Your mum and I are amongst the huge majority of those who have HUGE praise for the procedure. To me the result seems little short of miraculous. Wish I could have the other eye done NOW, it already being a bit awkward having to hold my head somewhat sideways, but patience is the watchword.

      I'll show the world my new pussy when I can - currently sleeping it off on my settee here. Problem is that without a smartphone and having to use an old-fashioned camera brought some 20 years go, it's always a carry-on to manage loading it into the laptop, but will do it as soon as practicable.

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  2. glad to know you can "see clearly now" Stay well

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    1. Gratitude to you for your kind thoughts, Kent. Keep safe yourself.

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  3. You went a long time without needing cataract surgery. So glad the first went well. What a way to get back into travel. Even I can feel a bit off on those kinds of rides.

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    1. Yes, Mitch. My mum had hers done when she was around the age I am now, though my sister, coming up to 83, hasn't felt the need - yet.
      Yup, the travel sickness was the big 'spoiler' on the day even though my other natural apprehensions didn't materialise. My only other experience of similar was way back in 1965, my first time on a ferry - crossing from England to France. At least this time I didn't bring anything up either going or coming, other than those dreadful retching sounds. Still humiliating, though.

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  4. Such good news, about the eyes, and the new visitor!!
    This post made my day!

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    1. Just the one eye up to now, Bob - which does bring into relief more than before, the side that is lacking. Even if I do have to wait until the Autumn for the complete treatment to be over it'll be a blessing to be able to see the Summer through with at least one perfect eye.

      Dunno yet what to call the new 'resident'. All my other blog-pals seem to give their pets sensible, adult names while I tend to revert to childish, even babyish ones, as when I was an infant already fascinated by our seemingly endless stream of cat-pets. In that vein I'm already thinking of him as 'Booties', a name I gave one of our cats many decades ago because, like this one, he was all black apart from his white bib and four white paws. Yes, I think it'll just have to be that, silly or not. :-)

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  5. Happy to hear it! I've been in glasses and contacts for nearly 50 years now. It would be so nice to not have to rely on them so much. Hate to hear about the motion sickness, though. How miserable that must be.

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    1. Sadie, I'd never considered until going for pre-surgery assessment last month, that post-operation I wouldn't need contacts or glasses for distance-sight - and so far neither for reading too, touch wood. It really has been an unexpected bonus. If and when your own turn comes to have the same, I'm sure you're going to have a result that'll give you an equal sense of elation as I'm feeling.

      The unpleasant memory of the manifestation of travel sickness yesterday is already being eclipsed by the positive result I got from the rest of the day's activities. I need to keep a sense of proportion.
      Thanks for your visit here.

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  6. Yay. Should I ever need it, I shan't hesitate. I continually hear of the almost immediate effects. My mother HATED things near her eye, let alone in them. But after her first catarac procedure, she asked, while in recovery - how soon she could get the 2nd one done! Glad you're well!

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    1. I'm now on the very long list of those who, from experience and result, have nothing but praise for the procedure, B. For sure you'll never regret should you ever require it. As your mum, the time for th second eye to be done in like manner just cannot come soon enough.

      I'll be popping back up on your own blogs very soon now - and getting my dose of S & S.

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  7. Welcome back Ray! Very relieved to hear that the procedure went well.

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    1. Very many thanks, AKC. Yes, it could hardly all have gone better - well apart from the getting there and back!

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  8. Glad you surgery went well, dear. And congrats on the kitty. I, too, suffer from travel sickness... there's something wrong with the center of my brain and my balance can be horrible, but travelling is always rather touch and go for me. Take good care of yourself.

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    1. Thanks to you as well, U. Yes, the procedure all went like clockwork, with a stupendous result. No apprehension at all about having the second one done though I do wish it wasn't such a time to wait - but it'll come.

      Yes, travel sickness is always a miserable experience though clearly it's particularly bad in your case. I don't usually suffer, but this time because I hadn't used any mode of travel at all for several years previously it was like something new all over again. Butt when it gets back to being regular I should be okay - unlike yourself where just the notion of having to travel must fill you with dread. I truly feel for you.
      You too take care, be safe and go well.

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  9. SO happy for you, Ray. I hope the time passes quickly so you can get eye #2 done and it all goes as well. And, of course, it's great to see you posting and commenting about the blogosphere once again. Yay!

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    1. Thanks ever so much, S/b. May you have similar good fortune in your own life's bumpy ride as you await retirement day - a TRUE cause to celebrate.

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  10. Good news and having some vision back must increase your quality of life enormously.

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    1. The difference in quality is staggering, Poppy. I went shopping again for the first time this morning, and what bliss it was to be able to properly look for exactly what I needed and all without last-minute swerving to avoid bumping into other shoppers and shopping trollies! It was almost fun - almost!
      Thanks for calling by.

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  11. Happy to see that you came through with flying colors! Yay!

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    1. Yes, it's certainly been an eventful few days, D - and with a spectacularly positive outcome. Have to say, though, that trying to catch up on so much reading is really tiring me out now, so got to take it easier for a while. But many thanks for your thoughts.

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  12. This post made my day! So glad your surgery went well. My son had wicked eyesight and had lasik a few years ago; was very costly ($4000!) but the absolute best money I ever spent. Bless the NHS (and curse the U.S. health care system).

    Please do post pics of the newest addition to your clan. You continue the love. ♥

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    1. Thank you, Elle. It still feels awkward, and indeed a bit tiring, to be seeing and especially reading, with just the one eye, and I really look forward for the too-long wait to be over when I can have two fully functional 'peepers'.
      Now I can speak from experience in concurring absolutely with your son's positive experience. If all goes as it should, I can't see how anyone can NOT be overjoyed at the result, which could never be considered a waste of money - should money even be needed, as it so sadly would be in too many places.

      I'll have to do something about showing little 'Booties' to the world (my silly name for him, but it's sticking!) but I'll attempt it soonish

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  13. I pop by regular, hoping you are posting. I was very glad to see you did - and with good news overall.
    I hope the next one goes well hugs

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    1. Very many thank for popping in, Dr Spo. You're always welcome here.
      Thanks too for your kind words. I'm trying to get back to 'as was' but must admit that it's tiring with mono-ocular vision. But we'll get there.

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