Vision Concerns

[Jim Kidwell]

After losing my vision in one eye three years ago, I have not taken for granted what vision I have left. I have noticed my vision in my good eye has steadily become hazier or dimmer recently. I think it might have been longer, but it not an overnight thing you notice. After talking with my retina specialist during a routine exam, he said I have a very common after effect from cataract surgery. The sac were they insert the new lens, over time, becomes dense and causes dimming. This is very easy to correct by a procedure called YAG Laser Capsulotomy. It is a very low risk treatment that will clear up any dimness. It's an outpatient procedure which takes only seconds to treat.Google it for information.
Just trying to stay in the game longer..............

[DeadEye]

Hang in there Jim. That capsule you speak of has the thickness of 'one red blood cell'. The very fact that medicine can focus a laser that finitely boggles my mind. I have had the procedure and it involves burning about 10 or 12 holes in the back of the capsule to allow clear access to the retina. The worst part of it for me was the 200 pound nurse that they had leaning on the back of my head to make sure I didn't move. No kidding, she pushed my forehead into the saddle (?) on the machine so hard I had an impression for hours but it worked. This was back in 2011 and all remains well to this day. They did mine almost as part of the cataract process. You'll be fine.

"Not bad for a one-eyed fat man" from True Grit and one of my favorite all-time lines.

DeadEye

[Michael Johnson]

Very common procedure post cataract surgery. As an Anesthesiologist I work with Ophthalmologists daily and I have never heard of any complications status post a Yag laser. And nobody needs to hold you down unless you are a "wild man". Mike

[DeadEye]

Just call me a Wild Man, I guess.

Paul

[Shadow 4]

Just call me a Wild Man, I guess.

Paul

Guys crazier than a rabid pet coon

[DeadEye]

OK, time for some clarification. First off the procedure is done in a sitting position so no one is 'holding anyone down'. The YAG Laser machine in my case had an elastic strap with a Velcro closure to hold your head firmly in the saddle. The elastic had long ago given up and to be sure I did not move my head at the wrong time the Surgeon asked the nurse to take the place of the elastic strap and lean against my head. She was a solid woman and her hip was just the right height. She applied herself to the task enthusiastically and I can assure you I did not move. End of story.

As noted my Cataract was taken care of in 2011 and by then things here in Saskatchewan had progressed to the point that an Anesthesiologist was not present for my procedure only the surgeon and a nurse. It took all of 12 minutes and the only anesthetic involved was in the viscous gel used to reduce irritation and feeling in the eye. The same is true for the YAG procedure, only the surgeon and the 'solid' nurse were involved and no anesthetic. YPMV

DeadEye

[Jim Kidwell]

I brought this up because there must be a lot of Senior, Super Senior and White Buffalo's who have had cataract surgery and had no idea of post procedures. I know I didn't. .....................

[GrumpyBear]

Good information for those that haven't gotten there yet also.

Thanks

[ole pizen slinger]

Git'er done Jim and stay in the game.
OPS

[Michael Johnson]

Yeah, anesthesia is not involved here either, but they are done at our surgery center in a back exam room with a nurse and the ophthalmologist. My point was that nobody has to be restrained. This is the most minimally invasive procedure that you can imagine. Some guys do it in their office. So don't worry about it, git it done and be pleased with the results. As long as your doc put the correct lens in and there were no surgical complications you should be good to go.

[DeadEye]

And I guess I was just trying to inject a little levity into what for many might be a very stressful procedure. And the story is true. My eye surgeon is highly regarded in his field but even he was put on edge by the fact that I only have one eye (DeadEye). Being extra cautious he used more gel than he would normally and as a result some stayed between the inter-ocular lens and the back of the capsule. The result was that the lens was bowed forward as in a fish-eye camera and the back of the capsule was bowed back. I could count every hair and pore on the back of my hand but past 18" I saw four of everything. He hoped the excess gel would be absorbed into the natural fluid in the eye. After three days and realizing that wasn't happening they tried the YAG laser to release the pressure. Because of the distortion in the Capsule and the very short focus available on the YAG (they tried three lenses) that would not work so it was back to the OR for a second go at it. This time it worked. At the time of my six month check-up they (by now I had a team of five surgeons consulting) decided to do the Capsulotomy as a matter of course. It was during the first occasion that the nurse was brought into play in an effort to bring the capsule far enough forward to bring it into the focus field. And now you know the rest of the story.

Good day !!

[Lumpy Grits]

Wish you the very best Jim
Gary

[Gamerancher]

Okay, while we are on the subject of eyes, has anyone here had a VICTRECTOMY?
I have been advised that I need one and that it is quite common and safe but I cannot find anyone who has had the procedure done.
My right eye has become cloudy and I have difficulty focusing, despite new glasses. I am told that it was probably caused by prolonged use of cortico-steroids that I was prescribed by my doctor to relieve severe joint pain.

[Michael Johnson]

Are you sure the ophthalmologist does not want to do cataract surgery? Cataracts frequently form after corticosteroid therapy. A vitrectomy is usually done after 1) a loss of vitreous fluid during cataract surgery (a complication), for retina surgery like a retinal detachment, or surgery to get rid of floaters in the eye. Steroid therapy can also cause glaucoma.

[Gamerancher]

Yeah, I'm sure. The problem is a massive floater has formed in the middle of my eye, was referred for laser surgery but eye surgeon recommends the vitreotomy. He was quite blase' about it and then informed me that I'd be back within 12 - 18 months for cataract surgery, the cataract being the result of removing the fluid. I'm just not that keen to sign up for two lots of eye surgery without speaking to people who have had the procedure done.