Photography
Related: About this forumTomorrow morning is my first eye surgery.
I don't know if I mentioned it here before, but I've got cataracts in both eyes and something called Fuchs Corneal Dystrophy, a genetic disease that makes my corneas look like orange peels, as my ophthalmologist puts it, and blurs my vision significantly. Tomorrow my left eye, the worst one, will be operated on to remove the cataracts and transplant the cornea. I'm a little nervous, but my surgeon is highly recommended, and he tells me there would be something wrong with me if I didn't feel a little apprehensive. I mean, after all, a blind photographer doesn't do anybody much good. But he says he's sure everything will work out fine and I'll be pleased with the results.
Anyway, just keep me in your thoughts tomorrow at 9:15 Alaska time (that would be 1:15 p.m. on the East Coast). I will definitely appreciate the support.
elleng
(131,102 posts)handmade34
(22,757 posts)dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)( sorry, couldn't resist that play on words from To Kill a Mockingbird)
My sweet little old neighbor had both her eyes done 6 mos apart last year.
she knows that I am anxious because it is something I have to have done sooner or later,,prolly sooner.
SHE says there really is nothing to it..they briefly knock you out while they put the anesthesia in the eye
( she out and back awake in what seemed like a second she said)
and you don't feel a thing, that it is a fast, simple procedure, painless afterwards..you do have to use drops for a few days, to keep the eye moist.
So I figure is this very small frail 85 year old lady can get both done, I sure can.!
Please come back and tell us exactly what they DID do, cause I need to know how it was for you.
Blue_In_AK
(46,436 posts)in perfecting this surgery in just the past few years. A cornea transplant used to be a pretty big deal requiring a long recuperation period, but now they've figured out how to do a selective transplant of just the affected layer of the cornea with minimal invasion and a much faster recovery time. I don't think Dr. Steiner is even going to knock me out entirely, just give me IV Valium-like substance so I'm not anxious and then a local for the actual procedure. Then I have to lay flat on my back for 48 hours (except for bathroom breaks, of course) which might be tricky since I'm a side sleeper, but we've got lots of pillows to keep me wedged in place, and my iPod is loaded with good music, so I'll just get in a meditative state and hang out, I guess.
Once I'm recovered, I'll for sure let you know how it goes. The second surgery will happen in April, probably, after we get back from Nome and the Iditarod.
flamin lib
(14,559 posts)Blue_In_AK
(46,436 posts)I'm sure everything will look much different to me. Now I generally rely on shape and color when I'm taking pictures. It's going to be interesting to actually see what I'm shooting before I get it up on the computer. I can't tell you how many times I've taken a shot and then been amazed by what shows up there when I can actually look at it up close. When we were out in my brother's boat a couple of summers ago, I was taking pictures of the shoreline for landscape purposes and, lo and behold, when I got home and got the pictures up on the computer, I had captured a black bear! I had no idea it was there.
We have bird feeders and I like to take pictures of the chickadees, but I had no idea that some of them have abnormally formed hooked beaks, even shooting as I was from fairly close in. It will be like a whole new world for me as I've had this problem for quite a while. I was just waiting to get it taken care of until I qualified for Medicare, and as it turns out, it's a good thing since this new, less invasive procedure has only been available the past few years.
Little Star
(17,055 posts)Solly Mack
(90,785 posts)Let us know (when you're able) how you are doing.
JTFrog
(14,274 posts)My dad just had cataract surgery on his right eye a week ago. He said compared to having it done on his left eye about seven years ago, this one was a breeze. He could see perfectly and painlessly the day after surgery, whereas the last time he had blurred vision and "floaters" for about a week after. He just had the lens on the left eye "cleansed" by laser about two months ago. He is 72 and now has better eye sight than all of his children!
I was allowed to stay with him in his room all the way up to the time they wheeled him into surgery. He said that helped a bit with his nervousness. He was out about 30 minutes later and we left the hospital about 30 minutes after that.
Here's to a successful surgery and quick recovery!
:hugs:
*on edit - He was sedated but awake for the surgery, they strapped his left arm down so he wouldn't inadvertently reach up while the doctor was working and the anesthesiologist had his right arm under control. He still managed to wiggle his feet a couple times and got reprimanded by his doctor, hehe.
Mira
(22,380 posts)I have heard great things about the astounding fast difference this surgery makes, report back as soon as you can, I expect good news!
NV Whino
(20,886 posts)Catarac surgery is a piece of cake these days. You'll be glad you did it. I've got one coming up in the future. I just got a new hip. I think the eye is next.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,699 posts)It sounds as though you're in very competent hands, and your recovery should be easy...
You will be in my thoughts!
TuxedoKat
(3,818 posts)I hope all goes well and that you recover quickly. (((HUGS)))
TBF
(32,090 posts)tawadi
(2,110 posts)Hurry back.
Mz Pip
(27,453 posts)though I'm sure it will go well. I've known quite a few people who have had it done and say it was really pretty easy.
Blue_In_AK
(46,436 posts)I think I'm ready for this.
astonamous
(1,336 posts)at the same time. The cataract surgery is the easiest thing in the world now days and corneal surgery has come a long way along with better drugs and instruments.
I will keep my eyes crossed for you tomorrow!
CC
(8,039 posts)and sending vibes that all goes great with no problems at all. You can't be anymore anxious (aka scared) than my mom was and she still swears it is the best thing she has ever done and that was even with them stretching her pupils so she could supposedly see better at night.
Celebration
(15,812 posts)you are in our thoughts and prayers.....
Kookaburra
(2,649 posts)How exciting that you will be able to see clearly so soon.
CC
(8,039 posts)and you are resting while they do whatever until Hullboss can take you home. Use the drops as told and use that 48 hours to relax. Terry said to send Hullboss to the library to get you some books on CD, or download to you Ipod if you library has that. It will help that 48 hours go a bit faster. Oh and avoid the latest right wing poutrage on the faux victimization. No need to raise your blood pressure.
Added the suggestion in case Hullboss reads DU for you a bit.
Alameda
(1,895 posts)I don't check in here too often, just saw this thread today. Hope it went well.
handmade34
(22,757 posts)Response to handmade34 (Reply #24)
Little Star This message was self-deleted by its author.
Little Star
(17,055 posts)alfredo
(60,075 posts)Tsiyu
(18,186 posts)Hope the surgery went well and you are recovering nicely.