The DU Lounge

I had cataract surgery on my good eye last year — and I was petrified!!

Maybe my experience can help.

I too had been near-sighted most of my life (saw good up close - glasses for distance). 


I lost my vision in one eye ten years ago as a competitive artistic dance and figures roller skater. The floor was wet, I went down. A few weeks later, driving behind the ambulance carrying my dying husband on our way to Bay Pines Veterans Hospital, partway there, I had a sudden full retinal detachment. Drove with that eye closed 120 miles. When we arrived, I refused emergency surgery until I knew my husband was stable. By then, the 5 1/2 hour surgery completely destroyed my macula.

So yes, it’s scary as hell, and we definitely need to protect our “good” eye.

Like you, I wanted to keep my close vision and wear glasses only for driving. And like you, my eye doc said most people opt for seeing far and wear glasses for reading and up close work.

As a retired medical professional, I write medical-legal thriller novels (which has been a sanity-saver for me to stay focused and block out the news!). Also, I read a lot, and on the computer and other devices.

Also, I’ve been sewing since I was nine, when my mother taught me to use a foot pedal machine to make a pair of navy blue bloomers (with tiny gold crowns scattered in a pattern — funny the things we remember). Sewed all four of my kids’ clothes, including complicated prom dresses.

But I digress (sort of).

The way I decided on whether to keep my near vision, or go for far vision, was to calculate what percentage of time I spent doing stuff.

For me, it was 85-90% of my time reading and computer work (much of which is reading the tiny print on my phone to keep up with DU), woodworking, sketching and painting, and of course, sewing.

Approximately 10-15% of my time driving. Or admiring the rural landscape details as I take my two pups for their walks. I tossed my TV decades ago, but YMMV.

Even though I saw seven cataract specialists to be absolutely sure I chose the right one, all seven said exactly was your doc said — that most people choose to see distance clearly and wear glasses for near vision.

Not me. There’s so much freedom in doing, and seeing, things up close and in the middle distance. Without any glasses at all.

**Side note, but very relevant: I also opted for the “Basic” Cataract Surgery, which is actually done by the surgeon’s skill — not by an AI laser machine, which can also compromise night vision. (It usually tells you in the fine print marketing info they give you, and turns out to be a big surprise to those who don’t read it and then try to drive at night afterwards.)

Plus, the entire Basic procedure is totally covered by insurance (in my case, Medicare and ChampVA). My only cost was for the eyedrops. While laser surgeries can cost upwards of $4,500.00, depending on where you live.

Kinda makes you wonder about recommendations and profit margins.

I thank my lucky stars every day that I didn’t let any of the the docs talk me into opting for far vision. Or for the expensive-and-(IMO)-not-so-great laser choices. I now can see the tiniest details — including minute directions on pill bottles.

Bottom line: You are unique, walkingman, and once you figure out what you spend most of your time doing, then the decision is easy. No matter what the docs say.

I hope this helps.

Warm wishes to you that all goes well. I’m sure you’ll make the best choice. Please keep us posted on how it goes.