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Old 06-03-2017, 11:49 PM
 
81 posts, read 63,860 times
Reputation: 98

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Deelighted View Post
I remember that my Grandma had cataracts and had cataract surgery very late in life. She also suffered from dementia. My dad started having cataract problems in his late 70's but did not have surgery before he passed away at age 79. My mom did not have any cataract problems.

I've read that cataract problems can be hereditary. So I'm wondering if I will develop cataracts. I also recently drove my neighbor to her cataract surgeries (she had both eyes done but one month apart for each eye) so cataracts have been on my mind lately.

If you have been diagnosed with cataracts:

  1. At what age did you notice symptoms?
  2. What was your first symptom?
  3. What kind of cataracts did you develop?
  4. Did you have surgery? If so, at what age did you have surgery?
  5. Did you wish you had cataract surgery earlier in life?
From what I've read, I don't think it's possible to isolate any one dominant factor in the development of cataracts. I've always avoided sunlight and smoke, but believe my cause was primarily hereditary, partly because I was in my 50s when they were diagnosed.


I hadn't detected them, no symptoms, just a routine checkup I didn't like bothering with, but really recommend. Such a nuisance, but eye problems are wise to avoid or to treat as early as possible, as much as any other health issue.


Having been around quite a number of people, both relatives (both sides of my family) and friends and neighbors, I had the surgery TOO EARLY to obsess over it and think/talk myself into the abject fear that affects the lives of so many with the impairment of some film on their eyes.


Why delay? Would anyone postpone treating tooth problems as long? (I guess they would, but just happened to think of that. It's just harder.)


When it's nothing more than two days' worth of inconvenience (if they're done separately) it just makes sense to fix them and move on. I wanted mine done right away, as soon as it could be scheduled. And like so many others, the second one was absolutely nothing to avoid, which is kind of interesting. I did have to have the procedure to break up the coating that often develops, just part of routine follow-up.


I would go so far as saying there's a certain positive of doing something so unusual in one's life, an adventure. For the first time ever, I confess to having looked with some sadness, to the second procedure, that it was the last time I'd get to do it. How many dental procedures are that "welcome"?


Is it weird, twisted even, to relish such an experience? I don't enjoy at all, other medical events, though surgery has never been one of those.


So I couldn't wish I'd done it earlier, and maybe having seen too many people mentally magnify it was behind the move to be done with it. Until the topic came up here, I'd pretty-much forgotten all about it. Aside from some vision difference, nothing actually changed.
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Old 06-04-2017, 10:33 AM
 
Location: Greenville, SC
6,219 posts, read 5,898,290 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grampaTom View Post
Let's Talk About Cataracts

1) everyone gets them
2) not everyone has symptoms from them
3) they are slow growing so your eye care specialist will have plenty of time to advise you on treatment needs
4) the treatment is, indeed, surgical but does not require overnight hospital stay
5) some medications make them worse (steroids)
An ophthalmologist in the early 1980s told me she saw the beginnings of cataracts -- and said they might be related to the steroid eye drops I had been using. But that was just a "might". I was in my 30s. A decade later, they had progressed to the point where I had to have surgery - that was in my 40s; the rate of change in them escalated toward the end -- not all cataracts are slow growing. The ophthalmologist said he'd operated on guys in their 30s who had developed cataracts, and as I recall explained there were two kinds: senile cataracts, which were due to age-related changes throughout the cataracts, and the kind I had which were a kind of "frosting" on the lenses which is typical in younger people, and which can be faster growing than the senile kind. At least that's how I recall what he said.

He said I'd know when I needed to have the surgery - and he was right. I went in when it got to the point where I couldn't drive at night safely and started having a hard time reading things at a distance.
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Old 06-04-2017, 10:46 AM
 
81 posts, read 63,860 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vasily View Post
An ophthalmologist in the early 1980s told me she saw the beginnings of cataracts -- and said they might be related to the steroid eye drops I had been using. But that was just a "might". I was in my 30s. A decade later, they had progressed to the point where I had to have surgery - that was in my 40s; the rate of change in them escalated toward the end -- not all cataracts are slow growing. The ophthalmologist said he'd operated on guys in their 30s who had developed cataracts, and as I recall explained there were two kinds: senile cataracts, which were due to age-related changes throughout the cataracts, and the kind I had which were a kind of "frosting" on the lenses which is typical in younger people, and which can be faster growing than the senile kind. At least that's how I recall what he said.

He said I'd know when I needed to have the surgery - and he was right. I went in when it got to the point where I couldn't drive at night safely and started having a hard time reading things at a distance.
Actually, now I recall I had to wait, too, then had it done as soon as the doctor said he would. Do you remember why that is? Why it's desirable, necessary even, to function with some impairment before they do it?


I did mine as soon as I could, partly because I wanted my mother to have her long-standing ones done. She was afraid of the removal, but not the driving with compromised vision. She actually wanted hers done sooner, so I wouldn't be first.


"Senile" cataracts -- geesh -- they could call the others "kiddie" cataracts.
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Old 06-04-2017, 10:55 AM
 
Location: Southern California
29,267 posts, read 16,565,121 times
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I don't know if they are hereditary or not, but everyone seems to get the surgery, well not everyone but here most do. I have NOT and I'll be 79 soon.

I was told in my 50's I had the beginnings but so far my vision is CLEAR and I use my reading and distance lens. No big issue for me. I don't look for trouble, so I avoid surgery if I know about prevention.

Sunglasses and antioxidants have saved me I believe. The OPC class of antioxidants for sure and some eye vitamins.

Both my folks had the surgery I believe, back then they just went with what the docs said. Grandparents no surgery I'm sure and they didn't live with sunglasses and antioxidants...They worked in the fields to grow foods.

So, do all you can to SAVE your eyes and even from glaucoma and macular degeneration....get on Eye Supports.
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Old 06-04-2017, 11:03 AM
 
2,493 posts, read 2,045,212 times
Reputation: 4158
Quote:
Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe View Post
I thought I'd give an update on my cataract surgery on Sept 1st.

As I mentioned, the procedure was upsetting and didn't go well. But, the outcome was amazing, as far as my improved vision. I had my final post-op appointment today, and my "new" eye tests at 20/15 vision.

In case you don't know what that means, and I actually had to ask today because I never knew what the numbers meant - 20/20 or whatever. It means that at 20 feet from something, I can see what a normal person can see at 15 feet. 20/20 would mean that I can see at 20 feet, what a normal person can see at 20 feet. So, at 20/15 I have extraordinary vision in the eye that had cataract surgery.

I can now wake up in the middle of the night and read the clock across the room. I have never been able to do that - from birth.

So, even though my surgery didn't go well and was very upsetting, as far as my nerve block not working, etc., which make no mistake was a horrible experience - the bottom line is, when my insurance company says I can have my other eye done - yes, I would have the surgery, and even by the same surgeon. I would make sure he knows to do what it takes to be sure my optic is blocked next time, but yes, I would do it again.

I never thought I'd say that, after how upset I was. But, make no mistake, the outcome is nothing short of a miracle, really. I've had terrible vision from birth. I can now see every blade of grass on the ground when I'm out walking my dog (out of the good eye that had surgery).

So, my advice is to do it, if you get the chance and can afford it. And, in my case, since my prescription has changed significantly, my insurance will cover a new pair of glasses even though it is sooner than they normally would approve a new pair of glasses. So, you should also be covered for a new pair of glasses.

My "new" eye can't adjust to focus close-up, so I'll still need reading glasses. I don't like having to put reading glasses on and off, so I chose to wear glasses all the time, with bi-focals, even though the lens for my "new" eye for distance, will not have any prescription. Just the bottom part of the bi-focal on that eye will have a prescription.

So.....really, if you have the opportunity, do it, is my advice. The difference is amazing. You just could never get this kind of result from any home remedy.
I've just found this thread, and your post is giving me hope. I just had glaucoma surgery in May 2016, and that's when I heard abt my 'senile cataracts' ???, a total surprise! The doctor never told me I had these, I had to read it in my notes taken that day...my eye doc doesn't talk!!! He can, but doesn't. So I've quit going.
Anyway, my vision is now bad at night when driving, never was before the surgery..and I will be going to a NEW eye doc soon to chk on these senile cataracts. I'm only 63.

I will be reading the rest of this thread with much interest.
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Old 06-04-2017, 11:19 AM
 
Location: Southern California
29,267 posts, read 16,565,121 times
Reputation: 18901
I'm glad the eye surgeries are NOW out there for the people as most people don't think or read about prevention. The Prevention industry is relatively Young, although remedies have been around for centuries.

The above poster, do you wear sunglasses? Why don't the eye doctor specialists "preach" prevention and wearing Sunglasses? Well we know why.
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Old 06-04-2017, 12:02 PM
 
81 posts, read 63,860 times
Reputation: 98
Quote:
Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe View Post
I thought I'd give an update on my cataract surgery on Sept 1st.

I can now wake up in the middle of the night and read the clock across the room. I have never been able to do that - from birth.

Many people learn to read the clock as children, but if not, it's good to know simple surgery can do the trick!
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Old 06-04-2017, 12:31 PM
 
Location: SW Florida
14,804 posts, read 11,951,796 times
Reputation: 24535
Quote:
Originally Posted by jaminhealth View Post
I'm glad the eye surgeries are NOW out there for the people as most people don't think or read about prevention. The Prevention industry is relatively Young, although remedies have been around for centuries.

The above poster, do you wear sunglasses? Why don't the eye doctor specialists "preach" prevention and wearing Sunglasses? Well we know why.
Not only do the eye doctors I go to recommend wearing sunglasses outside, but they recommend those with small horizontal "ledges"above the lens frame, to protect the eyes and area around them from direct overhead sunlight.


Doctors don't push supplements as preventative measures for eye diseases and never as a substitute for their recommended medications for these conditions as there is no evidence that supplements will always prevent eye diseases. They will offer advise and may suggest certain supplements to some patients, but it would be malpractice on their part to suggest that supplements will prevent eye diseases.

http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/vision-supplements
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Old 06-04-2017, 12:44 PM
 
81 posts, read 63,860 times
Reputation: 98
Quote:
Originally Posted by jaminhealth View Post
I'm glad the eye surgeries are NOW out there for the people as most people don't think or read about prevention. The Prevention industry is relatively Young, although remedies have been around for centuries.

The above poster, do you wear sunglasses? Why don't the eye doctor specialists "preach" prevention and wearing Sunglasses? Well we know why.
Mine said "preventive supplements" are an expensive trend. And no one who has been a smoker, or even lived with one, is advised to take anti-oxidants. That's based on scientific studies that show an increase in lung cancer. The fact that those eye herbs now come in a non-oxidant variety implies that manufacturers either know about the link and know it's true, or know they'll sell more to those who have been exposed to smoke and therefore avoid anti-oxidants. They're there to profit, by darn, and no lack of truth will get in the way.


And sunglasses seem like sun blocks in that sun exposure early in life is said to contribute much toward skin cancer. Very unscientific, not advice, just a maybe. I do think there can be too many contributory factors re. cataracts, to isolate one or two of them as causal. Most of my relatives have had them. Maybe if I'd avoided other things, I wouldn't have had them until later, who knows, but I wouldn't take hugely overpriced eye pills "just-in-case."


I AM sure that wearing sunglasses helps prevent crow's feet. Well, pretty sure.
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Old 06-04-2017, 02:43 PM
 
Location: Southern California
29,267 posts, read 16,565,121 times
Reputation: 18901
What I do works for me and no eye drugs, but Yes supplements which include homeopathic eye drops and an anti cataract supplement I started with last year and my long time miracle worker, grape seed extract. Working to keep good circulation from head to toes and all in between is important. I haven't seen an eye doc in going on 10 yrs..why as I don't have any issues and my longtime lens do a good job.

One would think I'd be richer but the savings goes to Medicare as I don't need them much at all.
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