The Eyes Have It

If you're squeamish about your eyes, you might not want to read this post.

For two or more years, I have known that I have cataracts in both eyes. If you don't know what a cataract is, here's your 30 second lesson.

Light comes into our eyes via our cornea which is the outside covering over the iris -- the blue, brown, gray, or green part of our eye. Behind the iris is a lens that focuses the light onto the retina that creates the image that is transmitted to our brain by the optic nerve.

In normal vision this lens is clear. As we age (don't you hate getting old) this lens can become progressively cloudy which diffuses the light instead of focusing it and we get a blurry image. This clouding of the lens is called a cataract.

Originally, my cataracts were so slight that my eyeglasses were able to compensate. Fortunately, my right eye is still the same and will not need surgery -- at least for now.

This past June when I had my annual vision check I was told that the cataract in my left eye had gotten worse (which I already knew as my vision was definitely worse in that eye) and I would probably need cataract surgery in a year or so.

Since then, the vision in my left eye has gotten progressively worse. If I close my right eye at night when I'm driving, I can't read any signs and everything is blurry. Night vision problems is definitely a symptom of cataracts.

Yesterday, I went back to the eye doctor and he confirmed that the left eye was definitely worse. We agreed it was time to have the surgery as it would progressively get worse.

I will meet with an eye surgeon soon for a pre-surgery check and will probably have the surgery shortly after the first of the year.

Now here comes the icky part.

They will make a small incision in my cornea and slice the covering of the lens and peel it back. The great majority of the lens will be removed and an implant put in -- basically a flexible, interior contact. The lens covering will be put back into place and it will heal without stitches. The incision in the cornea will also heal without stitches.

I'll be limited in my activity for about two weeks with lots of eye drops -- both steroid and antibiotic drops. It will take about six weeks for complete recovery. Assuming no complications, my distance vision will be greatly improved when all is said and done.

I'm told that it is a relatively safe surgery that is done all the time. Let's hope they're correct.

The technology has progressed quite a bit. In the old days, all they could do was remove the lens and then you would have to wear really thick Coke bottle glasses to be able to see at all.

I kind of like the hair style and the bow tie -- they definitely go with the glasses.

Fortunately, I won't have to wear those glasses -- or the bow tie and hair style.

If you have an extra prayer, I will gladly appreciate it as I go through this process over the next couple of months.

I'll keep you advised.