Dear Unicorns_and_stuff,
I needed cataracts 'done' at the 44 year mark on insulin. (at the 'tender age of 57). But one has to allow for age (the older you are the more time for cataracts to form) and that I have lived all my life in Oz, where the sun is fierce. Cataracts are more common in sunny countries. My cousin who also has type I diabetes and lives nearby had similar problems at about the 38 year mark.
The facts were that, without cataract surgery, I would eventually lose my ability to drive and thus my job, lose my ability to read and void my independence.
Another one that I do not think has been mentioned (and my sincere apologies if I have presumed too much) was how could the eye specialist continue to examine my eyes for retinopathy if there were bloody great big cataracts blocking his ability to see into my eyes? When I pointed this out to the eye specialist he laughed and said. " yes, that is a no-brainer"! That was when I knew this jovial Irish doctor was the expert for me !
I am naturally long sighted and astigmatic ( speed signs showing ,say 100, look to me without corrective glasses like 111) My eyes lenses would distort things so they looked slimmer. I had a choice of intra-ocular replacements, ones which were long vision for which I could wear reading glasses to deal with short vision like reading, over visa versa, or have a short sight lens in one eye and a long sight one in the other. With the last option I was assured my brain would work things out in a week or so and my sight would not require me to wear glasses to correct vision. But I almost felt dizzy at the thought of it and opted for the long sight replacement intra-ocular lenses as these were reputed to be the least troublesome and since I always wore sun glasses outside it was just as easy to wear multi-focal glasses all the time, with tinting lenses for the sun. I also felt that wearing glasses al the time gave a bit of extra protection against something blowing in my eyes. That is a important considerartion for a kite flyer !
Before my first cataract surgery all the pros and cons were discussed. And a chat with the anaesthetist ensured that we were on the same page for managing my insulin and blood sugars (by insulin injections (MDI) at the time) during the procedure.
Post surgery was a little uncomfortable but the sandwiches were yummy. Lots of regular eye drops were needed for several days. Keeping BOTH eyes covered and out of bright light was important. Apparently the light going in the 'good" eye triggered the contraction of pupils ( the black spots in the middle of the eye) of BOTH eyes. That contraction is painful in the 'operated on" eye.
Within 3 days the vision through the operated on eye was crystal clear. And I had to admit that my wife had been correct (As ALWAYS - it is a safer way to live!!) about the her choice for tile colours in the bathroom. Not only had the cataract blurred my vision but had distorted my colour vision to include a brownish overlay. {Purple become a vague mauve). So one more reason to replace the cataract - ability to regain colour (and art) appreciation ( and settle marital disharmony)
There are other advantages too, in my post-operative stupor and uncomfortable sightedness I could not possibly do the washing up or put out the bin . But I can assure you my state of ineptitude and grace was short-lived !
The second operation, on the other eye, was 6 months later and just as uneventful. Although my grace time was curtailed more !!
The only problems I have faced occurred 6 to 7 years later. Apparently in about 30 % of patients a fibrous film develops over that time over the back of the capsule holding the lens in place and starts to affect the clearness of vision. Yes, muggins here was one of the few 'honoured' with this affliction !!
Not to be daunted my eye specialist fired a series of special laser bursts at the film to disrupt it. And commented that his children could proudly state that their father played laser 'games' at work! My second eye was similarly treated only 8 months ago. The effect is apparent within 2 hours.
Would I, knowing what I now know, undertake cataract surgery ? Yes. But ask the doctor for a medical certificate not only for work but for household duties ( and I include every patient in that suggestion, even though I am kidding )!!!!!
