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Blurriness


My eyes, even with the glasses on, are still seeing blurry images. The ophthalmologist dilated them about four hours ago so she could see clearly into them. And, what did she see?

Sufficient level of cataracts to merit surgery for which the health insurance company would be willing to pay. The cataracts are worse in my left eye.  On my arbitrary scale of 1-10, the doctor says 5 or 6. My right is 4, but a 5 when she factors in the glare of lights I see when I drive at night (which is the reason I don't like to drive at night). I've known for seven years or so that cataracts have been developing, but I thought I would be in my 70s, maybe 80s, before I had to start considering cataract surgery. Booo. Hisssss. Bummer.

The Daddy had cataract surgery in his left eye when he was. . .gee. . .about my age. He hated wearing the contact on his other eye, which either the Mama or I had to insert. That was always an ordeal. Blink, blink. Eventually, he went back to the comfort of wearing glasses, but the left lens was tinted so he looked like a pirate. Arggghh.

Technology is better, the doctor said. She would only make a two millimeter incision, barely one-tenth of an inch. Out pops my cloudy lens, in slips an artificial one.

The doctor said it was up to me. My prescription can no longer be improved. Cataracts are progressive, although mine may stay at this level for a while. But, there may (she said "will") come a day when I won't be able to pass the eye exam for my driver's license. Booo. Hissss. Bummer.

By the way, that's the Daddy in 1974 when he and I took a month-long vacation in the Philippines. The parents wanted me to learn about my heritage and where they lived. I look at this photo with new eyes (maybe blurry vision is good). The Daddy looks very happy posing with the carabao, holding the animal's rope just so. I wonder if he was thinking back to his younger days before he ventured out into the world beyond his island, with 20-20 vision.


Comments

  1. Ah, is that what that is. I saw some animal in Pike's Peak I never did identify, woke up to it breathing in my face and it looked like that. I should find a picture. That's a cool pic of your dad and a month long vacation there sounds incredible.
    I have slowly develpoing cataracts and wish they'd grow faster while I still have insurance to cover it. I'd get it down pronto if I were you, you'll be glad you did.

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    1. The carabao is a water buffalo. I don't know what would be similar to that a Pike's Peak. Baby buffalo? By the end of the month I was able to carry on a decent conversation in Ilocano, the parents' native language. Of course that ability went away pretty quick once we returned because there was no one to speak the language regularly.
      I don't know what surgery to do first -- my knees or my eyes. Bleah.

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  2. My Mom had cataract surgery a year or so ago, and she said if she had known what a difference it would make, she would have done it sooner. I think our vision changes so slowly, we don't realize what a difference it can make ...

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    1. My grandaunt had laser-assisted surgery on her eyes when she was in her 70s. She felt like she had Superman eyes. There is that.

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  3. I have known many people who had cataract surgery and they have all been so happy with the results.

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    1. Thanks for letting me know about the positive responses you've heard. It is encouraging.

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  4. Out with the old and in with the new. Getting older is most certainly not for sissies. Did you get a surgery date yet?

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    1. That's for sure. After 63 years of staying out of the hospital, suddenly it has my number. I have to wrap my head around it. Then the question -- knees or eyes first? Last night, I realized that because I use my glasses all the time, I don't think I have blurry vision. Then I took my glasses off. I crack up thinking what the doctor said to me, "Your eyes are really nearsighted." No kidding. She's young, could've been my granddaughter wearing my 1970s tops. lol

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    2. Heh, heh, heh ... the older we get, the younger they look ... not very reassuring is it though? :)

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    3. At least she didn't look 12 years old! lol

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  5. I'm sorry to hear that, I hope I never have to come across cataracts. My dog got them really early in her life.

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    1. Poor baby. I wonder if her other senses got sharper to compensate for her poor sight.

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  6. Your dad looks full of life. It’s so nice to read about memories they have of loved ones. Cataracts are never fun but at least one can feel bett3 after surgery.

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    1. To the day he died, he certainly was full of life. He was in his 40s by the time we, kids, came along. I was going to say that's why he was so mellow with us, but I have a feeling he would've been a mellow dad if he'd been younger. Maybe.

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Thanks for the good cheer. :-)

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