Getting my H/e/a/d/ Eyes Examined

[kevin_standlee]

I went to my optometrist this morning, which is a simple trip as the office is only a few blocks away down the street where I live, and therefore an 8:15 AM appointment wasn't difficult. Just after my morning staff meeting, I walked down there (bundling up against the cold) and had an eye exam. I didn't do the dilation thing because I paid the $30 extra for a scan where they take photos of the eye instead. This meant that I could go back to work without losing the rest of the day to the dilation process.

I do have a slight cataract that has grown since last year, and the doctor says he wouldn't be surprised if next year it will get to the point where surgery is indicated. However, I'm not scared of that as I know it's pretty routine.

Last year, I did not need a new prescription, but things have changed just enough that it was time for new glasses. It took a little while because of needing to fiddle around with both my regular glasses and my computer bifocals. My distance vision is mostly unchanged, so my prescription sunglasses don't need replacing. Thank goodness for the Healthcare Savings Account, though, as insurance only covers some of the costs of the frames and lenses I want. In a week or two, I should be able to come collect the new glasses.

Comments

[belak]

I'm glad your doctor was willing to suggest possible surgery. Most try to put it off as long as possible, stating "You won't be happy with the results, they aren't ripe yet". Everyone I've spoken with has been very pleased with their cataract surgery and "wish they'd done it sooner" since colours were brighter and everything was clearer.

[kevin_standlee]

I'm not suffering obvious cataract symptoms in my vision yet, but he says there is a fair chance that I will in 1-3 years, at which point I'll go under the knife. I know that when my grandfather had his surgery, he marveled at how great it was to be able to see things again.

[garyomaha]

I have not heard of the non-dilation option. That might be because I have so many eye problems the ophthalmologist feels he has to look at my eyes directly, not with photos. So once a year (which is only one of my several annual eye visits) I get the Dreaded Drops. And for the entire rest of the day, I can't read, I can't be outside very long, I can't even watch TV because of the glare. The next morning, but not before, my pupils are usually back to normal. When I mention this to friends, they almost always say "Oh, my eyes are okay after an hour or two." Not me!

[kevin_standlee]

Apparently not all optometrists carry the necessary equipment, and insurance won't pay for it, but mine does. He says there is no sign of diabetic retinopathy, but it's a good thing that the Ozempic has dropped my blood sugar levels so dramatically, because otherwise it's likely that there would have been not long from now.

[megtreb]

I have been using eye drops called Can-C for a little more than a year now. They are supposed to help resolve cataracts. I have not been back to the ophthalmologist for a recheck to see if my cataract has shrunk, but I am certain that it has made a difference in the way I can see. And also, I am certain that I have fewer floaters than I used to. They used to be a big problem and now they’re reduced to one or two in each eye only. It’s about $60 for two bottles and you use them every day. I have it on subscription. It’s not cheap, but it certainly well worth it if it prevents cataract surgery.

They’re available from Wise Choice Medicine
https://www.wisechoicemedicine.com/

[mount_oregano]

I had cataract surgery on my right eye in November. My vision was cloudy, with halos around lights, and I could barely drive at night.

Now my right eye has 20/20 distance vision, nice and clear.

The surgery, however, was a little bit more unpleasant than a root canal. Worth it, though.