The ophthalmologist who performed my cataract surgery some years ago was a friendly guy who always looked me in the eye. So I didn't hesitate to ask him questions as he went about his task. What are you doing now? Wow, what are those colours? Finally, he paused for a moment and said, "I find I can either chat or work. Right now I'm working." The surgery itself was a miracle. The very next morning I noticed things I hadn't noticed for a very long time, and some I'd never seen before. Like the wrinkles in the face that greeted me in the mirror!
Thanks Paula for this. I wonder if by now your friendly ophthalmologist has been supplanted by a more hurried subspecialist on a cataract-removal assembly line.
But new wrinkles! That should be included in the full-disclosure list of surgery side effects.
Thanks for this, Peter. Another terrific piece. Reminded me of my own cataract surgeries 7 years ago. Could not believe how easy they went once the less than enjoyable experience of all those drops were inserted in my eyes ended. Although I admit to being a little concerned when the ophthalmologist mumbled "oh, oh" in the middle of one of the operations. I was overjoyed to find I could discard my glasses. I rushed off to renew my driver's license without the "eyewear required" on the license. I remember when my father had his cataracts removed many years ago. As you described it, a serious operation requiring several days in the hospital. How wonderful that advances in technology can improve our lives when used to benefit society such as in the medical field. Hugh
Welcome to the cataract crowd Peter. My cataracts were done at the Kensington Eye Clinic. I asked the surgeon to give me the shortsighted eyes I already had so I wouldn't need reading glasses. Unlike my husband Eric who had one eye done for long vision and one for short. He had about 25 pairs of reading glasses lying around the house. I'm glad your eyes are seeing the beauty of the world clearly. We are already aware of the ugliness.
Thanks for reading, Ruth. And a resounding “yes” to seeing the beauty of the world anew. I couldn’t agree more. Given world events, we are all more than ready.
Thanks Adam H. for reading! May you sail through this unscathed and contented, like the great majority. See my reply to the comments by Richard Wells and Paula Dunning.
Your story of "leeches, lobotomies..." reminds me a a comment my father used to say in yiddish about any useless proceedure, "vill helfen vi a toiten bankess" ie "It will help like a dead leech" referring to blood letting etc.
Nicely done, Peter (and a good title.) I've passed it along on fb for any of my friends considering the surgery. Certainly sounds like a "patient treadmill," but it also sounds like there are a lot of people "treading -" this may help alleviate some dreading...badda bing.
Very good. Captures the marvelous new technology that for those of like the writer and myself from days immobilized to an hour from start to finish is quite miraculous.
I enjoyed every moment of your cataract surgery rendition. Written with great detail. I was almost right there seeing it all in person. Thanks for keeping us informed in a special way. Donna B.
Hi My friend, first, happy, healthy 2024. At one point in Your Eyes post, you use the words “deeply textured.” For me, those words speak volumes to your writing style. The closing words, …. Even clear vision has pros and cons, jolted me back to the reality, all too often these days the “dark” reality, of recent world events. Take care and keep writing.
Peter: here's what my friend Meg commented on my share: I need another substack like i need a hole in my head..but i am headed for cataract surgery in late february
An interesting and vivid description of laser surgery on cataracts, and I also enjoyed the bit of history thrown in for comparison. I'm glad it helped you so much, though I am sorry for all the trash you have to see all around. It is one of my pet peeves here n our otherwise beautiful little colonial town.
"Así es," as they say here in Mexico, and in France, "C'est comme ça la vie": life is like that, isn't it. Full of flip sides. Thanks for reading these posts, Manuela.
Greetings Peter. Thank you for this piece. It made me relive my own cataract surgery in two successive months a dozen years ago at the Eye Institute. Wonderful to think of you already ensconced in your hilltop nest in GTO. While true that our minds never wander far from Ukraine and Israel this year it is heartening to focus on progress however small and cataract surgery certainly qualifies. Do hope to see you and Renee in February.
The ophthalmologist who performed my cataract surgery some years ago was a friendly guy who always looked me in the eye. So I didn't hesitate to ask him questions as he went about his task. What are you doing now? Wow, what are those colours? Finally, he paused for a moment and said, "I find I can either chat or work. Right now I'm working." The surgery itself was a miracle. The very next morning I noticed things I hadn't noticed for a very long time, and some I'd never seen before. Like the wrinkles in the face that greeted me in the mirror!
Thanks Paula for this. I wonder if by now your friendly ophthalmologist has been supplanted by a more hurried subspecialist on a cataract-removal assembly line.
But new wrinkles! That should be included in the full-disclosure list of surgery side effects.
As usual a great piece, to be shared with future cataract patients
Thanks for your kind words, and for sharing with others fortunate to be going through this miraculous experience.
What an enjoyable blend of blur and clarity, the specific and the broad, past and present, sadness and gratitude. A fine "operation", Peter!
Thanks Jill for your comment, you’ve really covered the map, right down to the bottom lines of the eye chart.
Thanks for this, Peter. Another terrific piece. Reminded me of my own cataract surgeries 7 years ago. Could not believe how easy they went once the less than enjoyable experience of all those drops were inserted in my eyes ended. Although I admit to being a little concerned when the ophthalmologist mumbled "oh, oh" in the middle of one of the operations. I was overjoyed to find I could discard my glasses. I rushed off to renew my driver's license without the "eyewear required" on the license. I remember when my father had his cataracts removed many years ago. As you described it, a serious operation requiring several days in the hospital. How wonderful that advances in technology can improve our lives when used to benefit society such as in the medical field. Hugh
Thanks for reading this post, Hugh. That must have been an awfully chilling "oh, oh". I'm relieved to hear your result was fine nonetheless.
Welcome to the cataract crowd Peter. My cataracts were done at the Kensington Eye Clinic. I asked the surgeon to give me the shortsighted eyes I already had so I wouldn't need reading glasses. Unlike my husband Eric who had one eye done for long vision and one for short. He had about 25 pairs of reading glasses lying around the house. I'm glad your eyes are seeing the beauty of the world clearly. We are already aware of the ugliness.
Thanks for reading, Ruth. And a resounding “yes” to seeing the beauty of the world anew. I couldn’t agree more. Given world events, we are all more than ready.
Great read Dr.Newman! Very informative and reassuring for those of us who are "in the waiting room" for this marvellous procedure.
Thanks Adam H. for reading! May you sail through this unscathed and contented, like the great majority. See my reply to the comments by Richard Wells and Paula Dunning.
Your story of "leeches, lobotomies..." reminds me a a comment my father used to say in yiddish about any useless proceedure, "vill helfen vi a toiten bankess" ie "It will help like a dead leech" referring to blood letting etc.
What a wonderful saying, Sonia. Aphorisms in Yiddish pack a punch that's inimitable!
Nicely done, Peter (and a good title.) I've passed it along on fb for any of my friends considering the surgery. Certainly sounds like a "patient treadmill," but it also sounds like there are a lot of people "treading -" this may help alleviate some dreading...badda bing.
Glad you like the title, Richard.
Yes, and may it relieve stressing and sweating, while heading where dreading.
Very good. Captures the marvelous new technology that for those of like the writer and myself from days immobilized to an hour from start to finish is quite miraculous.
I enjoyed every moment of your cataract surgery rendition. Written with great detail. I was almost right there seeing it all in person. Thanks for keeping us informed in a special way. Donna B.
Thanks Donna for your comment, and I'm glad the view was vivid for you!
Hi My friend, first, happy, healthy 2024. At one point in Your Eyes post, you use the words “deeply textured.” For me, those words speak volumes to your writing style. The closing words, …. Even clear vision has pros and cons, jolted me back to the reality, all too often these days the “dark” reality, of recent world events. Take care and keep writing.
Peter: here's what my friend Meg commented on my share: I need another substack like i need a hole in my head..but i am headed for cataract surgery in late february
When you know you are to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates the mind wonderfully, said Samuel Johnson.
What would he say if he knew the prospect could concentrate even a Substack-saturated mind… and to the point of reading Peter’s posts?
Best wishes to Meg!
An interesting and vivid description of laser surgery on cataracts, and I also enjoyed the bit of history thrown in for comparison. I'm glad it helped you so much, though I am sorry for all the trash you have to see all around. It is one of my pet peeves here n our otherwise beautiful little colonial town.
"Así es," as they say here in Mexico, and in France, "C'est comme ça la vie": life is like that, isn't it. Full of flip sides. Thanks for reading these posts, Manuela.
Greetings Peter. Thank you for this piece. It made me relive my own cataract surgery in two successive months a dozen years ago at the Eye Institute. Wonderful to think of you already ensconced in your hilltop nest in GTO. While true that our minds never wander far from Ukraine and Israel this year it is heartening to focus on progress however small and cataract surgery certainly qualifies. Do hope to see you and Renee in February.