The cataract surgery would seem to be sucessful, so far

[Andrew (imported)]

Late Wednesday Morning of 9 June 2004, and it would seem as if my cataract operation was a success. My brother drove me to and from the eye doctor this morning. The patch came off, and also things were still somewhat blurry, the doctor was quite pleased. So pleased, in fact, that he does not feel a need for me to return until 30 June, three weeks from now.

I was given two sets of eye drops, to be put into my right eye 5 minutes apart. I am to do this 4 times a day. I was given a clear plastic patch to put over my right eye while sleeping. I was given those sunglasses that fit over your regular glasses. I was told not to drive today, although I could start going to AA and shopping tomorrow.

I am to see the optometrist next week for a preliminary check on what my new eyeglass prescription will be, although I may have problems financing a new set of glasses at the moment. But if all goes well, I can return to work on 15 June, there to face a mountain of paperwork and procedures for my use of sick leave.

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As you might guess, the cats’ response to all this has been their usual "but what have you done for us lately"? So I clean out the litter boxes, replenish the food and water bowls, and play with them. I pet them on demand, clean up the occasional hairball and/or barf, and remember that all the cat books agree that cats love routines and rituals. So life is quickly getting back to "normal".

[colin (imported)]

You see, worry guts. Things do sometimes go right.

With luck you should lose the blurriness in a very short while this is usually because the brain is having to re-adjust itself to the new image. The discomfort may last a little bit longer but in the end you should notice a great improvement.

Best wishes,

[sag111 (imported)]

Thats good news Andrew i know it will help and am glad to see you back in here again

[Andrew (imported)]

You see, worry guts. Things do sometimes go right.

I found out the reason for my blurry vision post-op. The glasses. My right eye may not be back at 20/20, but it is a heck of a lot better then the 20/400 or whatever it was before surgery.

[Dave (imported)]

Good for you. You'll enjoy life a lot more when you don't see it through a blurry fog.

My mother went through cataract surgery at 80 years old. All the blurryness should clear up in about a month. The new lenses are bright and shiny for her to see through (You'll understand when you get out in the sun), so she always has sunglasses. She really can see better, movie theaters, neighbors, the bingo board. She explained it to me once or twice.

And I notice she really does need glasses to read, though. It's a real pain in the ass to be food shopping and have to read all the damn label for her. But then, what are mothers for?

[An Onymus (imported)]

Never had any eye surgery myself, but everyone I know who has had cataract surgery, has been satisfied with the results. Glad to see that your operation came out all right.

But my question would be, why buy eyeglasses? I have worn contact lenses for years, and don't even own a pair of glasses. I wouldn't wear glasses again, because of the hassle and limited peripheral vision. If you need bifocals, the newer multifocal contacts are supposed to produce results comparable to eyeglass bifocals. And the cost is reasonable, particularly if you buy vial lenses, which can last for years, from online retailers. (To my knowledge, though, you can't buy bifocal vial lenses.)

[A-1 (imported)]

ANDREW,

I, too, am glad that you did well.

But, I knew that you would. God takes care of his own.

A-1

[Andrew (imported)]

Never had any eye surgery myself, but everyone I know who has had cataract surgery, has been satisfied with the results. Glad to see that your operation came out all right.

But my question would be, why buy eyeglasses? I have worn contact lenses for years, and don't even own a pair of glasses. I wouldn't wear glasses again, because of the hassle and limited peripheral vision. If you need bifocals, the newer multifocal contacts are supposed to produce results comparable to eyeglass bifocals. And the cost is reasonable, particularly if you buy vial lenses, which can last for years, from online retailers. (To my knowledge, though, you can't buy bifocal vial lenses.)

Exactly. I have a mild cast of Myopia in the left eye, combined with astigmatism. My left eye will still need bifocals.

I may also need some sort of bifocals for the right eye. It may not correct to exactly 20/20, and I will probably need bifocals to read.

Well, I will find out next Tuesday, when I visit the opthomolagist.

:catclock:

[Andrew (imported)]

Late Sunday Evening of 13 June, and all is well. The biggest news is that I paid to have my apartment cleaned. It was needed. When it comes to housekeeping, I tend to be…mumble mumble…and so I paid her $80 Thursday and $60 Saturday, out of the $500 my Mother sent me. Mary is an old friend, and we have had a (totally non-sexual) relationship for many years.

She did bring up three points for which I could use some feed back.

She wondered at the covered litter boxes, since some of the cats manage to toss litter out of the box anyway, as well as tracking it all over the apartment. I have the usual anti-litter mats in front of the boxes, which they can jump over, and rugs and blankets all over the place. Mary suggested open litter boxes. Thoughts and comment?

She was quite upset at my having a litter box in my bedroom, thinking it unhealthy. Is it? I scoop the boxes at least once per day, so am I really being harmed by sleeping in a room with a litter box?

She noted the cat hair all over the place, and wondered if this was making the cats sick. Would it? I was under the impression that hairball came from cats grooming themselves, not hair that has been shed and is in the environment. I am going to have to increase the amount of Petromalt, as we still have hairballs in spite of feeding them IAM’S weight loss / hair ball control food.

Meanwhile, the right eye seems to be OK, to the point that my glasses are useless for the right eye. I have a busy schedule tomorrow, including the dentist, physician, and eye doctor or optometrist. I see no reason (pun intended) not to return to work this Tuesday. I’ve lost two weeks of overtime being out on sick leave. Czarina and Max are due for their annual checkups, and I don’t have the money right now. Next month should be OK, once the overtime comes in again.