I can see clearly now.....
It is a shame that I had to wait so long to have my cataracts removed. The way our health system works makes it nearly financially impossible to have this surgery earlier than 65. Even with private insurance, it was costly since I also opted to have my vision corrected with Lasik.
I am amazed at how well I can see...so bright and sharp...I had no idea what I had missed all those years...everything was seen through a smeary lens that I thought was normal...
I really just want to cry because everything looks new to me...I feel like I am a child again to be able to see tiny flowers in the trees, fluffy clouds in the sky, the bright colors of a sunset.
I will never take seeing for granted...I look forward to my retirement years painting, making colorful quilts, and just enjoying nature in all of its beauty...
And this is just with one eye done...the other one will be done in two weeks...
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Bigwavedave
Level 8
May 25, 2019
0
both eyes done and ready to go on to my new adventure in NC!!!!
Glad to see this. Congrats! Considering Lasik for myself. Having seen this, I'll look into it. Thanks
Mythbuster
Level 5
May 4, 2019
0
I wish I could have afforded it on my own earlier...each day brings new discovery. It is sort of sad that the procedure is tied into cataract surgery and that medicare and private insurance will only pay in this combo...it still cost money, but much more affordable...I plan on taking full advantage and see all I can over the next 20 years or so! ha ha ha
With cataract surgery at 50, I was awake and sedated. The weirdest thing was watching and hearing a needle make a squinchy sound as it was inserted into my eyeball. I didn't feel any pain due to the anesthetic. The memory makes me shudder.
"The damage was caused in childhood," my eye surgeon said. "Growing up on a lake in Michigan, you had all that reflected light, swimming and sailing."
We never wore sunglasses, hats or sunscreen. My mother was a tanorexic.
LiterateHiker
Level 9
May 4, 2019
0
The needle in the eye was something I was not looking forward to, but like you, I had no idea when they did it because I felt nothing
Love how your heart soars with the beauty of the great outdoors! Beautifully written.
My artist ex-husband, Terry, had horrible vision. He suffered with coke-bottle glasses through school until he got contacts at age 19.
We joked that our children would have scabs for eyes. Gallows humor.
After our divorce, we remained friends. I drove Terry to his cataract surgery. Like you, he had Lasik surgery, too.
Terry cried tears of joy when his vision was clear for the first time in his life.
"On the hills, I can see individual trees for the first time!" Terry said. "It's like being on acid."
Our daughter, Claire, inherited Terry's near-blindness. Claire wore glasses through elementary school. She got contacts in middle school.
In her 20s, Claire's vision deteriorated and she could no longer wear contacts. Claire was embarrassed by her thick glasses.
In 2017, Claire, 27, found an experienced eye surgeon in Seattle with a new, groundbreaking, laser eye surgery machine. Claire passed three criteria required for the new surgery (her lens were thick enough, etc). Her father paid for it.
My brave girl! After eye surgery, Claire's eyes were bandaged. We waited anxiously.
"Mom, my eyesight is improving every hour!" Claire cried. We were all thrilled. Now Claire's eyesight is perfect. Neither she nor her father need glasses or contacts. It's a modern miracle.
Photos:
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Claire's eight birthday party. The man cutting the cake is my former boyfriend. Claire wanted a "moon cake." I made a moon with frosting.
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Me and Claire, 27, 2017.
LiterateHiker
Level 9
May 4, 2019
0
Each day, just to see the individual details...the petals on flowers, the stamens in the flowers, etc. I feel like I got another chance...I am spending the weekend outside for sure...can't wait to have both eyes...I might need to take a week off to enjoy it! 
How FUN!!! Glad you got it finally done. I agree the current system in the U.S. sucks.
silverotter11
Level 9
May 4, 2019
2
Wow I hope all goes well with the other eye, it is for sure a shame how our insurance works in this Country
ScienceBill72
Level 7
May 2, 2019
2
I'm awaiting the call to have my eyes done at the cost of the Spanish National Health system.
Up to now they hadn't dropped below the threshold at which they operate.
Petter
Level 9
May 2, 2019
2
oh...does that mean you have to wait until you are nearly blind? I had to undergo extensive tests to prove it was affecting my life...like driving, reading pill bottles, etc. So sad...
@thinktwice No. You have to have lost something like over 40% clarity.
@Petter yes, similar here as well...
Glad you are fine!
zesty
Level 7
May 2, 2019
3
Thanks, zesty! You are sweet and even more beautiful to see now!
@thinktwice Welcome baby! Don't forget to keep the eyes moist! All the time.
@zesty yes...I have so many drops to put in...ha ha ha
@thinktwice We'll, you know what to expect from me. Keep yourself wet everywhere! Lol
@zesty this is why I love you!! ha ha ha ha
US health care is broken.[bloomberg.com]
It is based on an actuarial model which does not work well for many medical risks. We also don't cover all the population. Moreover, the oversight is lacking which can be observed by referencing "Improper payments to the large benefit programs " a government report.
think-freely
Level 4
May 2, 2019
3
Yep...and they make people work so hard just to get the care and procedures they need...many elderly do not know the system and give up...they are told to go to websites when many don't have computers or people to help them...the misinformation is astounding as is the paperwork...many just accept less than what they deserve...the USA is so far behind because of people who would rather dig their heels in for crap until they or their own parents and grandparents are affected...
That is absolutely fantastic! I am so happy for you.
LimeySteve
Level 7
May 2, 2019
2
Thanks, Steve...it is nice to see all of you clearly...ha ha ha 
Sounds good...but, any surgery frightens me... '
seattlepanda
Level 7
May 2, 2019
1
You are not even put under for this "surgery"...technology is amazing and is used to guide the laser machine and new implants are safe and effective...there is no pain and basically, no recovery time...the results for me were worth the risk...as an artist, my color perception is important
@thinktwice ...I think I'd prefer to be "put under"...what if my eye moves? '
...but your's is a good testimonial, I will consider...I also recall my Dad had it done at about 70; lifelong bespectacled was suddenly 20/20...
@seattlepanda They numb it up...you are in la la land but totally unaware but the effects of anesthesia are minimal...the lasik part is like a lightshow and kinda fun...yeah...I am nearly at 20/20 suddenly!
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