Cataract Surgery 1 - 2 weeks

Had a checkup today - both a post-op and a pre-op.  The post op was to check the progress of the healing of the first lens replacement.  The pre-op was to use the results of the post-op to determine how to proceed with the second surgery. 
In a quick refraction test, my distance vision in the left (corrected eye) is 20-20 and my reading vision is the equivalent of 20-40 (not clear on that since I thought the 20-20 was a distance measurement).  But, this mans that the calculations made for the left eye were pretty spot on.  He did warn that, over time, this could (and might) change.  For the near vision, it could take many months for my eye/brain to learn to make use of the accommodating lens for near vision.
His current thinking is that, for the right eye, we shold go with a little less strength in the distance correction in order to give a little more preference to mid/near vision.  Its not a whole lot of difference, but it would allow the right eye a little better accommodation to mid vision while the left would better serve my for distance.  And the brain would work it all out.  Fascinating!
We also discussed the possibility of using a nerve block on my eye for the second surgery.  This would essentially numb my entire eye and all the muscles around my eye , using lidocaine and something else.  I would have to wear a patch for the day and it would eliminate all the discomfort that I felt the entire first day.  The downside - I would not get the instant gratification of seeing out of that eye until later in the day.  Still thinking about whether I want to do that.

Cataract Surgery - a video

Here is a video of how the procedure is performed.

You Tube video of Cataract Surgery

Its only appropriate (for me) that he uses a peanut M&M analogy!

Cataract Surgery - 10 days

I seem to be adapting to the lens better everyday.  My distance vision seems pretty good, better than the other eye.  But I still need glasses for reading small print, as expected for this soon after surgery. 
Patience!
Most of the optical distortions are gradually subsiding - not sure whether I am adapting to them or they are going away.  However, I still see one strange thing when I am in stores with overhead flourescent lighting -  I see really annoyingoptical distortions in the periphery of my field of vision.  Its like a thin band of flickering light.  I am hoping this will also go away soon.

Shoulder Surgery 2 - 2 weeks

Made it to the 2-week mark with very little pain or hardship.  Yesterday, I was starting to feel some achiness in my shoulder and at the base of my neck, but I suspect that is from hunching to protect my shoulder/arm when not wearing the sling.  I am thinking about getting a chair massage to work on that area for a little relief.
Otherwise, its going well.  Still just got to be patient for another week - my 3- week checkup.

Shoulder Surgery 2 - 10 Days

Another day in the sling and with limited use of my arm...  blah, blah, blah..... its going to be a long few weeks until rehab begins.
I am beginning to feel assorted dull pains in the muscles asounr the shoulder above the point of the surgery.  I am assuming this is partly due to mucsle atrophy, partly due to trying to protect the shoulder by keeping my upper arm locked into my side when using my lower arm.  Regardless, this brings back memories of when I went through this with my right shoulder.
So it seems that I am on track toward recovery.
Nonetheless, its silll going to be a LONG summer of recovery.  But I will make up for that this fall!

Cataract Surgery - 1 week

A very good day, indeed!  
Went for a second post-op checkup and the Dr said that things were looking really good.  The lens placement looked good, the swelling was subsiding well, and overall things were looking good.  My vision was testing well also.  He seemed to be visibly enthusiastic about the progress. 
I mentioned that I am seeing some optical distortion in the periphery of my vision, and he pointed out that my eyes were still a little dialated, which could cause that since I might be catching some images outside of the lens itself.
He suggested that this weekend I start trying to read without reading glasses (up until now I was reading ONLY with glasses so that my eyes did not try to adjust using hte muscles).  This should start "exercising" the eye muscles that work to focus our natural lens, and now my artificial lens.

At home, I have been doing left/right eye-to-eye comparisons using some simple tests and, so far, the new lens is already providing better vision than the unrepaired eye.  I can see distance better and colors seem more vivid with the new lens.

This evening, I did another night vision test using a street lamp a few doors down.  Right after the surgery, I was seeing strange-shaped rings and halos and starbursts.  But tonight, the strang rings were gone, and the halos were significantly reduced, even less than in the right eye (still with cataract).  And the starbursts were almost gone.  It appears that the healing is making great progress.

Its all looking really promising.  Looking forward to reading this weekend to see how that goes....

Cataract Surgery - Day 5

Its been 5 days now and the healing process has been slower than I expected.  Every day, the optical distortions around the peripherl seem a little less, but its really difficult to tell.  In general, I can see well through the eye, but my combined vision through both eyes still seems strange and not balanced.  Its difficult to describe.
My near vision is pretty poor and is really a strain on my eyes.  I have to wear reading glasses for both reading and computer work.  I have tried several strengths, from 1.0 to 1.25 to 2.0, and nothing seems quite right. There always seems to be some kind of distortion, and not only in the repaired eye.
But I try to continue to be patient, since the Dr said it will take time to heal.