# Cataracts! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 2, 2024, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588 "2024-11-02T18:09:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2024, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/121 "2024-12-08T01:16:55Z")
There are varying strengths of dilating drops (cycloplegics) with varying duration of effect. Also, light-colored eyes tend to stay dilated longer than darker eyes. [**REFERENCE**](https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/open-your-eyes-to-cycloplegia) ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2024, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/122 "2024-12-08T01:32:28Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > You were dilated for _two days_? It was very dilated for 2 days (as in, just walking past a window was painful), and still moderately dilated on the third day. When I’ve had my eyes dilated during eye exams, it has been 4 hours max. This was an entirely different experience. > [@squeegee](#): > > How did you calculate your prescription? I’m talking about my new eye lenses, not my glasses. Once I get both eyes done and they’ve settled for a month, we’ll see if I need glasses. Based on the last few days, I’m hopeful I won’t need anything. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2024, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/123 "2024-12-08T03:10:46Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Although no one can promise you any particular result, I just want to say that despite being dilated and blurry I had _immediately_ better vision right there in the OR. So… you might have better results than expected. I certainly hope you do. I sure hope so. I’ve abandoned the entire downstairs of my split level house. I’m scared to death of falling, and did so a couple of weeks ago and I’m bruised up and sore even today. I’ve bought a townhouse partly because of this, and will move in January or February. I wear [diabetes socks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetic_sock) around the house so I don’t slip and fall. Having no vision is scary. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/124 "2024-12-10T01:57:25Z")
I did eye#1 this morning. My left eye. Still very dilated, half blind. The procedure took almost no time, we’ll see what tomorrow is like. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/125 "2024-12-10T02:01:23Z")
Off to a good start as far as we can tell. Here’s hoping it all sorts out for the best. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/126 "2024-12-10T05:14:53Z")
OK, I can’t really read with my left eye yet, but colors are marvelously bright, and white - compared with my other eye - is marvelously bright vs yellow and washed out. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/127 "2024-12-10T06:35:54Z")
It will get better everyday. Do the drops or ointment religiously. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/128 "2024-12-10T08:45:11Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > OK, I can’t really read with my left eye yet, but colors are marvelously bright, and white - compared with my other eye - is marvelously bright vs yellow and washed out. Keep us posted and best wishes for a terrific outcome! I’m still working on building up the courage to get my left eye done. I think I’ll need about another five years or so of buildup! When it comes to medical procedures, I’m a professional chicken! 😉 Any opinions on an incidental comment in another thread about the recommendation to wear sunglasses in bright sunlight to prevent UV damage to the artificial lens? Sounds weird to me. A quick Google search reveals only the risk of bright UV light to the **natural** eye lens, and in fact a possible association with cataracts, but not to the artificial one. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/129 "2024-12-10T08:53:22Z")
UV isn’t good for your retina, either. Perhaps that’s what needs protecting? ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/130 "2024-12-10T12:20:58Z")
I certainly feel the need of sunglasses much more since my operation, if only as a matter of comfort. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/131 "2024-12-10T14:53:43Z")
OK, day after surgery. My vision seems quite a bit worse in that eye than yesterday. I forgot to wear the pirate patch to sleep, hopefully that was okay. I have my first follow up with the ophthalmologist/surgeon this morning. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/132 "2024-12-10T17:45:18Z")
OK, I did the post op appointment. Surgeon says I’m still dilated, that’s why the new eye is so blurry, and it should clear all day. Go figure. I’m really wiped out, he said that’s fairly normal. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/133 "2024-12-10T17:53:45Z")
Enjoy your well-earned rest. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/134 "2024-12-10T18:17:19Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Surgeon says I’m still dilated, that’s why the new eye is so blurry, and it should clear all day. Yeah, dilation doesn’t just make it light-sensitive, it also screws up your focus. I’ll bet it’s decent by end of day, and you’ll be seeing well tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/135 "2024-12-10T21:27:19Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Enjoy your well-earned rest I’m not sure it’s well earned. I paid the bill. But boy am I wiped out. Can’t really sleep, not tired. I’ve done the drops twice today. 5 min between drops or you wash them out of your eyes, so it takes 15 m to do all three. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/136 "2024-12-10T21:50:12Z")
Don’t rub your eyes. Wear the patch. It prevents you from rubbing your eye in the pillow. Keep water out if the eye. Rest it. Don’t try to use it. Let it heal. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/137 "2024-12-10T21:52:33Z")
Keep us informed. I’m anxiously following! And best wishes. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/138 "2024-12-17T16:51:18Z")
I got eye #2 done yesterday. All went well, and the dilation doesn’t seem as bad as my first. I can at least be in the house without sunglasses. This will be my mid-distance (computer screen) focus. For now, things are blurry at any distance. My first eye is doing great (day 15). ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/139 "2024-12-17T16:54:40Z")
Yaay! ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataracts/1009588/140 "2024-12-18T01:07:56Z")
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