Is or does post cataract surgery hamper your vision for modelling ?

i had mine done about 3 years ago. I diod premium IOL to correct for astigmatism and now have perfect 20-15 vision. It did take a couple of weeks to stabilize andf i do still wear readers or magnifiers for very small work. The one thing that does seem to have changed is I need brighter light than I used to.

neilm said:

Hi,
I have just had one cataract removed so far, the other in a months time. Everything is so clear and sharp now, but having more difficulty doing really close up and small detailed work.
I know i need to be patient and wait for the other and then an eye test to totally fine tune my new eyesight.
Has anyone had the same and how have you coped ?
Love to hear your experiences.

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Hi, there, I have had both eyes done and I had the "far" vision lenses put in so I now have to use readers (#150-175) and I see very clearly for close up work, I also use a headband with interchangeable lenses if I really need detail work. Hope this helps.

No problem - going on three years post surgery. I still use a pair of 1.5x drug store glasses for close up, which I've done for probably 30 years.

I've had both eyes done, about a year or so apart. I paid an extra $2,000 above the basic price for what I'll call multi-focal lenses. They supposedly give you clear far vision as well as clear closer vision (maybe 2' or so). I was extremely disappointed with the result, as my near vision was far worse than before the operation. I was told that it was because I only had it done in one eye, so after a while I had the other done, again paid the extra $2,000. Same result, even though it was an improved lens. So, my opinions on cataract surgery based on MY experience:

• Multi-focal lenses don't seem to help all that much, especially given their price. I bought them hoping I'd be able to drive without glasses (I can), and be able to target shoot better and still work close. Not so.
• While many people raved about the clarity and brightness of their view after operation, I saw no difference. I'm probably the exception.
• Optical implant lenses do not allow the eye to focus the way it did before. Assuming your lenses are designed for far distance, you will not be able to see as closely as you could before surgery.
• Before surgery I could see quite well close, could see well enough for watching TV and only used glasses while driving, which worked perfectly by keeping sunglasses and clear glasses in the car. After surgery, I have to wear them to read, work on models, read menus, etc.
• My wife had worn one close and one far contact lens for years, and it worked great for her. So she got her implants the same way, and that works great. But I wouldn't try that unless you had done it with contacts first, as if you brain can't adjust to it, you don't want it permant.
• The operation itself is a breeze. I was told using Laser was better, so paid extra for that the first time. Then went standard non-laser the second time, and felt/saw no difference. Don't hesitate if you're concerned about the operation.
• Since my close vision was actually ruined with the surgery, I tried many ways of improving it for modeling: several different magnifiers, with and without lights, several types of head-mounted magnifiers, etc. Spent a lot of money. I ended up with 3 pair of high-power reading glasses, each under $10 from eBay. 3, 4.5 and 6 diopter power. Since focal distance is 1 meter divided by the diopter, this gives me a working distance of 13", 9" and 6.5", and works fantastic for me. They're light, I forget they're even there, yet can see closely as near as I want. IMHO nothing else comes close.

Hope this helps you with your decision.

I had both eyes done a couple of years ago. Very easy surgery. There are a number of options for the implanted lenses, but most people get a lens to make distance vision perfect (I did). No longer require glasses for driving! You will then need assistance for close-up work. Some use reading glasses. I went with new multi-focal glasses like I've had for years. I also use an amplifying visor for detail work. Huge color difference. Completely happy with the result, and it has restored my enthusiasm for building models.

AllanKP69 said:

Whatever you do, do NOT choose a color for a model before the surgery. After the first one is done, look at a clear sky with the fixed eye, then with the one that is yet to be done. The color blue has whole new meaning as does every other color.

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The artificial lens that are inserted allows a wider range of wavelengths to enter the eyes than normal human lenses. That is why the colors can be more intense, or shifted.

Rob

AllanKP69 said:

Did mine 5 or 6 years ago. The new lense they put in each eye was for distance. I use cheap readers for most close work and the Magni visor for more detailed close work and reading the fine print. Either the print got smaller or my eyesight got worse. ----I'm sure it is the eyes, not the print.

Just as an FYI, the effect for better vision for my first eye was immediate. For the second eye, a little scarring occurred that they took off a couple weeks later.
Allan

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For me, I used to have excellent close vision, but had LASIK surgery performed on both eyes at the same time nearly three decades ago in order to eliminate the need for gradient lens. So since then I've probably saved thousands of dollars in prescription glasses. With LASIK, over time, the eye reshapes the lens, and that crystal clear focus has been diminished, As such I too now just use readers (or cheaters as some call them). I'm still perfectly good for driving, and in good light conditions, I don't need them for reading. But in poor light (like dark restaurants), I have to use the readers to properly see the menu. And fine print, of which there seems to be so much in use on packaging, is impossible for me to read without assistance.

But in response to the OP and their original post in this thread, I went to an optometrist a few years ago and had a discussion about my modeling needs. He set me up with a prescription that I only use for modeling work... it's gives me extremely sharp focus in anything under three feet range of what I'm dealing with. Far better than readers, and assuredly far better than using one of those headgear worn magnifiers, which is what I used to use for models. They give me really sharp near item focus, and also seem to make fine details appear darker/more dense. Tough to describe, but they do what I need. So I'm out of pocket around $150 CAD, which is likely less than $100USD for those prescription glasses, of which will likely be the last pair I ever need to purchase.

I've not had to deal with cataract surgery (yet, knock on wood), so can't speak to how the recovery and vision acuity improves post surgery... but if you have issues with close objects, there are relatively inexpensive solutions that will and can work for you.

neilm said:

Hi,
I have just had one cataract removed so far, the other in a months time. Everything is so clear and sharp now, but having more difficulty doing really close up and small detailed work.
I know i need to be patient and wait for the other and then an eye test to totally fine tune my new eyesight.
Has anyone had the same and how have you coped ?
Love to hear your experiences.

Click to expand...

I had cataract surgery on both eyes 2 years ago. My close-up vision is a little worse now so readers will likely be required. BUT the difference in distance vision is more than something to cheer about! I am paranoid about things near my eyes so I wondered if I would be able to deal with it but it is worth every moment of surgery. I can't cheer loud enough - it has changed my life. I'm 67 now and wore glasses since I was 12. No longer need glesses except to read or detail work.
Yeah, it is a it of a pain but the benefits far, far, far outweight the drawbacks.

AllanKP69 is bang on readers and a good magnifier will help immensely. And even without cataracts, most of us need those things eventually as we get older anyway.

Good luck and enjoy your "new eyes"!!!!!!!!!!!! You will be so overwhelmed by the improvement, everything else will be secondary.

BTW, I was needing readers several years before my surgery so the only diffrence for me is that everything else is now more clear, colorful and focused!
I do the Happy Dance every day I open my eyes in the morning!!