Cataract Surgery May Prolong Your Life.

[elleng]

'After 72 very nearsighted years, 55 of them spent wearing Coke-bottle glasses, Jane Quinn of Brooklyn, N.Y., is thrilled with how well she can see since having her cataracts removed last year.

“It’s very liberating to be able to see without glasses,” Ms. Quinn told me. “My vision is terrific. I can even drive at night. I can’t wait to go snorkeling.”

And I was thrilled to be able to tell her that the surgery very likely did more than improve her poor vision. According to the results of a huge new study, it may also prolong her life.

The 20-year study, conducted among 74,044 women aged 65 and older, all of whom had cataracts, found a 60 percent lower risk of death among the 41,735 women who had their cataracts removed. The findings were published online in JAMA Ophthalmology in October by Dr. Anne L. Coleman and colleagues at the Stein Eye Institute of the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, with Dr. Victoria L. Tseng as lead author.'>>>

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/04/well/live/cataract-surgery-may-prolong-your-life.html?

[still_one]

1. Most likely due to missing things because of blurred vision which caused them injury

[Raster]

2. probably, but not to discount the overall feeling of "contentment" of...

...being able to see clearly again, which can be profound.

My then SO had cataract surgery on both eyes (less than one hour each eye), done on two different days. When it was done, her vision was appreciably better than before cataracts. She only needed light reading glasses.

The surgery itself was performed at a specialized facility in the PacNorWest. I was able to watch from a viewing gallery that was complete with monitors that showed me what the surgeon was seeing through his specialized glasses. We were even given a "souvenir " videotape of both surgeries. Fascinating.

[still_one]

3. Absolutely, it would bring one's spirits up

[KatyaR]

4. I'm 60 and I hope to have surgery early next year.

While obviously sight is the main issue, it's also very limiting when you can't see well. In the last year I've started having trouble at work because of the overhead lights, and working at the computer is horrible. By the end of the day I am totally drug down and depressed. I've pretty much quit driving at night except in areas that I'm familiar with and that have good lights, and that's not very often. I wouldn't be able to drive on the highway if I wanted to. I've quit most of my hobbies because I can't see well enough to sew or knit. The only way I can read right now is with a tablet where I can enlarge the print. If I wait too much longer for the surgery, I probably won't be able to keep working.

When I read this article this morning, I totally identified with Ms. Quinn. I've been wearing glasses since I was 6; I can't wait to be able to see again! I'm giving up a trip to Ireland to pay for the surgery. I need my sight more than a trip right now.

[elleng]

5. Sorry you're so burdened.

I'm 72, and have had 2 surgeries, 1+ year apart. My main problem was night-driving, seeing halos around oncoming headlights. Things fine now.

Good luck!

[mopinko]

6. without a doubt would have helped my mother.

she had one eye done, then had to have her gallbladder out. she got very sick w it, and just didnt want anything to do w doctors for a while. she put off having the second one done for long enough that she developed some amblyopia.
she couldnt read, or play cards for quite a while. the only other thing that caused that kind of drain on her quality of life was when she had to give up driving.
her decline into dementia was turbo charged.

[wishstar]

7. I have not been falling since I had cataracts removed 7 years ago

I was in mid-50's when I developed cataracts in both eyes after being severely myopic and wearing glasses since age 7. I had several bad falls when hiking, climbing and going up and down steps and had a few fender benders due to poor depth perception. But since surgery, I have not fallen or had any driving incidents. I only need glasses for closeup now, although I usually wear progressive bifocals that give me fantastic vision near and far as well as eye protection from UV's etc.

Edited to add, my eye doctor was adamant that I fix both eyes as close in time as possible even though one was much worse than the other, in order to properly coordinate my vision.