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Cataract questions for the Eye Doctors

2K views 12 replies 9 participants last post by  Tailbuster 
#1 ·
Went to the optometrist yesterday for annual check and complaints about double vision, i.e., two clay targets appear to be stacked like pancakes. This also causes distant vision to be blurred. The double vision is due to cataracts. I can see 20/20 with my glasses using both eyes on the wall chart. I told him I wanted to get rid of the double vision and he made an appointment with the cataract surgeon. I was told that many cataracts are replaced with one lens for distance and the other lens for reading. My first thought was that I would prefer both lens to be for distance and use reading glasses. However, I have had occasional cross dominance problems. Some folks take care of that with the magic dot method. I have also read that some nearsighted folks find that having a plano lens in their nondominant eye shooting glasses takes care of the problem also. That would be similar to the two differnt lens type scenario in cataract replacement.

I would like suggests/opinnions from those who have had cataracts replaced and from eye doctors.
 
#2 ·
You are wise to reseach this!! I've talked to several doctors about this in the last couple of years. Be very careful here. Please call me if you'd like, I'd be happy to discuss with you what I do know.
Michael Gregory - (760)788-8888
 
#3 ·
I have a nice heavy cataract in my left(non-dominant) eye. Shooting is still not too bad, but being nearsighted I would like to have my shooting eye corrected.

I need more info myself. Some people have fantastic results, but there are NO GUARANTEES and you have to sign a waiver.

More research is indeed necessary.

HM
 
#4 ·
I had cataract surgery in my right (dominant) eye. The replacement lens fitted to my eye during the cataract surgery gave me excellant distance vision. I later had a detached retina in the same eye. The surgery for the detached retina included a buckle cinched around the affected eyeball. This changed the shape of my eye and the vision in that eye changed to excellant near (reading) vision. So I have had both options you mention. For me there is no question, give me both eyes with good distance vision and a half dozen pair of cheap reading glasses scatterred around the house. I even asked my eye doctor to redo the cataract surgery and put in a new lens fitted to my new eye geometry for good distance vision. He got a little upset with that idea telling me he would not perform surgery just because I did not like wearing glasses. Good Luck - Don Miller
 
#6 ·
The first of this year I had both eyes done. I would suggest the cataract surgery for anyone that really needs it. I would suggest that you talk to your doctor about getting your dominant eye done first ( they usually do the worst eye first). I had my left done first and it caused alot of problems with my dominance changing to my left eye and not really changing back when I got the other eye done2 weeks later. As far as which lens to get I went with the one for distance and then I have to wear readers to see anything within 3 feet.Just be ready, after the surgery I lost all focus within 2 feet, but it was worth it to be able to see the ridges on the targets agian.
 
#9 ·
KE4,

While cataracts may cause images to appear double IT IS NOT my first usual suspect. Did the double vision appear rather suddenly, recently? If it did I want you to be seen by your family doctor asap, to rule out the possibility of a mini-stroke. I hate to even be saying this without examining you but vertical double vision presents itself this way and should be ruled out. Also, please keep in mind that there can be other less important reasons that the double vision decided to show up.

Now, as to your first question. I would generally recommend with shooting as your driving force that you consider just going distance with both eyes. Here's my thinking. While the risk of cataract surgery is small, stuff still happens despite the skill of the surgeon and everything being done perfectly. So, if it's your day for bad luck and something happens to harm your shooting eye, you can at least learn to use the other and continue your hobby. Now we know that won't happen but if it were me I'd play it to the safer side. In addition, not everybody does well with one eye near, one far. Some do. Let your doctor's findings help guide you. Good luck and best wishes.

all the best,
john
 
#10 ·
John, I discussed this with my family doctor and my optometrist. This blurring which results in double has been occuring for sometime but has gotten worse the past few weeks. They both say the double vision is from cataracts. The double vision occurs in each eye separatly. They said they would be concerned if the double vision only occured when I was using both eyes. I will be seeing a cataract surgeon Thursday and I will bring up your concern with him.

Thanks for your concern and reply to this mattter.
 
#11 ·
I'm a shooter and not a doctor like John is but I have some of the same issues mentioned in this thread. I have cataracts but the one in my left (non dominate eye) is worse than my right eye but still is not ready for surgery yet. I have the occasional crossfiring problem but I have cured this by using the Uni-Dot hooded fiber optic front bead. The magic dot would also work but requires the low gun hold of a one eyed shooter. I finally have the right prescription in my shooting glasses that I now use for cloudy days but I have an older set of V-lite lenses that I cannot use for shooting with because occasionally they cause horizantle double vision. The RX in the right eye is fine but the RX in the left eye is off just a little bit in astigmatism correction and the optical centers were made at 60 mm pupil distance instead of 64 mm which they should be. I don't know if the doubling problem is caused by the slightly wrong RX or by the incorrect PD. I could get the left lens replaced or just give up on V-Lites and get both lenses changed to a different color.
 
#12 ·
KE4,

Perfect answer. It does sound like cataracts because of the double vision in each eye. Now that you have cleared that for me, forget about the mini-stroke it just became meaningless. Good luck with the surgery and shoot well. Go for the distance in both eyes.

all the best,
john
 
#13 ·
Miketmx,

Each doctor and patient determine when cataracts are "ready" for surgery, differently. IMHO, cataracts are ready when "they interfere with your life". Period. We all will go through cataract surgery eventually, if we are around long enough. For some patients that might not occur until their vision is not good enough to drive, for instance. For others it may come much sooner. But, the time to do it is when it "interferes with your life".

Now that said, most of us realize that there is a risk/reward relationship here. It is still a surgery and you must understand the risks involved. I am fairly conservative in that I try to hold people until they meet the above criteria of interfering in their life. If you feel you meet that criteria, then seek out a GOOD cataract surgeon.

all the best,
john
 
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