Eye surgery, possible cataracts, and hunting/shooting

[Chris in TN]

I'm honestly looking forward to having the procedure done. Sis months ago my vision wasn't perfectly correctable with a contact but I could generally use the scope's diopter setting to get very close to 'correct'. At some point in the last few months I have moved out of that range and into the place where my eye tries really hard to focus but such focus only comes in fleeting moments, if at all, and can't be maintained for more than a second or two. Precision shooting literally has became a headache.

 

[heavyhorns]

I’m a cataract surgeon and most of what’s posted above is true. I will offer a few pointers to think about but this post is by no means a medical advice post. I don’t know the history or exam of any of the above patients. I would say that 20/15 and 20/10 have never come out of my mouth before when talking to a patient about anything.

Most patients that are outdoorsy want a distance priority for their vision. Also, It’s extremely important to understand that there is no perfect lens out there. There is always a compromise.

For example, with hunters, doing a multifocal or even an extended depth of focus lens will decrease contrast sensitivity. This could potentially impact low light glassing, etc. In return, you would get better intermediate and/or near depending on your lens choice.

Light adjustable lenses are pretty cool technology. The logistics and process of dialling things in seem to take forever but most of my patients have been very happy with them. I personally like to use them for patients that want distance in both eyes. It’s awesome to dial in 20/20 in both eyes (when patients have other ocular problems, 20/20 might not be attainable but LAL will get it as good as possible). You will get a little intermediate often doing them for distance but not always. I have done mono vision and mini mono vision with them but it’s not my favorite.

It’s important to note that there is no lens out there that will allow everyone to use open sights perfectly after cataract surgery. I’ve had some patients do great and some still struggle. If you’re wanting to do a lot with open sights, I would probably lean toward vivity or diboo but again no perfect option because we don’t have a good accommodating lens out there.

Thank you!

I’m a cataract surgeon and most of what’s posted above is true. I will offer a few pointers to think about but this post is by no means a medical advice post. I don’t know the history or exam of any of the above patients. I would say that 20/15 and 20/10 have never come out of my mouth before when talking to a patient about anything.

Most patients that are outdoorsy want a distance priority for their vision. Also, It’s extremely important to understand that there is no perfect lens out there. There is always a compromise.

For example, with hunters, doing a multifocal or even an extended depth of focus lens will decrease contrast sensitivity. This could potentially impact low light glassing, etc. In return, you would get better intermediate and/or near depending on your lens choice.

Light adjustable lenses are pretty cool technology. The logistics and process of dialling things in seem to take forever but most of my patients have been very happy with them. I personally like to use them for patients that want distance in both eyes. It’s awesome to dial in 20/20 in both eyes (when patients have other ocular problems, 20/20 might not be attainable but LAL will get it as good as possible). You will get a little intermediate often doing them for distance but not always. I have done mono vision and mini mono vision with them but it’s not my favorite.

It’s important to note that there is no lens out there that will allow everyone to use open sights perfectly after cataract surgery. I’ve had some patients do great and some still struggle. If you’re wanting to do a lot with open sights, I would probably lean toward vivity or diboo but again no perfect option because we don’t have a good accommodating lens out there.

Super helpful. Thank you.

 

[fwafwow]

I’m a cataract surgeon and most of what’s posted above is true. I will offer a few pointers to think about but this post is by no means a medical advice post. I don’t know the history or exam of any of the above patients. I would say that 20/15 and 20/10 have never come out of my mouth before when talking to a patient about anything.

Most patients that are outdoorsy want a distance priority for their vision. Also, It’s extremely important to understand that there is no perfect lens out there. There is always a compromise.

For example, with hunters, doing a multifocal or even an extended depth of focus lens will decrease contrast sensitivity. This could potentially impact low light glassing, etc. In return, you would get better intermediate and/or near depending on your lens choice.

Light adjustable lenses are pretty cool technology. The logistics and process of dialling things in seem to take forever but most of my patients have been very happy with them. I personally like to use them for patients that want distance in both eyes. It’s awesome to dial in 20/20 in both eyes (when patients have other ocular problems, 20/20 might not be attainable but LAL will get it as good as possible). You will get a little intermediate often doing them for distance but not always. I have done mono vision and mini mono vision with them but it’s not my favorite.

It’s important to note that there is no lens out there that will allow everyone to use open sights perfectly after cataract surgery. I’ve had some patients do great and some still struggle. If you’re wanting to do a lot with open sights, I would probably lean toward vivity or diboo but again no perfect option because we don’t have a good accommodating lens out there.

Apologies if these questions have been covered. Your disclaimer about not giving medical advice is acknowledged.

I had a detached retina 35 years ago and as a result am pretty paranoid about my vision. Currently I’m using Toric lenses and have corrected for mono vision (left for near, right/dominant for distance). It was a bit to get used to, but life changing.

The other day the optometrist said he sees the beginning of a cataract in my right eye, but nothing to worry about given my age. When I eventually get the surgery, I’d like to replicate the mono vision (if I need both eyes done). Can that be done, and any thoughts on pros/cons?

 

[Aeroflot81]

Apologies if these questions have been covered. Your disclaimer about not giving medical advice is acknowledged.

I had a detached retina 35 years ago and as a result am pretty paranoid about my vision. Currently I’m using Toric lenses and have corrected for mono vision (left for near, right/dominant for distance). It was a bit to get used to, but life changing.

The other day the optometrist said he sees the beginning of a cataract in my right eye, but nothing to worry about given my age. When I eventually get the surgery, I’d like to replicate the mono vision (if I need both eyes done). Can that be done, and any thoughts on pros/cons?

Yes it can be done. This is about the only situation where I do much mono vision—when someone has had success with it wearing contact lenses in the past.

Pros—best case scenario you wear no glasses which is great.

Cons—if something bad happens to the distance eye, you’re in glasses life long. Sometimes dementia or other issues like this can affect someone’s tolerance for mono vision but theoretically that could be the same for multifocal lenses as well. Depth perception isn’t as good but if you’ve tolerated it well with contacts lenses, that shouldn’t be an issue after cataract surgery.

Hope that helps.

 

[fwafwow]

Yes it can be done. This is about the only situation where I do much mono vision—when someone has had success with it wearing contact lenses in the past.

Pros—best case scenario you wear no glasses which is great.

Cons—if something bad happens to the distance eye, you’re in glasses life long. Sometimes dementia or other issues like this can affect someone’s tolerance for mono vision but theoretically that could be the same for multifocal lenses as well. Depth perception isn’t as good but if you’ve tolerated it well with contacts lenses, that shouldn’t be an issue after cataract surgery.

Hope that helps.

Thanks!

 

[kcm2]

Thank you!

Super helpful. Thank you.

Nobody promised me 20/15. But I'll gladly take it. It's a hell of a lot better than looking through crushed ice.

 

[88man]

In 2021 @ 51 years of age I was on a hunt and looking through the spotter I had a bad spot at the 7 oclock position. Blamed my friend for messing up the spotter lens. However, I was using readers for about a year and had a hallo with bright lights while driving at nite.
Fast forward I had rt eye cataract surgery that spring in 2022 on the rt eye. Then summer of 2023 cataract surgery on my left eye.
Today no readers required and a few weeks ago shot 94/100 on a sporting clays course with some friends.

 

[Roadmaster02]

Hope everything works out for you OP. Dr. said my cataracts should be ready for surgery next year. Got lots of research to do.

 

[HighUintas]

Hope everything works out for you OP. Dr. said my cataracts should be ready for surgery next year. Got lots of research to do.

It's looking good so far (as of mid -Feb check up), but they said the surgery could cause early cataracts anywhere from 6 months from now, to two years, to 15, or just the same as the other eye. There's no telling. He said my age of 39 would put me on the side of likely not developing them early, so that's good.

However, I'm wondering if the surgery could have caused some other unforeseen issues. I'm nearly 2 months out and still not able to focus at distance. That eye's pupil is also still more dilated than the other and there's a definite color difference between the two. Right (surgery) eye perceives everything in a more blue hue and left is more yellow. I tried my wife's Rx glasses, which are for nearsightedness and an astigmatism, and holy moly they make everything crystal clear with my right eye from close to far. I looked it up and it is possible that a vitrectomy can cause an astigmatism and other things. So, we'll see if it eventually gets better but I'm losing hope as I'm nearly 2 months into recovery. But if it doesn't fully recover, at least those glass seem to fix it. I can live with wearing glasses no problem.

Still, having the surgery was the correct decision. I was functionally blind in that eye prior to it with no improvement over 2 months.