Wonderful stuff Ronni, and it's grand to see the new, thinner you too.

Lou...
During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and the implanted lens contains the appropriate prescription (like eye glasses and contact lenses) to give the patient the best vision possible.

In my case, I received the same kind of prescription I used with contact lenses for more than 30 years. It is called "monovision" - one eye corrected for reading and close-up work; the other for distance.

Unlike most people, I have not noticed increased vibrancy of colors. During my day-one checkup yesterday, the doctor explained that people who exclaim about beautiful colors after surgery had the kind of cataracts that involve a yellowish discoloring of the lens that reduces the brightness of colors.

My cataracts were not that kind so the big difference for me is amazing clarity of vision.

I've just had the preliminary visit with my cataract surgeon. The papers he gave me to sign were very off-putting. Your post helped me realize that the outcome can be spectacular. Thanks for the inspiration to "just do it!"

So marvelous to hear! Thanks for sharing your experience. And ditto all that Tamar said!

Congrats on your surgery, Ronni. I felt similarly about mine--that it was a miracle. I also went with the monovision. Most of the time it's terrific. Only at night if I'm doing serious reading, it's more comfortable to also wear a lens (glasses) over the long distance eye. But I love my new eyes, so I understand how you feel.

After both eyes done re: cataract surgery, yes, vision and colors much better. Since both eyes now have the "secondary cataracts" which can develop days, weeks, months or "never", my doc will remove them in April via a 30-second laser surgery. At least they will be done in his office and both eyes at once. I do have to wear prescription glasses for reading, t.v. and distance when driving, etc, but the lenses are much much thinner than before. So yes, it's worth it.

I, too, had cataract surgery in both eyes. They actually break up and remove your own lenses and replace it with artificial ones that look like they are made from gum wrappers, paper and wire and would last about a week, but which are actually very sturdy. I, too, had to have the laser surgery to remove some spots. I now wear prescription glasses that are clear on top (I can see distances now!, computer strength in the middle and reading strength near the bottom. Works for me! Glasses look good on me, so i don't mind!

Congratulations on your new vision. I had cataract surgery years ago and do not wear glasses unless watching TV. However, my vision has never been, nor will ever be, 20-20 or even close to that. I'm so glad it is working out well for you.

Interest! I did not know that your general health can contribute to the development of cataracts.

Wonderful, you look great, and thanks for the information. I aways from needing this but it is coming and feel much less anxious about it thanks to all the comments and reading material.

cataract surgery - piece of cake - so worthwhile. I am extremely nearsighted so I could not get a glasses free result - in fact one eye is now good for close up and the other for some distance - not the result the surgeon expected but the shape of my eyeballs did it - and I like it. I still wear glasses - bifocals - but they are much thinner than before. And my sight without glasses is such that sometimes I get up, forget to put on my glasses and then have to figure out where I put them. Having worn thick glasses since 6th grade - the thiner ones are a treat.
If there is a down-side - it is that now I can easily see the cobwebs and dust - before - I had to walk into a cobweb to know it was there.

You are so right; it's a wonderful surgery, and so easy -- both the surgery itself and the recovery. My eyes were different to begin with so the surgeon made one for near and one for far sight. That works well in general but for "near depth" like walking down stairs I do not trust by depth perception and always hold onto a rail. But that's probably a wise precaution anyway. A small price to pay for shedding the glasses and contact lenses worn since age 12.

I also had cataract surgery last year with the same results. Difference was that I hadn't understood that a lens had been implanted and it came as a delightful surprise. I was sitting at the table with my family and picked up a jar of chilies and read the small print. I felt like I'd been given a wonderful gift in my old age.