As We Grow Older

[WaltW]

I Thought that this topic might be of interest to some of us here as I'm aware that there are a few, at least, that are my age. So, I want to share that 10 days ago I had cataract surgery on my left eye. I swore to myself decades ago that I would not let anyone, doctors included, do any surgery to my eyes unless there was no other way to keep my sight. I've had friends and acquaintances that have had treatments for macular degeneration, weekly injections directly in the eye, squirm, squirm, squirm. Others have had Lasix surgery to correct their vision because corrective eyewear would not be adequate to help them see better.
I want to state here and now that my vision in my left eye is sharper, clearer and colors are more vivid than I remember it ever being. The procedure removed the cataract and replaced the natural lens with a prescription lens that corrected my vision for distance. I need to wear cheaters for reading and up close work( arms length or less). I'm blown away by my new ability to see perfectly and that the procedure had no pain during preop, procedure or postop. Eye drops 4 times a day for the first week and then decreasing by one drop a day for each of the next 3 weeks is the only medication needed. I won't get tacky with lyrics from Johnny Nash Jr.
If anyone here would like to share their experience(s) please do. I'm feeling invigorated about life with this new outLOOK.

 

[davismanLV]

I have the beginnings of cataracts in both eyes. No need for anything yet, but there will come a time. My biggest thing is floaters in my left eye. I've had them checked out and all, and it's nothing serious, but just irritating. I get used to having one, and then slowly over time it goes away. Then I get a new one.

 

[GAD]

Glad to hear of your positive experience! My eyes are deteriorating and it's awful. I used to have 20:5 vision and I simply cannot get even an ophthalmologist to prescribe me glasses that I think give me sharp vision because 20:20 is the standard and they all say it's "good enough". Like Tom I've also got the beginnings of cataracts and terrible floaters but they all just comments, "wow - that's a big one" and tell me that I'll get used to it.

 

[Minnesota Flats]

Glad you had such a positive experience!

So far, my main "aging issue" is severe arthritis in both thumbs (verified by x-rays). I'm holding surgery as a "last resort" because I don't want my hands to get buggered if somebody botches the job. In addition to music, I do a lot of graphic art, both endeavors requiring fine motor skill with the hands. I switched from playing guitar to mainly playing bass in 2013 because doing lots of chording was really starting to hurt my hands. For whatever reason, playing bass was far more forgiving, though I can only play finger-style (no slapping or holding a flat pick). I initially looked at going to bass as a "consolation prize", but am now enjoying it as much as I ever enjoyed playing guitar. It's not a "lessor" instrument, just very different when played to fill its proper role in an ensemble setting.

There's a waiting list for PT here locally, so I'm in the queue, but probably won't be able to get any til at least January of 2024, which kinda sucks, but "oh well"....

 

[tonepoet]

Cataracts and floaters here too. The thing that bugs me is how the cataracts effect my night driving. Oncoming headlights spread streaks of light across my lane and I am unable to see my lane. Needless to say, I avoid night driving whenever possible. Multi-lane highways are ok, but two-lane blacktop type of roads are a problem. Doc claims I'm still 5 years away from surgery on them. Good to hear of your outcome WaltW.

Weirder still is that I have experienced what is called "Ocular Migraine" a few times. No pain involved. What happens is that for about 20 minutes, your vision becomes scrambled and kaleidoscopic. It starts in the center of your vision field, expands and moves throughout your vision field and slowly fades back to normal vision about 20 minutes later. The medical profession has no idea why this happens and it is apparently harmless, but the first time is rather frightening, as you're not sure why this is happening or if it going to stop.

 

[GAD]

Cataracts and floaters here too. The thing that bugs me is how the cataracts effect my night driving. Oncoming headlights spread streaks of light across my lane and I am unable to see my lane. Needless to say, I avoid night driving whenever possible. Multi-lane highways are ok, but two-lane blacktop type of roads are a problem. Doc claims I'm still 5 years away from surgery on them. Good to hear of your outcome WaltW.

Weirder still is that I have experienced what is called "Ocular Migraine" a few times. No pain involved. What happens is that for about 20 minutes, your vision becomes scrambled and kaleidoscopic. It starts in the center of your vision field, expands and moves throughout your vision field and slowly fades back to normal vision about 20 minutes later. The medical profession has no idea why this happens and it is apparently harmless, but the first time is rather frightening, as you're not sure why this is happening or if it going to stop.

What you describe is pretty much what I experience as aura at the beginning of a migraine.

 

[Guildedagain]

Still have zero need for glasses at a month away from 63, but for guitar repairs, stringing, reading, sharpening chainsaws, I use readers of varying strengths. Otherwise I don't wear them and have crytal clear vision, which sucks when it comes to dust particles.

I get ocular migraines sometimes, mostly at the computer, suspect it's related.

 

[WaltW]

Glad you had such a positive experience!

So far, my main "aging issue" is severe arthritis in both thumbs (verified by x-rays). I'm holding surgery as a "last resort" because I don't want my hands to get buggered if somebody botches the job. In addition to music, I do a lot of graphic art, both endeavors requiring fine motor skill with the hands. I switched from playing guitar to mainly playing bass in 2013 because doing lots of chording was really starting to hurt my hands. For whatever reason, playing bass was far more forgiving, though I can only play finger-style (no slapping or holding a flat pick). I initially looked at going to bass as a "consolation prize", but am now enjoying it as much as I ever enjoyed playing guitar. It's not a "lessor" instrument, just very different when played to fill its proper role in an ensemble setting.

There's a waiting list for PT here locally, so I'm in the queue, but probably won't be able to get any til at least January of 2024, which kinda sucks, but "oh well"....

I have some arthritis in both hands which is what brought me back to playing guitar after 14 years hiatus; it's working. I worked with my hands for my entire 50 years of employment. I am a retired toolmaker/ prototype machinist /engineer. I had several cases of trigger finger which is a build up of calcium and fatty tissue in the first and second joint in a finger causing it to jerk suddenly when moving it. Each time the Orthopedist gave me shots of Cortazone directly into the joint and in a matter of a week to 10 days the finger worked normally. Since I've stopped working my hands have been bothering me more and more esp. at night. The guitar playing and yard work has helped to keep them active enough that the pain / aching is reduced. Getting older is fun for the most part...I hope I keep getting older for awhile!

 

[Steelman]

CMC joint arthritis in right hand--under control, but I have to be careful not to "lift" the sax with the right hand thumb!

So far, at 79, I can load, unload, and schlepp my gear (amp, pedal steel, suitcase full of stuff). I have one guitar gig though that I enjoy--because I can just sail in with the axe and plug into an amp that another player has brought.

 

[DrumBob]

I have the beginning of cataracts in both eyes and floaters. My eye doctor says there's nothing they can do about the floaters. I live with it. The cataracts are not bothering me yet, but they eventually will. The good news is, my eyes have stabilized, and last time, there was no change in my prescription. My left eye actually improved. so I didn't need new glasses.

 

[MartyG]

I've had both eyes done. When I had the first one done it allowed me to compare, and man, what a difference between them. Cataracts evolve slowly, and I had no idea how compromised my eyesight had become. I did my right eye first as it was the worst. The procedure was nothing; quick, painless and immediate change. My doctor uses the "old school" method, no lasers. I was awake for the fifteen minutes that it took to get in and out. They numb the eye with drops and it gets real blurry so you don't really see what they are doing even though your eyes are wide open. Nothing to it.

Now I had one good eye and one that would eventually need the same thing done. My good eye was set up for long distance, and I did not need glasses for driving or TV or anything beyond arms length. What a nice change! My bad eye was notably cloudy, with a yellowish tint to everything. I had not really seen a blue sky until I got the right eye done. I couldn't wait to get the left eye done, but it was a couple years before it got bad enough. Now that they are both fixed, I only need reading glasses for close work. Nice not to have to have Rx sunglasses.

I don't know anyone who regrets getting it done when the time came. Most say they wish they had done it sooner.

Marty

 

[Wilmywood]

I've had severe rheumatoid arthritis for about 15 years now that has improved over time due to an IV drug I now do once monthly. It was bad enough 10-12 years ago that I could not play my guitar, but now and for the last three years or so that has improved and started playing again, thank God. although I have some issues with dexterity that I never had before. I had forgotten how long it takes to really get your fingertips toughened up
I also had cataracts done in both eyes a couple years ago. I am lucky I am nearsighted so I can see great close up without glasses. My opthalmologist tells me I have eyes 'built for reading'. I got referred to the best guy in the region for it so I am happy to report no issues post-surgeries.

 

[GGJaguar]

I have eyes 'built for reading'.

So are mine as long as what I'm reading is no farther than 4 inches from my face.

 

[lungimsam]

My friends just got both eyes cataracts surgery done in August. She says colors are now more vivid and she doesn't need glasses anymore. Is very happy with the outcome.

 

[Wilmywood]

My friends just got both eyes cataracts surgery done in August. She says colors are now more vivid and she doesn't need glasses anymore. Is very happy with the outcome.

I still need my glasses as I did not have corrective lenses installed, because 1) medicare won't pay extra for them, 2) if my vision were to deteriorate I'd need glasses (or new lenses) anyway and 3) I've been wearing glasses since the age of 5 and I have learned to not be wary of things hitting my eyes because they've always been there.

 

[GGJaguar]

And I thought ear hair was the only thing I needed to worry about as I get old...

 

[Default]

I had lasix surgery on both eyes. I wear bifocals with readers on the bottom and no script on the top. Best thing I ever did for myself. No complications at all.

 

[Wilmywood]

One more quick note: along with reduced dexterity in my fingers after taking 5 or 6 years off of playing due to RA, my voice had suffered a bit as well from non-use. Songs I could sing with ease 10 or more years ago didn't sound so good. So, I hunted up a voice coach here in town and have been seeing her for first a couple of hour sessions and then 4 half hour sessions over the past 6 weeks and I have been pleasantly surprised at the results. I recommend it for anyone whose voice is not quite as robust as it used to be. In fact, we get along so well and have such fun that I am considering taking piano from her when my voice is back up to snuff.