Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
26. Yes! Take care of your eyes.
Fri Oct 10, 2014, 02:27 AM
Oct 2014

I tell people that the best thing that ever happened to me was my cataracts. In first grade I could not see the blackboard, which gives you a clue as to how very nearsighted I was. Luckily, I was born in a century where I could get good glasses, and later contact lenses. The cataracts happened later. I'd been aware for about fifteen years that I was growing them, and then my current eye doctor told me it was time for the surgery.

At first I thought about putting it off until Medicare, because I might not have to pay as much. I phoned a friend of mine a woman a good fifteen years older, and she said, "Sheila, are you nuts??? Get the surgery!" I followed her advice.

Yes, I paid several hundred dollars out of pocket, and I appreciate that I could afford to do so. The most interesting thing was that at age 63 I was invariably the youngest person in the room when I went to my various appointments connected to the cataract surgery. Partly because I was a bit on the young side for this, but more because the slightly older generation remembered when their own parents had gone through it, and what a big deal cataract surgery was back then.

Now, it's a piece of cake. My vision is better than it has ever been in my life. Yeah, I still need reading glasses, but that's trivial. I CAN SEE! What I like best is looking off in the distance. Everything is sharp in a way I had never experienced before.

So get the surgery.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

'Dead Water,' Ann Cleeves shenmue Sep 2014 #1
I have very much enjoyed Ann Cleeves' Shetland series, so far. scarletwoman Sep 2014 #7
Yay! shenmue Sep 2014 #8
London by Edward Rutherford libodem Sep 2014 #2
Lost for Words by Edward St. Aubyn pscot Sep 2014 #3
Thanks, pscot. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #4
Hey, warmest congratulations on your 41 year anniversary! Wow! scarletwoman Sep 2014 #5
Thank you, scarletwoman. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #6
Earlier today I started SheilaT Sep 2014 #9
Thank you, SheilaT. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #13
We like margaritas too. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #14
It is my personal opinion that the very best margaritas SheilaT Sep 2014 #15
I'm sure you're correct, SheilaT. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #17
I have a friend who likewise enjoys drinking, SheilaT Sep 2014 #18
Ah, science fiction movies and drinking margaritas. Sounds like my kind of evening. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #19
If you decide to relocate to Santa Fe, SheilaT Sep 2014 #21
Well, I totally scored this past week! scarletwoman Sep 2014 #10
Awesome! shenmue Sep 2014 #11
While I have not myself gotten very much into SheilaT Sep 2014 #16
Nice. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #20
Giovanni's Room, by James Baldwin. closeupready Sep 2014 #12
Fourth of July Creek by Smith Anderson HuckleB Oct 2014 #22
Not reading much fadedrose Oct 2014 #23
I'm sorry about your eye problem, fadedrose. Enthusiast Oct 2014 #24
I had both eyes operated on about 3 years ago fadedrose Oct 2014 #25
Yes! Take care of your eyes. SheilaT Oct 2014 #26
Isn't it astonishing to have those cloudy lenses replaced? I've had both my eyes japple Oct 2014 #27
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Fiction»What are you reading the ...»Reply #26