Tag Archives: cataract

Good Article About Cataract Care In ‘Forbes’.

by Anura Guruge
on October 7, 2023

Click to ***access the ‘Forbes’ article***.

Having had THREE very successful cataract surgeries, with TORIC LENSES in both eyes, at ‘Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston’ (OCB), by the wonderful, gifted & brilliant Dr. Theodor Sauer, ~3-years ago, I am a great believer in cataract surgery … & care. My surgeries rejuvenated my eyes.

I go back for yearly checks. Yes, one of these days they will have to do some MAINTENANCE laser ‘cleaning’. I was told about this right at the start.

So, I appreciate that CARE is important.

This article has some good info. Hence my desire to share it.

As to why I needed 3 surgeries, when alas I only have 2 eyes had to do with the toric lenses. They are shaped. They can be ROTATED inside the eye to improve FOCUS! After the surgery on my (bad) right eye, Dr. Sauer, at the 2-week check-up thought he could give me better sight IF he rotated the lens by another 15 degrees. So, we scheduled another surgery. Full works. He didn’t have to pull out the ‘old’ lens, just rotate it in place. It worked.

‘Bausch Lomb’, ‘Soothe XP’, Lubricant Eye Drops For Dry Eyes — Disappointing & ‘Irritating’ On Multiple Fronts.

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by Anura Guruge
on August 7, 2023

Click to ***ENLARGE***. ***Amazon listing***.

‘Refresh’ ‘Optive Mega-3′ my ‘prescribed’ & preferred eye drops.

My ‘MediCare’ ‘Advantage’ plan (with ‘Humana‘) gives me $25/quarter to buy grossly overpriced ‘over the counter’ pharmacy products from their online pharmacy. I get told off for NOT using this $25 allowance — on the grounds that I am throwing away money! So, I try to find some products that may be of use. Usually I just buy a couple of boxes of Band-Aids (or equivalent) for $25. Yes, it is grossly overpriced.

I saw the ‘SootheXP’ eye drops & thought I would give them a try — as ancillary drops (during the day) to the Optive Mega-3 drops I use every morning per strict instructions per my cataract doctor. I like using drops from a bottle during the day, rather than having to snap open yet another single-use, plastic vial.

I have used ‘Bausch Lomb’ eye products for decades & have a high regard for them. That is partly why I was so crushed.

The SootheXP drops disappointed.

Maybe my eyes weren’t dry enough! Yes, it is true that I don’t have dry eyes per se. Don’t think I ever had — even during the 50 years I wore contact lenses. Maybe that is the issue. My eyes just weren’t dry enough for me to see the benefits of these drops.

I found them irritating! Yes, maybe even a slight BURNING sensation. I was ‘amused’ to see that others on Amazon had commented on this. You don’t want eye drops that cause your eyes to burn! Scary.

I also found the drops, as with the ‘Refresh’ GEL (shown in the image above), to be too thick. The drops would BLUR my vision for a few minutes at a time. Nah! Not my thing.

I was NOT IMPRESSED. Just not for I. Must work for others. It does get a fair amount of favorable ratings on Amazon.

‘Pope Francis’, His Recent Eyesight Issues In Portugal & ‘Fatima’, & Cataracts.

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by Anura Guruge
on August 6, 2023

Click to **ENLARGE**. Link to original at ‘***N ational Catholic Reporter***‘.

Given the eye issues I have had most of my life, I, as some of you have figured out, am somewhat obsessed with eye care & eye health. I also know a LITTLE BIT about eye conditions.

So, when I read about Pope Francis’ recent eye issues, my first reaction, especially, given his age was CATARACTS. This sounded like a cataract-related issue.

So, I was curious whether the pope, AS HE SHOULD HAVE (given his age), had had cataract surgery. Appears that he had — in 2019. But, he & the Vatican (per usual), have been very secretive about it. For a start, it is not clear whether he had BOTH eyes done or just one. Having just one eye done, especially given his advanced age, makes NO sense. Yes, some the degree of opacity can be different between the eyes — but you might as well get new lenses, & hence, BETTER VISION, in both eyes.

So, that to I, is the first issue. Did he have BOTH eyes done?

The artificial lens implanted during a cataract surgery ages! Yep. Has to do with scar tissuing. Over time, starting after the first year, the lens starts getting a coating. These days that coating is EASY TO REMOVE. They use a fairly simple laser cleaning technique. My cataract surgeon talks about this everytime I go into see him — which these days is yearly (around February). I am OK for now.

This could be what ails the pope. He should be seeing his eye doctor as soon as he gets back to Rome. In his case, however, his age, lung capacity & OBESITY could be an issue — i.e., any kind of general anesthesia could be dangerous (even for a simple lens cleaning).

Available from Amazon & Apple Store, worldwide.

Glaucoma FAQ By My Brilliant Cataract Surgeon ‘Dr. Theodor Sauer’ Of ‘Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston’ (OCB).

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by Anura Guruge
on April 5, 2023

Click to ***ENLARGE***. Click here to access ***Dr. Sauer’s full FAQ***.

Click to ***ENLARGE***. Click here to access ***OCB’s webpage on Glaucoma***.

Given that it impacts your vision, ‘Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston’ (OCB), understandably, pay a lot of attention to glaucoma. Everytime you visit them they will test you for glaucoma. I am a very happy patient of theirs. They instill confidence in you. I always feel that I am in good hands with them.

Most of my dealing with OCB is to see the wonderful, gifted & brilliant Dr. Theodor Sauer who in late 2020 & early 2021 (during the height of COVID) performed three near miraculous cataract surgeries on me. Yes, three. He did my right eye twice, within the space of a month, to rotate the toric lens that was installed. Once it was in he took further measurements & figured that an additional 15 degree rotation might improve vision further. It did. Hence, the three, all three with 2 months (I think).

YOUNG Dr. Sauer is brilliant. I know I have used that word multiple times before BUT there is no other word that really captures him. He just is ONE of those amazing doctors. They are getting rarer & rarer. As soon as you see him you know you have LUCKED out. He exudes quiet confidence, competence, compassion & caring. As some of you know I am no strangers to doctors, so I am not one who is in constant awe of doctors. In general I am quite critical of U.S. doctors though I, for reasons I have never worked out, have lucked out, BIG TIME, when it comes to surgeons. Just like Dr. Sauer, Dr. Charles Blitzer, who did my (also miraculous) knee surgery 4-years ago, is a sheer genius. My knee is better than new & the whole process of near painless.

But, back to glaucoma & Dr. Sauer. Check out his FAQ. It is short & pithy.

IF YOU have any eyes issues, at all, at all, consider going to OCB or more locally, the ‘Capital Vision Center‘ in Concord, N.H. They are very good too, though they don’t do surgery.

Your vision is NOT something you should overlook!

Home Testing For Eye Drops To Prevent Blindness From Contaminated Bottles.

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by Anura Guruge
on March 25, 2023

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Click to **ENLARGE**. From ‘Google News’.

Click image to access ***this post from February 1, 2023***.

My wonderful cataract surgeon (who in my eyes can do NO wrong) is very insistent that I use lubricating eye drops multiple times a day. He, & the practice he works for, are BIG on eye drops — though they are also adamant that the drops have to be ‘Refresh‘.

Since I first heard about the contaminated drops I have been, understandably, concerned — even sacred. It would be dreadful to go bling. I would rather DIE.

I stopped using eye drops for awhile. But, my doctor was adamant that ‘Refresh’ will always be SAFE. I am not that sure.

I want to see some kind of ‘inexpensive’ HOME TEST ‘kit’ for eye drops. Ideally like litmus strips. You put a drop onto the strip & it will tell you if the drops are safe or not.

Doesn’t that make a LOT of sense.

So, I am pushing for that.

Home Testing for eye drops. Help me make this a reality.

Contaminated Eye Drops Causing Blindness & Possibly Even Death!

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by Anura Guruge
on February 1, 2023

Click to ***ENLARGE***. Click for U.K. ***‘Daily Mail’ article*** from earlier today.

The eyedrops I was using — BUT I STOPPED today.
NOT taking the chance. The risk.

This is SCARY. Wow. Going blind. To be honest I would prefer to die. This is TOO close to home for I. I have never used this brand. I don’t think I have ever come across it. BUT here is the worry. If this brand got contaminated, others could TOO — especially others, like this one, that REFRAIN from using Preservatives. That is what is key here. No preservatives, no additives. Preservatives are said to irritate the eyes of some. That is why I doctors promote ‘Preservative Free’ eye drops — which are MORE EXPENSIVE.

Though I had worn contact lenses, daily, for 52-years, I was never big into eye drops. I could go for months without using — or needing — any. Dry eyes per se was never a problem or concern.

That all changed after I had my cataract surgeries in 2020/2021. My outstanding & brilliant surgeon, Dr. Theodor Sauer, of ‘Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston’ (OCB), impressed upon I the importance of keeping my eyes lubricated. He recommended the Refresh Mega-3 drops. He, per OCB guidelines, was very adamant that you should stay clear of eye drops that contain preservatives. In essence, IF the eye drops are in a bottle they will have preservatives. You have to go with these small, single-use ‘droppers’ to avoid preservatives. IF the drops are going to be exposed to air, as in a bottle, they need a preservative. Preservatives can irritate the eye. That is why you are told to stay clear of them.

Well, I am NOT going to take a chance. As it happens I have an appointment with Dr. Sauer (that I am looking forward to) in Boston this coming Monday. I will, of course, discuss this with him.

I had ‘Refresh’ as an Amazon monthly ‘subscription item’. I was due my next shipment next week. I cancelled that today!

‘Refresh’ Eye Lubricant Drops: The Gel Disappoints, the ‘Mega-3’ Drops Are Good.

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by Anura Guruge
on August 1, 2022

Though I had worn contact lenses, daily, for 52-years, I was never big into eye drops. I could go for months without using — or needing — any. Dry eyes per se was never a problem or concern.

That all changed after I had my cataract surgeries in 2020/2021. My outstanding & brilliant surgeon, Dr. Theodor Sauer, of ‘Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston’ (OCB), impressed upon I the importance of keeping my eyes lubricated. He recommended the Refresh Mega-3 drops. He, per OCB guidelines, was very adamant that you should stay clear of eye drops that contain preservatives. In essence, IF the eye drops are in a bottle they will have preservatives. You have to go with these small, single-use ‘droppers’ to avoid preservatives. IF the drops are going to be exposed to air, as in a bottle, they need a preservative. Preservatives can irritate the eye. That is why you are told to stay clear of them.

I used Mega-3 for a longtime. Then I saw the ‘Soothing Gel’. I thought that I would prefer the gel — & that it might be longer lasting. WRONG. The Gel, at least as far as I was concerned, just did NOT work. I had trouble getting the gel out to begin with! That was very annoying. Just couldn’t get it out of the damn container. Plus, it was THICK & gooey. Blurred my vision for 10 minutes or more. So, I stopped using the gel & went back to the Mega-3.

Just wanted to share this experience with you. Might be of help.

This (Tragic) Fatal Car Accident, 1-Day After Cataract Surgery Bothers Me — Seems Very Wrong.

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by Anura Guruge
on July 26, 2022

Click to ***ENLARGE*** & read here. From the U.K. ‘***Daily Mail***‘.

As someone who had cataract surgery, on both eyes (6 weeks apart) 2-years ago, I was perturbed to see this story.

A few things bother me. I don’t think that anybody does cataract surgery on both eyes on the same day. So, you have one new eye & one old eye. Even if the vision in the new eye is not great the next day, the old eye should be as it was — ALBEIT still with glasses or contacts. That could be where this STUPID woman went wrong. She probably wasn’t wearing her glasses because they would have distorted what she was seeing with her new eye! I didn’t have that problem because I wore contact lenses.

This is BAD. I think the doctor who did the surgery should also be CHARGED! He or she should have made it very clear as to when she should start driving.

I can’t remember the exact instructions I was given. I had mine done at ‘Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston’ (OCB) by the wonderful, gifted & brilliant Dr. Theodor Sauer. Per their very rigid protocol you HAVE to go in for a check-up the day after surgery. (In my case, this fell on Thanksgiving morning — & I still had to go it. I kid you not. The doctor was there, in the morning, to check me out.)

I know for a fact that I wasn’t allowed to drive for that next-day appointment. And the timing of the follow up for such that it would be about 24-hours after the surgery. So, I know I didn’t — & wasn’t allowed — drive for the first 24-hours. I can’t remember when I started driving but I wasn’t in a hurry. I didn’t have a need.

But, this is so stupid. So tragic. She should have the book thrown at her. How idiotic. I am NOT happy. This is crazy.

Glaucoma Awareness Month — V. Useful Newsletter From ‘Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston’ (OCB).

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by Anura Guruge
on January 27, 2022

Click to ***ENLARGE***. Click here to access ***‘National Eye Institute’ post.***

Click image to view **ENTIRE OCB Newsletter** as a ***clean, safe PDF***.

I am a very happy patient of ‘Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston’ (OCB). I had my near miraculous cataract surgeries (x3) done by them — in particular, the wonderful, gifted & brilliant Dr. Theodor Sauer.

From my many visits to them I have come to appreciate that OCB really very concerned about the early detection of glaucoma. They test you for glaucoma every time you go there. They, like I, are great believers in prevention & early detection. [I am, for NOW, ‘OK’ when it comes to glaucoma (though a few years ago, way before OCB, a doctor in New Hampshire speculated that I might be a candidate for low-pressure glaucoma. It would appear she was misguided. But, I try not to take any chances when it comes to my eyes which is why I panicked when I had ‘flashes & floaters’ in my left eye in November 2021. Dr. Sauer had warned me to keep any eye out for them.

Well, as a patient I get the OCB’s monthly newsletter. The January newsletter was all about glaucoma. It has a lot of useful information & I feel compelled to share that with YOU. I had a quick look at OCB’s large website. I could not find this newsletter. That is why I made it into a PDF and posting it here. You should take a look.

Your vision is NOT something you should overlook!

“20/20” Audio/eBook By ‘Carl Goodman’ Is Sheer Brilliance, A Tremendous Story — The Author Is A GENIUS!

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by Anura Guruge
on December 4, 2021

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Click to **ENLARGE**. This is the ***‘Amazon’ listing***.

Click to **ENLARGE**. ***‘Twitter’ link***.

I am LISTENING to this book, riveted & in absolute awe, on ‘Audible‘ during my daily, 2-hour amble in the morning. WOW. WOW! What a book.

I happened to see it on the Audible ‘Plus Catalog’ (i.e., ‘free’ depending on your Audible membership) & the title ’20/20′ caught my eye. Cataract surgery, this time last year, & that disturbing ‘vitreous detachment‘ on my left eye 3-weeks ago. Anything & everything to do with VISION is of interest to I. This book, actually, does go into a fair amount of detail about cataract lens replacement. I, however, do not think that the ‘Fresnel’ lens he talks about is the same as the Toric lenses I had. I am, however, familiar with Fresnel lenses thanks to my interest in lighthouses.

The story is very clever & gripping. I haven’t finished listening to it, BUT I wanted to give you all a heads up. Brilliant. Just brilliant.

However, what is more amazing is the author, ‘Carl Goodman’. Don’t know him. But, would like to. I think he, like I, is a Brit. But, unlike I, he is a bloody genius. The variety of expertise that he tackles with aplomb, at a degree of detail that is astounding, should leave you in awe. Yes, given my computer background I can follow, appreciate & enjoy all of the computer related jargon — including SQL. But, he covers so many other topics with the same amount of depth & detail. WOW. I am in awe.

I can’t BELIEVE that this book is NOT available as a paperback. I was going to buy a copy for my BRILLIANT cataract surgeon, Dr. Theodor Sauer, as a Christmas present. Maybe I can convince the author to do the paperback. I could even do it for him — given that I can publish paperbacks in my sleep.

Anywho. GREAT BOOK. Check it out. Amazing author. Check him out. I have already downloaded his other book.

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