AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: smylee grouch on April 08, 2021, 12:24:03 AM
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I had cataract surgery on my left eye last Monday and will have my right eye next Monday so I went out today and shot a before surgery target to compare to one I will shoot after the surgery. How long after surgery should a guy wait to start shooting again if it makes any difference? The target was nothing but a blur today so I'm hoping for a lot of improvement.
(https://i.ibb.co/Mh5kt08/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7zNtZmg)
25 yd. 40 cal on a used rim fire target, 5 40 cal holes
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SmyleeG - I suspect the time one should wait has a lot to do with the gun being shot.
I suggest you stay away from .69's for a spell. ;D
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Yep, I agree but I would probably stay away from 69s any way. ;D I shot my light 40 today so had very little shake up with 55 gr 2f swiss. I was thinking that a certain amount of time away from real recoil and the chance of flying cap or flint matter might be in order.
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I'd ask the Doctor.
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I'm not an MD, but I did run multiple Ophthalmology clinics for about 20 years. Post surgery it was recommended to wait about 90 days before getting a final prescription for glasses as the eye can change as it recovers from surgery.
I don't recall any specific guidance on how long it takes for the eye to recover enough that the impact or energy transfer to the eye is reasonably safe with regard to keeping the implant in place. I would guess conservatively 60 days.
It is also common to get clouding of the lens capsule within 60-90 days, which is usually easily and quickly resolved with a laser doing a posterior capsulotomy. This can be erroneously referred to as a "secondary cataract" or "laser cataract surgery".
You should have a couple of follow-up examinations by your MD post-surgery, often at 30 and 90 days, that are included in the surgery fee.
I would ask my surgeon, eyes are impossible to replace. I would not shoot any long gun with more recoil that a .22 until I got the OK from my MD, or it had been several weeks with a good recovery.
Hope you have a great outcome.
Carl
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Oops... left out the surgical technique used: small or large incision, stiches or stitch-less, phacoemulsification vs intact removal of cataract, type of replacement lens and how that lens is installed. Straight forward lens replacement or were there complications? (bleeding, loss of vitreous fluid, retinal issues, etc.) All of these could affect the outcome or recovery.
Carl
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I actually have personal experience on this topic. I had cataract surgery on both eyes in my early 50's about 20 years earlier than average. I was an endurance athlete and a shooter at the time. My doctor wasn't as concerned about shooting as he was about repetitive intense exercise or any type of heavy lifting. This isn't anything to take light of and return to shooting too soon. Take the time off and relax you won't lose any of your current shooting skill or ability. What you could do though is permanent damage if not taken seriously.
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Thanks every one for the reply's. I had thought that a break from any kind of recoil would be in order and as suggested I was going to ask the doctor about it. Its still nice to hear others experience's for reference. Thanks again. :) :)
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Oops... left out the surgical technique used: small or large incision, stiches or stitch-less, phacoemulsification vs intact removal of cataract, type of replacement lens and how that lens is installed. Straight forward lens replacement or were there complications? (bleeding, loss of vitreous fluid, retinal issues, etc.) All of these could affect the outcome or recovery.
Carl
Maybe you can answer a question for me. I lost the sight in my right eye. I now have a cataract in my left eye and it's getting advanced. It looks like it always foggy and nothing is in focus.
My problem is my doctor won't operate on my left eye for the cataract because he says if something goes wrong I could end up blind. So, he says to just live with it. So, i'm trying to live with it but it sure makes shooting/hunting hard.
Have you ever heard of something like this? Would most doctors refuse to operate?
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Dale Johnson had the procedure and he has only one eye.
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Pete, they did both my eyes one at a time to reduce risk and to make it more convenient for me to adjust. About 2 weeks between surgeries is all though. However, at the time 14 years ago risk was pretty low and I'm sure things have improved since then. I think this is where you make an appointment with another doctor and see if there's a consensus of opinion. The other thing I should have done was get the cost quote in writing because I got a surprise bill a couple of months later.
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Is the eye that had the eye surgery bandaged up? I'm just wondering if i'll be blind for awhile until the bandage comes off?
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Yes it was covered for a few days for protection. Mostly so I wouldn't rub it in my sleep.
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The change in the amount of light after surgery was dramatic. It was like turning on a light in a dimly lit room. I wore sunglasses outside for several months. Improved vision was the big payoff! 8)
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I had cataract surgery seven days ago and the doctor said I could go shooting now. Just be careful to not let anything hit your eye. Always wear safety glasses.
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I would add that EVERYONE should be wearing some sort of safety lens over both eyes whenever shooting a cap-lock, flintlock, or even a modern gun.
When shooting anything!
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An 81 year old gun builder friend of mine had his done about 2-3 weeks ago and although he could see clearly the next day, the surgeon told him to refrain from shooting for 2 weeks. However, he told him he could resume gun building activities immediately.
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Oops... left out the surgical technique used: small or large incision, stiches or stitch-less, phacoemulsification vs intact removal of cataract, type of replacement lens and how that lens is installed. Straight forward lens replacement or were there complications? (bleeding, loss of vitreous fluid, retinal issues, etc.) All of these could affect the outcome or recovery.
Carl
Maybe you can answer a question for me. I lost the sight in my right eye. I now have a cataract in my left eye and it's getting advanced. It looks like it always foggy and nothing is in focus.
My problem is my doctor won't operate on my left eye for the cataract because he says if something goes wrong I could end up blind. So, he says to just live with it. So, i'm trying to live with it but it sure makes shooting/hunting hard.
Have you ever heard of something like this? Would most doctors refuse to operate?
My guess is you need a better ophthalmologist. Older is not necessarily better, as Docs often don't stay up to date on the latest and best techniques. I want someone who does LOTS of cataract surgeries (my Docs would usually do 25-40 cataracts per week) and is in their prime as a surgeon, so probably ~late 30's to mid 50's. It takes extremely good eye hand coordination and motor control to be a top eye surgeon. As we get older these abilities degrade, which to an extent can be overcome with increased experience. But there are not many top eye surgeons past 55-60. Look for a fairly large city, rural guys don't get as much practice.
If it were me, I would look to find the best surgeon and have it done. Travel to them if necessary. I am extremely careful with my eyesight as most everything I enjoy doing requires good eye(s). I have observed many hundreds of cataract surgeries, and some cataracts are as brown as a beer bottle...how the person got by? The medical standard for cataract replacement is when the loss of vision interferes with the normal daily activities of life (can't read thermostat, stove knobs, car instruments, etc.) results frequently return vision to teenage standards (20/20 maybe better). One of my buddies just had both eyes done (separate times) and now has 20/15 uncorrected vision. The chances of being blinded by cataract surgery is very low; I not sure if I ever heard of any resulting in blindness absent severe comorbidities and even these would be few. Docs are used to being asked about their results, so don't be shy in asking questions. A good Doc knows he is good and isn't afraid of answering all of your questions.
Good luck Pete, feel free to contact me if you have questions I can help with.
Carl
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Thanks for the answer Carl. Actually, my doctor is from Colorado Springs which is a pretty big city for Colorado. It's 100miles away from me. My doctor is i'd in his late 30's or early 40's. A well known surgeon. So, he meets your qualifications.
However, he knows my history with my blind right eye. I shouldn't be blind. If I was the type to sue I had a dead bang case against my last ophthalmologist. He screwed up bad. I won't bore you with the details it would take forever to write it all down. It was a long process. I not only lost sight of the eye but I was a 18 wheeler truck driver and when I lost sight of my right eye I could pass the eye test for the class A license. We need at least 20/40 vision in both eyes. So, I lost my livelihood too. That made a lawsuit pretty strong. Especially, when a specialist told me the doctor screwed up. The simple version is he treated me with drops when I needed an operation. When he finally sent me to the specialist it was too late and the optic nerve was destroyed.
Anyway, I can probably find another doctor to operate on me but I want it to be in their office. I had two cataract surgeries on my blind eye. One was in a hospital that was horrible. They didn't even put a lens back in because I had so much inflammation. I lived with that for a year. Then I found the doctor who invented the micro surgery and he put in a lens in his office in LA. That was easy but I couldn't remember if my eye was bandaged or not because I could see out of my left eye. It would be a problem if my eye was bandaged now. I don't have anyone to help me and I have nobody to take care of my dog. I'm a real loner and never ask for help.
So, here I am. Still going hunting with only one eye with a cataract. Too stubborn to use a scope.
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I had cataract surgury done on my left eye done about 15 years ago. I can't see out of my right eye because of an accident when i was young. I only had to wear a patch on the eye at night so I didn't hurt it at night. John
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I too am dealing with not being able to shoot due to eye issues. I was diagnosed with a macular hole in my right eye. Possibly due to a car accident I was in. I first noticed it when I couldn’t see my sights.
Two days later I was having surgery to repair it. That was in late Feb. I still can’t see well but the hole was repaired. The doctor says the surgery accelerates cataract growth and I’ll have to have that taken care of in 6-12 months. Hopefully I can see clearly after that. I do worry about my future of shooting and hunting since it’s my right eye.
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I was lucky, and blessed, that my eye surgeon was a fellow target shooter.
I had vision of about 20/400 bilaterally, and had worn thick lenses for most of my life. But thick lenses still make details difficult at times.
So, when my vision started dimming, I thought it was time for new glasses - but the optometrist said, "Nope - you have cataracts!" And he set up arrangements with s surgeon from Tulsa - was living in OK at the time.
Was fantastic to actually "watch" the surgery. But the surprise came when I sat up, and could immediately see the second hand on a clock across the room! Had never been able to do that. And when my friend drove me home, I could see individual leaves on trees, and mortar between bricks. A whole new world.
A month later he did the other eye. The first, my right (and dominant eye), he made just a touch far-sighted, about 20/15, or however you write it. The left eye was corrected to 20/20. So target shooting became a lot better.
Still wear glasses - for reading or doing close work - but not 24/7.
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Sounds great, Craig. Fortunate. 20/15 is not far sighted, it's just excellent vision, 5 yards better than "20/20.
Since I started wearing glasses when I was about 43yrs. old and couldn't see gophers 50yards away, my vision
was corrected with lenses to 20/20. The last 2 times getting prescriptions, my vision has been correctable to 20/15
as I was able to read the next line down - amazing, but does not help with sights, unfortunately - both are still fuzzy
through my glasses, the rear one really bad, but the targets look great. ;D
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People who had a cataract surgery usually take about two months to recover. I know that my dad had some issues with the recovery process, but in about three months everything was fine, and we could shoot again. Vision problems actually run in our family. For example, I have myopia and I always have to wear contacts. Sometimes I use my glasses as well, but I prefer my look without them. I even bought a pair of blue contacts (https://coleyes.com/collections/blue), just to have more fun. I really love people with blue eyes, and I have always wanted to have blue eyes. So, I figured the contacts can be the perfect alternative for me. Anyways, in about two months I think you should be fine.
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ask your Dr.
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3 weeks and I was hitting the bull at 100 yards WITHOUT glasses that had just been ordered! Before, the target and sights were a total fuzz ball WITH the glasses.
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If I only had 1 eye I would want it to work well. Go to another Dr.
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If I only had 1 eye I would want it to work well. Go to another Dr.
What if I end up blind? I already had a doctor take the vision in my right eye. I don't want a....I'm sorry but here's a bunch of money for my mistake.
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I can certainly understand your caution, Pete.
What if, is right.
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I got my first pair of glasses when I was 44 and they were where prescriptions start
At 83 I had cataract removal from my left eye done with a laser and no problems.
One month later the right eye was done the same way and then new glasses.I use
one diopter readers for the computer.I am now 85 and can still do accurate shop work.
My eye surgeon is a woman who is now about 45.I need no glasses for driving but
wear bifocals in the shop because of grinders and milling machine.
Bob Roller
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Eye protection is vitally important, most of the time.
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Good info !
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Is the eye that had the eye surgery bandaged up? I'm just wondering if i'll be blind for awhile until the bandage comes off?
I just had my two eyes done recently. They put a clear plastic shield over the eye to wear home and for 5 nights sleeping. You can see fine through it.