@dsh33782

Hi,

I had a detached retina and surgery in the early 1980s. Ten years ago at age 68, I decided to go for cataract surgery. My doctor at that time was always reluctant because he feared macular degeneration because of the retinal detachment. I wore both contacts and glasses but was really having more difficulty because of the cataracts. I switched to St Luke’s Eye and Cataract clinic here in Florida because of the reputation and experience of their staff. I had the surgery in 2009...first one eye and then a month later the second eye. Best thing I ever did. It was like someone windexed my eyeballs. Currently I wear glasses for driving and distance and use magnifiers for reading although I can both drive and read pretty well without them. It’s a little clearer when I do use the glasses though. My night vision improved at that time but one eye had half halos around lights so that was the only downside.

Fast forward to now. I did develop late onset macular degeneration in both eyes about 5 years ago but it has been stable since then. I changed my diet to include more leafy greens and take Preservision vitamins. My left eye (the good eye) improved in vision last year. I don’t wear glasses or contacts except for driving or reading. I also don’t do night driving or only local night driving. My last exam showed that my right eye (the one I had the retinal surgery in ) had an inflammation which I am using drops for and will see him again on the 13th of this month. But the macular degeneration has not advanced.

My point is I did have the retinal detachment and was aware of the consequences but chose to do so anyway. I never regretted it. I credit the health of my eyes to my overall diet and good health. The surgery itself was so easy and fast and absolutely fearless. Any problems with my right eye is because of the retinal detachment 40 years ago. I have almost 20/20 in my good left eye. Never had that before the cataract surgery. I am 78 now and would even have a new lens for the bad eye if that was an option. By the way, I had been wearing glasses for distance since age 6 and, before the cataract surgery, the lenses were getting a little thicker than usual. I also went into all this with a now profound hearing loss and rely on my eyes to hear. Which is why I am passionate about food and what you eat to maintain good and improved health in every part of your body, including dem eyeballs.🤓

I think you will do just fine and don’t worry about your age....74 today is not the same 74 20-30 years ago.

Here’s looking at you,
FL Mary

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