Protect the eyes, protect the brain

[WendyBG]

Dementia has a Macroeconomic impact since millions of people are affected and it’s very expensive to care for them.

We have already discussed on METAR how hearing loss correlates with an increased risk of dementia but hearing aids reduce the risk.

It’s not surprising that a similar sensory deprivation, cataracts in the lens of the eyes, is also correlated with a 25% increased risk of dementia. Cataract surgery to replace the lens reduces the risk to the same as people without cataracts.

I bought hearing aids when I read about the first issue. I’m already scheduled to have cataract surgery in May.

Protect the eyes, protect the brain—a potentially simple lever for dementia risk

Wendy

[AlphaWolf]

Wendy,

Best of luck with the cataract surgery. I think you’re going to love it.

I had cataract surgery two weeks apart, first the left then the right. For those two weeks I spent most of the time closing one eye, then the other (driving Ms. Wolf crazy. OK, nothing new there ). The difference in color was mind boggling. I forgot how white was so bright! And the beautiful blue sky. And, well every other color!

I’m excited for you.

[flyerboys]

What AW wrote! My Mom had both eyes done at one go when she was 78, and she could not stop commenting on how amazingly bright and “oh my” colorful the world is, and she had forgotten.

I took her to a beach with gorgeous views the very next day.

[ImAGolfer]

@WendyBG

I’m already scheduled to have cataract surgery in May.

Good luck with the cataract surgery. You won’t be sorry. That was the best surgery I’ve ever had. It’s been about 10 years or so ago but as I recall we did one eye on New Years Eve and the other a month later. Ever since I’ve had no problem seeing my tee shots or finding my ball.

[PucksFool]

Best wishes on your surgery. The first thing that I noticed after the surgery was the colors. I hadn’t realized how cataracts were like a yellow filter on a camera. I felt like Dorothy when she opened the door of her house and walked out into Munchkinland.

[WendyBG]

Since I’m an artist, color is all-important. I painted “Tambourine Dance” last week and was shocked at how different the colors were when photographed inside and outside. But I don’t actually know what it looks like because of my cataracts. I can’t wait to find out.

Wendy

[Leap1]

My irish catholic grandma was in the hebrew home. She was 95. After her cataract surgery mom visited.

Gran i have good news and bad.
Mom good first.
Gran i can read and see bright colors. Its wonderful
Mom and the bad news
Gran i went into the bathroom. I look like an old hag

She had a great sense of humor

Age 65 or 66 my right eye will get done. 2 years later the left

[AlphaWolf]

You’re going to love seeing your paintings for the first time!

Hearing aids have the opposite impact on my music.

When I don’t have my hearing aids in, I sound like Eric Clapton.

When they’re in, I sound like Tiny Tim.

Reality bites.

[imuafool]

Wendy, I am also a candidate for cataract surgery.

At my initial consultation, my doctor, on a scale of 0-4 measuring cataract density, determined mine was currently at a 2, meaning it is not extremely dense but is significant enough to affect my vision at age 81.

After follow up tests by a technician, my doctor determined that I am a candidate for two types of intraocular lens:

1. Standard Lens – This lens does not correct astigmatism. With this option, I would likely need glasses for both distance and reading after surgery. The full cost for the lens and surgery is covered by my Medicare plan.

2. Toric Lens – This option corrects astigmatism and can significantly reduce my need for glasses for distance vision. I would still need glasses for reading. I would need to pay the cost for the Toric lens at $2,550.00 per eye.

Now the primary reason for my reply post here and not yet scheduling my cataract surgery is to give a heads up to any Vietnam War veteran here who like me was exposed to Agent Orange, have diabetes type 2 mellitus, and need cataract surgery. The VA (Veteran Affairs) does not officially recognize Agent Orange as a direct cause of cataracts. However, diabetes type 2 mellitus, a presumptive condition for Agent Orange exposure, is linked to cataracts. Veterans exposed to Agent Orange who later develop diabetes-related cataracts may still qualify for benefits under secondary service connection.

Here’s an excellent write up by a Veterans Disability law firm:

VA Disability Rating for Cataracts, Service Connection and Benefits, 3/2/2025

https://www.hillandponton.com/va-already-admitted-cataracts-service-connected/

I’m currently a VA Healthcare enrollee with service-connected benefits and compensation and now going through the VA application process for my cataract condition for surgery and compensation.

Regards,

Ray

[WendyBG]

@imuafool I decided to get the “plain vanilla” standard lens adjusted for far vision so I can socialize without glasses. The standard lens gives the clearest vision at close and medium range with glasses.

The toric lens corrects astigmatism BUT one potential side effect can be glare from headlights at night – which is the reason I’m getting surgery in the first place.

It’s worth discussing that side effect with your surgeon. They make much more from those toric lenses than the plain lens and the office put me under pressure to go in that direction.

I have “prism” as well as astigmatism which the toric lens can’t correct. But you should verify for yourself whether all your needs are met, including driving at night.

Wendy

[VeeEnn]

Not pertaining to cataracts, but my granddaughter has been undergoing vision therapy for Streff Syndrome (a response to all the upset from the divorce…..and probably the lead up) and is now at the myopia management stage. I…and my daughter….were both diagnosed as near sighted at around age 8. Plain old corrective lenses prescribed….a bit fancier for my daughter and subsequently Lasix.

Maya has just gotten to the point where correction is required….and she’s been prescribed myopia management lenses as an alternative to regular. Newish to the market here….but not Canada and Europe….so plenty of reasonably robust evidence of efficacy. Principle being to slow down progression by defocusing the peripheral vision. Plenty of photographs of these lenses online. It’s an interesting concept.

[iampops5]

Responding YES to all of the other replies. My left eye was 20/200 going in. Blind. So they did that eye first. The color and clarity after surgery were so beautiful, I thought they must’ve painted the waiting room while I was in surgery. The next day I fully saw my two year old granddaughter’s smile for the first time. I teared up with joy.

Getting your senses back does not just help ward off dementia. It brings back the joy that comes from seeing and hearing again.

[1poorguy]

I’m about 5 years (according to the doctor) from cataract surgery. I’ll be on Medicare by then.

1poormom got the near/far lenses (near one eye, far the other) on the advice of her doctor. I’m planning on restoring what I am used to: correct for near, and get progressive for mid/far. I’ve been near-sighted since my late teens, so I’m used to that. I won’t have to adjust my routine at all.

What I don’t get, why not get both eyes done at once? I know most doctors don’t do that, but it already freaks me out anyone/anything touching my eyes. Having to do it TWICE?!! I’d rather get loopy once, both eyes done, and finished with it. Get it over with.

[WendyBG]

@1poorguy

What I don’t get, why not get both eyes done at once? I know most doctors don’t do that

My surgeon wanted to do that but I wanted a week between surgeries so I would be able to see with a good eye while the surgical eye healed and settled in.

Somehow, having cataract surgery doesn’t freak me out compared with splenectomy, hysterectomy, bilateral mastectomy and open-heart surgery.

Wendy

[captainccs]

@WendyBG

It’s not surprising that a similar sensory deprivation, cataracts in the lens of the eyes, is also correlated with a 25% increased risk of dementia. Cataract surgery to replace the lens reduces the risk to the same as people without cataracts.

I’ve said it before elsewhere but it’s worth repeating here:

I used to get new prescription glasses every two or three years, maybe longer, I don’t remember. That stopped after I lost some 50 pounds mostly by eating right, low carb, no seed oils, and no highly processed foods. When I got to Portugal I thought I would need a new prescription. The examination revealed I had a bit of a cataract problem, first time ever. The healthcare bureaucracy was complicated and I never got to see the doctor that was supposed to start the procedure. Funny thing, I’m seeing better with my old glasses than when I arrived in Portugal in May 2019.

It seems that even vision is tied to healthy eating!

The Captain

[1poorguy]

@WendyBG

Somehow, having cataract surgery doesn’t freak me out compared with splenectomy, hysterectomy, bilateral mastectomy and open-heart surgery.

Well, those are pretty major procedures. I had a craniotomy. They had to wake me up in the middle of it so they could map my brain. That still doesn’t freak me out the way the thought of someone coming at my eye with a scalpel. As I understand it, they can’t know you out completely for that or they can’t get to where they need to.