Rocky

Well, the eye clinic at the VA (where I first went to get them to authorize the surgery) told me that everyone gets cataracts... it's just that most don't show up until people are older like that. My understanding is that there are a number of factors that can expedite formation so that surgery is necessary in "younger" people. First is genetics. Both my parents had cataract surgery when they were in their early 50s. So, the fact that I developed them at this age seems pretty reasonable to me. Other factors that I'm aware of (and there may be others) include diabetes and exposure to UV light (like being outside in daylight longer or more frequently than many other people). I'm not diabetic. And I don't work outdoors... but they DO call the Phoenix metro area the "valley of the sun". As a note of disclaimer, I would have NO idea why your wonderful wife would have needed the surgery at her age (whatever age that may be). Since I had my surgery, I've talked to several other people who either have only had one eye done or waited a long time before doing the second eye. Given the pronounced (dramatic) difference in the eyes after the first one was done, I'd probably go (more) nuts if I had to wait two years in between surgeries. There for the two weeks, I was driving without glasses but could really only see what I needed to see while driving with only one eye. It was a most bizarre experience. Of course, if they had NOT implanted the lens, I would have been able to get by with the old (bifocal) glasses. However, with only one eye done I could tell a substantial difference in the color everything seemed to be. The post-op eye let in more light and everything therefore was brighter with whiter whites. The NON post-op eye saw everything as if I was looking through a dark brown shade screen over a window. It was so significant that I could see the difference (when I looked in a mirror) in how dialated the two pupils became. That is, apparently, also very common.

Oh, I don't think such a proportionality would be a good idea either. And I'm with you on allowing the guy to fill my Rx's.

Well George, I think the key is in the adjustment to make the dose proportional by body weight.... IOW, if a baby is 20 lbs normally when they receive said vaccination, and you are 200 lbs, then the amount of themirosol (or whatever it is) would be increased tenfold. I think it's a good thing I had no idea that these things were in the shots my kid had to get. I probably would have freaked out. She's rapidly approaching her 18th birthday (in Oct) and thankfully she's not autistic.

Well... those ARE just reading glasses. But at the time of the pic, I was wearing contact lenses. Now, no contacts. Can't you tell? ;)

At the eye specialist group where I got my cataract surgery, they do two kinds of eye surgery, cataract and Lasik. They ONLY do one eye at a time, for either type of surgery. I had the first eye done in May. They wouldn't even schedule the second eye until the first eye surgery proved successful. In my case, it was obvious from the day after the surgery that it went very well. So, after the 7-day follow up exam, they scheduled the surgery for the other eye. I only had to wait one more week before that one was done (very nicely also, I might add).

Absolutely!!

Before my cataract surgery, I did that too... but since the lens implants, it doesn't work. I just plain can't see the small print (or other details) without my reading glasses. I carry my readers on my shirt collar instead of on my head... But I'm thrilled that I don't need glasses to drive.

and that was before steroids! Yes, I agree with you.

Maybe because we were just kids back then? And hiway... every time I see your avatar, I'm thinking of the President (of the US)!

That's because I have baloney in my shoes.

I once had an eye exam and the doc prescribed new glasses that one eye was for seeing far and the other for reading... without telling me he was going to do that... I hated it. eventually got a full refund. glad I didn't do that via surgery.

or lick your face or ears? (oh... a pet dog or cat can do that!)

Hills, have you already had an eye exam to evaluate whether you're a candidate for lasik? Given your age (mid-50s?), perhaps lasik might not be the best option. I recently had cataract surgery -- which included implanting permanent lenses. Now, I ONLY need glasses to read.

And Excie, IMO that is a VERY good thing both for your and your son!

THAT nails it.

Even though you probably can get a fairly reasonable first impression in a five minute interview, I doubt you'd get much of the genuine insight that only time can provide you on how well they handle/cope with stresses and challenges of everyday life.

Cindy, your self-awareness, noted when you said your ability to be objective is impaired, is a very good thing. However, as much as anyone here at GSC knows you, this is STILL way too limited of a medium for communication for you to get very much genuine insight here. I say -- very much -- because there will be some good insight... as noted in templelady's post (highlighted in my post). However, given the tremendous importance of your daughter's relationships with both you and her father, I would caution you to take very little (if any) direction from posts on a thread like this. We will NOT be able to clearly and/or legitimately assess either your daughter, you or her father. Nor will any of us here be certain how much of our experience will appropriately related to the situation you described and are seeking help with. You NEED the insight of trained professionals with background (education AND experience) in counseling and/or social work related disciplines in order to have the best chance of giving your daughter the best shot at emerging into adulthood with as healthly of an emotional/social makeup as possible. I offer this advice, and NOT anything that even pretends to assess any of the involved parties and relationships because I have been deeply affected by and through divorce related custody concern for my daughter (who is now 17, and too near 18 for comfort) and parental alienation. Any insights offered by anyone here without first hand observation/interaction with enough of your situation (and all the pertinent relationships) -- though no doubt well intentioned -- will have far too much potential for infusing a great deal of added confusion and possible emotional vulnerability for your daughter especially. Bottom line, I understand your concern for your daughter. I understand it with a heavy heart. That's why I urge you to get the best possible advice from the best available professionals you can find.

FYI, it's 5 minutes.

Michael's Tandy Leather Factory both links also include store locator options.

115 at my house. In the shade, it's more or less tolerable. In the sun, not even. Of course, 95 here when you have to stay in the sun and away from the shade becomes intolerable. On the plus side, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (on whose reservation I actually live) just harvested some corn the other day... should be in the supermarkets this week at great prices... and they don't have deer pilfering the goods. Too close to the big city, way too hot, and no place to hide (no forests/woods bordering the crop fields). So, you gonna have enough venison to feed all of us?

What about that sweet corn?

I don't know if it's a national chain, but here in the Phoenix area, I go to a craft store called Michael's. It IS a chain, I just don't know how big of a chain. And they have LOTS of stuff. And Tandy Leather Factory stores (in many states) have LOTS of leathercraft tools, kits and supplies. I've taken up leathercrafting in the last 15 or so months.

Wasn't he the guy that invented the HOOK shot in basketball?

And here I thought I was just starting to get some freckles... because of all the sunshine here in the Valley of the SUN! ;) There's a Cracker Barrel or two around here too... though I've never ventured inside one.

:) Ah, youth! I hope you are comforted by knowing you weren't alone in that youthful self-delusion! I still think of Mark Gagnon... he's the one who taught me to "play" the trombone. Or rather to SOUND LIKE I'm playing the trombone.