Cataract removal… “Minor” Surgery?

“Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored and he saw everything clearly.” *

     My husband’s definition of minor surgery is “when it is someone else’s!” How true! We all feel some level of anxiety it comes to having any kind of surgery, especially when wondering about the outcome.

     Such was the case for Al when informed by the ophthalmologist that it was time to have cataracts removed from both eyes. Not great news to hear. The good news though was that the new lenses would correct Al’s vision as well. Most likely glasses would no longer be needed except for reading.

     Surgery dates were scheduled about ten days apart. That was when Al remembered the definition of ‘minor’ surgery, expressing some concern. He hadn’t noticed a decline in his vision. Was it really that necessary?

    The problem with cataracts is that they continue growing, in time blocking out one’s vision completely. While it can be put off for a time, eventually reality has to be faced and a decision made. Not easy, especially when dealing with the eyes!

     Our doctor reassured Al that he had done the procedure many times, that it would take less than an hour and that he would be able to resume most normal activities the very next day. This information seemed to give him a sense of peace, along with the prayers of family and friends would be praying for him.

      We arrived at the surgery center at 6:15 am on the appointed day and found seats in the waiting room. Gradually the room filled with people. A friendly Hispanic woman was among the first in line. She came out about an hour later holding onto the arm of a nurse and looking groggy, but smiling.

     Al was still in the operating room at the time, but it wasn’t long before he was in recovery, sitting up in a chair and drinking apple juice.  Everything seemed to go just as the doctor said it would. When he saw Al at a follow up appointment the next day, he seemed happy with the results.

    The same woman mentioned earlier was also waiting for a post-surgery checkup. When I pointed to her eye, she nodded with a big smile. I interpreted her beaming face to mean that there was a big difference in her vision and that she was thankful!

     Al didn’t notice the big change in vision that we expected though. In fact, he experienced some alarming symptoms. The vision in that eye was periodically blocked by blotches, much like blobs of paint thrown onto glass; and it didn’t feel normal. There were some episodes of light-headedness as well.

     On the weekend just before the second surgery, he contacted a person at the medical answering service and told her what he was experiencing. She assured him not to worry, that the blotches were just “floaters.” Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to reach the ophthalmologist. The surgery went ahead on Monday morning as scheduled.

     Following that surgery, the right eye seemed to be okay, but the symptoms in the left eye persisted. Finally, the problem was discovered—an unexpected and dramatic increase in pressure due to one of the eyedrops that had been prescribed both prior to and following the surgeries.

     To the doctor’s surprise both eyes had extremely high pressure. Once the regimen of eyedrops was changed all of the symptoms disappeared. We were both greatly relieved. 

     No more cataracts! Praise the Lord! The only problem he has now is trying to figure out where to put his reading glasses so that they’ll be handy when he needs them!

     When some people from Bethsaida led a blind man to Jesus, He responded by spitting on the man’s eyes and laying His hands upon him. Then Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

      The fellow looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” What disappointment he must have felt.  Although he could see, everything looked blurry. When Jesus again put His hands on the man, he was completely healed. (Mark 8:22-25)

     Jesus sent him home…and I have a feeling that he must have run the whole way, eager to share his story with family and friends. God is good!

*Mark 8:25