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James "Kimo" Rosen is a retired professional photographer amongst other things lived in a tent outdoors for 7 years. Rosen currently resides on the tropical island of Kaua'i with his best friend and spiritual adviser, Ivanka "Costco" Obama, The Bipartisan Dog!     Sunrise/weather/photos April~2021 (These photos made it to Hawaii News Now) Photos courtesy, James "Kimo" Rosen Blog #2069~Kimo's world #315 The miracle of cataract surgery |
It was just a simple visit to the optometrist for my 2-year check for new glasses.
My eyes had been getting progressively worse the last two years. I figured a new prescription
would be all that was needed. The eye doctor tested and retested my eyes and said he could not find a prescription that would give me 20/20 HD vision like years past. The strange thing he could not find any obvious cataracts, macular degeneration, plus my glaucoma was healed last year with laser surgery and my annual diabetic retina exam proved negative.
would be all that was needed. The eye doctor tested and retested my eyes and said he could not find a prescription that would give me 20/20 HD vision like years past. The strange thing he could not find any obvious cataracts, macular degeneration, plus my glaucoma was healed last year with laser surgery and my annual diabetic retina exam proved negative.
He suggested I consult with their in-house Ophthalmologist/eye surgeon. I made the appointment with the surgeon and all looked fine at first, however, I kept harping on poor night vision, and that I can’t read the menu on
my cable tv screen even with my glasses on. After a thorough exam and findings that the sophisticated machines couldn’t find, he declares "no wonder your vision is blurred, your lens is all fogged." "You have a posterior subcapsular cataract which is prominent among diabetics." This was good news and bad news, since if a cataract wasn't detected, I was on my way for a brain scan.
my cable tv screen even with my glasses on. After a thorough exam and findings that the sophisticated machines couldn’t find, he declares "no wonder your vision is blurred, your lens is all fogged." "You have a posterior subcapsular cataract which is prominent among diabetics." This was good news and bad news, since if a cataract wasn't detected, I was on my way for a brain scan.
What is a cataract? No, it's not a luxury vehicle.
It's a medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, 
resulting in blurred vision. If you have blurred, fogged vision, or trouble driving at night with glaring headlights these are the first signs of cataracts.
resulting in blurred vision. If you have blurred, fogged vision, or trouble driving at night with glaring headlights these are the first signs of cataracts.
Most cataracts develop when aging or injury changes the tissue that makes up your eye's lens. Cataracts can also be caused by other eye conditions, past eye surgery, or medical conditions such as diabetes.
Deciding on cataract surgery was a no-brainer since untreated cataracts can lead to loss of vision and the fact of being a retired professional photographer of 40 years
that still dabbles in digital photography on a daily basis photographing sunrises with my iPhone along with my best friend, my dog at my side, weighed very heavy on me.
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| Ironically, prior to my surgery an awesome sunrise unfolds in the parking lot of Wilcox hospital. |
that still dabbles in digital photography on a daily basis photographing sunrises with my iPhone along with my best friend, my dog at my side, weighed very heavy on me.
There are few steps prior to cataract surgery.
A few weeks before surgery you must get fitted and sized for the new lens that will be transplanted in your eye, my surgeon has a high qualified technician do this. This job is crucial! A COVID test is also required three days prior
to any surgical procedure even if you've been vaccinated. Two different antibiotic eyedrops must start being administered three days prior to surgery along with a daily hairline and face cleansing with 'Hibiclens.'
to any surgical procedure even if you've been vaccinated. Two different antibiotic eyedrops must start being administered three days prior to surgery along with a daily hairline and face cleansing with 'Hibiclens.'
The same-day surgical 
staff at Wilcox medical center calmed my nerves before, during, and post-surgery. Efficiency is their game, checks, balances, and asking many times my name, birthday, and what you’re there for.
staff at Wilcox medical center calmed my nerves before, during, and post-surgery. Efficiency is their game, checks, balances, and asking many times my name, birthday, and what you’re there for.
The operating surgeon felt I was the anxious type; therefore, he had the nurse administer Valium before the surgery. Who me anxious? Along with a short dose of propofol (the same drug Michael Jackson overdosed on) from the anesthesiologist.
For some reason even though the surgery is on your eye, they have you strip down to your
birthday suit and wear one of those signature hospital gowns that notoriously expose the moonrise. They played classical music to relax me during the surgery. The propofol knocks you out to numb the eye, however, you are woken up and relaxed during the surgery since the eye must be open.
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| My surgery took place Tuesday, March 30, 2021 |
birthday suit and wear one of those signature hospital gowns that notoriously expose the moonrise. They played classical music to relax me during the surgery. The propofol knocks you out to numb the eye, however, you are woken up and relaxed during the surgery since the eye must be open.
"Are you going to write about us too?" Those were the words a team of nurses said in unison after my recent cataract surgery in the post-op recovery room. Although I was coming out of heavy sedation, those are complimentary
words for any writer. You see I penned a wellness guest column for the Garden Island news about my recent colonoscopy last August, titled, “ The dreaded Roto-Rooter, the coming of age." https://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-dreaded-roto-rooter-coming-of-age.html
words for any writer. You see I penned a wellness guest column for the Garden Island news about my recent colonoscopy last August, titled, “ The dreaded Roto-Rooter, the coming of age." https://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-dreaded-roto-rooter-coming-of-age.html
I wasn't planning on writing about my cataract surgery, however, when a team of nurses seemed like they enjoyed my last wellness article, why not give cataract surgery a touch of the keyboard especially now that I can see so much better!
The hardest part of cataract surgery is not being able to bend from the waist down for the first week since it puts undue pressure on your eyes. It took me two days to figure out how to pick up my dog's business by getting down on one knee and hoisting myself up on my walking stick with a poop bag
on the other hand. You cannot lift anything over 10 lbs. Sneezing must be silenced and bowel movements must not be rushed or squeezed. I could not ride my bike or go swimming either. Even the simple exercise of hanging from a tree branch as natural traction for my spinal stenosis is prohibited during recuperation. Those who have marital relations, need to cease or be very passive. It's amazing the common things we do that put pressure on the eyes.
on the other hand. You cannot lift anything over 10 lbs. Sneezing must be silenced and bowel movements must not be rushed or squeezed. I could not ride my bike or go swimming either. Even the simple exercise of hanging from a tree branch as natural traction for my spinal stenosis is prohibited during recuperation. Those who have marital relations, need to cease or be very passive. It's amazing the common things we do that put pressure on the eyes.
You must wear polarized wrap around dark sunglasses when outdoors and when sleeping
you must wear a plastic shield over the affected eye and either sleep on your back or the opposite side than you were operated on
you must wear a plastic shield over the affected eye and either sleep on your back or the opposite side than you were operated on
Should you have cataracts and decide on surgery make sure you're comfortable with the surgeon.
Anyone who can microscopically tear out a cataract, remove the God-given lens of your eye and replace it with a man-made lens and restore your vision to almost 20/20, and save you from potentially going blind is a genius.
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Anyone who can microscopically tear out a cataract, remove the God-given lens of your eye and replace it with a man-made lens and restore your vision to almost 20/20, and save you from potentially going blind is a genius.
Cataract surgery is said to have a 99.7% success rate and is considered one of the safest modern-day miracle surgical procedures.
Finally, I asked my eye surgeon how he was so smart? He said he was a good pupil!
This blog appeared as a Guest Column in
the April 16, 2021 edition of the Garden Island news!
Hana Hou (Encore)
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43 comments:
I went from 20/600 to 20/20 after mine...
Amazing! so far after my one-week check, 20-80- to 20-25!
And colors are brighter. Do not rub your eyes.
-for how long?
Don't rub them for at least a couple of months. I made the mistake of having a couple of glasses of wine 2 weeks after my surgery and I kind of rub my eye a little bit and now I will have a floater for the rest of my life or until I have these lenses ripped out a new ones installed in 20 years
I had both eyes done 4 years ago. I wore glasses for 45 years, now I don’t except for reading
unbelievable, it really is a miracle surgery! I remember you wearing glasses back in the good old days!
My roommate had long overdo cataract surgery & then was told she needs a cornea transplant she has decided not to get.
Is her vision better?
Arghh,
It's a little better, but she still cannot see to safely cross the street which is concerning. She has to cross when others cross to know it's safe.
It truly is amazing that medicine has advanced from a 5day on bedrest procedure to a “simple” day surgery! I’m really pleased you had a good outcome!
🤗🌺🙏🏼
Glad your surgery was a success, and thanks for all the informative info about Cataracts, and the surgery!
Take care Kimo - Bill 😎🤙🏼
They can’t figure mine why it’s still foggy before I got my cataract surgery I see better then I think they’re ruined my eye sight.
Oh No! What are you going to do?
Laser surgery is amazing. I was told that sun burns (to the eyes) also create cataracts. Be sure to wear sunglasses!
I had laser surgery last year, cataract surgery is different, they actually replace the lens of your eye.
I thought they used laser for cataract surgery?
Ultrasound destroys your old lens, then they microscopically install your new lens...
Wow!
Niki sent Today at 11:24 AM
I had no idea
It's really a miracle surgery...
Just wait if it goes well that’s all I can do take some vitamins
They say some people can take up to two months to heal, hang in there...
listen, cousin, today's cataract procedures are easy and extremely successful. Larry had both eyes done 3 years aqgo and only 2 weeks apart. His vision is better than before and the recovery was easy. Don't listen to stories that may concern you. You'll be seeing better each day. I have a small cataract that my ophthalmologist says can wait. So I will for a bit, after all, you're older than me!😂😂🥰🥰
I've had cataracts for several yrs and my eye doctors keeps telling me they are not bad enough to have removed..but yet as I age my eyesight seems to be failing even after a new prescription 2 yrs ago or so. I take drops nightly for glaucoma. Anyways, I don't think I could go through a cataract surgery as I have high anxiety normally and I cannot stand to have eye doctor messing with my eyes for those tests. He says I hold my breath when he does the pressure test lol which makes the pressures go up.
They anesthetize you to numb the eye and give you Valium or something similar to calm the anxiety. 👍
How do they numb the eye??
They'd have to knock me out cold
They knock you out cold, with propofol, there's an Anesthesiologists present to monitor the surgery, they wake you up after the eye is numb since the eye must be open, but you are still heavily sedated with more than propofol. I had valium and classical music. (read the article!)
My cataract surgery was 2 years ago then this retina last March 9th in my left eye I’m so miserable 😭
crazy! Praying for healing my sista!
Happy healing Kimo!
Mahalo!👍
Had both eyes done 5 years apart. It was amazing how much better I could see after each surgery.
How’s taking care of de dawg?
I was able to squat or kneel to pick up her business, no bending for the first week. This is now the second week. I am cleared to bend. (Read the blog, it’s all in there!👍)
Glad your surgery was successful. One of my eyes has beginning of cataract. Probable cataract surgery in my future too. Never gave much thought about how daily living puts pressure on our eyes. Interesting.
Sharon,
Think about cataract surgery!
We are all praying for your quick recovery.
Kit & Kaboodle
I hope you’re feeling better each day. My high school BFF had to have both eyes done 2 weeks apart( she too is diabetic). Aloha from Houston, brah.🤗🌴🙏🏼🐾
Reid Johnson
My wife just had her first surgery. Fantastic! And didn’t have to pay a cent to have it done. We’re very thankful!
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Larri-June Miller
Reid Johnson was her surgery done in Vancouver?
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Reid Johnson
Larri-June Miller yes
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Larri-June Miller
Reid Johnson thank you! I took a friend into town have the same surgery. Her clinic was located near the Bayshore Towers.
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Toni McCartney
I was a technician for years and did the pre and post appointments for patients. It was always a joy to see someone uncover that surgical eye the day after surgery and be able to read the letters for me. Most of the time they only saw the big E before … See More
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Karen Schropp Ouye-Selbe
Just had it ! Totally awesome!
gladys krasse April 16, 2021 1:16 am Reply
i had both eyes operated on about 15 yrs ago….today, at 89, i still only need 1.0 glasses from the Dollar Tree & only use them for very small print….i don’t need them for driving or regular activities….the surgery was painless…….before it i couldn’t stand the sun or headlights when driving….plus i was wearing 3.0 prescription glasses…..!!!
Tooindependent April 16, 2021 8:15 am Reply
Cataract… I no drive a Cataract…. I drive a Rincon continental
kauaiboy April 17, 2021 8:51 am Reply
TooIndependent- Don’t bother applying for the next opening as police chief 🙂
And Rosen, why not rename your dog Gaetz? Then you won’t feel bad kicking him around…
James Kuroiwa, Jr. April 16, 2021 5:06 pm Reply
Kimo, thanks. Will have my first visit with the eye surgeon next Tuesday for my left cataract eye. One week of recovery? My colon cancer (1 night in Straub hospital) and prostate (one afternoon of radiation seeds) cancer seem minor to one week of limited physical activity. I’ll get all my checks on Tuesday. Again, thanks.
YuCalJoe April 17, 2021 5:24 am Reply
I had both eyes done last year. $8,000 out of pocket, and $3,000 was paid by health insurance (for the anesthetics only). I now have 20/20 vision. First time in my life without corrective lenses of some form. My glasses were thicker than a Coke bottle bottom. I was wearing contacts, and still had to wear reading glasses (2.5). Driving at night was becoming dangerous because of all the glare. Since I’m under 65, i had to incur the cost. I’m glad I made good decisions in the past to get an advanced degree and a good career that would allow me to earn the ability to much such decisions, and not expect freebies in return for a shameful soul.
No Miracle April 17, 2021 9:41 am Reply
Please limit your magical thinking to politics or religion. This is SCIENCE. Lots of people did a lot of research and training to be able to provide this result. Get checkups regularly.
Kimo, I thought your local newspaper had rules on commenting to stay on comment, be civil and no personal attacks, seems to be whoever monitors their comments doesn't look out for you or follow the rules of the paper? Time after time I read your local paper and people are constantly off-topic on your time-consuming and well-written articles.
Keep up the great work and hope your feeling better.
Kauaiboy needs to get a life!
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