Barbara J. Hamby

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A Brighter Future

Yesterday my surgeon’s office called to schedule cataract surgery for me. I’ll be having one eye done next week and the other at some undetermined later date. I’m very excited about the possibility of having better vision than ever. Most everyone I’ve talked to who’s had the surgery has reported good results. My mother had only one eye done in her lifetime and reported that she could see better than at any time before. That was quite a few years ago and I’m sure there have been improvements since then.

I’ve worn glasses to correct myopia since I was in seventh grade and I’m sure I needed them long before that, but testing was not as common when I was in school. At present, I wear trifocals to correct the nearsightedness and astigmatism. I don’t yet know whether I’ll be wearing corrective lenses after the surgery, but if I get to a point where I don’t need them, it’ll be very strange for me. Worst-case scenario, I’ll have to wear makeup to hide the bags under my eyes.

Over the past few years the vision in my right eye has deteriorated to the point that my left eye is doing most of the work and tiring easily. It’s very difficult for me to read print on a colored background and night driving is frightening. I avoid it except for emergencies. I’m confident my vision will improve considerably and am really looking forward to that result.

Today I worked several hours on collecting poems I’ve written to enter into contests or submit for publication. Such work will be easier and take less time with better vision, I’m sure. I’ll report on developments as they occur.