Even with glasses, my vision had been blurry for a few years. I made two trips to optometrists trying to get my glasses prescription adjusted. On my third try, I visited a different optometrist. She determined my vision was askew due to cataracts in both eyes. I was in shock. While I am on the downside of middle age, I thought cataracts only occurred in folks much older than me. I was referred to an ophthalmologist to evaluate removing the cataracts and was supplied with two options. The first was to remove the cataract and replace it with a clear lens. While this would remedy my cataracts, I would still need expensive glasses with progressive lenses. The other option was to remove the cataract and replace it with a corrective lens. With the corrective lenses, there was a good chance I would no longer need glasses.

I have worn glasses or contacts for 40 years. The idea of freeing myself from glasses had enormous appeal. The only catch was the added expense of the corrective lens. I decided living glasses free for the next few decades was worth the extra cost.

After the first surgery on my left eye, there was a 2-week waiting period before proceeding with my right eye. During this time, I was able to contrast my vision with and without a cataract. The eye with the cataract removed was blurry from the surgery, but the light I saw was clear and bright. In contrast, the vision from my right eye was yellow and dingy. I saw the full impact of the cataract. I had not noticed the diminished vision because it occurred over a long time. I was also accustomed to the reduced vision.

My vision had declined due to an object literally getting in the way of my eyesight. While I had become used to my diminished vision, I eventually reached a point where my quality of life was suffering, and I began investigating the problem. During this investigation, my objective was to restore my vision to the weakened state of a few years ago. I didn’t realize the potential of fully restoring my vision to an absolutely clear state. My objective was flawed as I was under scoping the possibilities.

What can we learn from this episode? First, we need to set our objectives on the best possible outcome. Don’t ever sell yourself short, reach for the best you can be. If you your objective is second rate, that is certainly all you will ever achieve. Second, when trying to understand a new concept or idea, sometimes we let things like preconceived notions or experiences of another time get in the way of clearly seeing the possibilities. Part of achieving clarity is to transport yourself to another person view or to another time and place. This mind trick sounds like science fiction or fantasy, but it really works. Looking at a problem or idea through another lens provides amazing clarity.

My cataract surgery was very successful. I am now living glasses free for the first time since I was 18 years old. I wish there were a way to restore some of my other body parts to their former state.

If you are facing cataract surgery, don’t hesitate, your vision is worse than you can imagine. If you are able, I highly recommend the lens upgrade and the chance to be glasses-free. Seeing clear is not overrated!

Make the most of this day!