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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / March 2006Getting my Eyeballs Fixed! (OT)
I wonder if Persia will look different? LOL I'm sick of the optometrist not getting my prescription right. I'm sick of having to reach for glasses before I can stumble to the bathroom in the middle of the night. A few years ago my parents offered to pay for lasik surgery for me to have my vision corrected. After trying unsuccessfully since early December to get a new (correct) pair of glasses, I caved and called my parents this morning. Yes, they are still willing to pay for lasik surgery for me. Wooo hooo! Some time next week I'll be able to see without corrective lenses for the first time since 1971. YAY! Jill > I wonder if Persia will look different? LOL > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Jill That's great, Jill! You will love it! When are you going to do it? My friend Elsa had it done last year in Bangkok and that started a huge run of all the ladies getting it done. Everyone loves it! Elsa said it was about 10 minutes of feeling like there was chili pepper in her eye and then it was over and she could see better almost immediately. I wish so much that Dennis could have it done. His eyes are really very bad (-4.50). But he would have to take 3 months off from flying, per eye. Not financially feasible :-( Maybe one day Transport Canada will change their rules to something more reasonable, like 1 month.  SignatureBritta Purring is an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow. Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > That's great, Jill! You will love it! When are you going to do it? > My friend Elsa had it done last year in Bangkok and that started a huge > run of all the ladies getting it done. Everyone loves it! Elsa said it > was about 10 minutes of feeling like there was chili pepper in her eye > and then it was over and she could see better almost immediately. Weird. I felt no pain. Maybe they forgot to give her the anesthetic =P > I wish so much that Dennis could have it done. His eyes are really very > bad (-4.50). I always have to laugh when people talk about how "bad" their eyesight is. Mine was somewhere around -9.5. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> That's great, Jill! You will love it! When are you going to do it? >> My friend Elsa had it done last year in Bangkok and that started a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Weird. I felt no pain. Maybe they forgot to give her the anesthetic > =P Oh, I'm sure that's probably it. It seems that here in Thailand they never give you the anesthetic unless you ask for it. Of course, you have to know to ask for it! I don't mind at the dentist, I would rather have momentary pain during drilling than endure the injections in the gums and then feel all weird in the mouth afterwards. But other times it would really have helped! I had such a hard time when I got my IUD, I passed out the first time from the pain. I tried again a few months later (after I was over the psychological trauma) and took a valium beforehand and still almost didn't make it, was screaming in pain. Later I googled my IUD and it says that local anesthesia is indicated if you haven't had a kid before. Sheesh! I wish I would have known that before!!! >> I wish so much that Dennis could have it done. His eyes are really >> very bad (-4.50). > > I always have to laugh when people talk about how "bad" their eyesight > is. Mine was somewhere around -9.5. That is very bad. But Dennis' is bad enough. I don't think he could be a pilot if it was much worse and it's bad enough that he needs his glasses to even go to the bathroom at night. SignatureBritta Purring is an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow. Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >> Weird. I felt no pain. Maybe they forgot to give her the >> anesthetic =P > > Oh, I'm sure that's probably it. It seems that here in Thailand > they never give you the anesthetic unless you ask for it. Of > course, you have to know to ask for it! That is flipping ridiculous! > That is very bad. But Dennis' is bad enough. I don't think he > could be a pilot if it was much worse and it's bad enough that he > needs his glasses to even go to the bathroom at night. Yeah. After a certain point, it's all "can't see s**t." Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > I wonder if Persia will look different? LOL > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Jill That's great, Jill! Both my son and daughter have had it, and they're thrilled with the results. My daughter still needs glasses for reading, but my son doesn't need them at all. I know several other people who are also very happy with the results of the surgery. Joy > That's great, Jill! Both my son and daughter have had it, and > they're thrilled with the results. My daughter still needs glasses > for reading, but my son doesn't need them at all. I know several > other people who are also very happy with the results of the > surgery. I had perfect vision after the surgery, but I got it done when I was 21, and my eyes were apparently still changing (even though my prescription hadn't changed in several years). So now I wear glasses indoors and at night; I don't wear glasses for sports. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > I wonder if Persia will look different? LOL > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Jill I imagine it will feel quite strange to open your eyes in the morning and see straight away. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera) A House is not a home, without a cat. http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk > I imagine it will feel quite strange to open your eyes in the morning and > see straight away. I switched to a type of contact lenses that I can wear for up to thirty days without taking them out. Waking up in the morning and being able to read the time on my alarm clock was very strange! I'm hoping eventually to get the type of surgery that Jill is having. Kathryn >> I imagine it will feel quite strange to open your eyes in the >> morning and see straight away. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Kathryn If I wake up in the middle of the night, sometimes I don't want to know the time, then I'm glad I can't see the clock. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera) A House is not a home, without a cat. http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk >> I imagine it will feel quite strange to open your eyes in the >> morning and see straight away. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Kathryn I talked with an opthalmologist about those types of lenses but even though he prescribes them he doesn't recommend sleeping in contacts. Eyes move when you sleep (REM) and lenses can get "lost" behind the eyeball. (shudder) This surgery isn't cheap, that's for sure ($4400 for both eyes). I might vent about my father from time to time but one thing I can say about him he always comes through for me. I love my dad! Jill > I talked with an opthalmologist about those types of lenses but even > though [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > he > always comes through for me. I love my dad! I actually prefer not to sleep in them - but its handy that I can if i need to. They feel much better when they've been cleaned and rinsed. The novelty of sleeping in them wore off after the first week! Because I work in front of a computer in an airconditioned office they are much more comfortable as they allow much more oxygen into my eyes than the regular lenses. My eyes tended to get very dry at work. Glad to hear your Dad is supportive about the surgery! I'll be very interested to hear about it! Kathryn >>> I imagine it will feel quite strange to open your eyes in the >>> morning and see straight away. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Jill OMG, that's so much more expensive than here! It's $2000 for both eyes in Bangkok, and that's using the absolute latest, newest laser and equipment. It's more like $1500 if you use an older technique from about 3 years ago. You should just pocket the money and come to Thailand to have it done and you can have a great vacation with the rest of the $$$. SignatureBritta Purring is an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow. Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >>>> I imagine it will feel quite strange to open your eyes in the >>>> morning and see straight away. [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > Thailand to have it done and you can have a great vacation with the > rest of the $$$. LOL But then I have to have all those shots! Jill >>>>> I imagine it will feel quite strange to open your eyes in the >>>>> morning and see straight away. [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > Jill You don't need any shots to go to Bangkok. Things have changed a whole bunch here. Hep A & B you could do, but if you were only here for a couple of weeks and stuck to nice tourist resort areas, you would be fine without anything. SignatureBritta Purring is an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow. Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > I talked with an opthalmologist about those types of lenses but even > though he prescribes them he doesn't recommend sleeping in contacts. > Eyes move when you sleep (REM) and lenses can get "lost" behind the > eyeball. (shudder) There's also an oxygen issue. I used to get the "weekly" contacts but only wear them for a day at a time. I've had a contact fold up and hide behind my eyeball. I got it back out; don't remember how. It wasn't as creepy as it sounds. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> I talked with an opthalmologist about those types of lenses but even >> though he prescribes them he doesn't recommend sleeping in contacts. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > I've had a contact fold up and hide behind my eyeball. I got it back > out; don't remember how. It wasn't as creepy as it sounds. That happened to me once when I first got contact lens when I was in college. I couldn't find it and thought I dropped it. After a nap, I blinked and it came out of my eye. I have since given up on contacts as I need to wear bifocals. But I got the multi focals which you can't see the line. Winnie >>>I imagine it will feel quite strange to open your eyes in the >>>morning and see straight away. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > vent about my father from time to time but one thing I can say about him he > always comes through for me. I love my dad! The trouble is, most medical insurance won't cover it, because it's "elective". Fortunately, cataract surgery is not, and nowadays it's standard procedure to correct the patient's vision with the implant. (So now I only need a contact lens in one eye.) I was always terribly squeamish about any surgical procedure involving my eyes, ears or throat, but with modern cataract techniques, there really is "nothing to it", usually. However, the still near-sighted eye has only the beginnings of cataract, and seems to be stabilized for the present, so I must be content to see well with only one "uncorrected" eye. Unfortunately, the implant does not adjust to distance like one's natural lens, so being able to see a normal distance without corrective lenses means that I need reading glasses for close work - still, it's better than glasses full-time. > I'm sick of the optometrist not getting my prescription right. I'm sick of > having to reach for glasses before I can stumble to the bathroom in the [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > lasik surgery for me. Wooo hooo! Some time next week I'll be able to see > without corrective lenses for the first time since 1971. YAY! Read about Kathy Griffin's experience first. http://www.kathygriffin.net/lasik.php. On the other hand, my brother had it done and he's been fine so far. SignatureThe night is just the shadow of the Earth. >> I'm sick of the optometrist not getting my prescription right. I'm >> sick of having to reach for glasses before I can stumble to the [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > On the other hand, my brother had it done and he's been fine so far. My brother had his done about 3 years ago; no problems at all. Jill > My brother had his done about 3 years ago; no problems at all. I know a lot of people who have had LASIK done (when I got mine done, in 1999, there was a loophole in my company's insurance policy, so a bunch of people got it.) No one that I personally know had anything catastrophic happen. The people who really didn't have terribly bad vision to begin with (-2 or -3 diopters) were much less pleased with the results than those of us who were truly nonfunctional without glasses or contacts. One brother and sister both had problems with their corneal flaps not healing as expected; they flipped right back open. I forget how that was dealt with, but they're fine now. My observation is that, the older you are, the more chance there is of side effects. Young tissue just heals faster and better; but we knew that already. Also, in your late 30s or early 40s (depends by person), your eyes will start to change again, primarily due to muscles weakening. That will actually "correct" a small amount of nearsightedness, or make you slightly farsighted. I'm currently trying to decide if I want to get the procedure redone (my eyesight is somewhere between 20/40 and 20/80, much better than the 20/3000 (yes, those are three zeros) I had when I first got it done). All of the above is making me hesitate. TLC has a lifetime guarantee on their surgeries, so it would be free. There's also more of a risk of epithilial cell growth on second surgeries. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> My brother had his done about 3 years ago; no problems at all. > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > guarantee on their surgeries, so it would be free. There's also more > of a risk of epithilial cell growth on second surgeries. There is now a new procedure to get rid of the reading glasses in older patients. It uses the implant, much like the cataract surgery. They are really advertising this surgery over here at all the private hospitals. I guess you could always have the LASIK re-done and then when you're old you could have this other procedure to avoid reading glasses. > > My brother had his done about 3 years ago; no problems at all. I have bad vision, bad enough to make me lose my chance at a military commission. But I am able to fly airplanes with my glasses on, and as long as I can do that, I don't want to take the risk of surgery. I know some pilots who had laser surgery and, because of the starbursts at night, lost their pilots' licenses completely. I've worn glasses since I was 10 or so. I had noticeable vision loss before that, but my parents wouldn't take me to the optometrist. Sitting in the front row of class didn't help; I had to walk up to the blackboard, memorize the notes, go back to my desk, copy them down, and repeat. My teacher got tired of it and had me checked out through the school. I remember getting my first glasses and being stunned that people could see individual blades of grass while standing up... Also, I really like the way I look in glasses. I won't wear contacts either. Things in my eye; ick... If glasses were no longer able to correct my vision loss, I would probably get laser surgery, but until then I have no interest. --Fil > Also, I really like the way I look in glasses. I won't wear contacts > either. Things in my eye; ick... I thought that, too, until I got some (being an aspiring opera singer, and unable to see a conductor when I was onstage without my glasses, meant I had no choice). The hard lenses were uncomfortable, no matter how many "adjuystments" were made. I got so I could wear them for a few hours in performance, but was always conscious they were there, and promptly switched to glasses once the performance was over. However, once they developed the soft lenses, I adjusted happily to them, and almost never wore regular glasses again. If Lasik had been covered by my insurance I might have tried it, but by that time I knew I'd eventually have to have cataract surgery (which my insurance DOES cover), and modern ctaract surgery automatically includes implants that correct your formerly impaired vision, so I chose to wait. > I remember getting my first glasses and being stunned that people could > see individual blades of grass while standing up... Wonderful, isn't it? When I got my first pair aged 8 I stood transfixed under a tree looking up at individual leaves for the very first time. When I looked up into the sky and night and saw the stars, well, WOW!! > Also, I really like the way I look in glasses. I won't wear contacts > either. Things in my eye; ick... I wore contact lenses for several years. It took a bit of experimentation to find ones to suit as I also have astigmatism. I ended up with soft toric lenses. Building up tolerance is a bit of a PITA but once I had, I really liked them. No steaming up and all round vision, brilliant. I had to give them up when I started to need the eye operations (in no way connected with contact lens wearing.) I would definitely recommend contacts if you can manage them. > If glasses were no longer able to correct my vision loss, I would > probably get laser surgery, but until then I have no interest. If glasses can't correct your vision, laser surgery certainly won't. If you get to the stage where glasses can't help you are in deep, deep poo. I've never been able to wake up and see the time on the bedside clock, so I guess it doesn't matter if I never do. I trust my optometrist, and if he says the procedure is risky then I won't consider it. I have only one pair of eyes and once they are damaged there is no going back. Tweed >> I remember getting my first glasses and being stunned that people >> could see individual blades of grass while standing up... [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > first time. When I looked up into the sky and night and saw the > stars, well, WOW!! I remember seeing leaves in the trees for the first time. And the big banners at the top of multilevel department stores in Kaiserslautern. I remember seeing them for the first time and realizing that people were expected, in general, to be able to see them. >> If glasses were no longer able to correct my vision loss, I would >> probably get laser surgery, but until then I have no interest. > > If glasses can't correct your vision, laser surgery certainly won't. > If you get to the stage where glasses can't help you are in deep, > deep poo. Not strictly true; cateract surgery is laser surgery. It made a big difference for my dad. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >>> I remember getting my first glasses and being stunned that people >>> could see individual blades of grass while standing up... [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Not strictly true; cateract surgery is laser surgery. It made a big > difference for my dad. It must be different in the USA. Due to the previous surgery which involved putting silicone oil in my right eye, it occluded my lens eventually and I got a cataract which I had operated on last year. This involved slitting my eyeball, removing my natural lens and inserting a plastic lens implant. No lasers were involved. The only laser surgery I have had was for them to use a laser to pin my retina in place in my left eye (somewhat like stitching, dot, dot dot all the way round) as a precaution against detachment in my good eye. It hurt too! I waited so long in the clinic that the local anaesthetic had worn off by the time it was my turn. Tweed <---eye surgery veteran, 5x >> Not strictly true; cateract surgery is laser surgery. It made a >> big difference for my dad. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Tweed <---eye surgery veteran, 5x Maybe I'm wrong. I was under the impression my dad had some sort of laser surgery for his eyes, but I could have misunderstood. Frankly, the lasers sound less scary to me than what you've just described =/ I'm so sorry that you've had to go through all these operations. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >>> Not strictly true; cateract surgery is laser surgery. It made a >>> big difference for my dad. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >> >> Tweed <---eye surgery veteran, 5x > Maybe I'm wrong. I was under the impression my dad had some sort of > laser surgery for his eyes, but I could have misunderstood. > Frankly, the lasers sound less scary to me than what you've just > described =/ I'm so sorry that you've had to go through all these > operations. I think there is laser surgery for cataracts, but possibly it can only be used for some cataracts. I know the basic routine cataract op became *far* easier quite a few years ago. People used to dread the old operation; the one now seem to be much less painful and to heal up a lot faster, Maybe Tweed's eyes weren't suited for the laser operation for some reason. I'm no medical expert, but I know that not everyone should get the same treatment for the same condition. Look at gall bladder surgery - most people now seem to have it done laparoscopically, and are back on their feet almost immediately. But every so often you hear of someone who couldn't have it done that way, and they have the older major surgery method. SignatureCheryl > I know the basic routine cataract op became *far* > easier quite a few years ago. People used to dread the old operation; the > one now seem to be much less painful and to heal up a lot faster, Maybe > Tweed's eyes weren't suited for the laser operation for some reason. One thing I've always wondered about cataract surgery is, why do patients have to wait so long between the time the cataract is first discovered by the eye doctor, and the time they actually have the surgery? Sometimes this can take years - years in which the patient is living with increasing blindness. There must be a medical reason why the cataract can't be removed right away, but I don't know what it is. Can someone enlighten me (so to speak)? Joyce > > I know the basic routine cataract op became *far* > > easier quite a few years ago. People used to dread the old operation; [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Joyce I talked about this with my consultant eye surgeon, as I thought I might have to wait a long time for my cataract to be removed. There is no medical reason why the cataract cannot be removed as soon as it is detected. It's a question of priorities. Working age people are done first and children. There is a huge waiting list and unfortunately the elderly (who have a pension income and are not dependent on their sight to work) get done last. Having said that, most of those having cataract ops when I had mine were over 75 and none had waited more than a year to have it done. We chatted a bit while we waited, that's how I know. Tweed > I talked about this with my consultant eye surgeon, as I thought I might > have to wait a long time for my cataract to be removed. There is no medical > reason why the cataract cannot be removed as soon as it is detected. It's a > question of priorities. Working age people are done first and children. > There is a huge waiting list and unfortunately the elderly (who have a > pension income and are not dependent on their sight to work) get done last. Hmm. I wonder if anyone from the US can also answer this question? Over here, if you have insurance that will pay, there's no waiting for surgical procedures. Yet people here do wait for cataract surgery all the time, sometimes for years. That seems to be the norm, in fact. That's why I wondered whether there was a legitimate medical reason for it. If there isn't, then why do people in the US (who can pay) wait at all? Joyce > > I talked about this with my consultant eye surgeon, as I thought I might > > have to wait a long time for my cataract to be removed. There is no medical [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > wondered whether there was a legitimate medical reason for it. If there > isn't, then why do people in the US (who can pay) wait at all? Probably because no surgery is unfailingly safe and effective, the loss of vision from cataract can be so gradual you are not aware of it until it reaches a certain point, and many people (including me) are very squeamish about having eye surgery until it becomes unavoidable. >> > I talked about this with my consultant eye surgeon, as I thought I >> might > have to wait a long time for my cataract to be removed. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > it reaches a certain point, and many people (including me) are very > squeamish about having eye surgery until it becomes unavoidable. Totally agree on the part about sight loss so slight you don't notice. In 1982, I moved from Alabama to Washington state (about 2800 mi or 4600 km). I had driven all over Alabama and never thought I had any trouble seeing road signs. However, once I got into unfamiliar territory, I discovered I could see street/road signs clearly with my left eye (with spectacles) but could make out very little with my right eye. After I got to Washington, I went to an optometrist who said I had the beginnings of cataracts, but that they weren't "ripe" enough to operate. Waited another 19 months for "ripening". SignatureSam, closely supervised by Mistletoe > After I got to Washington, I went to an optometrist who said I had the > beginnings of cataracts, but that they weren't "ripe" enough to operate. > Waited another 19 months for "ripening". That's what I'm talking about, waiting for the "ripening" (although I haven't hear it described with that exact word). So, what does "ripening" mean, exactly? And do you have to live with declining eyesight while you wait for your cataract to ripen? All this is completely separate from the issue of waiting for there to be a doctor available to perform the surgery, or money to pay for it, etc. There seems to be an intrinsic reason one needs to wait, even after diagnosis. Joyce > > After I got to Washington, I went to an optometrist who said I had the > > beginnings of cataracts, but that they weren't "ripe" enough to operate. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Joyce Well, according to WebMD, "ripe" is when the entire lens is clouded. When I had my surgery in 1984, the Ophthalmologist wouldn't even talk about it for the first 6 months I saw him. Then it was "not ready yet" for another year. And today, the WebMD report says there's no need to wait for ripening. Here's the article: http://www.webmd.com/hw/vision/hw36901.asp SignatureSam, closely supervised by Mistletoe >> > After I got to Washington, I went to an optometrist who said I had the >> > beginnings of cataracts, but that they weren't "ripe" enough to [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > http://www.webmd.com/hw/vision/hw36901.asp As I said earlier in this thread, my consultant surgeon told me that a cataract can be removed as soon as it is detected, if necessary. That was just last year. As I was having to go to the hospital regularly for follow ups after my macular hole surgery for ages afterwards, mine got noticed fairly quickly. I had to go on a waiting list but it got done a few months afterwards (which is good for the UK.) It might have been done even earlier except that the surgeon who'd done all my previous eye operations didn't want anyone else to do it. I presume because he didn't want anyone else to mess up what he'd done before. He was so pleased with the original operation he performed on me that he presented my case at a conference. He actually phoned me beforehand to ask my permission too! Such a nice man. Often, consultants are very big-headed, they think they are wonderful. Hence the joke: Q: What's the difference between God and a consultant? A: God *knows* that he isn't a consultant. Mine wasn't like that at all. Unlike a sports injury consultant I once saw.. Tweed >>> > After I got to Washington, I went to an optometrist who said I had >>> the > beginnings of cataracts, but that they weren't "ripe" enough to [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > Mine wasn't like that at all. Unlike a sports injury consultant I once > saw.. Our eye surgeon is a really great guy too. He still gets such a kick out of what he does even after working at it for years and years. It is one of the more rewarding medical fields. I had been legally blind in my left eye all my life and the cataract surgery was able to restore it to nearly 20/20. Jo > Well, according to WebMD, "ripe" is when the entire lens is clouded. > When I had my surgery in 1984, the Ophthalmologist wouldn't even talk > about it for the first 6 months I saw him. Then it was "not ready yet" > for another year. > > And today, the WebMD report says there's no need to wait for ripening. Yes, I think today they're considered "ripe" whenever they begin to noticeably interfere with one's vision. (Which depends, I think, upon which area of the lens clouds up first.) > Hmm. I wonder if anyone from the US can also answer this question? Over > here, if you have insurance that will pay, there's no waiting for surgical > procedures. Yet people here do wait for cataract surgery all the time, > sometimes for years. That seems to be the norm, in fact. That's why I > wondered whether there was a legitimate medical reason for it. If there > isn't, then why do people in the US (who can pay) wait at all? People in Canada tend to wait until their cataracts are a certain size - I've heard the term 'ripen' used, and my mother was told hers weren't large enough to remove yet, and were growing so slowly she might never have to have them removed. Almost everyone I hear of who has cataract surgery is elderly, except for one middle-aged but still employed woman. However, I don't think she jumped ahead in the line because of her age; she said her cataract was unusually large and fast growing. And then there was the elderly mother of a friend who *could* have had the surgery, but refused because she'd heard so many terrible stories about the old procedure, and didn't believe the new one was as easy as her doctor and daughter sai it was. SignatureCheryl >>>I know the basic routine cataract op became *far* >>>easier quite a few years ago. People used to dread the old operation; [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > over 75 and none had waited more than a year to have it done. We chatted a > bit while we waited, that's how I know. Also, cataracts grow at different rates - I think most people hesitate to have surgery until they notice it is really interfering with their vision. My right eye reached that point several years ago, and I had it taken care of. The left eye still sees perfectly well (with a contact lens for my near-sightedness) so there's no reason for surgery unless and until the cataract grows larger. >>>> Not strictly true; cateract surgery is laser surgery. It made a >>>> big difference for my dad. [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > couldn't have it done that way, and they have the older major surgery > method. Maybe we are a bit behind here in the UK. All the people on my ward in the hospital who were in for cataract ops at the time (just last year) had the same as I did. Although if the plastic implant clouds up as it can do sometime in the future, they use a laser to blast it clear again. My lens implant is a real nuisance. It seems to gather light somehow if I have a light on at night and sends spikes of light right into my eye. I can't drive at night any more either as the same happens with streetlights. Tweed > Maybe we are a bit behind here in the UK. All the people on my ward in the > hospital who were in for cataract ops at the time (just last year) had the > same as I did. Although if the plastic implant clouds up as it can do > sometime in the future, they use a laser to blast it clear again. Accroding to my ophthamologist, it's the same situation here in the U.S.! I think they do use laser for detached retinas, nowadays, but I'm not sure since (thank God) it's not a problem I've had. > My lens implant is a real nuisance. It seems to gather light somehow if I > have a light on at night and sends spikes of light right into my eye. I > can't drive at night any more either as the same happens with streetlights. How long have you had the implant? Mine never bothered me that way, but I have a friend whom it did - however, it either stopped, or she stopped noticing it. It's really amazing how much impairment of vision we can learn to "see around", if we have to. Most everyone, as we grow older, develops "floaters" - little dark specks of opaque tissue that "float" in the fluid in the eyeball - but the only time most people realy notice them is when their eyes are tired. You don't have glaucoma, do you? I had a friend who had it, and could no longer drive at night because the glare of oncoming headlights did something similar. >I think there is laser surgery for cataracts, but possibly it can only be >used for some cataracts. Cataracts are commonly removed by breaking up the lens using ultrasonic energy and sucking it out with what amounts to a tiny vacuum cleaner. A plastic implant replaces the old lens. The membrane that surrounds the implant can become cloudy and that is what is treated using lasers. >>I think there is laser surgery for cataracts, but possibly it can only be >>used for some cataracts. > > Cataracts are commonly removed by breaking up the lens using > ultrasonic energy and sucking it out with what amounts to a tiny > vacuum cleaner. Ah, THAT'S why the incision is so much smaller than it once was! My doctor told me they can use a smaller incision because the modern implants are soft, so they insert them folded up, then open them out. (But he didn't mention how they remove the natural lens, and I didn't think to enquire.) He says the next step will be to inject the implant in liquid form, requiring no incision at all! (But that's still in the future, I think.) > The only laser surgery I have had was for them to use a laser to pin my > retina in place in my left eye (somewhat like stitching, dot, dot dot all > the way round) as a precaution against detachment in my good eye. It hurt > too! I waited so long in the clinic that the local anaesthetic had worn off > by the time it was my turn. That sounds like what they've done to me to treat retinopathy (a condition of the retina that's caused by diabetes). They did it several times to me at age 15-25. Never had no anesthesia unless you count the pupil dilator. Hurt like heck. Both eyes, and IIRC they can 'shoot' 10,000 times in each. My left eye can't be treated any more, my right eye could receive a couple of hundred more shots, IIRC. SignatureMarina, Miranda and Caliban. In loving memory of Frank and Nikki. marina (dot) kurten (at) iki (dot) fi Stories and pics at http://koti.welho.com/mkurten/ Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki >>> I remember getting my first glasses and being stunned that people >>> could see individual blades of grass while standing up... [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >> first time. When I looked up into the sky and night and saw the >> stars, well, WOW!! > I remember seeing leaves in the trees for the first time. And the big > banners at the top of multilevel department stores in Kaiserslautern. > I remember seeing them for the first time and realizing that people > were expected, in general, to be able to see them. I still remember how sharp and bright everything was when I put on my first pair of glasses. My mother was tested after she announced with astonishment that she could actually see the ground floor from a second floor window when she tried on her mother's glasses. I'm not letting anyone near my eyes with a laser unless it's a choice between that and blindness (or near blindness, as the cataracts get bigger and bigger...). I've also never worn contacts because I'm squeamish about putting them in my eyes. And I've never felt that glasses interfered with anything I wanted to do, either. Well, except the damn bifocals which are so-so at the best and eventually annoyed me enough that I got a special pair of 'computer' glasses to supplement them. Actually, it's the other way around - I wear the 'computer' glasses all the time, only digging out the bifocals if I want to watch a movie or TV or something. Of course, I don't tend to see much at a distance, like the number of an approaching bus, or a person at the end of a corridor. Still, I do know people who have been very happy with the results of the laser surgery, even if I wouldn't consider it for myself. SignatureCheryl > Not strictly true; cateract surgery is laser surgery. No, actual "cataract" surgery is NOT laser surgery! It still involves a minute incision to remove the clouded natural lense and insert the prosthesis (implant). However, the implant can later develop a film of scar tissue that interferes with vision. THAT they can remove with a laser - I don't think they even have to bandage it, afterward. (I know this for a fact, because I discussed the matter with my eye doctor today - it's not interfering with my vision, but he told me it was something to be watched.) > Read about Kathy Griffin's experience first. > > http://www.kathygriffin.net/lasik.php. > > On the other hand, my brother had it done and he's been fine so far. My understanding is that everyone's eyes are different. The healing has a lot to do with the density of blood vessels in your eyes and where they are, because of course blood flow promotes healing. I had my surgery done when I was 21. I had very little itchiness, could see perfectly the next day, and have overall been extremely happy with it. I do believe that you will be most happy with the surgery if you really have severe vision problems. People who can see the clock when they wake up in the middle of the night, who could drive themselves to the doctor if they had to without glasses, are going to be a lot pickier than people like me ... I do have starbursts at night. Light sources have a "halo" around them. To me, this is like night time with contacts, except without the itchiness that accompanies that experience. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> Read about Kathy Griffin's experience first. >> [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > them. To me, this is like night time with contacts, except without > the itchiness that accompanies that experience. There's always a risk in any medical procedure. I feel that lasik is using a sledgehammer to swat a fly: the severity of the procedure is not commensurate with the condition being corrected. I'm short sighted enough to need glasses to see just about anything past the end of my nose, so the glasses go on in the morning and don't come off until night. SignatureThe night is just the shadow of the Earth. > There's always a risk in any medical procedure. I feel that lasik > is using a sledgehammer to swat a fly: the severity of the procedure > is not commensurate with the condition being corrected. I'm short > sighted enough to need glasses to see just about anything past the > end of my nose, so the glasses go on in the morning and don't come > off until night. I guess it depends on how severe you consider your condition. I would absolutely agree that the decision for LASIK is a very personal one, and you need to realize that yes, it is surgery, and yes, you could go blind if everything went exactly wrong. (As far as I know, no one has gone blind from LASIK, but it could happen if there were an earthquake right when they were doing your eyes, etc.) For me personally, my (lack of) eye sight was becoming a real problem. My eyes were becoming more and more intolerant of contacts, and wearing glasses is a real pain when you're doing something active and sweaty, or with the potential of being in the water. I realized that if I lost my contacts while white water rafting, I would be completely helpless. I weighed the risks and decided it was worth it for the strong likelihood that I could do all the things I loved to do without fear that I would find myself essentially blind if I lost my vision aids. I don't regret it. It was a life altering surgery for me. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >>> Read about Kathy Griffin's experience first. >>> [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > enough to need glasses to see just about anything past the end of my nose, > so the glasses go on in the morning and don't come off until night. Even my optometrist - who is so good that he is the advisor to all our local hospitals on sight matters - finds me "a challenge" to prescribe lenses for. I asked him what he thought about laser treatment and he said he could not recommend it. Ever the cynic, I enquired whether it could be that he might be worried that it could put him out of work! I know him well enough to feel able to say this, it was him that discovered something badly wrong and got me to the hospital for surgery and I've seen him on a monthly basis for several years. I should have known better, really, I know he is extremely ethical. He said "No, it's nothing to do with that. It has not been established for that many years and we don't know the long term effects over a lifetime. It could easily result in the sight not being able to be corrected in later life, should it be necessary." So that was out of the window for me then. My sight is difficult enough to correct after all my surgery without having my optometrist having to worry about my vanity. I'll never wake up and be able to read my bedside clock. My surgeon last time said he would like to achieve this for me, but it didn't work. Like Adrian says, that isn't always a bad thing. I sleep quite badly so it's quite good not to know what time I wake up 6/times nightly ;-) Tweed >>>> Read about Kathy Griffin's experience first. >>>> [quoted text clipped - 55 lines] > > Tweed Then again, there is the story of my Aunt Jean which was truly a miracle. She'd gone "legally" blind due to diabetes at a young age, in her early 20's. She had a number of surgeries on her eyes for various reasons over the years but she literally had not been able to see for 40 years. The last time she saw her doctor about her eyes he wanted to do surgery and she was obstinate; she said she really didn't want anyone cutting on her eyes again. He said, "You don't understand, I can HELP you!" Her friend who had driven her there talked her into. She called me on the phone, ecstatic. "Jill, I can SEE!" Apparently he did radial keratotemy while he was doing whatever else he was doing. This dear woman who hadn't seen herself in a mirror in 40 years was able to watch television, read a book without a huge lighted magnifying glass, etc. all because of this surgery. Sadly, she only got to enjoy it for 6 months before she passed away of a heart attack. Jill >>>>> Read about Kathy Griffin's experience first. >>>>> [quoted text clipped - 76 lines] > > Jill Well, do what you want to do. I just felt I should share the knowledge of my optometrist who doesn't advise laser surgery. Tweed >>>>>> Read about Kathy Griffin's experience first. >>>>>> [quoted text clipped - 81 lines] > >Tweed My optometrist said virtually the exact same thing. Plus, one of my co-workers' mother had it done, and she is now legally blind: she can't drive, use a 'normal' computer, read, or even watch TV. And no legal recourse I only have one set of eyes, and each time I need new glasses, it's a PITA to get them right. But, they always do, sooner or later. I don't like be so incredibly near sighted, but I would never let anyone burn away part of my eyes, trying to make it 'better'. I can get my eyes corrected to better than 20/20, with lenses ground correctly. I can live with that. >>Well, do what you want to do. I just felt I should share the >>knowledge of my optometrist who doesn't advise laser surgery. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > I can get my eyes corrected to better than 20/20, with lenses > ground correctly. I can live with that. At 43, I've never had a problem with my eyes until now. Very nearsighted, as are you, apparently, and I used to have great distance vision. I discovered this because I had to have my drivers license renewed, and I knew I wouldn't pass the eye test. My problem seems strange because the opthomologist said my eyesight is 20/20, except for my central vision. Never having a problem before, I didn't know what that meant until doing a lot of reading. The eye test for drivers license renewal says right on it that it tests your central vision. I couldn't see the letters/numbers at all - none of the rows, even trying to look to the side of the letters I was trying to read. I took several "guesses" and finally got them right, and now wear glasses that improve my sight so well that I'm just grateful to see what I didn't know I was missing before. Hell, I didn't even drive myself somewhere that I had to read signs because I just couldn't see them. Now I can! It's amazing! I don't know if surgery can improve my sight, but if offered, I don't think I'll do it. Glasses are a hard adjustment after all this time, and sometimes I feel off-balance because the frames mess with my peripheral vision, but I'm glad to be able to see better, and I feel safer driving. Not to mention that everyone around me is. :) All that said, anyone who can be helped with lasix or any other eye surgery has purrs from us. My mom went through laser surgery for her eye problems (glaucoma and cateracts) and it was successful for her and she's happy. SignatureCheryl > My optometrist said virtually the exact same thing. Then again, there are a lot of medical procedures commonly in use right now that haven't been tested over the course of a lifetime. I don't hear anyone complaining that advances in cancer or heart disease treatment haven't been tested for 80 years yet ... Not that I'm disagreeing. Surgery on your eyes is a huge deal, and if you're happy with what glasses or contacts can do for you, I don't see any reason to take the risk. I was very unhappy before. I am very happy now. > Plus, one of my co-workers' mother had it done, and she is now > legally blind: she can't drive, use a 'normal' computer, read, or > even watch TV. And no legal recourse I find that really odd. How could they screw up both eyes in one go? There is also the option of getting the two eyes done in separate procedures, months apart. In which case if something does go horribly wrong, at least it's just one eye. > I don't like be so incredibly near sighted, but I would never let > anyone burn away part of my eyes, trying to make it 'better'. That's your right. For me, LASIK really did change my life for the better, no quotes. > I can get my eyes corrected to better than 20/20, with lenses ground > correctly. I can live with that. Well, how often do you go white water rafting, downhill skiing, mountain biking, practice martial arts, or do any other very mobile, very sweaty activities? A lot of athletes choose to get corrective eye surgery. That's not a big surprise to me. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >>My optometrist said virtually the exact same thing. > [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > A lot of athletes choose to get corrective eye surgery. That's not a > big surprise to me. Also a lot of actors and opera singers, for obvious reasons. I was always perfectly happy with contacts, once the "soft" type came in. I never could adjust to the hard ones, but HAD to wear them when I was performing - without them I couldn't even see the CONDUCTOR, let alone what he was directing me to do! However, I can remember more than one performance I sang with one lens in my eye and the other in the stage director's pocket (because a bit of lint got under it, just before the curtain rose). > Also a lot of actors and opera singers, for obvious reasons. I was always > perfectly happy with contacts, once the "soft" type came in. I never [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > director's pocket (because a bit of lint got under it, just before the > curtain rose). I would really like to hear you sing, Evelyn. I wish there was somewhere on the web that I could download you singing, but I guess that's asking a bit much. I am a huge Kathleen Ferrier fan. Not quite the same, I know, but I love listening to opera too. Tweed >>> Also a lot of actors and opera singers, for obvious reasons. I was >>> always [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > but I love listening to opera too. > Tweed I, too, would like to listen to your performance of opera....did you ever record "Un Bel di"? playing Cio-Cio-San? (My fave aria). Loved Maria Callas and over time have managed to download several of her many performances of it....do you possibly have a blog or website we could get your singing from these days? Hopefully you know me well enough to realize I'm not kidding. >>>>Also a lot of actors and opera singers, for obvious reasons. I was >>>>always [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > a blog or website we could get your singing from these days? Hopefully > you know me well enough to realize I'm not kidding. Not Cio-Cio-San, but Suzuki, a time or two (I was a mezzo). Sorry, I stopped singing in public when my voice would no longer do the things I wanted it to do, and haven't opened my mouth in several years - not even for hymns in church or the "Star Spangled Banner" at Hollywood Bowl. > Not Cio-Cio-San, but Suzuki, a time or two (I was a mezzo). Sorry, > I stopped singing in public when my voice would no longer do the > things I wanted it to do, and haven't opened my mouth in several > years - not even for hymns in church or the "Star Spangled Banner" > at Hollywood Bowl. Not that it's any of my business, but this makes me so sad for you. I had an awful voice and never sang where anyone could hear me since about middle school, when all my friends were telling me how bad my voice was. I got to the point where I wouldn't even sing to myself in the car. Eventually I found a kind voice teacher who worked with me, and my voice is now much better. It's not star quality, or probably even choir quality (though the teacher said I could sing in a choir, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing so). I sing in the car. I think my voice was mostly bad because I was so afraid of singing poorly that I strangled my natural voice. I am a perfectionist who must constantly struggle against the desire to avoid anything at which I don't excel. I can understand not wanting to do something if you can't be the best, or as good as you were at your best. But I think it's sad. "Use what talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best." -Henry Van Dyke "you don't have to be a supermodel to do the animal thing you don't have to be a supergenius to open your face up and sing" - ani diFranco, face up and sing Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >>Not Cio-Cio-San, but Suzuki, a time or two (I was a mezzo). Sorry, >>I stopped singing in public when my voice would no longer do the [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Not that it's any of my business, but this makes me so sad for you. Don't be - it's my own choice. (And it's a lot better than having to compare the sounds I make now with what I once could do!) It's the down-side of having a well-trained voice - age catches up with us all, but if you've not been trained to be ultra critical or yourself, you probably don't notice the difference all that much - or care. > I had an awful voice and never sang where anyone could hear me since > about middle school, when all my friends were telling me how bad my [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > think my voice was mostly bad because I was so afraid of singing > poorly that I strangled my natural voice. Unless you were truly "tone deaf" - a genuine but very rare condition - you're probably right. I came up through a school system where EVERYONE had music classes up through eighth grade, so everyone was taught the rudiments of singing. I firmly believe that ANYONE can sing - maybe not professionally (although I question how "musical" some of the current crop of "pop" singers are), but carry a tune, and make reasonably pleasing sounds, doing it - and certainly sing in a church choir, if they want to. > Unless you were truly "tone deaf" - a genuine but very rare > condition - you're probably right. I came up through a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > and make reasonably pleasing sounds, doing it - and > certainly sing in a church choir, if they want to. I had never sung and never had voice lessons when I decided to take my courage in my hands and sign up for a small church choir which was looking for members, no experience necessary. I'm enjoying it more than I expected to, and the director says the same thing - that anyone can sing. Someday when I can afford it, I'd like to take voice lessons for my own satisfaction, but meanwhile I'm really enjoying myself, and no one else is complaining! SignatureCheryl > I had never sung and never had voice lessons when I decided to take my > courage in my hands and sign up for a small church choir which was looking > for members, no experience necessary. I'm enjoying it more than I > expected to, and the director says the same thing - that anyone can sing. I think this is wonderful. I joined a small chorus several years ago and I've really been enjoying myself a lot. From this experience I've learned a lot about: singing, music theory, musical traditions in different countries, and working in a group with people of different levels of ability, experience and skill. My own voice has improved a lot, and so has my ear, plus my sight-reading ability. For many years I lived with a conservatory trained classical guitarist. I had a great deal of respect for her talent and skill, but I didn't feel very encouraged by her to develop my musical skills at my own ability level. She was kind of an all-or-nothing person - you were either serious about your music, or you were dismissed. Not that I blame her for my own lack of confidence in myself, but it didn't help. I'm just glad that I have since found people who value what I contribute, and who challenge me enough to help me grow into a better musician. Now I'm in two groups! They're very different - one is an a cappella chorus of all women who sing folk music from all over the world, and the other is a full band with electric guitar, bass, and drums, playing mostly original music. It's been a lot of fun. Joyce > I think this is wonderful. I joined a small chorus several years ago > and I've really been enjoying myself a lot. From this experience I've > learned a lot about: singing, music theory, musical traditions in > different countries, and working in a group with people of different > levels of ability, experience and skill. My own voice has improved a > lot, and so has my ear, plus my sight-reading ability. I think I've improved a lot, too. > For many years I lived with a conservatory trained classical guitarist. > I had a great deal of respect for her talent and skill, but I didn't > feel very encouraged by her to develop my musical skills at my own ability > level. She was kind of an all-or-nothing person - you were either serious > about your music, or you were dismissed. Not that I blame her for my own > lack of confidence in myself, but it didn't help. I had a few basic piano lessons as a child, but never went anywhere with them. We didn't have a music program at school, and I was too shy to volunteer for anything like that. Later, I was convinced that anyone who sang in public *must* by definition be a far better singer than I was so there wasn't much sense in even trying to sing. I took a short evening course called "So Youve Always Wanted to Sing", and as I mentioned, eventually found a choir to join. > I'm just glad that I have since found people who value what I contribute, > and who challenge me enough to help me grow into a better musician. Now > I'm in two groups! They're very different - one is an a cappella chorus > of all women who sing folk music from all over the world, and the other > is a full band with electric guitar, bass, and drums, playing mostly > original music. It's been a lot of fun. Me too! My church choir does both traditional and contemporary religious music, with of course, something a bit special that stretches our limits for major festivals. And I joined a second amateur choir at my job. That one does some folk, some gospel, some old Beatles. We sing at workplace social functions, and had our first concert last year, to raise money for charity. It went well enough that we're doing another in May, and are at the stage where I am convinced we will never be ready, although the director remains optimistic! SignatureCheryl > For many years I lived with a conservatory trained classical guitarist. > I had a great deal of respect for her talent and skill, but I didn't > feel very encouraged by her to develop my musical skills at my own ability > level. She was kind of an all-or-nothing person - you were either serious > about your music, or you were dismissed. Not that I blame her for my own > lack of confidence in myself, but it didn't help. Some "serious" musicians lose sight of the fact that "interested amateurs" make up a large portion of their audiences! You don't have to be able to play or sing to enjoy performances by professionals, but the people who do are the ones most likely to make a real effort to hear a particular artist. > For many years I lived with a conservatory trained classical > guitarist. I had a great deal of respect for her talent and skill, [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > dismissed. Not that I blame her for my own lack of confidence in > myself, but it didn't help. Not that she needs to be blamed, but I know what you mean. It takes a rock-solid confidence to deal with that kind of attitude and still do your thing -- I know I couldn't do it. Unfortunately, I know that I'm like that about other things, just not music. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > I had never sung and never had voice lessons when I decided to take > my courage in my hands and sign up for a small church choir which [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > own satisfaction, but meanwhile I'm really enjoying myself, and no > one else is complaining! I really enjoyed it. Obviously it was fun actually learning to sing, but there was an added benefit of a profound sense of rightness and well-being. I would come in with a headache or cold, leave feeling refreshed. I think it had to do with all of the proper breathing and posture. Whatever it was, it felt great. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >>>Not Cio-Cio-San, but Suzuki, a time or two (I was a mezzo). Sorry, >>>I stopped singing in public when my voice would no longer do the [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > Unless you were truly "tone deaf" - a genuine but very rare condition - > you're probably right. I came up through a I'd like to respectfully disagree. I have a perfect "ear". I can hear a single sour note from someone through the orchestra and other singers. I can pick out tunes on a guitar or piano after hearing a song only once. But I can't carry a tune in a bucket. I don't sing (except to torture my cats or DH) in front of anyone because I can *hear* how awful my voice sounds - I just can't control it. My best friend tried to help me for years and years - practising constantly, and it didn't help in the least. SignatureHugs, CatNipped See all my masters at: http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/ > school system where EVERYONE had music classes up through eighth grade, so > everyone was taught the rudiments of singing. I firmly believe that > ANYONE can sing - maybe not professionally (although I question how > "musical" some of the current crop of "pop" singers are), but carry a > tune, and make reasonably pleasing sounds, doing it - and certainly sing > in a church choir, if they want to. >>>>Not Cio-Cio-San, but Suzuki, a time or two (I was a mezzo). Sorry, >>>>I stopped singing in public when my voice would no longer do the [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > just can't control it. My best friend tried to help me for years and > years - practising constantly, and it didn't help in the least. Uhhh.... that's one DEFINITION of "tone deaf"! (Not just that you can't hear the difference, but also that you cannot reproduce what you hear.) It's true, a lot of people have trouble carrying a tune simply because they've not had much occasion to try, but if you've actually studied singing (with friend or professional teacher) and still cannot do so, it comes under the heading being tone deaf. >>>Unless you were truly "tone deaf" - a genuine but very rare condition - >>>you're probably right. I came up through a [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > singing (with friend or professional teacher) and still cannot do so, it > comes under the heading being tone deaf. I'm pretty sure I'm not tone deaf but have a really lousy singing voice. I thought years ago it was because I smoked, but it didn't get the least bit better after I stopped, LOL. Although I enjoy listening to trained-voice singing (especially those gifted with multiple-octave ability) I learned to play trumpet and French horn while a teen, and since then could care less that the cats go hide when I sing-along to MTV and VH1..... > I'm pretty sure I'm not tone deaf but have a really > lousy singing voice. I thought years ago it was [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > a teen, and since then could care less that the > cats go hide when I sing-along to MTV and VH1..... If Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen can be professional singers with their voices, there is hope for everyone! <G> Although as much as I like many of Dylan's songs and Cohen's songs and even singing, there's just something I really adore about choral music and trained and talented voices. SignatureCheryl >>Also a lot of actors and opera singers, for obvious reasons. I was always >>perfectly happy with contacts, once the "soft" type came in. I never [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > much. I am a huge Kathleen Ferrier fan. Not quite the same, I know, but I > love listening to opera too. Ferrier was my idol! But I don't sing anymore - when you reach an age where singers of your generation who DID "make it" begin to announce their retirements, you have to face the fact that "the great career" just isn't going to happen! Also, if you have any faculty for self-crticism, you NOTICE when your voice will no longer do the things you want it to do, and realize the time has come to hang it up. (As my favorite baritone has said in interviews - "I would rather people say 'what a pity he no longer sings' than 'what a pity he is still singing'!") >> I would really like to hear you sing, Evelyn. I wish there was somewhere >> on the web that I could download you singing, but I guess that's asking a [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > said in interviews - "I would rather people say 'what a pity he no longer > sings' than 'what a pity he is still singing'!") I repeat my request: any way to get to hear recordings of when you *did* sing? Were you a coloratura soprano or otherwise? And heh...whatever your voice these days will no longer do,I'm sure *my* voice has *never* done' and will *never*do in this lifetime, lady. There are several things I admire bigtime and enjoy that I've not done and will never be able to do: ice skating, downhill skiing, singing, playing tennis.Any resource we could use to hear you? > I repeat my request: any way to get to hear recordings of > when you *did* sing? Were you a coloratura soprano [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > skiing, singing, playing tennis.Any resource we could > use to hear you? Just read your post after I sent the one above. A mezzo, huh? Suzuki also was a great part. Ah, I see you are a true diva....who would never want to be heard but at her peak of talent. I play several brass wind instruments but am in total awe of what hoomins can do with their *voices*. >> My optometrist said virtually the exact same thing. > > Then again, there are a lot of medical procedures commonly in use > right now that haven't been tested over the course of a lifetime. I > don't hear anyone complaining that advances in cancer or heart disease > treatment haven't been tested for 80 years yet ... Cancer and heart disease are life-threatening, so any new treatment is worth trying to extend life. Short-sightedness is not going to kill you unless you walk out into the road without your specs. Let's get a sense of proportion here. Lasik eye surgery is usually carried out for reasons of vanity. Not always, but often. It's also a big earner for those that do it, don't forget that. Tweed >> Then again, there are a lot of medical procedures commonly in use >> right now that haven't been tested over the course of a lifetime. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > carried out for reasons of vanity. Not always, but often. It's > also a big earner for those that do it, don't forget that. I have a sense of proportion. I don't think anyone should get eye surgery without researching it carefully, understanding the risks, and thinking very hard about whether the risks are worth the rewards. I fully understand anyone who decides that it's not worth the risks. I don't understand that some people seem to feel that because they find it too risky, others should avoid it as well. I do things on an almost daily basis that a lot of people would find too risky. We have pilots and people who sky dive on this newsgroup. For me personally, sky diving is just too risky for the reward, but obviously, others appreciate the reward more and accept the risk inherent to the activity. We only live once, and I think it's important that people decide for themselves what sorts of risks they will accept to experience everything they can in the brief time we have. I thought long and hard before getting LASIK, and despite night time starbursts, and despite the fact that my eyes have changed and I now wear glasses indoors and at night (a much lighter prescription than I had before, though), I am still glad I had it done. Yes, vanity was a consideration. So was the weight of my glasses -- they were not light. But primarily, I gained |
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