Aging eyesight!

Alan Edward Klein · Sep 1, 2023

Lee Rust said:
Over the past decade my vision gradually degraded due to cataracts in both eyes. Last year it got so bad that I really couldn't focus my SLR cameras at all and could barely use the rangefinders, even with eyeglasses. Very discouraging, but after cataract surgery it's like my eyes are suddenly 20 years old again, with sharp distance vision and bright, vivid colors. Of course, the downside is reading glasses for anything closer than 3 feet, but I think that's an acceptable trade-off.

Even several months after the lens replacement operation, I still find myself gazing in wonder at the twinkling stars and big bright moon that used to be either completely invisible or a vague, fuzzy blur. If your visual problems can be addressed with this procedure, I would definitely encourage it.

I'm really happy for you, Lee. Sight is such a blessing.

Alan Edward Klein · Sep 1, 2023

benjiboy said:
I had my left eye cateract operation done about twenty years ago, and my right (dominant) one last July. I now can focus my cameras for the first time in my life without glasses which I think when almost in my mid eighties is quite remarkable, and I'm thankful that due to Britain's wonderful National Health Service neither operation cost me a penny.

That's super too.

Lee Rust · Sep 1, 2023

Thanks, Alan!

Sirius Glass · Sep 1, 2023

Lee Rust said:
Over the past decade my vision gradually degraded due to cataracts in both eyes. Last year it got so bad that I really couldn't focus my SLR cameras at all and could barely use the rangefinders, even with eyeglasses. Very discouraging, but after cataract surgery it's like my eyes are suddenly 20 years old again, with sharp distance vision and bright, vivid colors. Of course, the downside is reading glasses for anything closer than 3 feet, but I think that's an acceptable trade-off.

Even several months after the lens replacement operation, I still find myself gazing in wonder at the twinkling stars and big bright moon that used to be either completely invisible or a vague, fuzzy blur. If your visual problems can be addressed with this procedure, I would definitely encourage it.

Cataract surgery is the only surgery from which one comes out better than they went in.

benjiboy · Sep 3, 2023

Alan Edward Klein said:
That's super too.

Thanks Alan, at almost 85 I can now see as well as I could at 25.

benjiboy · Mar 16, 2024

I solved my aging eyesight problem by having cataract surgery on. both my eyes, the left eye about twenty years ago, and the right one last year.
I can now focus my cameras with either eye without glasses.

wiltw · Mar 16, 2024

benjiboy said:
Contact lenses might be a solution for the O.P's problem Steve, but ageing unfortunately can cause many other optical problems. I would suggest he consuls an eye doctor to advise him of his best course of action.

Distance vision means 'more than a few feet away"
Reading vision means 'corrected for about 12" away"
Computer monitors are often about 23-24" away...laptop monitor distance driven by keyboard typing position.
Camera focusing screens are set for a virtual distance of 30" to 1m away (depending upon brand)

For those of us who instructed our optometrist to set our reading to be for a computer monitor, that is quite similar to focusing our camera and reading the information in the viewfinder. My right (focusing) eye is set for distance, so when I focus I make use of the diopter adjustment built into so many camera viewfinders; when no adjustment knob, get a supplementary viewfinder diopter lens.

Sirius Glass · Mar 16, 2024

benjiboy said:
I solved my aging eyesight problem by having cataract surgery on. both my eyes, the left eye about twenty years ago, and the right one last year.
I can now focus my cameras with either eye without glasses.

I had my first cataract surgery on my right eye in 2020 and had the left eye done a month ago. I too can now use my cameras with either eye and read without reading glasses.

VinceInMT · Mar 16, 2024

Sirius Glass said:
Cataract surgery is the only surgery from which one comes out better than they went in.

Nonsense. I went into a cancer surgery 5 years ago and came out cured.

guangong · Mar 16, 2024

Finding a competent optometrist should be the first step. Mine has an array of instruments that examine cornea, optic nerves, blood vessels (can even detect quality of blood pressure, etc. All done by technician and relayed to computer. I go for a checkup twice a year. Without eyes would not be able to photograph or draw, not to mention the pretty university girls at local coffee shop.

Sirius Glass · Mar 16, 2024

Sirius Glass said:
Cataract surgery is the only surgery from which one comes out better than they went in.

VinceInMT said:
Nonsense. I went into a cancer surgery 5 years ago and came out cured.

I meant that when it was over, there was no recovery period. One comes out of surgery immediately being better without pain and seeing better. I am glad that you had a very successful outcome. Enjoy it.

MattKing · Mar 16, 2024

Sirius Glass said:
Cataract surgery is the only surgery from which one comes out better than they went in.

Sirius Glass said:
I meant that when it was over, there was no recovery period. One comes out of surgery immediately being better without pain and seeing better.

Clearly you have ever had a pedicure or had your hair cut, I guess.

wiltw · Mar 17, 2024

MattKing said:
Clearly you have ever had a pedicure or had your hair cut, I guess.

They have to knock you out in order to give you a haircut or pedicure? You musta been hell on your mommy!

Philippe-Georges · Mar 17, 2024

When I bought my Silvestri, it came with an S-A 47 F1:5.6 and a not super bright ground glass, but with a superb bellows focussing hood.
As I was so spoiled by the Hasselblad's Acute Matte ground glass, it was rather an unpleasant surprise to be confronted with Silvestri's darkish view!
So I started to doubt my sight, and after a check by an optometrist, I had reasons to!

But then I realised that I had quite some experience with a combination of guessing the distance and zone focussing on the Technorama (S-A 90mm) and the SWC (Biogon 38mm), which even doesn't have any direct focussing possibilities except for a (Albada-) finder for framing.
So now I use the same technique on the Silvestri, and, as I mostly use the lateral shift, it is mandatory to close the aperture till F1:22 to maximise the image circle. The ground glass is just for framing.
This gave me the opportunity to work with zone focussing and having (very-) good results...

To me, the zone focussing technique helps anticipating a degrading eye sight.

I have an older colleague who uses an electronic laser distance measuring device as used on golf courses (made by Leica) to check the focussing on his Hasselblad, and as his hands aren't that 'stable' any more, he shoots on a (carbon fiber-) tripod, his photo's are all tack sharp...

benjiboy · Mar 17, 2024

wiltw said:
They have to knock you out in order to give you a haircut or pedicure? You musta been hell on your mommy!

Cataract surgery is done under local anaesthetic, the patient is fully awake throughout the procedure like a haircut.

George Mann · Mar 17, 2024

AnselMortensen said:
In the past year, I have found myself using my Nikon N90s more, and my F3HP less...the AF is THAT good.

I use my F90x with it's optional J type screen. Combined with the electronic rangefinder, I have no trouble focussing.

I also have no trouble focussing my F2 with it's K type screen as well, unlike my FM and Nikkormats despite the fact that they have the same type of screen.

George Mann · Mar 17, 2024

M-88 said:
P.S. When in doubt about focus accuracy, using a manual focus camera, I resort to zone focusing.

Me too.

Jim Jones · Mar 18, 2024

benjiboy said:
Cataract surgery is done under local anaesthetic, the patient is fully awake throughout the procedure like a haircut.

My first cataract surgery was done under total anesthetic. Next time I asked for local anesthetic so I could experience the procedure. It was somewhat disappointing: I wouldn't have known what was going on if the surgeon hadn't kept explaining it.

guangong · Mar 18, 2024

Except for the obvious concerning cataracts, failing eyesight can be a symptom of other health issues and should be investigated by a competent expert. Focusing a camera may be only a part of a greater visual or health problem. More than eyes are necessary to make a photograph.

Philippe-Georges · Mar 18, 2024

George Mann said:
Me too.

This is what I was trying to say...

benjiboy · Mar 18, 2024

Jim Jones said:
My first cataract surgery was done under total anesthetic. Next time I asked for local anesthetic so I could experience the procedure. It was somewhat disappointing: I wouldn't have known what was going on if the surgeon hadn't kept explaining it.

The two cataract operations I had Jim were about twenty years apart at the same hospital, they were both done under local anaesthetic, the cornea was cut out with a scalpel the first time, and with a laser the second time.

Sirius Glass · Mar 18, 2024

Post second cataract surgery:

Left eye 20/15+[slightly towards 20/10]
Right eye 20/20-

I have no problems reading signs including road and traffic signs again. No need for eye glasses or contact lenses for the first time in 50 years. No problem using any cameras.

dave olson · Apr 1, 2024

I just found your post or lament. Being 80, my eyesight for distance seeing is 20-20 or better, for reading it's reading glasses time. I was checked by my optometrist and she said cataracts. I knew something was off because trying to drive at night. Long story short, I had cataract surgery three years ago. My distance viewing was glasses needed. My surgeon asked what type of lens I wanted inserted in my eyes. The choices are either distance or closeup, I chose distance. I don't know what your situation is, but a good eye exam seems in order.

eli griggs · Apr 5, 2024

xkaes said:
There is a middle ground. First, auto-focusing cameras can focus on things in the scene that you would not focus on -- so they can get it wrong just as easily as you can. Plus, lots of auto-focusing cameras (all the ones I use) indicate with a light in the viewfinder, a beep, or whatever, when the subject is in focus -- even when focusing manually.
Third, when was the last time you had your glasses prescription updated?

Using auto focus will allow the shooter to view the selected area and move it if needed, rather than fumbling to focus a manual camera and hoping you've got it in focus, after all.

P.S. I'll have my Left eye (the prime eye) operated on for cataracts next Tuesday.

I'm hoping when we pop the lens out of my glasses, I'll be able to more accurately focus my manual cameras, have chosen to have my distance vision improved and use reading glasses.

snusmumriken · Apr 5, 2024

One has to accept ageing eyes and find a way forward. Although it's hugely satisfying to use precision optics and get the focus bang-on, many wonderful photos have been taken by scale focussing.

Aging eyesight!

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