Navigating senior years.

[Donstar]

It also pays to shop around for eyewear. Prices vary and I haven't noticed a commensurate variation in quality.  Yes, I appreciate knowing the source of my new glasses and prefer to support local business.  My optometrist of 27 years works in an office with other optometrists.  They have a section of their office with a limited supply of glasses for sale.  They cater to clients who prefer the convenience and will pay extra for one stop shopping.  I have purchased from there two times in the past and ended up both times with poor fitting glasses.  I get much better service from a store in the mall that specializes in selling glasses and only offers limited access to an optometrist.  Their staff are trained in selling glasses and strive for repeat customers.  I go to one place that specializes in developing the best prescription for my eyes and go to another store that specializes in filling my prescription!  

[Ianf]

I always just replace the lenses and keep my old frames, Cannot beat $30 for new lenses and service in under an hour direct from the guys that supply some of our local shops.

[customboss]

I had a serious surgery yesterday that has my head spin.ning and right hand nerve release and elbow ulner nerve relocated. Nerve block to shoulder down. Good pain drugs and sling to hold that dead but warm arm hand 

 

I get up to $150 a year for glasses and a eye exam on the market  I use it  

[StingerZ16]

AS for the glasses, I find that polarized lenses are only good for outdoor use, (hiking, beach etc) not good for inside car. Car windows are already polarized (normally) this can really mess with vision. Also, as noted, the polarized lenses also mess with reading the dash, phone, smart watch,etc.

Transition lenses (those that dark and lighten based on light) can also be problematic in a vehicle. Again with many car windows polarized the light is filtered so the transition may not turn darker.

I wear bi-focal sunglasses when driving so I can see the dash (near) and the road (far). This has worked for several years now. Also have set of clear for night driving.

I get my eyes checked every year for eye health. After cataract removal, the prescription is not supposed to change much. We'll see, still trying to get a good baseline.

Frames wear out, lenses get scratched. I have replaced one or the other or both at different times based on needs.

[Donstar]

21 hours ago, customboss said:

I had a serious surgery yesterday that has my head spin.ning and right hand nerve release and elbow ulner nerve relocated. Nerve block to shoulder down. Good pain drugs and sling to hold that dead but warm arm hand 

 

I get up to $150 a year for glasses and a eye exam on the market  I use it  

Will the surgery help function?  I know surgeries are often an effort to prevent or slow down worsening symptoms but I sincerely hope this one gives you some gains!

[KARNUT]

I have some discomfort in my joints and muscles. Not all the time. Running equipment daily for the first 25 years of my working life I lay the blame. A combination with getting old. Usually rub ons ease the discomfort. Surgery would be a last resort if I couldn’t get pain relief or to regain mobility. My insurance for eye exam and glasses are 300$ a year. 

[Donstar]

My primary lenses get most of the options: transition, progressive, thin/light and protective coating.  I'm old enough to remember what it was like to wear heavy, ugly, coke bottle glasses.  I can also remember "Wayne" in my grade one class who was the only other kid with "four eyes".   Funny how I was made to feel like an oddball wearing glasses but now realize how lucky I was to have such progressive parents.  So many of the kids who would taunt me were probably struggling in school because of undiagnosed poor vision.  In high school I knew kids who wouldn't wear glasses even if they were needed.  I see this type of reluctance with some of my peers with respect to mobility aids.  They won't use a walker or a cane for fear of looking weak.  You will garner much more respect when you are doing something to compensate for a weakness.  I took my cane with me when we went for a walk last night.  My wife was much more relaxed and a neighbor complimented me on my mobility.   I know my wife will be much happier when I use my $400 walker outside but I still have a little high-school attitude!

[customboss]

3 hours ago, Donstar said:

Will the surgery help function?  I know surgeries are often an effort to prevent or slow down worsening symptoms but I sincerely hope this one gives you some gains!

It will and strength again. My right arm and fingers are functional again.   for asking. Left arm and wrist to be done in a few months. The surgeon Dr is ex airforce and did first hand replacement surgery for a combat injury. 
I'm pulling back on opioids as I can. 

[KARNUT]

2 minutes ago, customboss said:

It will and strength again. My right arm and fingers are functional again.   for asking. Left arm and wrist to be done in a few months. The surgeon Dr is ex airforce and did first hand replacement surgery for a combat injury. 
I'm pulling back on opioids as I can. 

My wife do to a botch surgery 15 years ago. Had physical therapy to release trapped water in her body from multiple corrective surgeries. Water flows through the body. Surgeries can block or restrict the flow. Lyrica gives her the best relief. It’s addictive and has withdrawals. Other pain relievers cause ringing in the ears. She only uses lyrica now sparingly to keep dependence at bay. She swims daily. That helps with water flow in her body. It’s a job for her to stay feeling good. She’s more active than me. All this because of a botched surgery. That’s why I caution surgery. 

[diyer2]

Karnut,

you have mentioned this before, sad situation.

Practicing medicine still applies.

[KARNUT]

6 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

Karnut,

you have mentioned this before, sad situation.

Practicing medicine still applies.

My experience is such that surgery isn’t always a cure all. It’s a last resort. I know a man who had discomfort in his knee. He walked without a cane. He got a knee replacement. He still has pain. I know a woman who had hip replacement. Still has pain. I had a friend who was a dental hygienist. Had shoulder pain, her husband is our dentist. She wanted to continue working. The pain was only after hours of work. They were well off. She didn’t need to work. She got septics. Died two days later. Her devastated husband is alone. I will remind people surgery is a last resort. 

[customboss]

3 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

My experience is such that surgery isn’t always a cure all. It’s a last resort. I know a man who had discomfort in his knee. He walked without a cane. He got a knee replacement. He still has pain. I know a woman who had hip replacement. Still has pain. I had a friend who was a dental hygienist. Had shoulder pain, her husband is our dentist. She wanted to continue working. The pain was only after hours of work. They were well off. She didn’t need to work. She got septics. Died two days later. Her devastated husband is alone. I will remind people surgery is a last resort. 

I waited 45 years because I was a pro pilot who had to get past FAA every 6 months for medical recertification.  I was also young so could push through until 13 years ago. 

[customboss]

PS I agree Stan. 

[Donstar]

19 hours ago, KARNUT said:

My experience is such that surgery isn’t always a cure all. It’s a last resort. I know a man who had discomfort in his knee. He walked without a cane. He got a knee replacement. He still has pain. I know a woman who had hip replacement. Still has pain. I had a friend who was a dental hygienist. Had shoulder pain, her husband is our dentist. She wanted to continue working. The pain was only after hours of work. They were well off. She didn’t need to work. She got septics. Died two days later. Her devastated husband is alone. I will remind people surgery is a last resort. 

Yesterday, I had two hours of pre-op for upcoming knee surgery.  I know surgery won't end my pain as significant osteoarthritis is home in many joints.  (I still have to wait until I have my shoulder replacement before this knee.)  The pre-op is for preparing you to make the most from surgery. I have no delusion that my pain will disappear.  My pre and post surgery behavior will impact the outcome and I plan to make the best of my aftermarket parts.   I also know my pain will get a lot worse for awhile but with a lot of hard work, my timeline of decreasing mobility will be extended.  One major benefit of joint replacement is reducing strain and wear on compensating joints.  For example, I can manage with a bad left knee but the added strain on my less arthritic right knee will find me prematurely immobile.  The strain a dysfunctional knee  places on other joints, even shoulders, is significant.  I agree that surgery is a last resort and shouldn't be used if the problem can be fixed by lifestyle changes.  I have two major joints that will be replaced to afford my stock parts a more gradual retirement.  I also have some sad surgical outcomes I could share and I hate that this happens.  My wife cried after participating in my pre-op because even the most common surgeries have risks.  She also has experienced life altering surgeries but appreciates the sometimes  less desirable trade-off of allowing nature to take its course.  

[KARNUT]

I’ve been on blood pressure medicine since I was 19. I’m well aware of the side effects. I experience the effects of aging, of course. I wasn’t kind to my body. I have to pace my work load. What I used to do on a Sunday takes 5 days. I’m not complaining, just the reality of life. Even though I enjoyed my work. I enjoy retirement more. I’ll take the trade offs like job well done. I’m not against corrective surgery totally. Movement and pain is a consideration of course. Good luck with yours.