Thursday, May 21, 2009

The Man with the New Spectacles!


That's my Dad! He got his new spectacles today, and read a few pages of a book after several months. The eye surgeon was very pleased with the outcome of the surgery. As was the optometrist, who checked out his vision this Monday. With glasses, he said, Dad will have 6/6 vision in his left eye, which is what most youngsters have! (The right eye will not be tackled until this winter, on the surgeon's advice.)

The big issue here was Dad's lack of mobility. There are wheelchairs in the hospital, and attendants, but there are several examination stations where the patient is required to be where a wheelchair can't reach. My trusty driver was a gem. He'd pick Dad up and seat him wherever required, several times on each visit. Thank you and God bless you, Arun.

According to the eye surgeon, cataract surgery has been performed since ancient times. Our very own Susruta is supposed to have performed a version of this operation centuries ago.
In case you're interested, you can check out this brief history of cataract surgery.
It seems quite gory, so I'm glad to be living in an era of more sophisticated surgical techniques!

The eye drops will continue till early next month, but the hospital visits are over.

Thank you all for your abundant good wishes. I know that they really helped.

36 comments:

Nat said...

he must have been like when we get glasses for the first time and suddenly everything is not so foggy or blurred anymore! what'd he say?

Rads said...

IOL implants are one of teh best things that's happened to Ophthalmology and elevated it to successful heights.

The happiness in the patient's face when they come for post-op fitting is still very vivid in my head. Very satisfying :)

Rads

mommyof2 said...

what was his reaction. Its really going to change his life sincehe can read and watch tv now:-)

artnavy said...

wonderful- my paati- grandma is due for hers this saturday

Aneela Z said...

mubarak mubarak mubarak....god bless the doctors. all my prayers.

Rohini said...

That's great! He must be feeling much better being able to read.

dipali said...

@nat: The first reaction was when he was allowed to take the dark glasses off a fortnight after the surgery: I'd made khichdi for him and he was struck by how yellow it was. I don't think he'd seen colours clearly for ages.
@rads: Yes, it is still somehow so miraculous. And the joy is shared by so many. God bless them all!
@mommyof2: He's not very effusive- it's a quiet joy that one sees on his face! I'm now enjoying looking for books from my collection that I think he'll enjoy. He's not a big TV watcher, but I'm sure he'll enjoy seeing some of his favourite old movies now!
@artnavy: Thanks! All the best to your paati.
@aneela: Please accept a huge, thanksgiving embrace from me!
You've brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.

dipali said...

@Ro: You bet!

Serendipity said...

he looks so gentle.
this picture is ADORABLE!

Choxbox said...

yay to that!

B o o said...

Hugs, Dipali. God bless you too! :)

Mishika said...

Congrats!!
Your father looks really cute :)

dipali said...

@serendipity: Thank you. Yes, Dad is a gentle soul, very soft spoken and courteous.
@choxbox: Thank you:)
@Boo: Thanks, and hugs to you too!
@mishika: Thank you. He is, isn't he?

Hip Grandma said...

I can almost see the joy in his eyes.Good job done. He is sure to feel empowered. BTW you are tagged.

Mom Gone Mad said...

Dipali, your father is cute in a way only gentle old folks are. This photo is begging for a gentle hug:-)

Am so pleased everything worked out well and that he's in the pink of it. *touchwood* and god bless.

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy it has worked out so well. He can probably see much better than I can. All the best for the next eye!

dipali said...

@Hip Grandma: Thank you. Will try and do the tag asap!
@mom gone mad: Thank you. I will pass on your hug!
@era: The next eye will not be looked at before winter. I do hope your eyesight is better than Dad's!

Cee Kay said...

Glad to know it went well and he is enjoying it. BTW, I think you look a bit like him. Now post your mom's pic so I can see how you resemble her :)

dipali said...

@Getting There Now: My bone structure is mostly my Dad's, hair pattern is totally Mom's. Here's a picture of her on her 8oth birthday:http://dipalitaneja.blogspot.com/2008/08/happy-eightieth-birthday.html

Mishika said...

Extremely!

Sue said...

Oh, that's lovely!

Suki said...

Oh Dips, that sounds wonderful. Congratulations, and all the best for the right eye!

My gran's been due for cataract surgery for ages now, I hope she gets hers done this winter too.

mnamma said...

I am glad that everything went well for your dad Dipali. He looks pretty happy in the photo! Brought a smile to my face too!

Unknown said...

So wonderful Dipali . Truly happy for Uncle . It must be such a blessed relief for him

Shekhar said...

Hey.. Sorry, haven't been to your blog for some time now, so hadn't known about Uncle's condition.

Good to know that he is fine and doing well. :)

Nino's Mum said...

awww :) beautiful picture.
Am glad he's gotten better: and glad you've got Arun.
hugs.

D said...

I've just had a bad case of ulcers in my left eye and that made life hell for me in just a couple of days. Can quite imagine what a boon this surgery must be for you Dad.

Wishing him a speedy recovery :)

Shilpa said...

Oh my god this picture brought tears to my eyes. My tata also had similar reaction when he could see clearly after a long time. God bless him.

Mystic Margarita said...

So happy for your dad, Dipali. It must be such a relief for him to be able to read again.

Indian in NZ said...

I am so glad that the surgery went so well. God bless Arun.

Best wishes for the next surgery.

Mampi said...

He is damn cute and I wish him all the very best of reading and speedy recovery.

bird's eye view said...

Great news. he must be so glad to feel like his old self again :)

OrangeJammies said...

He looks adorable, Dipali! Is he happy?

dipali said...

Sorry, everyone, for the delay in replying. I had no internet connection for several days:(
Now that I have a wireless connection, I need to get cracking:
@Mishika- sorry, dear, I didn't get what you were referring to by 'extremely':(
@Sue: Thanks, love. You met him- you can see the difference:)
@Suki: Thank you. Do motivate your gran to get her's done. You also have a good eye hospital in your part of town- the Sankara Netralaya.
@mnamma: Thank you. How are your little girls doing?
@eve's lungs: Thanks- it is lovely seeing him sitting by the window, totally engrossed in his newspaper!
@Shekhar: Thanks.
@Nino's mum: Thanks, and hugs to you too:)
@D: Thanks. I hope you've fully recovered now- the ulcers sound scary.
@shilpa: Welcome here, and thank you for your kind words.
@mystic margarita: Yes indeed it is. Thanks.
@2b's mommy: Thank you. I'm not yet sure about the second eye!
@mampi:Thank you.
@bird's eye view: Yes indeed:)
@orange jammies: I certainly think he is! He reads for most of the morning:)

Mamma mia! Me a mamma? said...

This is indeed great news! And he's looking good too!

Here's wishing him many hours of newfound joy with his restored vision.

dipali said...

@m4: Yes, come over and meet him and see for yourself:)