Light for older eyes

That looks really useful! Does the "bracket' where it fastens to the machine use Velcro so it can be moved to different machines, or is a slotted piece of plastic? Also, does the electrical cord get in the way?

I have for years had two "Tensor" gooseneck lamps next to my machines exactly like:

biggest problem with them is that they "hum". I can usually tap the base to make them stop. They never seem to be doing the same tune I am humming... ;-} Beverly

Gadgets and lights are much appreciated by those of us who seem to be getting more mature. ;-)

While these things are very helpful, if you haven't had your eyes checked recently, I urge you to do that. My eyedoc says that everyone gets cataracts, if they live long enough. Cataracts are so easily removed, and the difference in vision is amazing. Glaucoma is another thing entirely, since it can't be reversed, but it can be treated and stopped from progressing. It's heartbreaking to discover that you have lost sight forever, simply because you didn't get a checkup.

It is. You can aim the light exactly where you want it. And bright! THey sell extra bases for $6.95 which seems a bit expensive, although it is a nicely-made "snap in-snap-out" base. I imagine that you can use sticky-backed velcro to attach it and make it movable.

The plug end is a "pod" (aka "wall-wart") transformer, so the wire to the light is quite thin; they supply six adhesive-backed wire holders so that you can neatly route the wire around your machine.

I do every six months because I'm diabetic. So far, no problems, but you know, the lens loses its elasticity over time no matter what.

My friends who have had cataract surgery tell me that they put in corrective implants now!

They do! They insert an acrylic lens where they removed the lens from the eye, they leave the capsule and insert the lens there. Most people opt for "normal" vision, as Beverly commented. I thought about that and decided to remain "nearsighted" since I spend so much time reading and on computer and doing handwork. If I were driving a lot, or doing a lot of sightseeing, maybe needing a 1,000 yard stare, I would have done the same. Either way, you end up having to use glasses because the eye no longer has the elasticity of youth. The old "my arms are getting shorter" bit. So I use glasses for distance (anything over 3 feet away) and Beverly uses reading glasses.

The really exciting part is that having the surgery is a piece of cake. It's totally painless, you don't get drugged up and groggy, and there's no post-op "discomfort." You do have to use a lot of eyedrops for several weeks, but that's the worst. The payoff is that you can SEE!!! Colors are amazing, as is detail, and the ability to see in dim light again. Whooooohooooo!

I had my right eye done a week ago today, and it is still somewhat painful, off and on. Two lots of drops, four times a day. Fortunately, dh uses eyedrops all the time for his glaucoma, soI put him on nurse duty, as I don't think I could put in my own eyedrops - my eyes are very sensitive to that kind of thing. I popped the right lens out of my specs, but the sight in that eye is stil adusting. A couple of days ago I could read newspaper, books and computer w/o specs, but now I am feinding it easier to use them. Goodness only knows. However, the literatureI was given says that it takes 6 to 8 weeks for the eye to setle completely, at which time I will get news spcs. OTOH, these cataracts are growing pace, apparently brought on by the steroids I have to take since my rece nt bouts of pneumonia, so when one eye is stable, I may need the other one done immediately.

Please forgive the typos.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans

Sorry yours hurts, Olwyn Mary. I couldn't feel anything at all. The drops are certainly a PITA. My husband has glaucoma, too, and I often do his drops for him. Since I wore contact lenses (the old hard ones) for 30 years, I can do drops, etc., with no problem. I can stick my finger right in my eye. LOL! I hope yours feels better soon.

I went back and had a membrane lasered out of my right eye a couple of months ago, and will have the other eye done when the membrane becomes more substantial. My eyedoc says this is so common that he considers it a side effect, rather than something new. That was also painless, and rather interesting.

That's unusual. I don't remember having any pain at all. Have you been back to see the surgeon? As I recall(my surgery was three years ago), I had a follow-up visit scheduled for the day following surgery, and another about a week later. Be sure you let your doctor know about the pain you are having.

Like Joanne, I wore contacts (the old original rigid for 20 years then gas permeable rigid for another 40) so I have no difficulty putting stuff in my eyes at all. However, one trick for eyedrops: instead of trying to drop them in from above, gently pull your lower lid down and put the drops in the little cup which forms. Keep your head tipped back and roll your eyes around right away to distribute the fluid.

That's what I did as well, for a week until the second eye was done. After about a month, when they were sure my vision had stabilized, I had new glasses made, mostly for reading with a small correction for the right eye which wasn't quite 20/20 following surgery, plus a pair of prescription sunglasses.

Best of luck!

Beverly

That's my recollection as well, I hope OlwynMary calls her doctor's office and lets them know about her pain, I don't think that's at all common.

ROTFLOL! I know exactly what you mean, I never have any problem at all with sticking a finger in my eye. While my father lived with us, he had cataract surgery, and it was absolutely impossible to get drops *IN* his eyes. Mostly they rolled down his cheeks. ;-}

My surgeon had not told me about the possibility of the capsule becoming fogged, so when I went for new glasses after two years I was really disappointed in the "best" vision the optician said he was going to be able to give me. Upon further examination he sent me back to the surgeon for the laser touch-up in both eyes and now my vision is nice and clear again. That was a really quick and easy procedure, and completely painless.

Beverly

I may have to order one light. I am happy with the Tensor for the "real" sewing machine, but I would love to have a little more light when I use my embroidery machine. I usually try to trim thread ends as I go, and could really use extra light.

Gah! I hate transformers. I have everything plugged into surge protectors and/or surge protected Uninterrupted Power Supplies and those danged transformers usually take two slots.

Thanks for the additional information.

Beverly

Yes. the surgeon knows I am having some pain. However, as I have never had contacts - I know I could nverhave put anything on my eyeballs - this may expalin it. I had the op done on a Thursday, follow-up on Friday, then another visit Monday and I am to go back again in two weeks. He has a very good rep., and has done several eye surgeries on dh (one of which he asked permission to write up in a trade journal) so I trust him, he just says to keeep on using the drops and some ordinary acetominophen and call him if I am worried.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans

Bev, look in your local hardware electrical section for a 5-way extension, I think it's called a squid. You can plug the male end into your powerstrip and then plug the transformers into the "tentacles". Watch your total power usage, tho. Most solid state stuff only draws about a watt or so, so you can get away with it. I avoid plugging in things like floor lamps or computers (on separate UPS anyway) but great for camera and cell phone chargers and other light-duty transformer power supplies.

Alex

Alex, A word to the wise. Never, ever call Beverly, Bev. You're putting your life in jeopardy by doing so. She'll seek you out and skin you alive. I don't think you caught on to this in the past. As with most of us, the name we sign our posts with is the name we want used. Juno

My computer/monitor/printers/speakers/scanner/modem/router/ cordless phone/lamps/USB hub/etc.setup is a snake pit! Everything needs to be plugged in. This house was built in

1970 and has two or three outlets *per room*. ;-} The cell phone and camera chargers are in a different room, on a separate circuit, with the toaster, microwave, coffee pots, coffee bean grinder, stand mixer, re-chargeable electric knife ... I have paid for some new dedicated circuits in the computer and sewing rooms, and the kitchen.

I still hate transformers...

LOL! I missed it this time. Usually I respond by shortening the writer's name, for instance, I might have addressed "Alex" as "Al" or "Ex". ;-> I must be slipping.

This house was built in 1927. I would love to have two or three outlets per room! I also had circuits run to my computer room and to what was to be my sewing room, two each. When we fixed up the basement, we wired it up to code and the Olde Man has his office there, so he's well-fixed. The kitchen......well......I use a surge protector where heat-generating appliances are used in hopes the little button will pop before the circuit goes. Other things get plugged in one at a time. Use it, unplug it, and ignore all those built-in clocks. Don't use the toaster and the microwave at the same time, and neither if the bread machine is on the "bake" cycle.

Let's see you do that to *me*!

Easy, peasy, you're "Jo" ;->

Also, I thought of a better one for Alex: "Lex"!

;-P

This house was built in 1927. I would love to have two

LOL. This house had some really weird wiring: the kitchen and living room were on the same circuit, so if the Christmas tree was lit and the stereo or TV was playing, I blew the circuit if I used the microwave. Or the coffee pot. Or any other kitchen appliance. Very trying during the holidays.

When I remodeled the kitchen I had en electrician separate the wiring for the two rooms, and put TWO dedicated circuits to the kitchen in addition to the 220V for the stove. I haven't blown those breakers since.

I still blow the circuit to the laundry/sewing room if I forget to turn off the stair and hall lights and plug in the iron. That means a trip upstairs to throw the breaker. :-( If I ever get around to finishing the basement I'll get that re-wired.