Living With Aphakia After Congenital Cataracts Surgery | Visual Impairment Series | BirdNerdSophie

[@tess7339]

Hi! Thank you so much for sharing this video! I was also born with bilateral congenital cataract and had my lenses removed when I was around 18 months. I have always very much wanted to ignore that there is something "different" about me. I wore glasses until age 12 and received a lot of negative comments about them which really influenced my self-image. I managed to overcome my fear of contact lenses and have been wearing these for the past 13 years, which has made it easy to not tell people about my eye impairment. However, now I am on the waiting list for IOL surgeries and this has made me share with more people what I have been through and how anxious I feel about the surgeries. Seeing you talk about it has given me more confidence to do so, thank you!

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Never be ashamed of things you can’t change about yourself 💙 these are things that make us unique and different from others! Anyone who makes negative comments is clearly very unhappy and is just a reflection of themselves! Keep smiling 😊

[@TheBlindBard]

Hey, thanks for sharing this video; I was born with congenital cataracts in late 1978, and had them removed at six weeks of age on the left eye, and six months on the right eye as the cataract is less mature than the cataract in the left. Much like you, I used to wear contact lenses as a child. I was later diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma at the young age of thirteen and after a few surgeries to mitigate the eye pressure, I've been wearing my thick eyeglasses publicly ever since. I've had stares and people suggest I remove my glasses during a job interview, which I don't recommend, since it's insensitive towards those of us with an obvious vision-impairment that depends on such thick lenses to see the world with. The world needs to understand the struggles those of us with Aphakia go trough that the sighted world takes for granted. Keep your chin high, and live life to its fullest! Bless!

[@BirdNerdSophie]

I’m sorry to hear that people have been unkind or insensitive to you - it’s not nice at all and you don’t deserve it! I think going through all of these challenges with our eyes shapes us into more compassionate people 💙

[@TheBlindBard]

@@BirdNerdSophie Yes, I definitely agree with you, and we're the ones who tend to see whom people really are, despite that bit of irony.

[@kalemberobinah8022]

Hello,my daughter is six months old and I would love to interact with you ,,get to know how much she views the world,,I just want to know what she is going through

[@alexwoodhouse3268]

Thanks for your video! I was born in 1974 with cataracts as well as microcornea. The cataracts were removed when I was 3 months old and I wore rigid gas perm lenses every day for 45 years. I have had all the common complications since - Glaucoma, vitreal detachments and frozen de-centered pupils which cause major light sensitivity. The original operations left me without the capsular bag that holds the natural lens. Last year I found a surgeon who was willing to operate and IOL's were successfully implanted in both eyes. They were sutured in since there was no capsular bag - there are indeed many methods for attaching a lens implant without the bag. It has been miraculous to see the world as never before. As you have said, I didn't know what I was missing but now I do and it is pure magic. Though my brain is still not totally recalibrated, the outcome has been nothing but positive. I have thought about making a video about this whole lifelong process but it still feels daunting. Regardless, I would love to chat!

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Hi Alex - thanks for reaching out! It's always interesting to connect with people who have had similar experiences with visual impairment! I know that even if I could get lenses put in, I wouldn't want them! My eyes are quite small and under developed, plus I have the added compilations of needing a cornea transplant. Plus I prefer how I look with my specs - they're part of who I am now I think! I'm so glad you are have a wonderful experience with your IOLs! :)

[@hallihet]

Which doctor did you go to

[@alexwoodhouse3268]

@@hallihet Dr James Dooner in Austin TX did the IOL's and the vitrectomies. Also, Dr Marshall Bowes Hamill in Houston TX did a partial pupiloplasty that no one said could be done. They are both in a different league.

[@hallihet]

@@alexwoodhouse3268 God bless you for answering. That is awesome! My daughter is aphakic in both eyes (from 6 months) and now I'm being told she can't get lens replacement. Do you mind sending me their contact information and/or company name please?

[@dreamdisturber]

Hey. Glad I found this. I’m in the same boat. Born with cataracts in both eyes and aphakic as well. Same story almost exactly. Even the same eye is stronger, lazy left eye. I was born in 1968 so I had my surgery then and couldn’t wear contacts until I was 17 or 18. Still have recurring eye issues. It’s nice to meet someone with a similar life experience. Thanks for sharing. More people may become aware of what it’s like for us.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thanks for watching! It's always interesting to connect with people with the same eye conditions as it can be a bit isolating sometimes!

[@kalemberobinah8022]

Hello,I have a six month daughter with aphakia,,I just want to know her world vision through you the adult since we can talk and she can't,,I am requesting for how you view the world

[@Aussie-426]

​@@kalemberobinah8022 I'm 17 and due to bilateral congenital cataracts I am aphakic. Other than becoming a policewoman (one of my several childhood ambitions lol) there is nothing my vision has stopped me from doing, yeah sure I probably don't notice things other people see but as I haven't known anything different it hasn't negatively effected me. For context I can read up to size 4 pt with glasses (which in Australia is the minimum font size permissible for packaging anyway) and have 6/18-6/12 visual acuity depending on the day. by the time your daughter is one or two they will be able to give you her estimated visual acuity. The best way you can know what she sees is by doing a physical visual acuity test- let's say your daughter sees as much as me for the purpose of this discussion, find a street sign, step back 18 metres and what you see is what your daughter sees at 6 metres away. I have a tonne of other conditions on top of aphakia (microphthalmia, strabismus, nystagmus and acquired glaucoma) so your daughter's vision may be better than mine, but either way any vision is usable vision, don't treat her any different to your other kids (if applicable), know that when she "can't see the ball" at PE she is probably trying to cop out of sport (especially if it's brightly coloured) and when she can't see the board at school during math but can see it during English... well vision isn't selective! You sound like a fantastic parent so hold your head up high and know your daughter's outlook on her vision impairment will match your own- my parents never allowed me to use it as an excuse to not achieve my dreams so I haven't permitted myself to do so either. Also, when it comes to bullying, make sure you keep an open relationship with your daughter but don't force her to talk about it if she doesn't want to, I was bullied and cyberbullied for several reasons but my glasses have always seemed to be their favourite cheap shot. I never wanted my parents to know as I have my own ways of dealing with things although I know if it ever got too much for me to handle they'll be all ears (and I'm sure a few angry phone calls will be made lol!) this world needs more confident young girls and women- best thing you can do is teach her to stand up for herself. Sorry if my comment was a little long, I do tend to waffle a little, hope parts of it helped though!

[@walkwithwilz2525]

9th like, I like that you include videos like this in the mix, it is lovely to get to know you and learn more about you, oh my gosh you have been through quite a lot in in your young life, but it is a credit to you for learning so much about your condition, aww cute lil stories about mom there, thanks for including that info about the brands there, I can never say I have thought about that, very insightful, thank you for providing lots of helpful resources too, I am so proud of you Sophie, your such a champion and keep up the great work 👍🏼

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Hey Wilz! Thank you for your kind words :) There are times when it has been a struggle for sure, but there's nothing I can do about it so may as well make the best of it! :) Hope you are okay and having a good week! :)

[@sunnyhill1174]

Well done. Loved it. I was born in early 1950 have operation at age 28. I totally relate to your experiences. Thank you for this meaningful video! Thank-you. We are not alone with this, but we do have to search globally for mutual support.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

There are lots of people just like us out there 😊 thanks for watching!

[@lynnw7155]

Oh wow! Thanks for this! I have aphakia in one eye from an eye injury at age 8. Oh the torture of contacts!!! I fought and cried and I still have anxiety about poking things in my eyes. Even once they were in, they were so uncomfortable I couldn't stand them (they didn't have the soft lenses back them). I'm now 66 years old and told I'm "too old" for any corrective surgery.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Hi Lynn, thanks for watching and sending best wishes to you!

[@Alyssa_James]

Thank you for making this video! ❤ I was also born with cataracts in both eyes and had them removed at I believe 6 months old leaving me Aphakic as well. That's when they also diagnosed me with glaucoma in both eyes as well. I'm now 27 years old and have major corneal edema in my right eye (my right eye was my "good" eye but not anynore) I'm hoping I don't need to get a transplant any time soon and that the medication I'm on helps stop the progression. I'm glad I'm not the only one experiencing this at such a young age

[@BirdNerdSophie]

I’m sorry to hear that you have experienced all of this too, but it it definitely brings some comfort that we aren’t the only ones! It can feel like a very lovely experience sometimes! Wishing you stable eyes for as long as possible 😊🫂

[@tottywhyte1]

Hello, I was born with bilateral congenital cataracs and I have aphakia in both eyes, your glasses are just like mine. I was also treated at great Ormand Street. I just want to tell you how brave you are. It s amazing too see.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thanks for your kind words Lauren! Sounds like you are pretty brave too! :)

[@Aussie-426]

I literally thought I was the only one! (okay I know the statistics but I've never come across anyone behind them). I love these comments! they make me feel less like a freak (well at least regarding my eye conditions... personality is a different subject!)

[@fionaross9664]

HI Sophie, that was a wonderful vid, thank you for telling your story. As you know I started following you for your birb vids but this really interested me as my best school mum friend has 4 children [from 24yrs down to 12yrs] who have serious visual difficulties due to a type of albinism which affects their sight very seriously{they are not albino for skin or hair but must take care in the sun] and also have nystagmus, the middle son very strongly. He is at High School and thankfully they do their best to help him, such as entering and leaving a few minutes apart...as you know a corridor full of pushing , shouting kids is impossible and the stress makes his nystagmus so strong and that is TERRIFYING. The older kids took quite a while before the doctors figured out what was going on but the littles have benefited massively from the wonderful SEND team we had at primary school. I shall be sending her and the community your link. Thank You Beautiful

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thank you so much for sharing and for your kind words Fiona! I'm glad that your children are getting support they need from school as it n make a real difference. I agree, a wonderful SEND team can benefit so many children, and alterations to accommodate everyone's difference scan really help every child excel! That's very kind of you to share, I can make more videos if anyone has any visually impaired topics they'd like me to talk about! Take care 🦜💙

[@speckyyyy]

scrolling through this comment section feels like a aphakia help group lol. i was born with dislocated lenses an had them removed when i was 6 months, really quite surprising the parallels between our stories. when i was 15 i was told that i were able to get a lens implant, but then covid happened and delayed everything for 2 years. 3 months after the surgery on my left eye the lens dislocated, and it happened again after a redo of the surgery so ive just given up on that whole idea. its really nice to see so many people with the same condition because obviously its not very common and ive never even met someone with it. cheers sophie.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thanks for watching! Nothing is simple with our eyes is it 😅 all we can do is make the best of things, and it’s good to be able to chat to people who have an understanding of what it’s like!

[@AprilClayton]

We have such similar vision histories. I was born with congenital cataracts and also have aphakia. My right cornea is clouded from complications of retinal detachment surgeries. I rarely find someone with a similar experience.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thanks for watching and sending best wishes your way!

[@Aussie-426]

I'm aphakic due to bilateral congenital cataracts, I also have microphthalmia, strabismus, nystagmus and glaucoma (minus microphthalmia which likely caused cataracts, the rest were all caused by cataract surgery). Other than nystagmus and strabismus, I haven't ever met another person with the same eye conditions as me, really enjoyed the video by that accord. I chose to wear my (+20) glasses over contacts as I find them more comfortable and they prove to be a winning tactic during debating (I know my opponent has inevitably conceded defeat when they start making sarcastic comments about them... I mean if they don't wish to be polite I am not going to feel guilty for using it to their disfavour). The most relatable thing in the world is the shampoo and conditioner situation! I couldn't tell you how many times I have stared at a bottle 2cm from my eyeball, inadvertently getting shampoo/conditioner in my eye, because dripping out of the shower to get my glasses was too much effort.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thanks for watching and for sharing your story experiences! The shampoo and conditioner situation is real haha! I buy totally different brands of each now so I can’t get mixed up!

[@MCrvngraddip2013]

You are an inspiration Sophie. And you are beautiful 😍 ❤ Thank you for sharing with us.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words! 😊💙

[@buntymcsadpants9333]

I like the personal videos - I'm nosy and I like to get to know people 😅

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Lol! Thank you for watching! 😊❤

[@spudinho1]

Thanks for an interesting presentation. I was born with cataracts in the 1950s, had the lenses removed from both eyes, leaving me with bilateral aphakia. Most of my life I've worn 12+ bifocals and I was advised many years ago to keep the frames small and round [John Lennon style] as this helps keep the lens to a minimum thickness. I've tried high-index lenses, but with bifocals the result was not brilliant - some distortion and the reading seg protrudes somewhat. And they're not cheap! The good news is that when I switched to soft contact lenses a few years ago the result was brilliant - easy to wear and they combine OK with reading glasses. But my search for a reduced thickness 12+ [bifocal] lens continues. Is there such a thing out there?

[@BirdNerdSophie]

There should be reduced thickness for that prescription! Worth checking with different providers 😊

[@ornithologydude8649]

My friend had congenital cataracts surgery a few months ago. His eyes are looking better, but he says his eyes are in pain! I've come to realise how difficult life is with eye problems, i struggle with a squint that i had surgery for and i have several other issues that resulted in dyspraxia and dyslexia (yet i have good eyesight, and since i started ornithology and sniper shooting my eyesight improved by 0.75). Anyway, i have full respect for people who are severely visually impaired, because I know i couldn't cope with eye problems!

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thanks for watching! Eye problems are challenging to live with but we make the best of it!

[@kalemberobinah8022]

My daughter is six months old and she has cataracts ...I would love to get in touch and know what she is going through....as an adult I request for an understanding of my baby thru you,,as an adult...I just want to know how she views the world..what therapy actually works because we are trying various methods through guess work

[@kalemberobinah8022]

Actually,,she has aphakia now

[@Itsme-ni9jk]

GOD BLESS THIS WOMAN 🙏

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thank you! 😊

[@mr-ladi617]

I am glad to see people who have the same problem with me. The only difference I have is that I was not born with aphakia but after three mount after I was born , I got sick and los my lens because I got cataract. A doctor promised me that he is going to fix my eyes and put lens inside my eyes. I would like to hear more from you because I have the same sickness.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thank you for sharing your story! If you have any questions, feel free to ask! 😊

[@daveedmonds]

Hi Sophie, I just become Aphakic by choice. I had surgery two weeks ago to remove the lens and cataract in my right eye and not replace the lens. I'm now known as "Aphakic Man". I WAS extremely near-sighted. Now I am far-sighted and using reading glasses to correct my vision. All is good! dave

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Glad to hear all is well with you Dave!

[@janceenriquez8526]

hey dave! is there any way i could connect to you?, I would like to ask few questions . Thank you

[@daveedmonds]

@@janceenriquez8526 Sure... how can I reach you?

[@janceenriquez8526]

@@daveedmonds bro can i have your email thanks

[@weshouldsaveourselves6780]

Heya, this is so inspiring because through all of that you remain positive and grateful. Having healthy eyes I am much more grateful for them because seeing people who don't have this is very awakening. People can be so cruel sometimes and insensitive to people with disabilities or any health problems. Like how can you treat someone less just because they have a disability or health issue. So mean. Hearing your story reminds me of the millions around the world who can't afford cataracts surgery and especially where I'm from in Pakistan, many there can't afford the operation and they end up being blind. Even though it's preventable and with the help of rasing money we can give them their sight back. Really sad to see especially when we live in the 21st century where there's billions spent sending robots to space yet children still die of a lack of clean water. Quite sad honestly. Anyways I pray everything goes better for you and that you and your bird friends keep safe and happy. God bless 💫

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words 💙 I completely agree with you that it is so sad that in parts of the world, people haven’t got access to free cataracts surgery, vaccines and even clean water. Sadly the wealthy and powerful are greedy and always want more 😢

[@weshouldsaveourselves6780]

@@BirdNerdSophie so true. Its crazy because something as simple and basic as water is being such a barrier to people living their lives as human beings. And when i talk about this to other people they might say things like "its not our problem" or something insensitive like that. anyways thanks for your reply :)

[@missleeda]

Hi, my son 3 year have bilateral cataract just surgery about month .. I try to search how people live with cataract, how they go school, and makes job.. I discover you.. I wish you and my son will have to good eyesight… I pray for all baby 🙏🏻

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Best wishes to you and your son! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@jonfranklin18]

My story. I was born with transposition of the great arteries and had to have life saving open heart surgery @ 6 weeks old. I then developed congenital cataracts, which I had removed @ 6 months (I have since read that cataracts can form after a serious illness and I was in an incubator and a head box to give me oxygen just to keep me alive due to my heart condition). Anyway, after having the cataracts removed I was left with aphakia in both eyes, but with a delay in the cataract surgery, my right eye is far stronger than my left, which I can barely see out of, and have amblyopia in both eyes, left worse than right, and also have nystagmus in both eyes. As this was in 1984 I was told I wasn’t given any lens replacement because, at the time, they didn’t think they’d last a lifetime so left me without lenses. Consequently, I had to wear bifocal glasses as a child (which were like fish bowls and caused me great distress on hot, summer days) and made me a target for bullies at school, hence my lack of friends and social anxiety now. When I turned 20 in 2004 and realising that I was growing up and wanted to give myself at least half a chance of attracting girls (which never happened due to confidence issues) I switched to Extended Wear Contact Lenses, which were soft lenses I wore all the time and even slept in, which regular checkups and new lenses being ordered by the hospital. My consultant at the time did say about having an IOL but was happy with the lenses so kept with them. However, in 2017, I made the decision to investigate the IOL Surgery, as I was tiring of the contacts as I had no-one to change them and keeping them looked after was starting to become a burden, but at the same time the hospital optician went on the sick and as they didn’t have a replacement I couldn’t get any lenses. When I finally did a few months later, it was too late as I had developed Keratitis from over wearing of the lenses I couldn’t get replaced, in my right eye, the only eye I see out of so was rendered effectively blind, which terrified the life out of me and is the worst thing I’ve knowingly gone through, and ended up in a specialised eye hospital for a week receiving treatment to fight the infection. Whilst my sight was saved, the infection left a permanent scar in my eye which has made my vision worse, and so had to go back to glasses (I’ll never wear contacts again and encourage everyone else to not wear them). Exactly a year later, after having investigative tests for an IOL I was found to have had a detached retina in the same eye (my right eye the only one I see out of) and whilst I had successful surgery, due to the silicone oil used, it left me with glaucoma and now have to take eye drops for the rest of my life to keep my eye pressure down. In 2020 my new eye consultant said it would be dangerous for me to have lens implantation surgery as due to me having no lens in my eyes for 38 years, the shape of my eyes has changed and he would have to put the lens on my cornea, which was damaged by the keratitis, and is reluctant to do it in case it damages it further and / or my body rejects the implants this meaning I’d need a corneal transplant and thus leaving my vision worse, so I’ll be aphakic for the rest of my life now. After what I’ve been through I’m glad of what little sight I have, but my dreams of having my own lenses in my eyes seem over now so I’ll have to stick to thick heavy glasses and a constant change between reading and distance, which is a pain, but far preferable to contacts which nearly blinded me. To those who can have the IOL, yes I know it’s scary, but you should have it done, at least you’ll be able to, some of us aren’t as fortunate to have that option not unless, as my consultant says, technology improves in the future to give me that option.

[@Aussie-426]

I was born in 2005 and they still didn't do lens replacement then either. I have had the option of getting an IOL since I was 10 but truth be told I don't exactly want it, I'm confident in my own skin and don't mind my "bulletproof glasses" as my favourite bully (poor soul had a tough life, I don't want to encourage bullying as it does have detrimental effects to come people but as he wasn't physically violent his comments served as a constant source of entertainment) dubbed them. My left eye is crap too! what is it with left eyes? are you able to get bifocal/multifocal glasses? they may be easier than constantly swapping two pairs. My ophthalmologist told me I don't have enough of an ocular lens capsule for the standard procedure in one of my eyes so he intends on "sewing" an artificial lens behind my iris and in front of my pupil if I ever decide to get surgery, perhaps it may be worth talking to your doc to see if that's a valid option for you?

[@jonfranklin18]

@@Aussie-426 I had bifocals as a kid and was horrible, like having magnifiers on my face and was hard in summer months, in addition I had to raise them on my nose to read, which got me stick from kids as they made my eyes look massive, but wouldn’t exactly look great when trying to attract girls (which is why I went to extender wear contacts in 2004 when I was 20, don’t know why, didn’t attract girls then, or now if I’m honest and i think my vision makes me have a lack of confidence in that area hence my keeping to myself). Whilst swapping glasses all the time does my head in, it’s more professional and adult than wearing thick heavy bifocals all the time (fish bowls I call them). As a result, I don’t think I’ll ever work again, which again knocks my confidence in attracting girls because they want a man whose got his own income, and have you noticed that no girls ever have disabled boyfriends? Despite saying they’re tolerant etc, you never see it. I do lose my temper with people as well who make comments about my vision. It’s overcompensation from school bullying but I don’t take shit from anyone now regarding my vision. Now I have a white cane I just quote the “equality, diversity and inclusion” nonsense at them whenever possible and never back down from a fight if I have to. At nearly 40, Iv accepted I’ll never work again, which leads to the cycle of lack of confidence around people etc. I think visual impairment is the worst disability. At 21 you can still make opportunities of your life despite your vision (despite me not had the opportunity to do so as no employer wants me either).

[@jonfranklin18]

@@Aussie-426 in addition, my consultant has said because I’ve been without lenses now for 40 years the shape of my eyes has changed to a rugby ball shape and consequently would have to put the lens on my cornea (of which the right one was damaged in 2017 after getting keratitis in it from the contacts as I couldn’t get the hospital to see me to get a new pair) which, if it went wrong, would lead to me needing a corneal transplant which, he said, was a bigger and more dangerous operation, he also said I don’t have enough corneal cell counters to make the operation safe to have either so I’m pretty much stuck with the glasses now, and pidgin my forever. I have noticed recently my left eye struggles in bright daylight and now wear a cap and / or sunglasses (making me look more like a stereotypical kind person which I’ve always resisted as I wanted to appear “normal” especially in my 20s when I went out to pubs / bars etc trying to attract girls) but there something I’ll need to ask my consultant at the end of the month to see if anything’s wrong there as it could be photophobia but I want to make sure as it’s only a recent thing and am not sure if it’s aging or not.

[@candicet5973]

Actually, this is very interesting! It's interesting to know about what other people's struggles and how the put up with it. Well, look at the bright side! At least ur not totally blind and still make awesome vids! Haha it's even hotter here!!

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thanks for watching!

[@tamsuan9962]

Sophie, I'm curious about whether contact lenses provided more or less "normal" vision for you as a child. Were you able to be quite active, running around, playing sports, riding a bike? If so, was there any difference when you switched to your glasses, any problem adapting? I'm old enough to remember some elderly relatives who had cataract surgery before the advent of implants. Their new vision through strong glasses seemed to slow them down considerably.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Hey Tam! Great to hear from you and I hope you are keeping well! I'd say it was 'normal' for me but probably not for someone with normal vision - I would still have the problem now where I could see close things around me fine, and things in the distance blurred. I prefer my glasses because they are bifocals so I can read small text quickly and easily, and I prefer how I look with them too! In terms of being active, I was reasonably active - my hand eye co-ordination is poor so catching/hitting balls was very difficult and a little embarrassing. I did, however, attend a dancing school for 11 years and achieved high grades whist I was there so I can;t have been that bad haha! As for riding a bike, I have never been able to without stabilisers but that's mostly to do with having bad balance! I also wouldn't trust myself riding on the roads anyway as I can't look left and right quickly as I have to turn my whole head so I can see out of the main bit of my glasses! I think it just depends on the individual - having grown up with strong glasses, I don't know any different, but I do think it would be difficult or people to adapt!

[@aliciagomezgarcia3334]

Hello! What a nice video. You are a beautiful soul ❤️ I had vitrectomy in both eyes recently and I know I’ll develop cataract in the near future despite my young age (26yo) I’d like to ask you if there are any long term side effects of wearing glasses for aphakia. Thank you 😊

[@BirdNerdSophie]

The only long term side effects of wearing glasses is being extra cool 😎 haha!

[@aliciagomezgarcia3334]

@@BirdNerdSophie 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I’m laughing very hard 😂😂😂😂 thank you 💖🙏😊

[@daveedmonds]

Hi Sophie... I am 58 and extreme myopia... I have cataract and the doc is considering removing the lens and so I may be aphakic later in life.... I'm trying to understand what my vision will be like... the doc said that I would not need correction except for reading... so that's cool.... Can someone with A drive? How is your ability to focus etc. I'm anxious about this whole adventure. thanks for sharing your story.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Hi Dave & thanks for reaching out! I think your situation will be different to mine as my eyes didn't develop properly as I had my lenses out at such a young age so my brain didn't have the opportunity to learn to see everything! I am personally not able to drive but as I said, it's all quite individual! Without a lens, my eyes don't focus like a normal person's will, but I think you just learn to adapt!

[@StarDemz]

Sorry I'm like 2 years late to this but I was born with cataracts and as a result have lived with Aphakia since being a a toddler after my surgeries.. I don't even know much about this condition sadly I was never taught about it from professionals and my family dont know much even though it's genetic... Is this classed as a disability? or would it be more classed as a condition. also is correct professionals telling me there is no corrective surgery for this and I'm not able to get it if there was??? I asked as a kid once and was told there was one but id not be able to have it due to the age i had cataracts but now i am told there is not anything they can do???

[@BirdNerdSophie]

It’s considered a disability if you are classed as visually impaired! Everyone’s situation is different- some people can have lens implants and some can’t (like me!) so it would be better to get the opinion of an eye doctor on if it would be suitable for you!

[@pattiadams7556]

I have a question can you feed your bird frozen food. Thank you Patti

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Hi Patti! Yes you can but some birds might not like it as thawed out food can go a bit mushy! Some people will add rolled oats, dried avian tea and shredded coconut before freezing to soak up moisture.

[@yayeet8879]

it’s sort of strange to be able to see (ironic) someone who has the same conditions as me. i was also born with cataracts, which they think is genetic because my mother had the same thing, and currently wear contact lenses and glasses. my contact prescription is +16 and +15 and then i wear my varifocals on top. i also have astigmatism but i think my lenses correct that. i’m 17 now and my hospital has told me that i can have a lens implant (yay) i was given a pair of glasses which were mega thick that i was meant to wear when my lenses weren’t in and i used to have this problem when i turned my head to the side, i would see colours splitting?? that’s the only way that i can explain it but when i would tilt my head i would see a red and blue aura around things which i think is from the thickness of the lens, do you have the same issue with your glasses?

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Hey! That's awesome that you can have a lens implant! Sometimes things can look weird at the sides of the lenses due to the curvature of the glass. I've been wearing thick glasses for so long that I don't really notice any more!

[@yayeet8879]

life update!!! we are STILL WAITING FOR SURGERYYYYY

[@rahadimodern6464]

Hi. What's your. Prescription?. Mine plus 17. Add 2

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Mine are +16.5 and +18!

[@zakievikhokuotsu5820]

Does it get difficulty living with Aphakia or not?

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Everyone’s experience is different !

[@zakievikhokuotsu5820]

@@BirdNerdSophie Ok.

[@Dedicated_.1]

Can you see UV light?

[@BirdNerdSophie]

No I can’t!

[@jasmynsglaucomajasmynpolit7033]

I have aphakic glaucoma.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Hi Jasmyn! Thanks for reaching out! My ocular hypertension is sometimes called aphakic glaucoma. Does your condition input your daily life?