a Bionic Eye Procedure
Today I am going to the ophthalmologist to begin the process of having cataract surgery. The thought of having my eyeball sliced open has always kind of creeped me out so, although I’ve known it was coming, I’ve put it off until I can no longer wait. The other day I was working with the team on a schedule, which was on the screen in a conference room. I had to sit at the back and use the screen to see what I was doing. I had difficulty reading some of the numbers (e.g. dates, durations, unique IDs, etc.) and it was very uncomfortable. Not being able to do my job to the best of my abilities is scary and uncomfortable.
If you want to know what it’s like, and you wear glasses, just take a little petroleum jelly and smear it on one of your lenses. You’ll still see reasonably well because your good eye will compensate to an extent. Depth perception won’t be affected at all. Unfortunately for me, my “good” eye isn’t all that good anymore either. I’m pretty sure a cataract is developing there as well and, to top it off, I’ve long had a small blind spot dead center in that eye. It’s seldom affected me in the past because my other eye (pre-cataract) has compensated well. Now they’re both going.
According to what I’ve read, the surgery is the most widely performed worldwide and is also extremely successful. I’ve talked to numerous people who have had the surgery or who know someone who’s had it and they all say it corrects their vision so well that many no longer require glasses. I’m not expecting that outcome, but it’s comforting to know the procedure is routine. One person told me he felt like he was on an assembly line when he had it done. I’m ready. Can’t wait to see the Moon, planets, and the stars again in all their glory.
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About Rick Ladd
I retired nearly 13 years ago, though I've continued to work during most of the time since then. I'm hoping to return to work on the RS-25 rocket engine program (formerly the SSME) which will power our return to the moon. Mostly I'm just cruising, making the most of what time I have remaining.
Although my time is nearly up, I still care deeply about the kind of world I'll be leaving to those who follow me and, to that end, I am devoted to seeing the forces of repression and authoritarianism are at least held at bay, if not crushed out of existence.
I write about things that interest me and, as an eclectic soul, my interests run the gamut from science to spirituality, governance to economics, art and engineering. I'm hopeful one day my children will read what I've left behind.
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Systems Savvy 
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