ZoomText 10 Camera Feature Review

 With some right tools, a person with low vision can handle most of the daily tasks independently.  Here is the list of tools I am using to make my life bit easier.  Low vision aids can be pricey, whenever possible, I would find a lower cost  alternative.  

Telephone

 My main phone is this RadioShack Model 43-208 speaker phone.  It has a large high contrast keypad with voice feedback.  It also has talking caller ID and talking phone book.  See my 10/18/2013 post for complete detail.

Desktop CCTV

This is an electronics magnifier.  It connects to a 20-inch LCD monitor/TV and enables me to read printed materials like magazines, bills, and bank statements.  I was lucky to find an used Telesensory Genie Pro CCTV because a new one would cost about $2,500.  The used one I bought from an university surplus equipment store only cost me $80 plus shipping. You can find used CCTV on eBay and your local low vision store.   Read a more detailed description on this CCTV here.

 

ZoomText version 10

  This screen magnifier/reader software enables me to see or hear what's being display on the monitor.  The magnifier is very easy to use and has many useful features.  The screen reader is OK, it has problem to read some websites and documents.  JAWS is suppose to be a much better screen reader.

One really cool feature with ZT 10 is the ability of using a HD webcam as CCTV.   I was hoping this would be a lower cost alternative for desktop CCTV, but this feature has some problems, so don't throw away your desktop CCTV yet.  See my blog post on this feature.  AFB's product review also disappointed with the CCTV's preformance.  AFB review on ZT 10
If you don't want to spend the big bucks for a screen magnifier reader, there are few free options available.

• Firefox web browser plus NoSquint AddOn - this add on let you change the text zoom level and color.
• NVDA is a free open source screen reader.  You can even run this screen reader from a USB flash.  NVDA Info
• Windows 7 OS has build-in magnifier and other helpful options.  See the Ease Of Access in the control panel
• Font for low vision.  APH has a set of special font for people with low vision.  You can use this font with PC or Mac.  Free download
• AccessWorld reviewed few freeware and shareware on screen magnifier software.

Computer

Unless you are in video editing and gaming, there is no need to get a new PC which often has the latest generation of multi-core processor.   A new mininally config PC would probably cost around $500 and up.  While an used older model PC like the one below cost less than $200.  

I only need a PC for email, web surfing, and running the Zoomtext, a quad-core PC is definitely an overkill.  I bought a refurbished IBM desktop PC for $190.  The PC has a 3GHz first generation Intel dual core processor, 4GB of memory and a 120GB hard drive with Windows 7 Pro  OS.  This is a small form factor PC, it is small enough to sit on top of my CCTV unit. 
   
The video output connects to the desktop CCTV.  With this configuration, I can use CCTV's split function to read, for example bank statement, on one part of monitor while enter data into Quicken on other part of monitor. 

When it come to monitor size, bigger is not better for people with RP.  Because of small visual field, you have to keep moving your eyes to locate the stuff you want to see on a big screen monitor.  Bigger monitor also has higher native resolution which make everything smaller.  If you change the resolution to a lower resolution to make the image bigger you would notice image become fuzzy.  For me, the optimal screen size is a 20 inches monitor.

  I use a wireless keyboard with large print stickers with this PC.   Although there are large print keyboards on the market, they are fairly pricey, instead I use large print stickers on a  regular keyboard.  I only put the sticker on few selected keys.
Keyboard with stickers.

On my other PC, I have a large print backlit keyboard.  Because of my RP problem, I find this keyboard is not much of a big help.  In fact, I think I like the other keyboard better.
AZIO large print backlit keyboard

Telescopic Eyeglasses

I used the Ocutech telescopic eyeglasses when I was working.  This is a very light weight manual focus 3x mono telescope mounted on a specially design eyeglasses frame.  It is a great tool if you need to keep switching between seeing far and near objects like between a projector screen and the paper in front of you.  To see the object a far, you just dip your head a bit so your eye lines up with the Ocutech.  To see the stuff in front of you, just move you head up a bit to see thru your regular eyeglasses.  Ocutech is very expensive, it costed around $1,500 back in 2007.  I imagine the auto-focus model would cost a lot more.  Ocutech Info
    
If you have RP, you can't use the Ocutech for bioptic driving.  It is not a good tool for watching TV either.  I haven't used the Ocutech since I left my job.  I found a pair of 3x binocular eyeglasses for $30.  This eyeglasses is perfect for watching TV and sightseeing.
 
   

Sun Glasses

A baseball cap and a pair of sun glasses are essential for me when I go outside of the house.  I don't like Transition len eyeglasses because the color transition speed is way too slow for me.   Switching between regular and sun glasses or clip-on is too troublesome.   I found the perfect solution for me is a pair of eyeglasses with flip up shade.  The polarized shade is attached to the frame with a magnet.  I can easily flip the shade up or down as needed.  I have 2 different color shades.

The baseball cap also provide face protection from those low hanging tree branches and partially closed doors.   


Eye doctors offten suggest the costly Corning GlareControl sunglasses to cut down on glare and to improve constrast.  For a much lower cost alternative, you might want to try a pair of sunglasses from Noir Medical.  They have all type of color lens for various eye conditions.  The GlareShield series is supposely has the same optical performance as the Corning GlareControl lens.  You can buy the Noir lens as clip on, flip up, or fit over.  Noir Medical 

Digital talking book player

I love to read, but I can't read normal print material anymore, I depend on audio books and magazines to keep me entertained.  As a legally blind person, I have free access to many audio books and magazines from Library of Congress's BART and Colorado's talking book library.  I also have access textbooks from Bookshare.  All these free audio resources are in DAISY format which require a special player to play.  The Digital Talking Book player is given to me by the Colorado Talking Book library.  The player was specially designed to be easily operated by people who are blind or with physical handicap.  All the buttons are big and with contrast color.  In addition, all the buttons have speech feedback.  Audio books and magazines can be downloaded from the BART site or received on a special USB flash drive sent by a local talking book library, every states have a talking book library.

Talking watch

This watch has high contrast watch face so I can see the time during day time.  If I can't see the time, the watch would tell me the time and date with a push of button.  There are many talking devices to help people with visual impairment.  For example, blood pressure monitor, timer, kitchen and bathroom scale, etc.    
         

Liquid Level indicator

This very handy device hung on outside of a cup and sounds a musical tone when the liquid is about 1 inch from the top.  No more overflow when I fill the cup.
  

Writing Guides

These templates help me write envelopes and checks.  There are other special purpose writing guides available.  For example, signature guide, letter guide.  The pen shown in the photo is 20/20 pen, it is essentially a bold point marker.   This pen costs around $1 each, but you can use a regular permanent marker for around 30 cents each. 
Top: envelop writing guide.  Bottom: check writing guide
Signature guide.  Have someone line up the rubber string on the signature line on a document and sign your name above the rubber string.

Record Keeping Tools

I use the MS Word program to keep my written records.  I use a scanner to store the image of hardcopy documents.   I use a large print address book and bold line notebook for other written records.  A micro tape recorder is part of my record keeping tools.

Large print address book

Bold line notebook

 

Hand Held Magnifiers

Here are some magnifiers that I have used for the past few years.  I no longer use the dome magnifier as it doesn't have the power I need.  I still use the other two around the house or when I go shopping.   The LED lite magnifier is a store brand, which cost about half of a neame brand one.
 

Big Button Electronics

I still have enough vision to use electronics stuffs as long as they have big buttons.  You can buy many of them in low vision specialty  stores but they trend to be very pricey.    Instead you can find many similar big button electronics items with much lower price in typical stores.  For example, the big button remote and cordless phone shown below.

 

High Constrast Tape

I loss most of my depth preception.   Change in ground level really present a safety problem for me.  I use high constrast tape to mark the edge of my patio and steps outside my house.   I use black and yellow tape.  Depends on your vision, other color combination might work better for you. 
   
The black and yellow tape doesn't stick to concrete too well.  So I have to put down a strip of gorillo tape first on the concrete than I glue the black and yellow tape on top of the gorillo tape.  Both tapes are 2 inches wide and you can buy them from Amazon or your local hardware stores.
 
    

Canes

I have used a white cane, a yellow cane and a telescopic cane.   I don't like the telescopic cane at all because it would collapse when it bumps into any crack.  You can get a free white cane from National Federation of The Blind.  Get a free white cane Photo shows my yellow cane. Here is video on white cane usage.  You can get cane travel training for your state human services department, it is usually free of charge.

 Bump Dots

Bump dots are sticker that can be glued on buttons, switches, and knobs.  Those dots enable a blind person to locate and operate electronics devices by touch.  Bump dots come in various sizes, colors, and shapes.  There are other uses for those dots.

Bump dots in various sizes, colors, and shapes.

The buttons on this toaster oven are flat.  A bump dot on the toast button allow me to locate and operate the toaster.

 

Portable LED Booklight 

Since I can't read anymore, I found a new use for the portable LED booklight.   Dining in the dark is not for me, I like to see what I am eating.  If I have to eat in a dark restaurant, I would clip this booklight at the edge of the plate so I can see the food.  It would draw some giggle from your friends, but who care.

 The LED booklight let see what I am eating.

  

Flash Lights

Flash lights are RPer's best friend.  I have a flash light at almost every room in the house.   I like the white LED flash lights because they very bright, the LED almost last forever and very energy efficient.

From left to right

• LED pen light using one AA battery.
• Rechargeable LED flash light double as night light.
• LED flash light using 4 AA battery.



   

My Low Vision Aids

NOTE: I don't know what happen, but most photos in this post have disappeared.  I will fix this problem later.
 
With some right tools, a person with low vision can handle most of the daily tasks independently.  Here is the list of tools I am using to make my life bit easier.  Low vision aids can be pricey, whenever possible, I would find a lower cost  alternative.  

Telephone

Big Button Telephone

 

 

My main phone is this RadioShack Model 43-208 speaker phone.  It has a large high contrast keypad with voice feedback.  It also has talking caller ID and talking phone book.  See my 10/18/2013 post for complete detail.  My cell phone is a LG L22C smartphone with Big Launcher app.  See this post about this smartphone.

LG L22C with Big Launcher

 

Desktop CCTV

This is an electronics magnifier.  It connects to a 20-inch LCD monitor/TV and enables me to read printed materials like magazines, bills, and bank statements.  I was lucky to find an used Telesensory Genie Pro CCTV because a new one would cost about $2,500.  The used one I bought from an university surplus equipment store only cost me $80 plus shipping. You can find used CCTV on eBay and your local low vision store.   Read a more detailed description on this CCTV here.

 

ZoomText version 10

  This screen magnifier/reader software enables me to see or hear what's being display on the monitor.  The magnifier is very easy to use and has many useful features.  The screen reader is OK, it has problem to read some websites and documents.  JAWS is suppose to be a much better screen reader.

One really cool feature with ZT 10 is the ability of using a HD webcam as CCTV.   I was hoping this would be a lower cost alternative for desktop CCTV, but this feature has some problems, so don't throw away your desktop CCTV yet.   AFB's product review also disappointed with the CCTV's preformance.  AFB review on ZT 10

There is an updated version called ZoomText Fusion.  It has a full feature screen reader build in.  See my ZT Fusion review.

If you don't want to spend the big bucks for a screen magnifier reader, there are few free options available.

• Firefox web browser plus NoSquint AddOn - this add on let you change the text zoom level and color.
• NVDA is a free open source screen reader.  You can even run this screen reader from a USB flash.  NVDA Info
• Windows 7 OS has build-in magnifier and other helpful options.  See the Ease Of Access in the control panel
• Font for low vision.  APH has a set of special font for people with low vision.  You can use this font with PC or Mac.  Free download
• AccessWorld reviewed few freeware and shareware on screen magnifier software.

Computer

Unless you are in video editing and gaming, there is no need to get a new PC which often has the latest generation of multi-core processor.   A new mininally config PC would probably cost around $500 and up.  While an used older model PC like the one below cost less than $200.  

I only need a PC for email, web surfing, and running the Zoomtext, a quad-core PC is definitely an overkill.  I bought a refurbished IBM desktop PC for $190.  The PC has a 3GHz first generation Intel dual core processor, 4GB of memory and a 120GB hard drive with Windows 7 Pro  OS.  This is a small form factor PC, it is small enough to sit on top of my CCTV unit. 
   
The video output connects to the desktop CCTV.  With this configuration, I can use CCTV's split function to read, for example bank statement, on one part of monitor while enter data into Quicken on other part of monitor. 

When it come to monitor size, bigger is not better for people with RP.  Because of small visual field, you have to keep moving your eyes to locate the stuff you want to see on a big screen monitor.  Bigger monitor also has higher native resolution which make everything smaller.  If you change the resolution to a lower resolution to make the image bigger you would notice image become fuzzy.  For me, the optimal screen size is a 20 inches monitor.

  I use a wireless keyboard with large print stickers with this PC.   Although there are large print keyboards on the market, they are fairly pricey, instead I use large print stickers on a  regular keyboard.  I only put the sticker on few selected keys.
Keyboard with stickers.

On my other PC, I have a large print backlit keyboard.  Because of my RP problem, I find this keyboard is not much of a big help.  In fact, I think I like the other keyboard better.
AZIO large print backlit keyboard

Telescopic Eyeglasses

I used the Ocutech telescopic eyeglasses when I was working.  This is a very light weight manual focus 3x mono telescope mounted on a specially design eyeglasses frame.  It is a great tool if you need to keep switching between seeing far and near objects like between a projector screen and the paper in front of you.  To see the object a far, you just dip your head a bit so your eye lines up with the Ocutech.  To see the stuff in front of you, just move you head up a bit to see thru your regular eyeglasses.  Ocutech is very expensive, it costed around $1,500 back in 2007.  I imagine the auto-focus model would cost a lot more.  Ocutech Info
    
If you have RP, you can't use the Ocutech for bioptic driving.  It is not a good tool for watching TV either.  I haven't used the Ocutech since I left my job.  I found a pair of 3x binocular eyeglasses for $30.  This eyeglasses is perfect for watching TV and sightseeing.
 
   

Sun Glasses

A baseball cap and a pair of sun glasses are essential for me when I go outside of the house.  I don't like Transition len eyeglasses because the color transition speed is way too slow for me.   Switching between regular and sun glasses or clip-on is too troublesome.   I found the perfect solution for me is a pair of eyeglasses with flip up shade.  The polarized shade is attached to the frame with a magnet.  I can easily flip the shade up or down as needed.  I have 2 different color shades.

The baseball cap also provide face protection from those low hanging tree branches and partially closed doors.   


Eye doctors offten suggest the costly Corning GlareControl sunglasses to cut down on glare and to improve constrast.  For a much lower cost alternative, you might want to try a pair of sunglasses from Noir Medical.  They have all type of color lens for various eye conditions.  The GlareShield series is supposely has the same optical performance as the Corning GlareControl lens.  You can buy the Noir lens as clip on, flip up, or fit over.  Noir Medical 

Digital talking book player

I love to read, but I can't read normal print material anymore, I depend on audio books and magazines to keep me entertained.  As a legally blind person, I have free access to many audio books and magazines from Library of Congress's BART and Colorado's talking book library.  I also have access textbooks from Bookshare.  All these free audio resources are in DAISY format which require a special player to play.  The Digital Talking Book player is given to me by the Colorado Talking Book library.  The player was specially designed to be easily operated by people who are blind or with physical handicap.  All the buttons are big and with contrast color.  In addition, all the buttons have speech feedback.  Audio books and magazines can be downloaded from the BART site or received on a special USB flash drive sent by a local talking book library, every states have a talking book library.

Talking watch

This watch has high contrast watch face so I can see the time during day time.  If I can't see the time, the watch would tell me the time and date with a push of button.  There are many talking devices to help people with visual impairment.  For example, blood pressure monitor, timer, kitchen and bathroom scale, etc.    
         

Liquid Level indicator

This very handy device hung on outside of a cup and sounds a musical tone when the liquid is about 1 inch from the top.  No more overflow when I fill the cup.
  

Writing Guides

These templates help me write envelopes and checks.  There are other special purpose writing guides available.  For example, signature guide, letter guide.  The pen shown in the photo is 20/20 pen, it is essentially a bold point marker.   This pen costs around $1 each, but you can use a regular permanent marker for around 30 cents each. 
Top: envelop writing guide.  Bottom: check writing guide
Signature guide.  Have someone line up the rubber string on the signature line on a document and sign your name above the rubber string.

Record Keeping Tools

I use the MS Word program to keep my written records.  I use a scanner to store the image of hardcopy documents.   I use a large print address book and bold line notebook for other written records.  A micro tape recorder is part of my record keeping tools.

Large print address book

Bold line notebook

 

Hand Held Magnifiers

Here are some magnifiers that I have used for the past few years.  I no longer use the dome magnifier as it doesn't have the power I need.  I still use the other two around the house or when I go shopping.   The LED lite magnifier is a store brand, which cost about half of a neame brand one.
 

Big Button Electronics

I still have enough vision to use electronics stuffs as long as they have big buttons.  You can buy many of them in low vision specialty  stores but they trend to be very pricey.    Instead you can find many similar big button electronics items with much lower price in typical stores.  For example, the big button remote and cordless phone shown below.

 

High Constrast Tape

I loss most of my depth preception.   Change in ground level really present a safety problem for me.  I use high constrast tape to mark the edge of my patio and steps outside my house.   I use black and yellow tape.  Depends on your vision, other color combination might work better for you. 
   
The black and yellow tape doesn't stick to concrete too well.  So I have to put down a strip of gorillo tape first on the concrete than I glue the black and yellow tape on top of the gorillo tape.  Both tapes are 2 inches wide and you can buy them from Amazon or your local hardware stores.
 
    

Canes

I have used a white cane, a yellow cane and a telescopic cane.   I don't like the telescopic cane at all because it would collapse when it bumps into any crack.  You can get a free white cane from National Federation of The Blind.  Get a free white cane Photo shows my yellow cane. Here is video on white cane usage.  You can get cane travel training for your state human services department, it is usually free of charge.

 Bump Dots

Bump dots are sticker that can be glued on buttons, switches, and knobs.  Those dots enable a blind person to locate and operate electronics devices by touch.  Bump dots come in various sizes, colors, and shapes.  There are other uses for those dots.

Bump dots in various sizes, colors, and shapes.

The buttons on this toaster oven are flat.  A bump dot on the toast button allow me to locate and operate the toaster.

 

Portable LED Booklight 

Since I can't read anymore, I found a new use for the portable LED booklight.   Dining in the dark is not for me, I like to see what I am eating.  If I have to eat in a dark restaurant, I would clip this booklight at the edge of the plate so I can see the food.  It would draw some giggle from your friends, but who care.

 The LED booklight let see what I am eating.

  

Flash Lights

Flash lights are RPer's best friend.  I have a flash light at almost every room in the house.   I like the white LED flash lights because they very bright, the LED almost last forever and very energy efficient.

From left to right

• LED pen light using one AA battery.
• Rechargeable LED flash light double as night light.
• LED flash light using 4 AA battery.



   

My Cataract Surgery Experience

 Many people with RP would develop cataract earlier in their life, that's what happen to me.  Removing the cataract might improve vision to some people.  Everyone is different, people with normal vision seem to be more please with the result than those people with other vision issue, so set your expectation accordingly.

I had a cataract surgery in my left eye in 2009.  Even with the YAG laser treatment, the result was disappointing, that's why I didn't do the right eye back then. At that time, the vision in the left eye before the surgery was much worst than the right eye.  The Dr.  told me the reason that I didn't see that much improvement was probably due to the fact that too much damage on the retina already.  In 2013, the vision on the left eye has gone even worst, it is pretty much useless.  I can only see outline of large objects, no deapth preception, very narrow visual field.  The image in the left eye is somewhat distorted with no details, I can't really use the left eye to read anything.

  I think around 2011,  the vision in my right eye took a nosedive.  Everything seem like looking through a sheet of wax paper, everything were fuzzy..  Sun glares was a major issue when walking outside.  In 2013, I could still see the near by objects indoor OK, but I couldn't see anything clearly outdoor beyond 20 feet or so.  I couldn't even see the traffic signal across the street, that made crossing the street very unsafe for me.  i had many self debates and second thoughts on having the cataract surgery in the right eye.   I read about the potential risks and complications.   I was really afraid to loss what little remaining vision I had due to surgery complication.   After more sleepless nights, I finally decided to take the gamble to have the surgery and hoped for the best.

In July, I checked with my eye doctor to see if removing the cataract would help my remaining vision.   He said I had a small but very dense cataract.  Removing it should take care the glare issue, but he couldn't promise any other vision improvement.  He also mentioned that dense cataract is a risk factor for glaucoma in the future.  With great trepidation, I scheduled the surgery in August.   

One week before the surgery, I had a Pre-Op appointment with the Dr.  Three things were done in this appointment.

1. Watched a video about all the potential risks and complications with cataract surgery.  It also stated that cataract surgery does not guarantee vision improvement.  I had to sign a consent form to accept all risks.  I was also given Pre-Op and Post-Op eye drop instruction.
2. Measurements were taken on both eyes to figure out what power of lens to be used.  I told the Dr. I want to be nearsighted after the surgery.  I told him I want to see the computer screen without  eyeglasses. BTW, my left eye is farsighted. 
3. A very brief physical checkup.  The Dr listened to the heart and lungs.  Blood pressure and eye pressure were taken.  Three eye drops were prescribed.

       

Side note about the eye drops.  In 2009, I was given eye drop samples so I didn't realize the price for those eye drops.  In 2013, I was told due to some sort of regulation, they can't give out sample anymore, so I have to buy them.  What a shocker, those eye drops were very expensive.  Each tiny bottle costs more then $100 retail price.  Who can afford these without insurance?  The following drops were prescribed.  1ml is just a bit under .034 fl oz.

•  Vigamox Anti-bacterial eye drop, 3ml bottle.  Retail price $110.
• ILEVRO. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory eye drop, 1.7ml bottle.  Retail price $144.
• DUREZOL. Steroid anti-inflammatory eye drop, 5ml bottle.  Retail price $125.

Three days before the surgery.  I started the pre-op eye drop regimen.  VIGAMOX 3x per day and ILEVEO 1x per day.  I found it was not easy to put eye drops in my own eye.  I wasted few of those very expensive eye drops on the first morning I tried it.  I had to fast for 8 hours prior to the surgery.

The surgery day.  My surgery was scheduled for 8:30 AM at the local out patient surgery center, but I have to be there by 7AM.  Once I paid my portion of co-insurance, I was led into the prep room.  After putting on the  gown, I was told to lay on a gurney.  A prep roomnurse took my blood pressure, EKG, and other vitals.  After she vertified the surgery to be on the right eye, she put dilating and anti-bacterial eye drops in the eye, an IV on my left hand and an oxygen nozzle under my nose.

Soon after, an anesthesiologist came by to listen to my heart and asked few routine medical questions.  He also vertified the surgery to be done on the right eye.   Then an operating room nurse came out to to let me know i would be next.   She asked me to point to my right eye and she put a marker right next to it.  I guess they really want to double and triple check that the surgery would be done on the correct eye.  About 10 minutes prior to my turn, the eye doctor put plenty of numbing gel all around my right eyeball and told me to keep my eye closed.  At that point I had a strong urge to pee, probably due to nervousness,but I was told I need to hold because everthing already hookup.  I was told  the procedure shouldn't take more than 10 minutes.

At around 8AM, my gurney was wheeled down the hall into an operating room.  A nurse rinsed out the numbing gels from my eye and cleaned the skin around the eye with some cold solution.  I felt something on the IV line and oxygen start flowing into my nose.  The doctor used a device to keep my eye lids open and told me to stare at the bright over head lamp.  The next thing I knew I was back at the recovery room.  My right eye was covered.  I did not feel or remember the actual surgery.  I didn't feel any pain and the doctor said the surgery went well.  A nurse offered me a can of apple juice and went over the discharge paper and we went home around 9AM.    

I went back to the doctor's office that afternoon for post-op check up.  After couple of eye drops in the eye, the eye pressure was taken.  The doctor looked into my eye and said I had slight corneal edema and slightly elevated eye pressure.  He told me both these conditions are fairly common after cataract surgery, and the post-op eye drop  regiment should take care of them.  I was able to see the really big letters on the eye chart, that was a huge relief knowing that I didn't go blind after the surgery.   I was told to wear an eye protector during sleep for the first week and avoid getting water into my eye.

Post-Op eye drop regimen.  This regiment would last for next 4 weeks.

• Week 1.  Vigamox 3x per day, Ilevro 1x per day, Durezol 3x per day.
• Week 2.  Ilevro 1x per day, Durezol 2x per day.
• Week 3 and 4.  Ilevro 1x per day, Durezol 1x per day.

The first few days after the surgery, I was a bit paranoid on protecting my right eye.  I wore a safety goggle when I move around in the house, I even wore the goggle when taking showers to prevent water get into my eye.  I wore the eye protector to sleep but I couldn't sleep with that thing taped on my face.  Don't laugh, I even believed in the myth of avoiding constipation and avoid bending down to tie my shoelace.  I kept comparing my vision between my left and right eye, and then realized my foolishness of doing so.  I guess I was too anxious to see the result.   

Preliminary result after 5 days.  I was able to see the monitor without eyeglasses.  The text and image on the monitor were a bit fuzzy, I hope this would improve in the next couple weeks.  I also noticed the image in the right eye is dimmer than the left eye, I would definitely mention this on my next checkup.   Sun glares problem has improved.  Everything outdoor is out of focus due to incorrect eyeglasses prescription, I hope this would be resolved when I get my new prescription in few weeks.   

 Post-Op 1 week follow up.   Dr. said my eye has completely healed.  No more corneal edema.  The eye pressure was still a bit elevated.  Acuity was 20/150, it was 20/250 before the surgery.  He told me this may get better in few weeks.  The image brightness in both eyes were about the same.

Post-Op 1 month fellow up.   Acuity was 20/100 in the right eye, it was 20/250 before the surgery.  I was hoping for better acuity, but that's the best can be done.  I told Dr that my right eye seem to see through a slightly tinned glass and everything are a bit fussy, he told me the new prescription might resolve these problems. The Dr told me the right eys has completely healed.  He also recommended amber color lens to improve visual contrast.  Hopefully I would see better with a new pair of eyeglasses.    

Well, I finally got my new eyeglasses almost 7 weeks after the surgery.  I was very disappointed that it didn't help that much.  Although the acuity test taken in the doctor's office shown some improvement but it was done with an eye chart with good contrast and with ideal lighting condition.   In the real world, I still can't read the street sign or the caption shown on the TV.  The only improvement after the surgery is the stuff I can see is clearer and less glares, so it is not a total lost.

Did the gamble pay off?  I think it was only a small pay off with that much expenses and efforts.  But I guess it was worth it in that any improvement is best than no improvement.  Would I do it again?  Yes, I owe it to myself to do every reasonable things to improve my eyesight.   

Update April 2015.
Had YAG laser procedure done on the right eye, it didn't help much.
Bought a pair of amber color fit-over sunglasses, it really help with contrast.


Final thought: Unless there are medical breakthrough in the near future, I would just let RP take its nature course. 

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference"

       More info 

• A cataract surgeon's personal experience 
• Cataract surgery video
• YAG laser treatment video
• Extra caution needed for RP patient