Friday, May 8, 2015

Seeing Through a Lens Darkly, and Someday, Clearly

But I’m too young for cataract surgery! My parents hadn’t had theirs done until they were well into their seventies. I’ve also had glaucoma. I’m not sure why my eyes seem to insist on aging faster than the rest of me. However, when it became evident even a new prescription for my glasses didn’t make it any easier for me to read, the ophthalmologist started coaxing me to think about cataract surgery.

In theory, the likely results sounded great. Since I’m used to mono-vision with my contact lenses, my doctor suggested that I have one intraocular lens placed for close up and one for distance. This sounded all well and good, except for one thing: This would be PERMANENT! And what if I wouldn’t be happy with the results? Besides, who likes pointy things near their eyes while under light sedation? I was wondering just how light the sedation would be and what if it hurt like the laser trabeculoplasty I’d had done for glaucoma in the same eye?

Not many people my age, fifty-mumble years old, have gone through cataract surgery, though I did find a couple of people I knew, some who were older and some who were younger when they had it done. Besides, I kind of liked the idea of keeping the things God made rather than replacing them.

I had prayed that the Lord would close the door if I wasn’t supposed to have the procedure done. A couple of days before my surgery was originally scheduled, I became ill. So I switched my first eye surgery to be done the day my second eye was supposed to be. The Lord knew I wasn’t mentally or emotionally ready.

Come May 6, I was ready, though still a bit nervous, and embarrassed to be having the procedure done at my age. There was no pain during the procedure and I was only slightly aware of people talking and different colored lights from the microscope they used to perform the surgery. Two days later my eye is feeling a little scratchy and is still blurry, but healing a little more each day. I’m not nearly as apprehensive about having the surgery on the other eye in a few weeks.

Image by Frank C. Muller
This is one example of an intraocular lens (IOL).
What has amazed me is although my right eye is still blurry, colors look more vibrant and the light seemed brighter. Of course, that could also be the experience of spring coming to Michigan after emerging from a harshly cold winter. However, I’m looking forward to the crystal clear sight which is coming soon and especially after both eyes are done. This reminds me of I Corinthians 13:12: For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known. In ancient times, Paul was referring to a mirror. Back then a mirror was often made of polished metal, not as clear at the mirrors of today. However, we could look at the imperfect lenses in our bodies the same way. Usually, with exceptions of those who are born with cataracts or develop them at an early age, the lenses within our eyes become cloudy and can cause blindness as we age.

In the same way, we can’t see heaven, the future or God’s face. For we walk by faith, not by sight as it says in 2 Cor. 5:7, but some day we shall truly see Him face to face. All His promises will come to fruition and we will see the place He prepared for us. As we were finishing a study of Revelation in Community Bible Study this week, verses three through five of Chapter 22 were so precious for me to read:
And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign forever and ever.

Eventually my eye will heal completely and I will read without trouble. Once my left eye is done and healed I’ll be able to drive without glasses or a contact lens. How wonderful having crystal clear vision will be. However, nothing will compare to seeing my Lord Jesus clearly, face to face! All our suffering will make sense, we’ll be given an eternal reward, and have forever to enjoy being with our God. Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!



@kathleenrouser Looking forward to seeing His face.
Tweet: http://bit.ly/1H4rOrS

8 comments:

  1. I love how beautifully you tied your experience in, Kathy, with one day seeing God face to face. Truly, that's the most important goal to keep in mind.

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  2. Thank you, Elaine. The wonder of what we have to look forward to
    has been on my mind, especially as I've been studying Revelation.

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  3. I agree with Elaine, Kathy. It's also a helpful commentary for many of us who are not seeing as clearly as we used to. May your next surgery be successful and you heal quickly. Spring is a good time to glory in the newness of everything, even clear sight.

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    1. Thank you, Janet. And you are right, spring is a wonderful time
      to glory in the newness of everything! I look forward to my healing
      being complete, here and with the Lord.

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  4. Cataract surgery is truly amazing. I have had both done and all I need is readers for...reading. Well, and seeing what' on my plate, lol. But I'm so very glad that I did it.
    And seeing our Lord, well, we won't even need these new lenses.

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    1. Yes, it is! I'm still healing, but have great hope in how it's all
      going to turn out. You must have been a bit young for having
      cataract surgery done as well. And you're right, Linda,
      eventually we will have brand new eyes from the Lord and
      won't need these new lenses to see Him! Thank you for
      stopping by.

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  5. Amen! Seeing Jesus face to face is what I look forward to most about Heaven. I can hardly wait!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by, Karen. Yes, it will be a most wonderful day!

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