Well, did that title inspire you to read the rest of this blog? Approaching my seventieth decade and noticed over the past couple of years that things are becoming more difficult to focus on and see. Thank God for muscle memory because most times I really can’t see the line when doing joinery work! According to my research, this surgery is one of the most common ones performed in the US and success is high, like around 95%. First the left eye this week and then next week we go into the other one. From what I understand it’ll be several weeks before my vision will settle so my close work will have to be done with cheap reader glasses. Fingers crossed and prayers that all goes well.
Carving of this frame was another great challenge, something I strive for! Always want whatever project I’m currently working on to be better than the one before. Honestly, I know that’s not possible, as a hardcore distance runner I know your times can only improve to a certain level. I believe though that setting goals and accepting new challenges will keep a person from growing complacent and stagnant. Here’s a photo montage of the process for this frame, it started out with the custom profile Barger Moulding here in Phoenix milled for me:
Transitioning from the curved surface of the molding to the details of the leaves is the challenging area. Not only is there a curve and a cove but as anyone who’s ever carved knows, the grain direction may also change. It’s the design that determines the direction you have to cut (towards the leaf) so if that’s against the grain you need to deal with it! After reading Joel’s blog from Tools for Working Wood I decided to order a piece of Horse Butt from him to use as a strop and achieve the sharpest possible edge — seems to do the trick!
“Here Comes the Sun” by Diane Eugster
In any case, the frame is complete and the painting by Diane Eugster has been installed. The finish is a thinned Japan Drop Black over a red burnisher sealer that has been tinted to match the palette of the painting. The frame should isolate the painting from the rest of the world and draw the viewer in. Between the profile and the way the leaves wind around the molding we think that’s been accomplished. I know photographs rarely do justice but I wanted to rub back just enough of the black from the leaves and edges to warm up the black of the frame.
Not knowing how my vision will be for the next couple of weeks I wanted to get this other frame done before the cataract surgery too. This frame is a custom profile, about 3 1/4″ wide and 9″ x 12″. Black seems to be the “new gold” as far as the galleries go and this frame has the same theme. This time though to warm up the gold the black was rubbed through and slightly abraded randomly to pick up the color palette of this painting.
Well, that’s it for now — if I can read them I wouldn’t mind hearing a story or two from anyone who’s had cataract surgery. Seems like everyone I’ve talked to has positive stories so hope to keep it that way!
Woodworks by John 
Good Luck John; I’m certain these procedures will be fine. In a couple weeks, you find a few mistakes that you made; and found, with the new vision. At that point I would just let it go. LOL
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https://woodworksbyjohn.com/2019/06/10/new-frames-and-cataract-surgery-in-my-future/
These recent black frames look fabulous, and to my eye they do exactly what you intend, complementing the paintings without overpowering them. Diane’s paintings are beautiful.
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Modern cataract surgery is simply amazing. You and I are nearly the same age, but my cataracts appeared much earlier, maybe 15 years ago. Like yours, my surgeries were a week apart, apparently a common technique for hedging one’s bets, or for making it easier to get accustomed to the change, (or maybe for doubling the practitioner’s billings). Actually, I think that 95% number is a few points low, but I haven’t had the privilege of counting the failures.
Recovery is not much more than letting anesthesia wear off, and then delighting in finding out how much you have been missing lately. And that is truly delightful!
I imagine the standard process is to use new lenses that are slightly better in one eye and slightly less in the other eye from what should be perfect 20-20. Those very slight variances give the eyes reason to exercise their focusing muscles, keeping then in good shape. Check with your provider about this and be sure those very last exams are careful and accurate, so they prescribe the right lenses.
For most things you won’t need corrective glasses. My surgeries turned out so well that I rarely wear glasses. I DO use glasses in 2 cases, for driving, when I want to see road signs 100 yards earlier than normal 20-20, and for really close woodcarving.
As an aside, I have been very fortunate with health. The only two corrections I have needed up til now are cataract surgeries, and hearing aids. I am incredibly grateful that modern technology has made both of those corrections easy to acquire and virtually foolproof.
The odds are overwhelmingly in your favor and you will be amazed with the results.
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Thanks Bob, I’m confident of positive results — made a mistake though, the second eye will be done in 2 weeks rather than 1 week from yesterday. So far so good, I don’t relax well so this forced time off is good! Eye feels much better today than yesterday. Designing and carving those frames is great, glad you like them!
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Well done. Good luck with the surgeries.
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Thanks Jeff!
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