POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Pre-HAART Long-Term Survivors => Topic started by: bear60 on October 02, 2011, 02:08:29 pm
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My partner Kurt is having cataract surgery later this month. (At 54 years old.)
He does not see very well now and is looking forward to being able to see without glasses.
I hope that will be the case.
Anyone had this proceedure done?
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He Joel, hope it goes well for Kurt :)
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I haven't had the surgery; but my aunt, uncle, grandmother, 3 family friends, my mom and her husband all have - and they all see much better now. Some of them have even gotten rid of the glasses that they were wearing; while others have changed their prescriptions to less or lost bifocals, etc.
Since I've been livng at my Mom's, she and her husband have had theirs done (just a few months ago in fact). They had one eye done at a time. That day they came home and rested. They had a patch on their eye for a day or two. They weren't allowed to bend over far or lift heavy objects; and had to put drops in their eyes (frequently) for a bunch of days. Neither had hardly any pain whatsoever; it was just irritating to have to deal with the patch, the drops and the restrictions. Probably within a week, their lives were back to normal - except they could SEE!.
Best wishes to Kurt for getting some good eyesight back. ;D
oh, BTW, while it was cataract surgery somewhere around the house I have the video of the laser eye surgery Jim had done. It's creepy good fun watching them slice his cornea, flip it back and zap the laser into his eye. It took 15 mins to do both eyes. As I drove us home, I got kinda fed up with him saying, "I can read that sign! And I can read that sign!" ad nauseam. LOL I never realized until then how blind he must have been. LOL
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Yes, you really have to follow those post-surgery instructions. It was a long time ago in the early 90's but my grandmother, now deceased, didn't fully follow whatever instructions they were (or so we suspected... of course she wouldn't admit it) and it was a less than good experience, though for the life of me I can't recall exactly what happened. I think maybe her feet and ankles swelled up due to some water retention issue but I'm really fuzzy.
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Hey Joel,
I had cataract surgery in 2002 for a congenital cataract. the surgery was pretty easy except I woke up in the middle of it feeling them tugging at my eye. they found fetal structures (arteries) in my eye that had not been re-absorbed. so the 15 minute surgery ended up being 3 hours long.
it really didn't do anything to improve my eye sight and I'm still legally blind in that eye.
What you might notice when he's done his surgery is that he has a twinkle in his eye due to the artificial lens.
he should be fine :)
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Thanks guys. The twinkle in the eye sounds interesting. Now those hairy men will think he's flirting.
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I've never had to have this done, but I know plenty that have. Most of the comments I've noticed from those that had this surgery, is how clear and bright everything is afterwards.
Also, colors come back very nicely !!
Good luck to Kurt
Ray 8)
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Hey Joel,
My mother had it done a few years ago. She is in the 80s and is reading the paper without eyeglasses today.
I am sure Kurt will be find, twinkle and all! ;)
HUGS,
Mark
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Never had any experience with this, just wanted to wish Kurt good luck!
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Kurt really deserves this....as his eyesight has deteriorated over the last few years.
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My Mother was "over-the-moon " her term when she had it done.
My term was high as a f88688g kite.
love mhtv
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Mom had her cataracts done this past summer and she has no need for glasses any more.
It was done in about three hours and she was still alert and active and she's 72.
She was a tiny bit light headed and I was worse than a mothering hen, yet when we got to the truck I leaned down to sort of pick her up and ...
there was only air....she had already grabbed the grip handle over the door and pulled herself up and in...reminded me of a monkey...
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Interesting development:
Seems there is a convention of Optomologists in town that week and (since Kurt has really strange eyes) they have offered to pay all expenses if he will be willing to be a demonstration surgery....get filmed etc poked and prodded.
He agreed.
Conversation this AM:
Me: Hon the shower stall needs scrubbing out. Will you to do it? (Since I scrubbed the bathroom floor yesterday.)
Kurt: You know I cant see to do it. ( meaning he cant see the dirt.)
Note: This is removal and replacement of the lens. Not just a laser proceedure.
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Interesting development:
Seems there is a convention of Optomologists in town that week and (since Kurt has really strange eyes) they have offered to pay all expenses if he will be willing to be a demonstration surgery....get filmed etc poked and prodded.
He agreed.
...
Note: This is removal and replacement of the lens. Not just a laser proceedure.
Wow & Kewl! ;D
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Note: This is removal and replacement of the lens. Not just a laser proceedure.
Hello Joel,
Yes they can't laser that. He will have brand new lenses put in when they dissolve the old ones, and remove it. Ed said some kind of probe is placed in there to dissolve the old lens.
I was just asking Ed about. This is the kind of work he was involved in before he retired.
Ed also said that after this probe is inserted to dissolve and remove the old lens, The new lens is placed in. He also said that it's done much differently today, than it was years ago.
The incision is so small, that it will heal quite quickly as compared to years ago. Years ago, they had to make larger incisions which required suchures, and a longer healing time. No sutures are required.
LOL... I should just have Ed type this info for you, he can explain it better.
Ray
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Not to worry. It's not a big deal. I've had both eyes done, separately, in 2001 and 2008, by two different eye surgeons and in two different hospitals.
The worst aspects:
*They don't anesthetize you so you're completely unconscious---just a "twilight" sort of thing, so you will be aware, possibly, while they destroy the old lens and insert the new one, and you can hear them. They do tape the eye in question so it remains open. There is absolutely no pain during this. There are no pain receptors in the eyeball where this is done.
*The large bandage that covers the eye after the procedure for a few days, and after it's removed, you do have to administer Rx eye drops fairly regularly.
Good luck.
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Interesting development:
Seems there is a convention of Optomologists in town that week and (since Kurt has really strange eyes) they have offered to pay all expenses if he will be willing to be a demonstration surgery....get filmed etc poked and prodded.
He agreed.
Conversation this AM:
Me: Hon the shower stall needs scrubbing out. Will you to do it? (Since I scrubbed the bathroom floor yesterday.)
Kurt: You know I cant see to do it. ( meaning he cant see the dirt.)
Note: This is removal and replacement of the lens. Not just a laser proceedure.
I believe him....one of the things Mom did was start cleaning her house as she remarked..
"Where did all this dirt come from?"
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you do have to administer Rx eye drops fairly regularly.
Good luck.
These eye drops are usually anti-inflammatory. And are used to promote healing.
Ray
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Hey Joel
Has he had the surgery yet? If so, how's he doing?
I had eye surgery in 2004 or 2005, a 'partial vitrectomy' on my rt. eye, where they remove some of the 'gel' that is inside the eyeball (I had a tremendous floater that was obstructing my field of vision and making me crazy) They told me that this surgery would probably cause a cataract; it did, and I had it removed in 2007. There was really not much to it. I had a 'distance' lens implanted, and can see to drive pretty well without any glasses; my left eye has a cataract forming, but not quite time to remove it yet; will have it done as soon as I can! I think I'll have an 'up close' lens implanted in my left, so it'll be like monovision contacts...one sees up close, one sees at a distance.
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hey y'all
Kurts surgery is this Saturday the 22nd. Thats the first eye. Second eye will be coming up soon.
I'll let you know how he is doing.
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Hey Joel
I think I'll have an 'up close' lens implanted in my left, so it'll be like monovision contacts...one sees up close, one sees at a distance.
Hi Alan,
Have you ever tried those monovision contacts? I tried those contact lenses ,( probably about 10 years ago,) , and had a heck of a time trying to adjust to them, :P I went back to my progressive pair of glasses.
Ray
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Hi Joel,
I never had the surgery although my grandmother did several years ago when she was 99 years old. She's 105 now see's great. Best of luck to Kurt!
AA
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I believe him....one of the things Mom did was start cleaning her house as she remarked..
"Where did all this dirt come from?"
oh God I forgot that particlar nightmare
t
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Kurt had the first eye done today...this morning. It was very out patient....and very early!!!!!! We had to be at the location at 6AM.
Prognosis good.
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Congrats on the good prognosis . I sure wish a convention of eye docs would do that surgery for me for free , what luck .
I wanted to have the laser surgery but I'm not a candidate for it so my only other option was the one where they put a lens in and I couldn't afford that . I'm typing this with my contacts in and glasses on top to see up close , would love to see again without all the gear LOL .
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jg:
Sounds like you and Kurt have the same problem.
But in Kutrts case he now has 20/20 vision in the eye that was operated on yesterday. Its truly amazing. We went back today (Sunday) to see the Dr. and Kurt was told that he has nearly 20/20 in that eye. He now has to schedule the other one.
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jg:
Sounds like you and Kurt have the same problem.
But in Kutrts case he now has 20/20 vision in the eye that was operated on yesterday.
I bet he is happy about that ! . I consulted with 3 different lasik company's and they all told me my cornea's were too steep for the surgery and also made a big deal about me being poz . The last doctor whom I was referred to begged me not to continue looking for surgery because I would eventually find someone to do it justfor the money and ruin my eyes . Its been awhile but I think he said the surgery to insert lenses was around $ 8.000.00 so I just gave up the dream of perfect vision without gear at that point .
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in Kutrts case he now has 20/20 vision in the eye that was operated on yesterday. Its truly amazing. We went back today (Sunday) to see the Dr. and Kurt was told that he has nearly 20/20 in that eye. He now has to schedule the other one.
woohoo! that's good news to hear ;)
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WOW Joel, Kurt has 20/20 vision @ 54 yrs. old, that's Great news :)
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Joel,
Great news about Kurt. Just wanted to wish you and him well during all of this!
Jeff
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That is fabulous news...
uhh..
what will you do if after his second procedure he looks at you and ..
"who are you?" (he has been looking at you through different eyes) :D
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jg
Kurt has Medicare and Blue Cross 65...because he is on disability. His co pay was not very steep. I dont remember if HIV was an issue here but I dont think so. We have Wills Eye Hospital here in Philadelphia, its one of the best.
If you want...I'll IM you our phone #and you can talk to him.
Joel
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Hey Joel,
Congratulations on Kurt's great results and progress.
HUGS,
Mark
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That's great news Joel !! And Ed agrees, Will Institute is one of the finest, and very prestigious.
Ray 8)
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jg
Kurt has Medicare and Blue Cross 65...because he is on disability. His co pay was not very steep. I dont remember if HIV was an issue here but I dont think so. We have Wills Eye Hospital here in Philadelphia, its one of the best.
If you want...I'll IM you our phone #and you can talk to him.
Joel
Would HIV be an because of the disease and low immunity or from stigma?
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Ron
As I understand it.....in cataract surgery there are no blood vessels involved.
Now.....CMV Retinitis is an opportunistic infection but does not involve the lens in the eye (where cataracts form). CMV is in the retina in the back of the eye,.
So....HIV as a disease should not enter into the decision to have cataract surgery . Stigma is the main thing I guess. Its certainly more problematical going to the dentist, because there is a lot of blood involved.
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jg
Kurt has Medicare and Blue Cross 65...because he is on disability. His co pay was not very steep. I dont remember if HIV was an issue here but I dont think so. We have Wills Eye Hospital here in Philadelphia, its one of the best.
If you want...I'll IM you our phone #and you can talk to him.
Joel
I do appreciate the offer but I wouldn't qualify even with my medicare coverage because me wanting surgery was elective and not medically necessary like in Kurt's case .
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'elective' vs 'medical necessity'
....is this one of those Welcome to the World of Medicare things I need to encounter to find out about?
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'elective' vs 'medical necessity'
....is this one of those Welcome to the World of Medicare things I need to encounter to find out about?
I wanted the surgery to see better without contacts lenses or for cosmetic reasons . If I had cataracts medicare would then pay for the procedure after it was deemed medically necessary .
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Jeff, you are having to use glasses over contacts to see. How blind do you have to get before they deem it medically necessary?
...this is going to depend on how persuasive your doctor is?
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Hey Joel, glad to hear Kurt's surgery went well.
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Is there a date for the other procedure yet?
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So glad his first procedure went well and hope the second goes just as smoothly.
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Ron
Nov 9 is the next procedure.
He cant wait. Having one eye that sees without glasses and the other that does not is a little bothersome for him.
Joel
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Nov 9 isn't too bad...at least it isn't the usual three months I've frown accustomed to...
..probably an eternity for Kurt though...I wonder if he wore a pirates eye patch if it would help?
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Ron
Funny you mention a pirates patch, cause I have on various occasions and he refuses...no way.
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Reasons to wear an eye patch:
*http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_did_pirates_wear_a_patch_over_one_eye:
you have instant night vision in the covered eye when you go into a dark room
*it protects your eye from the direct sun
*Makes a good Halloween costume
dashing. macho....
(http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/65/19406852574949647.jpg)
handsome....
(http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/8741/194068526053444764.gif)
y'sll could role play: he could be the pirate and you could be.....
arrrggghhh......
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I dont remember if HIV was an issue here but I dont think so.
Just reported: HIV associated with an increased need for cataract surgery:
http://aidsmap.com/HIV-associated-with-an-increased-risk-of-cataract-surgery/page/2107501/?ic=700100
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I am not suprised.
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Glad its gone so well.
mhtv
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I saw the report on HIV and cataracts.
Figures.
For me, it doesn't matter. I have them, they are growing, albeit slowly, and at some point I will need to have them removed.
But, I must admit, I don't relish the idea.
HUGS,
Mark
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Eye number two was done yesterday. Now Kurt has two new lenses. No mess no fuss....it was really simple.
I am so glad he can see road signs now.
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woohoo! Joel, it's good to hear that Kurt can see so well now.
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I have mild Cataract in both eyes, but it's not anything I need to worry about in the short-term, so says the eye doctor @ UNM- Hospitals (I get them checked once a yr.) she also told me, that, you don't really need glasses, so just use drug-store readers, I have some of those, and they are only +150 to +200 strong, without them I cannot read my smartphone & any small find-print :)
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Eye number two was done yesterday. Now Kurt has two new lenses. No mess no fuss....it was really simple.
I am so glad he can see road signs now.
Is he behind the wheel or is he like Katie?...a back seat driver? :D
Glad all went with well with your surgery Kurt and that you can see again.
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Ron
Kurt couldnt wait to get me out from behind the wheel. So, he drove home after his post op visit. He is the WORST back seat driver. I gladly relinquish the wheel to him.
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Ron
Kurt couldnt wait to get me out from behind the wheel. So, he drove home after his post op visit. He is the WORST back seat driver. I gladly relinquish the wheel to him.
:D Joel, Bob is the WORST front seat driver, I never listen to him, I just turn up the DISCO and drown him out ;D
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Ron
Kurt couldnt wait to get me out from behind the wheel. So, he drove home after his post op visit. He is the WORST back seat driver. I gladly relinquish the wheel to him.
Correct me if I'm wrong...but I'm picturing you as a 'granma' driver going one mile below the speed limit...always using the turn signal...making sure the driver does too.. :D
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Ron
I take it that you think anyone over 65 drives like that? Well, I dont. Kurts complaints stem from the fact that I dont slow down fast enough when approaching the vehicle in front of me. He starts grabbing the dashboard and making strange noises....ha ha ha.
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;D Joel,
no,
...I drive like that...and, curiosly, I get the same reactions from my passengers... :-\
I have an aunt who advocates that there should be a brake pedal installed on the passenger side of the car. ::)
Katie is a LOT like Hyacinth...."look out for that tree"
?.."It's over in that field"
"yes, but it could fall over and roll over in front of you"
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the miracle of the new eyes continues:
Kurt is now able to see the dirt in the shower. And makes and attempt to clean it
The kicker is this one: he has been complaining of itching. Well, as everyone knows itching can be attributed to any number of things, so he wrote this off as a drug allergy. He had examined himself for lice but had never found any. Guess what...he found one. I think he brought them back from Germany.....but who knows and he SWEARS he hasnt been messing around. But the good thing here is that he can see them.
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..if it isn't one thing...it's another...
..I had a bothersome thing in my eyelash one year during Mardi Gras......close examination in a mirror showed a tiny little crab lice waving at me as it clung, fiercely for it's dear life...
...I KILLED it....
I haven't cleaned my shower in years...I have a Scrubbing Bubbles shower cleaner ..a push of the button after every shower...
Love it...
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He had examined himself for lice but had never found any. Guess what...he found one. I think he brought them back from Germany.....but who knows and he SWEARS he hasnt been messing around. But the good thing here is that he can see them.
Lice or crabs girl?
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crabs, hon
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crabs, hon
Last time I had crabs was 1978 ;D I've never had lice before ???
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Not just any crabs, but deutsche Krabben! ;D
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crabs...are lice...they just have this name associated with them the full name is: crab lice, and then there are head lice and etc. I did not look this up so I may be wrong.
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crabs...are lice...they just have this name associated with them the full name is: crab lice, and then there are head lice and etc. I did not look this up so I may be wrong.
I had a dog before, and he had flees, we had to flee-bomb the whole house, cats are so low maintenance and sense ours never go outside, we don't have that little bugger problem anymore YIKES ??? Flees, LICE & CRABS, I'm allergic to anything like THIS even wasp & bees....bob has to get out his Epi -Pen ::)
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crabs...are lice...they just have this name associated with them the full name is: crab lice, and then there are head lice and etc. I did not look this up so I may be wrong.
This is kind of correct, but google head lice and pubic lice (crabs) and they're different species. It's a little known fact that one can get pubic lice in your eye lashes.
When I first had to take a school bus, which wasn't until 6th grade because I lived close to my elementary school, when this one girl got on the bus all of the students would scream "LICE HEAD!" because evidently the previous year she'd been sent home because she had head lice.
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This is kind of correct, but google head lice and pubic lice (crabs) and they're different species. It's a little known fact that one can get pubic lice in your eye lashes.
When I first had to take a school bus, which wasn't until 6th grade because I lived close to my elementary school, when this one girl got on the bus all of the students would scream "LICE HEAD!" because evidently the previous year she'd been sent home because she had head lice.
Oh that poor girl, they should have reported her mother to HRS ???
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Oh that poor girl, they should have reported her mother to HRS ???
The boys were always coming home with head lice form sharing hats at school...I used 'RID' and had a fine tooth comb to get the nits....if you don't get the nits they will get it again...
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/common/head_lice.html
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So glad he can see out of both eyes now!
As for the lice didn't I see Angela Merkel scratching the other day. :D