Month: January 2026

A doctor details what patients should know about cataract surgery

An expert MD reveals clear insights into cataract surgery, spotlighting the breakthroughs in treatment: “We live in a time of miracle and wonder.”

Cataracts are a common eye condition that affects over 24 million Americans, with 3.7 million having undergone surgery to correct it. This condition typically becomes an issue as we get older. Starting around age 40, the natural proteins in the eye’s lens begin to break down, which can cloud your vision.

But it’s not just age that can bring on cataracts. Genetics, chronic conditions like diabetes, past eye injuries, exposure to UV rays, certain medications including corticosteroids, and smoking can all play a role in their development.

Jeffrey Levenson, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist and medical director at Levenson Eye Associates in Jacksonville, Florida, explains: “Before the advent of modern cataract surgery, cataracts were the leading cause of blindness in the world.” This is still the case in many underdeveloped areas, he adds.

Thankfully, advancements in medical technology have brought us a long way. “We are very fortunate today to have very advanced treatment options to offer patients,” Dr. Levenson shares.

Ahead, Dr. Levenson shares what you should know about cataract surgery today and the remarkable advancements that now allow many individuals to regain excellent vision.

What are the signs that show I need cataract surgery?


“There are several key signs that someone may need cataract surgery,” explains Dr. Levenson. These include:

Blurry or cloudy vision that makes everyday tasks challenging.
Trouble seeing in dim lighting or at night.
Halos appearing around lights.
A noticeable increase in light sensitivity and glare.
Needing to update your eyeglass or contact lens prescription frequently.
Difficulty driving, particularly at night.
Requiring more light than before to read or do other activities.

What are the different types of cataract surgery?


“There are several types of cataract surgery available, and determining the best method depends on various factors specific to each patient. Phacoemulsification is the most commonly employed type,” says Dr. Levenson.

This method involves a tiny incision in the cornea, using ultrasound waves to break up the cloudy lens, then removing the fragments through suction, and finally inserting an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). He adds, “Phacoemulsification typically requires no stitches and patients usually return to normal activities, with excellent vision, within a matter of days.”

Often paired with phacoemulsification is laser-assisted cataract surgery. “This advanced technique uses a femtosecond laser to perform some steps of the surgery,” he says. It enhances precision in the incisions which can help reduce astigmatism, makes lens fragmentation easier, and potentially allows for more accurate IOL placement.

He also notes that the most suitable method for cataract surgery depends on several variables: The density of the cataract—as denser cataracts may benefit more from laser-assisted fragmentation; any preexisting conditions that might affect the surgical approach; the patient’s desired visual outcomes; and what insurance will cover. Some advanced techniques, such as laser-assisted surgery and specialty IOLs, are often not covered by insurance.

What type of lens should I choose?


“When we remove the cloudy human lens [the cataract], we need to replace it with an artificial lens.” Dr. Levenson explains that in his practice, he collaborates with patients to find the best lens to suit their daily needs and lifestyle. Here’s a breakdown of the options:

Monofocal IOL: Great for seeing distances clearly. You’ll still need your reading glasses with this one.
Multifocal IOL: These lenses have several focus areas, allowing for a wider range of vision—from reading a book to spotting a street sign, often without the need for reading glasses.
Toric IOL: Specifically designed for those with astigmatism, these implants help sharpen your overall vision.

 

A woman applying eye drops with one hand while gently holding her eyelid with the other.

How long does it take for eyes to fully adjust after cataract surgery?


“Patients can usually resume normal activities within 24 hours after surgery, and vision is usually clear within a day or two after surgery,” explains Dr. Levenson.

While you might need to use anti-inflammatory drops for a few weeks post-surgery, most people are back to their regular routines—including working, driving, and exercising—within a week.

Since cataracts usually develop slowly, many patients are often amazed at how much brighter and more colorful everything looks in the days after their surgery, he adds.

How successful is cataract surgery?


“In the setting of otherwise healthy eyes, cataract surgery is overwhelmingly successful,” states Dr. Levenson. “Over 98% of patients who have otherwise healthy eyes can expect to recover excellent vision from cataract surgery. Depending on the type of intraocular lens used, many will no longer require glasses.”

However, he adds that the situation can become more complex for patients who have additional eye conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic eye disease. In such cases, the outcomes can be less predictable, and the complete restoration of all vision is less certain.

What are new advancements in cataract surgery technology and techniques?


One of the latest innovations worldwide is the TECNIS Odyssey by Johnson & Johnson. Dr. Levenson explains that this advanced IOL helps patients achieve exceptionally clear vision across all distances—whether they’re reading a book, driving, or just going about their daily lives, all while reducing disturbances in night vision. He shares that the majority of his patients are satisfied with their vision after surgery, often finding they no longer need glasses.

“Today, not only are cataracts curable, but with modern phacoemulsification and specialty intraocular lenses, we’re able to restore excellent vision to most patients,” he says. “We live in a time of miracle and wonder, and there’s no more direct manifestation of that than modern cataract surgery.”

Source: ©thehealthy.com/eye-care

Photo credit: Getty Images©

Related:  What are the signs that show I need cataract surgery? – TUTORING YOU

Top 10 trailing houseplants to grow in hanging pots

Enrich your living, or working space with hanging flower pots and planters. Transform every indoor or outdoor environment with a touch of green and style. Whether you’re looking for a large hanging planter to brighten up an empty corner or an elegant hanging flower pot to add a natural accent, check out these top 10 ideas from Birds and Bloom to grow houseplant in hanging pots.

Hanging flower pot with green Philodendron plant, displayed indoors against a backdrop of greenery.

Hanging pot with philodendron
© DimaBerlin/Shutterstock

Philodendron

Philodendron

Known for being very easy to grow, philodendrons have green or variegated heart-shaped leaves. They are tolerant of almost any type of light, including low-light areas, and humidity. Although stems trail down, their aerial roots enable them to climb up poles.

Why we love it: Stem cuttings of philodendrons root easily in water and can be inserted in outdoor floral containers as “spillers” or in hanging baskets in the garden for the summer.

Hanging vine of philodendron with green and variegated heart-shaped leaves.

Satin Pothos Plant, Exotic Foliage Isolated on White Background, With Clipping Path
© Dewin ‘ Indew/Getty Images

Satin Pothos

Scindapsus pictus

Satin pothos is not a true pothos but requires similar conditions: bright, indirect light and moist, well-draining soil. Its silver markings on gray-green heart-shaped leaves create a velvety appearance. The green stems hang gracefully over pots.

Why we love it: Easy to grow, satin pothos can be used to light up any dark corner as a hanging basket or trailing container plant.

Close-up of a hanging plant with trailing green succulent leaves, showcasing thick, cylindrical formations.

Donkey Tail Succulent hanging houseplant
© Zen Rial/Getty Images

Burro’s Tail

Sedum morganianum

A burro’s tail succulent needs bright light but not a lot of water. Although it is grown for its blue-green foliage, it does bloom small red star-shaped blossoms.

Why we love it: The stems can get long and fragile, so if a piece breaks off, pot it up to root and produce another plant.

(There you have 3 ideas for hanging plants. There are 7 more for you to view at the website below. Just copy and paste in your browser to view. DH)

birdsandblooms.com/Top 10 Trailing Houseplants to Grow in Hanging Pots

Free Garden Seed Catalogs

A close-up view of colorful seed packets displayed in a brown pot, featuring images of various vegetables and flowers.

Over 45 Seed Catalogs & Online Plant Sources

Here is a wonderful list of free garden seed catalogs—and places to buy seeds and plants online. These plant nurseries offer the best-quality plants, a lot of selection and interesting varieties, and great value. Start dreaming and ordering early to make your choice!

The catalogs are listed below in alphabetical order. Most of the seed and plant catalogs are complimentary; a handful might not be free, but they are still worth considering. None of the catalogs in this list are produced or sold by The Old Farmer’s Almanac. This is simply a list that both Almanac editors and readers have suggested.

Note: Below is the source of this article. It is not a link, so copy and paste into your browser, or go to The Old Farmer’s Almanac and search for the article:

almanac.com/content/garden-seed-catalogs-mail

Quick Tip: Save Your Seeds

 

Gardening is a skillset. Don’t ever be convinced otherwise. At times, it can seem overwhelming because there are so many skills wrapped in one activity.

One part of gardening you don’t want to miss is saving your seeds. Not only is it avoiding waste, but it also saves you money.

Here are my tips on saving your seeds at the end of each growing season:

Save Your Seeds

It’s the end of your gardening season, and your plants are going to seed. What should you do? You have two choices:

The first is allowing the plants to complete their cycle and treat them according to what type of plant they are in your planting zone.

Annuals

If they’re an annual, you should dig the plant up, discard it, and close the gardening area down for winter.

Perennials

Basically, trim the plant back, clean the garden space, apply a light layer of mulch (in some cases), and close the area down for the plant’s dormant period.

Your second option is allowing the plant to go to seed and harvest the seeds prior to closing the growing space down for the season.

Seed Harvesting

Some plants have different seed harvesting methods, but in general, you’ll wait until you see the seeds forming on the plant.

Then remove the seeds or dried seed pods. If the seeds are in pods, shake them out onto a paper plate. Next, either allow the seeds to dry in the sun or place them in a dehydrator.

Ensure you remove any debris. Some seeds have a thick casing around them, which you may need to remove prior to drying.

More tips

It’s important to research which type of seed you’re saving to ensure you don’t miss a vital step. 

Some people also place a paper bag around the plant, so when the seeds fall, they fall into the bag. This usually works best with larger plants.

The main goal is ensuring the seeds are harvested and dried prior to storage. Once the seeds are completely dried, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark space until it’s time to start seeds the next year.

Some people store their seeds in paper envelopes, plastic freezer bags, or glass jars with a lid. It’s also common to store seeds in the refrigerator or freezer. 

Hopefully this tip helps you utilize all your plants have to offer. It can help save money around your garden by harvesting what’s already there.

Plus, it allows you to continue your plants from one generation to the next. If you’re interested in utilizing what’s on-hand in your growing space, begin by harvesting seeds. 

Source: gardeningchannel.com©

Photo By Jennifer Poindexter

Seed Starting

There may be snow on the ground or blazing hot, but it is time to start think gardening. Seed starting is a great way to get your gardening fix.   However, take the time to plan out your process so you have the best success possible for your efforts.

Whether flowers, vegetables, or herbs, consider these factors before investing in planting seeds.

Read the seed packet and the description of the seeding requirements

The information you need for a successful planting should be on the back of the seed package. It will tell you how long germination takes, how long till ready to transplant, and what, if any special conditions are needed. Read carefully; some seeds require light to germinate and should not be covered with soil. Others require darkness and may germinate better covered with foil instead of clear plastic during that early germination stage (remove, of course, as soon as any signs of seedlings appear!)

Use clean containers and clean germination mix

Germination mix is finer than regular soil mix and gives better seed-to-soil contact. It is also light and well-drained which helps keep roots healthy.

Moisten the germination mix before adding seeds

Drainage is important, the germination mix should be moist, but not soppy wet! Drying out during germination is deadly, keep the mix moist continuously. A layer of clear plastic over the top of the container can help keep the moisture in, or you can mist the top of the soil several times a day. Some seeds will germinate in 3 days; others may take 3 weeks.

Pay attention to temperature

Many seeds germinate well with bottom heat, but once germinated most appreciate and grow better with fluctuating day and night temperatures, so turn off those heaters. Cool season flowers and vegetable will develop better if you can keep the seedlings from getting too warm. Try to keep them in that 50 to 60 degree range during the day, cooler at night.

Use a supplemental light source for best growth

Bright light from a window is great, but seedlings need really bright light to develop healthy, thick stems and proper growth. Consider hanging fluorescent or LED lights a few inches above the developing seedlings and continue to raise the lights as the plants grow.

Maintain good airflow

Set up a fan to blow on your seedlings. This helps protect the delicate seedlings from damping off, a fungal disease that attacks the new stems at the soil level. The air movement also triggers production of structural proteins that thicken the cell walls and give the plants a stronger stem. Many commercial tomato and pepper seedling producers use brushing to toughen their plants. You can simulate this by gently running your hands over the tops of the seedlings each day.

Source: Patti Nagai, Emeritus Extension Professor /hort.extension.wisc.edu

Related:  https://tutoringyou.org/flower-seeds-to-sow-in-august-2/

The Native Plant 70/30 Rule

Native plants are all the rage, and for good reason. Planting local species will help the pollinators, birds, and other wildlife that desperately need our help. Use the 70/30 native plant to non-native plant ratio for eco-friendly garden design.

The native plant 70/30 rule allows some grace for the ornamental plant species not native to your area. It leaves room for the well-behaved exotic species, like lilacs and spring bulbs, that gardeners cherish.

Using this rule, your garden design will enhance and beautify the landscape. It will invite, rather than repel, the birds and bugs that frequent wild areas. The fun part lies in discovering what grows near you. Our country is host to an incredible variety of ecosystems with thousands of native plant species.

70% Native Plants

To follow the native plant 70/30 rule, dedicate the bulk of the garden to native plants. They should take up the majority of the spaces, from the trees to the annuals in ornamental beds. The more native species it hosts, the better your garden will be for the environment. 

It shouldn’t be difficult for the plant species to grow. They’ll thrive, as long as you choose plants that match the conditions of your garden. Choose moisture-loving shrubs for areas with standing water, and go for drought-tolerant local perennials in sunny sites.

Also, what’s native in your state may not be in the next one. Look to local resources from state universities and nonprofit organizations for information on what grows near you. Or, take a walk! Look around hiking trails, walkways, and wild spaces to see the trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that grow.

In the city, research the plants that used to grow in the region, or ones that grow right outside the city. Mountainside species are excellent options for apartment balconies; look for alpine plants that thrive at high altitudes.

30% Well-Behaved Non-Native Plants

Not all non-native plants are bad! Many eco-friendly plant species work well in the hard-to-grow places of the garden. Spring bulbs, for example, provide beautiful blooms before any other plants. Daffodils, tulips, and crocuses are harmless and easy-growing. 

If you have a garden full of raised beds for vegetables, consider converting your other ornamental plants to native plants. The veggies will make up the bulk of the 30% non-native species, while the surrounding trees and shrubs will provide habitat for wildlife.

Or, mix everything together! Plant native annual flowering plants in the veggie garden to invite insects to pollinate your crops. Grow a native maple tree next to your contorted Japanese maple. 

The only plant species to avoid are invasive ones. Invasives outcompete others and spread out of control. Their seeds spread into wild areas, and their rooting stems ramble over the precious native plants of gardens and landscapes.  

There’s more to read at: epicgardening.com©