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Cataract

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SammiiD29
SammiiD29

So I had been having issues with my eyesight for a few years. One eye decided to go short sighted while the other wanted to be long sighted. But the last few weeks I had started to notice a sort of orb of light constantly in my field of vision. Kind of like when u look at the light for a bit then look away. So I went to see my optician 2 days ago, and she determined it was very usual, but I have a cataract in my left eye (I am 29 which made it unusual). When it comes to night time I dread it the most as I can’t do anything as I can’t see. I can’t read (I love reading it was my escape) I can’t do my puzzle books, can’t play games. I’m frustrated but as I am already undergoing hospital tests for some undisclosed stomach issues and I have an anxiety disorder, I don’t know if i should just go and have this surgery done. 

I would like to know what the surgery entails. I know they remove the bad lens and insert a false one. But I’m nervous as to where the anaesthetic is injected. Do they stick the needle in your eyeball? 

Very freaked out 

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • maria04040418
    maria04040418 SammiiD29

    Posted

    Hi SammiiD29 - First, I would suggest you go for a second opinion.  I had three.  About 8 weeks ago I had the first eye done and two weeks later the second.  I was SO nervous about it and to find that the surgery itself was not worth the worriness.  I had local anesthesia and also eye numbing drops and felt NOTHING.  As soon as the surgery was done I lifted myself off the table with both eyes open smile  However, there are many factors to consider.  If you currently wear glasses, what outcome would you like after surgery.  Such as do you want to continue to wear eye glasses after the surgery? I never wore glasses and only wore them when needed for reading.  Therefore, I did not want to need them after my cataract surgery. When they remove the bad lens they need to replace it.  After much reading, doctor recommendations and research I decided to go what best fit my needs which was a Symphony multifocal IOL lens for extended depth of vision.  First, I'd suggest other opinions and go from there.  The forums on this site found me great comfort!

    • SammiiD29
      SammiiD29 maria04040418

      Posted

      Do they put the drops in before the needle? 

      I’ll probably still have to wear glasses as my right eye is currently starting to go short sighted (I used to have perfect vision until about a decade ago where it started to decline, 3 members of my family are short sighted) but yes I think I’ll have to have another opinion but I think my optical Center only has one eye dr

  • janet33564
    janet33564 SammiiD29

    Posted

    I had drops pre op, 3-4 applications and then just prior to surgery, a sedative via a needle close to my wrist.  In my case the procedure seemed very fast.  By the time I got around to wondering how long it would take, the whole thing was over.  No eyeball needle. 
  • terry111050
    terry111050 SammiiD29

    Posted

    No pain at all.  You'll be awake (groggy) the whole time.  I experienced kaleidoscopic lights and some activity around the eye - but no discomfort.

    Good luck!

    • SammiiD29
      SammiiD29 terry111050

      Posted

      I’m luckily at the early stages. My eye isn’t cloudy and unless I point it out people don’t notice I have the cataract. But it sounds nuts but I can feel it. My eyeball doesn’t feel right 
    • Sue.An
      Sue.An SammiiD29

      Posted

      So sorry you have cataracts at 29.  I was freaked out at 53.  Both my parents are in their mid 70s and still don’t need cataract surgery.   

      I don’t know where you live but some plCes completely cover cost of cataract surgery once your vision can no longer be corrected with glasses.  My strong opinion would be to wait until that is the case for you.   None of the lenses they replace your natural lens with are perfect.  There are trade-offs to every one of them.  In time perhaps there will be better IOLs.  

      Monofocal lenses provide the best clarity and least amount of glare/halo (night time affects) but provide one focus so you would have to be prepared to wear glasses.   The multifocal and extended depth of focus lenses provide more focus (but don’t necessarily guarantee glasses free - although certainly you’ll be less dependent on them) but also have more glare and halo affects around light sources at night.

      As for the surgery - it is painless.  Slight pressure is all you’ll feel.  That aspect worried me too - especially because I watched the you tube videos.   In Canada where I live they don’t put a needle in anywhere.  Just numbing drops for your eye.  I was offered an Ativan (which I took) but that was to help the anxiety only.

      Do lots of research and reading.  Plenty here on these forums too.  Get a few opthamologist opinions and delay as long as you can.  Make sure you ask lots of questions.  The old saying measure twice and cut once is doubly important with this surgery.  Explants and replacement lenses not so easily done - requiring more expertise and skill by a surgeon.   So best take your time.

      All the best to you.

    • SammiiD29
      SammiiD29 Sue.An

      Posted

      I have done a little bit of research and I have glasses being prepared for me I’ll pick them up next week. I wasn’t sure when I should go for this surgery as I didn’t know if it was best to just get it done out of the way. 

      I’m going to take some measures I have read online like sunglasses in bright days, brighter bulbs for night time (it’s the worst for me I’m so blind at night) 

      I never expected her to say I had one. I always thought at my age it was impossible. I just expected her to say I’m going more short sighted (which I am in the right eye) but I knew something wasnt right. 

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An SammiiD29

      Posted

      Something I learned after my surgeries is that regular use of steroids can bring on cataracts at a younger age.  I suffer from eczema and use those creams a lot.  Wish I had known the side effects.

      If your eyes can still be corrected to 20/20 with glasses you don’t need the surgery.  Although these days even clear lens exchange is being heavily promoted (which is cataract surgery - except no cataracts are present) just to rid people of glasses.   

      Cataract surgery cost is covered in UK Canada and USA (possible other places too) if vision is impacted by cataracts and glasses won’t correct eyesight anymore.  My own couldn’t be corrected more than 20/50 right eye and 20/60 in left and my surgeries were completely covered by our Medicare system in Canada.  I paid $900 per eye for upgraded Symfony lenses.

      Cataracts for some take years to develop to the point of needing surgery so you may not need it done for quite some time.   And during that time better and better lenses will likely become available.  

      Something I wish I had a chance to experiment with is monovision with contact lenses.  Unfortunately by the time I was diagnosed my eyesight was too bad to try this out with contact lenses.   Many people enjoy monofocal lenses were one eye is set to best distance and the other to intermediate. That way one would only need glasses for reading very small print.

  • freeman62151
    freeman62151 SammiiD29

    Posted

    No they do not stick the needle in your eye,they will give you a local anesthetic if you want it or you can be awake and they will freeze it will a freezing solution.I have had both eyes done in the pass 8 weeks.My results were not the best,but they say most people have great results.My right eye developed a cloudiness on the back of the lens,which requires WAG treatment to clear it up ,they use laser to do it.Has for my left eye I not only developed cloudiness ,both has a black shadow/rim in the corner of my eye,which the surgeon claims will go away within 4 months.But if your to a point where yours eyes is giving you problems,you need to do something,if your not comfortable with what your Dr. said ,seek another opinion and decide from there.Good luck and hope all turns out well for you.
  • Shrimpie
    Shrimpie SammiiD29

    Posted

    I had cataract surgery in June 2017 . My private health care thru BUPA covered the cost of the surgery and I paid the extra to upgrade my lenses to premium skin no longer have to wear my glasses . I was very short sighted with an astigmatism in both eyes . I was very nervous. My eyes were dilated and numbed  using anaesthetic drops and I felt no pain at all . Best thing I ever did . 
  • jantje32476
    jantje32476 SammiiD29

    Posted

    Don't understand your question, SammiiD29.  You have been to your optician, but have you been to an ophthalmologist yet? If not, how do you know you need a cataract surgery now? Getting all work up is going to worsen your anxiety. Relax, man. Cataract surgery is so advanced today, the procedure can take as little as 10 minutes.

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