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CATARACT OPERATION

Posted , 5 users are following.

mayday35
mayday35

I have had both eyes done. I have to say there is absolutely nothing to be concerned about during these operations. I left my home at 2pm, got to the clinic by 2.30. I had opted for no injected anaesthetic but instead had anaesthetic drops put into the eye. Those lasted for about 20 mins with up to about 5 drops over that time. I was then taken through to the theatre. I spoke and joked throughout - which the opthalmalogist recognized as a nervous reaction - and it was!  I was back home by 4.30 after tea and sandwhich had been offered by the clinic! Nice gesture. Next morning the patch was removed from my eye and I could even drive myself home! If anybody needs a cataract operation please do not worry as it is really an almost pleasant experience. A check up in 7 days then another one a month later and the whole thing was finished.  

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • bagladyNYC
    bagladyNYC mayday35

    Posted

    So glad your operation went so well. I think most peoples' do. Mine did not. I wish I had studied the different kinds of lenses more. When they removed the bandage, I could barely make out the big E. Looked like a lot of bleeding. Also, what I didn't realize, was that I had dry macular degeneration, so the cataract surgery didn't help me read street signs. 

    But you are right about the op. It was very easy. The recouperation is so much easier now than it used to be.

    • mayday35
      mayday35 bagladyNYC

      Posted

      Yvonne surprised your surgeon did not tell you beforehand that you had macular degeneration! Although I do remember my friend had the operation and then afterwards surgeon asked if she wanted the other eye done. She said 'yes of course'. He still hadn't told her about MD... She goes to a clinic every month for injections into the eye. I understood that the UK was the only country thus far that can now do something with xray machinery. It was shown on TV sometime ago but costs £4000! I guess your surgeon could give you details. They researched that method because do many apparently were not keeping their appointments for the eye injections, because they are unpleasant for some. I am so sorry you can't read street signs.  The injections seem to have helped my friend and she is driving about gaily. She only uses glasses for driving and reading. I wish you well and sorry it didnt go off so well.  Keep cheerful.

       

    • bagladyNYC
      bagladyNYC mayday35

      Posted

      My surgeon did not suspect I had mac until I told him, after the second cataract op (done by him) that I still coudn't read street signs. He sent me to a retinal specialist, pronto, and he made the diagnosis. My left eye turned wet the begging of this year. I now get an injection in that eye every 4-5 weeks. They don't use x-rays; but some other kind of scan every time I see him. No improvement. I'm lucky if it doesn't get worse. I don't drive because I have a blind spot and don't exect that to change. I know some drive with that, but I think that's taking chances.
    • mayday35
      mayday35 bagladyNYC

      Posted

      Yes Yvonne, my friend Elisabeth also speaks of this 'blind spot'. I DO know for certain you must not stop those injections and she's been having them regularly like you for many months. I believe these might be required for a long time but she does see improvements. She doesn't mine the injections one bit but after she must take a taxi home and rest. I have see blood in her eye after but this clears up. The two of you have the same thing. It is good to know of others isn't it. You seem to have an excellent surgeon who wasted no time in sending you for that diagnosis. It's unfortunate you have this but the wet MD I believe is more serious. You can find out a great deal about all this via Google. Its good to keep informed as you have. Best wishes
    • bagladyNYC
      bagladyNYC mayday35

      Posted

      Thank you. I will most likely have an injection this Monday. The last one was not painful and my eye hardly teared at all. I will be taking a taxi as well.

      You are so right about being informed. Most people don't have the slightest idea of what macular degeneration is and they should be told by their doctors. I suspect many falls by elderly  people occur because they have this and haven't been told. Curbs and stairs can look flat. Judging distance is not good.

      Thanks again for your interest.

  • Bumblebea
    Bumblebea mayday35

    Posted

    Lucky You.

    I had left eye done 10th June 2014. I wish I had never had it done. My eye had been bad ever since. My sight is restored to normal, although I could see ok before. It was the eye specialist who saw the cataract and said it should be done. My eye constantly hurts. and the wind has a devastating effect on it. I am using Hylo teardrops all day every day, and have now resorted to 'going private' I have had 2 consultations and it is proving difficult to identify what is causing the problem. I cannot ever touch my eye. When it starts to get really bad, I resort back to the anti-biotic drops which I was prescribed. They are preservative free. That is absolutely the only thing which will give me relief. I shall buy some more on the internet if I run out. I find wearing 'wrap around sunglasses; to go out is the only way to keep the wind from my eye. Believe it or not there are no such specs in the opticians. The in house opticians at the Eye hospital, have now said it I can find a pair of sunglasses which suit the purpose, they will see if they can get my prescripton put into them.

    So just stop and think, it is not always plain sailing in these simple operations, and it can go wrong. It is also now costing me £300 for every visit to the specialist. I just could not get an appointment on the NHS, to see anyone. It seems after the op, you just get the obligitory 'check up', and then you are on your own. I have never been ill in my life, so have never had to call on the NHS, In fact now I have gone private, I am now getting the same level of care that I get from the vet fot my dog. Shame the NHS dont give such high standards of care.

    • mayday35
      mayday35 Bumblebea

      Posted

      Bumbelbea I am amazed at the private cost of £300 a visit! I thought things more expensive in Switzerland but I don't have to pay that just for a consultation and checkup. Stick to the antibiotic. I also have it in cream form, FLOXAL but I can get it on prescription. It seems your OP went wrong and the surgeon should put that right for you. I suppose it is not macular degeneration? I have never seen wrap-around prescription glasses but see if they can put in special lenses for you. I think there are special 'cover' glasses but they don't look very nice. I sympathise with you for the discomfort you are experiencing. I can imagine how this is as anything wrong with the eyes if very upsetting. I wonder if the NHS paid for your operation as I had to pay for my own here as there is no national health service yet insurance is obligatory for everybody. I suppose the NHS is inundated with the elderly all needing cataract operations. I am truly sorry it went so wrong for you.  Best wishes.
    • marie98697
      marie98697 Bumblebea

      Posted

      I had my right eye done 6/18/14 and my left done 7/09/14. I have been having problems since. Is the sorriest person that I had cataract. I opted for the restor lenses, since I do not need glasses. My vision is perfect, 20/20, but I have a feeling of something in my eye. Surgeon cannot find anything wrong. I went to a retna spec., he said I have Blepharitis, that is clogged glands in the eyelids. I was put on steroid and had to use lid scrubs for 2 weeks then Restatis. Still same feeling, so I went to another spec. That my surgeon recommended. He said my meibomian glands are clogged and this causes dry eye. I have to use Johnson baby shampoo to wash my lids, he put me on a different steroid and to use Restatis. He also put a plug in the tear duct, which has fallen out. I feel a slight relief but my eyes do not feel right. Some days the feel irritated, burning and lids feel heavy. I did no have dry eyes before this surgery. I feel all the eye drops before, during and after surgery caused this problem.has anyone had this problem? My dr. Tells me my eyesight is perfect, but I have an obstacle in the way. I asked him if he could take care of his patients with this feeling in his eye. No comment from him. He gives no satisfaction
  • Debberzz1
    Debberzz1 mayday35

    Posted

    Thank you so much for the encouraging words.  After reading many of these, I was scared to death and have surgery Feb. 3 in my 1st eye.  I am only 57 but have significant cataracts in both eyes.  I'm looking forward to seeing clearly soon.  Your post really made me feel so much better!
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