Doctor won’t clear me for cataract surgery
Posted , 9 users are following.
i need cataract surgery very badly in both eyes. I don’t feel safe when driving and my job consists of staring at a computer screen all day and I basically have to put my nose to the screen to see it. I am a diabetic and my blood sugar is uncontrolled and I have no intention or desire of changing anything about my lifestyle that would change that. Because of this my doctor won’t clear me for cataract surgery and the eye surgeon is hesitant as well just because she wants to protect herself from a lawsuit etc, even though the risk is minimal/non existent. A retina specialist has examined both of my eyes and cleared me for the surgery. So I guess my doctor and the eye surgeon are just ok with the cataracts getting progressively worse until I am blind. Any suggestions? Please don’t suggest I get my blood sugar under control, that’s not going to happen, I’m not going to give up the foods I love. I am ok with my life span being shortened b/c of the diabetes, but I want to see clearly during the remaining years I have left!
0 likes, 21 replies
mrsmop chris84301
Posted
Chris, what country are you in? I guess you aren't in the UK because if your eyesight is as bad as you say, then you wouldn't be allowed to drive.
In the UK, with the conditions you have, you would see an Ophthalmologist who specialises in patients with diabetes as well as other eye problems.
What age are you? To me, it sounds as though you need more support than you are getting
chris84301 mrsmop
Posted
britkennels chris84301
Posted
Chris, I have to be honest and say that your posting scares the hell out of me.
You want the doctors to ignore your health, yet you expect them to restore your eyesight. I'm sure you are very familiar with the strong connection of diabetes and your eyesight. Why would you expect them to operate when they can't trust you to follow their advice? There are a lot of instructions you MUST follow after surgery (granted, they're not tough), yet you've already demonstrated that you won't follow potentially life saving advice. What do you expect them to do?
I know you already are boiling right now at my words and I promise you that that's not my intention. I've been where you are, probably not as militant, but I've always struggled with my weight and I always will. I'll never be svelte. I had to take fitness tests for 20 years while I was in the military and I absolutely despised them. Of course, a Krispy Kreme donut tastes better than a bowl of leaves and berries, but do you want to wallow in a chair and listen to the TV (because you won't be able to see it after diabetes renders you blind) or do you want to get your clear vision back and see what you've been missing? I'm not telling you to eat dirt and rocks for the rest of your life, but any ETHICAL doctor is going to refuse to operate until you take care of yourself. Unfortunately, our society today expects a pill or surgery to fix what we won't do ourselves. Like I said, been there, done that, got the t-shirt, so I'm not preaching at you; I'm just telling you that I've been on both sides of the fence.
If you've seen my previous postings about the surgery, you'll know that my doc wouldn't operate until I had some retinal "support" work done (can't fix). I would give anything to be in your shoes where the problem is correctable and within my hands. You can change things; I can't. You can ensure your eyes will always be healthy; I can't. While my vision now is better than 20/20 (100%) for all ranges, there's no guarantee that will last (bad retinas). Please have a re-think about your attitude towards yourself and your eyes. If you don't do something now, you won't have a second chance.
I wish you absolutely nothing but the best.
Sue.An britkennels
Posted
chris84301 britkennels
Posted
Thank you for the response and your concern. I’m not “ boiling” after your response😀. I was very angry when I posted, I’ve calmed down a little now. But I am so sick and tired of the constant battle with blood sugar/weight and I have reached the point where I just don’t care anymore. Food is one of the few (maybe only) pleasures I have in life and I am just not willing to give it up. Not trying to induce sympathy or anything but that is just the fact of the matter. I am still fairly young (41) and I feel I am very strong and would have no issues with the surgery even if my blood sugar is high. Even the surgeon has said the risk is minimal and complications are very rare, I feel she is just covering her own rear end because she doesn’t want to get sued.
britkennels chris84301
Posted
Chris,
Honestly, your posting could have been mine a few years ago. I'm now 60, but when I was about your age (OG, sorry...I hate when people say that), I got up to 207. Diabetes was just around the corner, thanks to a muddy gene pool and my own habits, etc, etc, etc...yawn. I know what it's like to just throw in the towel. Remember...been there, t-shirt. I promise your surgeon isn't just covering her buns; it's a very real concern. Even if you're right, we're both from the US (although I'm in Mexico now) and our country is SUPER sue-happy. Everyone expects perfect results and life doesn't work that way. Please reconsider your approach and try to get a bit healthier so that you can have the surgery. As much as I love food, I love being able to see even more.
You know, it really DOES suck that food, definitely a pleasure, is one of the few (at times) vices that everyone immediately sees we have. If you're a gambler, unless you're rolling dice in your hands, it doesn't show up on your body like food does. Unfortunately, in feeling good, we ultimately feel bad.
Sorry for getting preachy. Unlike Clinton, I really do feel your pain.