Which cataract operation is best? (Private/laser or NHS and why?)

Hello Anne, I confess to being biased & I had both of my eyes done on the NHS.  I listened to the surgeons & had the implants that they recommended.  I feel that you have more protection from the NHS if something goes wrong.

Both my cataracts were drug induced ie caused by steroid drops in the first eye & oral steroids in the second.  I had the first done in 1992 & the second in March this year.

Obviously everything has progressed in leaps & bounds since 1992 but that lens is still in situ.  I had to have laser surgery a couple of months after the first op but no problems with either lens.

 

Has anyone heard of CAN_C eye drops? They claim to reverse the effects of a cataract after 6 months of use, without the need for eye surgery

Someone mentioned those drops some time ago.  Once your lens starts to deteriorate, the only way to improve your vision, is to remove the opaque lens.

I think the main reasons I choose to have the operations done privately was that the NHS would not treat my astigmatism, so I would still need to wear glasses after the cataracts were removed. The lack of a queue and the ability to choose my surgeon were also important. Privately the surgeon has much greater flexibility in his choice of lenses. The end result is that my vision is excellent (for the first time in about 60 years) and I can read newsprint unaided in a good light. There is a risk of posterior capsule opacity after surgery (whichever option you choose).

In my opinion only the short answer is neither one or the other is better.  It really depends on what your expectations are.  In you 50's (I am 53) this decision always comes with a compromise.  Once you get on in years vision has deteriorated so that you gain something in cataract surgery.  Prior to my surgery I had great near vision.  My surgeon was very upfront with me and explained I would have to compromise my near vision if I went with a monofocal lens or if I wanted to eliminate glasses I would have to have night vision issues with halo and glare with premium lenses.  Yes some have near and far distance with mini monovision but just for myself I did not want to go that route.  I get dizzy even driving backwards in a car and suffer from violent migraines.  The chance that min Monivision would aggravate that wasn't something I wanted to entertain.

The NHS will only implant monofocal lenses and surgery and lenses are covered.  There is nothing wrong with those lenses - least incidence of halo and glare and if you read Nina's post on aspheric monofocal lenses you'll see they even provide intermediate vision to about 2feet.  She has had one eye done and if you re h out I am sure she'll be happy to give you additional info but there is a lot in her post providing good info/details.

I live in Canada so surgery is covered regardless of IOL so I paid to cover upgrade to Symfony lenses ($900 Cdn per eye).  I knew I would have night issues (and I do with halos glare and concentric circles around lights at night).  I manage well in city driving to to overhead streetlights but on dark highways this is more bothersome.

Again I my opinion age has a lot to do with the decision.  I have minimum 7 years of working full time ahead of me - computer and paperwork so daytime vision at near and far distance was more import- plus as I age I will not be doing a lot of night driving (again specific to me.

Another consideration is timeline.  Going thru NHS will be a lengthier wait (same in Canada due to our national Medicare system).  if this surgery needs to be sooner rather than later you may not want the wait.  Although cataract surgery generally isn't urgent.

You'll need to determine what your work needs lifestyle needs are and budget to spend are.

I wish you all the best.  There are lots of good forums here that should help you with information.

There isn't any one best solution;but it sure is better than it was 20 years ago). Lenses have improved and you should get a great outcome no matter which you decide.