Cataracts

[Maxifly]

So I've just been told my cataracts need 'doing'. I know this is a common procedure but I'm scared stiff! The thought of anyone touching my eyes makes me flinch. Any advice from people who've had this done, can I get a sedative, will I feel anything? Tia.

I was given valium and they put anaesthetic drops in so you really don't feel anything at all and it is over very quickly so please don't worry.

Thank you. I hope that's available for me too!

At our hospital, you can request a general if you are that nervous. I've had patients we've had to cancel as they we listed for local anaesthetic but were unable to proceed once in the chair.
Even the consultant I work with said it would be his choice as he is squeamish!

I had my first eye 'done' last week, I was most anxious and had expected to be given temazepam, but when it came to it I had such a lovely surgeon, I declined the sedation and it went brilliantly!
He had music playing in the theatre and happened to play one of my favourite songs. I was so busy 'singing along to myself' that the surgery was over in minutes. Didn't feel a thing. Now I await the second op. i have gone from a -9.50 prescription to a -2.50 , and can see without glasses after 70 years!

Had both mine done a a couple of years ago, had sedation so very easy.

I had both of mine done at the end of last year. I was wondering how they'd do it with the flinching as anything comes near but honestly the whole thing is so seamless and totally painless. The eye is numbed so you not only can't feel anything but you can't see anything either. The only thing I heard apart form the surgeon talking to me was the sound of the cataract being removed. Then the new lens was put in and positioned and job done. After you remove the eye patch and can see again you will be AMAZED at how bright the light is and you may also see colour differently. All totally normal. Good luck

My dad is 80 and has been referred for cataract surgery and is also very scared, he constantly thinks about how it might go wrong and he might end up in a worse situation than he is now. He has glaucoma too. We already had a cataract surgery scheduled, spoke to the doctor, but my dad couldn't courage up and we went home.

There is now a second pre-op assessment next week and then the surgery will be scheduled again, but he is still unsure whether he wants to go for it or not. I have no idea whether to encourage him to be brave or just leave him to it, until he decides he wants to do it on his own accord.

Any advice?

See the answer I gave further up the page last year - I had the second eye 'done' about two months later, the numbing ensures you don't feel a thing. i can't speak highly enough of how careful and kind all the staff were. I was told I mustn't speak during the surgery (only about 15 minutes in total) so a nurse held my hand, and if I needed to speak could just squeeze her hand. I didn't need to, it went so smoothly.
I can't recommend it enough, the transformation is unbelievable.

Oh and I'm 77 so not far off your dad's age, it really has transformed my life from being almost blind without glasses, to being able to see without them, (or only a very mild prescription) .

THIS !!!

Very simple, painless procedure.
10-15 minutes and it's done.

Totally life-changing.

I had one done in November, other one due next Monday.

The op was very quick, didn't hurt at all. Eye felt sore afterwards as if I'd been punched - not very hard - in the eye, but this went off within a day or so.
Vision was blurry to begin with, then went very misty after about 4 hours - I totally panicked and rang the emergency line! Evidently due to swelling of the cornea (common - though I was given no warning it could happen). The mistiness cleared after another couple of hours as the swelling subsided, though I was told it can take a day or two. The eye was a bit uncomfortable for a couple of weeks as if I had a speck of dirt in it. I'd worn contacts for years and am used to things in my eyes, so maybe there would be a bit more discomfort if you've never been a contact lens wearer.

Take sunglasses with you - daylight is painfully bright for a day or two after.

So far my eye has been excellent, though quite often for some people the vision can go misty after a few weeks (I've talked to a couple of friends who've had this), which is sorted by a 5 minute painless treatment.

You are not supposed to bend over for long periods for a couple of weeks after, eg. do gardening, or do any very heavy lifting while it is healing. There are also eye drops to take for at least a couple of weeks. I think the aftercare varies on your personal medical history.

After a month or so there is a follow up appointment to check if everything is OK.

Your experience must be atypical, @Exx . I was able to see perfectly - 20/20 vision!!! - within hours. It's been several years, but I can't recall any pain.

I have quite a few friends who had this done and none encountered any issues.

I had one done in 2022. I was also terrified but it all went fantastically. Didn't feel a thing but saw lots of colours....

A friend who also had one done agreed with me it was like cleaning the bathroom mirror after a shower.

Well, maybe my experience will be different with my other eye next Monday, fingers crossed 🙂. The first one was uncomfortable but not really painful, so I'm not worried about having the second done.

That's great that you feel comfortable about getting the second eye done, @Exx . I hope it goes well!!

Other eye done - no discomfort after this time so I suppose I was a little unlucky first time through. The result is great, I've had one eye done for long vision, one for short so I won't need reading glasses. I hope the OP has screwed up her courage to go ahead with the operation 😀.

I had one of mine done a couple of years ago. The procedure is short, but I have to say I found it very unpleasant. I was waiting to be offered sedation, but never was, and the surgeon was brusque and horrible, telling me 'I've TOLD you to keep still' when I was quivering with fear and cold.

In the end the lovely nurse held my hand!

So, in short, get the sedation!

Eyesight was amazing within a day. It did go milky after a couple of years, so had to have it zapped. Waiting list for NHS zapping was nine months, so I went private, which is expensive!

Nothing to worry about. Hubby has had his done.
It dosent take long at all and makes a big difference. Xx