Optician identified a fast growing cataract and referred me to specialist clinic, saying they may not operate, but she wanted their opinion. I arrived at the clinic, less than week later, to find it was the surgery pre-assessment clinic. I was told that the longer I delay the more difficult the op becomes, and scheduled for late this month.
However, I have a lazy eye, so bad that I struggle to read the second line in a sight chart, and the cataract is in my good eye. If it goes wrong I will be left with minimal vision. The risk leaflet I was given states "one person in every thousand will go blind in the operated eye as a direct result of the operation". Those sound very scary odds to me, and I don't know if I am ready to take that risk in less than a month from finding a problem.
I didn't mange the appointment very well. I have a major anxiety condition, and having to attend alone (covid rules) left me with little spare focus to ask sensible questions. I'm triggered by medical situations, I panicked and ran and had to be talked down by the nurse. But I also have to recognise that this condition is adding to my level of fear, and means I'd like to avoid the op anyway.
Meanwhile my GP is starting tests to find out why I have this sort of cataract, as I have none of usual causes.
Would you delay it, or just get it over with?