Any tips for Cataract Operation

[girlfrien]

Family member having Cataract removed in November! Anyone any useful information like how long did it take you to drive again, any hints or tips please?

I've had both eyes done.

I'm not a driver so can't properly advise on that, but honestly, it's a very, very quick and simple procedure and recovery. Your eye is a bit sore and uncomfortable for a day or so, and you have to use eyedrops for a few weeks after. But I had the procedure on Fridays both times and was at work on Monday. You can't use eye make up for about a month and you have to be careful about not getting water in your eyes via swimming or hair washing. I think the advice was no hair washing for a week (I did, but wore swimming goggles in the shower) and no swimming for a month or so.

My eyesight was slightly blurred for a day or so but after that was so much better. Even just having one done made a huge improvement to my sight. I reckon you could drive about 3 or 4 days after the first one. However please don't quote me on that as I'm not a driver.

I'm absolutely delighted with the results. I still need reading glasses but otherwise my sight is now the best it's been for about 50 years, as as well as the cataracts it improved my short sightedness 1000%.

Thanks.

DH had one done last week! In and out in under an hour (private). Drops for a few weeks. He was driving three days later.

Do they tell you when you can drive?

I had one eye done in January and the second last Friday.

I was told I could drive when I felt ready and did so a couple of days after each time.

I could shower and wash my hair the next day as well, you just have to make sure you keep your eye closed.

Oh and just a small thing but make sure your family member has some white tape - they will have to wear a plastic eye shield at night for a week so they will need some to stick it back on on each night.

It truly is life-changing and I had no idea how bad my eyes were until I had one done.

If they have a large disparity between the corrected eye and the undirected eye it can be very disturbing. Sorry not the news you wanted. I am waiting for my second eye to be done and have blurred vision and headaches due to the massive difference.

I have sensitive and dry eyes and have had cataracts done on both eyes. I stopped wearing contact lenses 20 years ago and wear transition lenses. Advice was not to wear contact lenses before the operation, to use baby shampoo/ shower gel after. When I arrived at the surgery it was a bright May day. My vision was checked eyes measured, forms re health filled in before I saw the surgeon. You have a series of eye drops before the operation which takes about an hour. It took longer to get gowned up and in the right position than it did for the operation.

Then sat and had a hot drink while waiting for my friend to arrive. My right eye was bad and I'd had no peripheral vision so wearing dark glasses was useful. Your eye is tender for a couple of days but driving after two to three days. It's taken longer for my eyes to become clear due to my dry eyes so still using drops. I was advised to postpone classes or gym so I don't knock my eyes.

I'm no longer short sighted but need glasses for reading but only + 1. I will get prescription ones shortly.

Can I ask a question? Sorry to hijack. DM (83) is having hers done next week.
9 days later there is a funeral of a dear relative which is a 4/5 hour drive away. Last time we went to a funeral in the same location we had a nice luxury minibus take us there and back (we couldn't fit in 1 car but more importantly if was a very long day and a lot of driving). That's the plan again this time. Even though it's a "luxury" bus it was still much more bumpy than a car.
Do the posters experienced in these ops think she'll be ok to travel with us or is it best to prepare her for not coming?

Depends on whether or not they'll need the other eye done and whether or not glasses will be needed.

I was 6 weeks between operations and then had to get glasses so I was quite a long time out of 'action'.

How bad is their eyesight generally?

I was absolutely fine personally, but a)I'm not 83 and b) I had absolutely no problems afterwards. No grittiness or discomfort which can sometimes happen.
I wasn't told not to go anywhere (flying would however, be a problem!) so she's best to ask the clinic where she's having it done.

But do get her sunglasses as everything is very much brighter and it can be uncomfortable.

To add to the great advice you have here, take good sunglasses with you as the light will seem very bright.

Depends on the clinic.

I wore the eye shield for one night and then never wore it again.

Thank you @NannyOgg. We will have to see how she copes, everyone will react differently to the same procedures. I just want her to be able to attend and am feeling bad for her with the uncertainty.

I had my first eye done last week I’m only 60 but I have a huge prescription difference, I haven’t been coping very well at all but I was warned before the Op that it would be tough for me til I get my second eye done. I don’t drive anyway because of my usual very bad eyesight but there is no way I would be able to drive just now. I’m having headaches and feeling dizzy and won’t be able to go back to my desk job for at least two weeks. It will be worth it in the end and I had no choice as my eyesight was deteriorating so rapidly. My eye is very light sensitive so echo PP’s suggestion that sunglasses are helpful, the wrap around type that block light from the side and with proper frames would be my recommendation. I’m very envious of those posters who have said it was easy for them and I hope it’s a smooth process for your relative.

I e had both of mine done. I was very short sighted and I have glaucoma and due to the glaucoma the procedure took longer than is usual the cataracts were pretty dense. I wore an eye shield at night for a week.
The difference in my sight is amazing, going from -12 and not able to see the eye chart never mind read it to -1 and just needing reading glasses has changed my life.
You're given eye drops to use four times a day for a month. Wipe the lids with cooled boiled water and a lint free cloth or antiseptic eye wipes.
Wear sunglasses when outside.
I turned my back to the shower head and didn’t wash my hair for two days then managed to wash it without getting my face wet.
I’m took it easy for a couple of days, I’d been told not to do anything too strenuous.
My dh had his done, he was driving two days after.

I drove to Tesco the day after my operation. It was absolutely fine.

Reading this thread has encouraged me to go to optician for tomorrow appointment ! I know I have cataracts but eyesight got so much worse this last 12 months!

On the positive front. My eye shield was for 24 hours. I could drive soon as I felt ready but didn’t for a week. Drops four times a day for four weeks. Was told I could fly after two days. I went to a large festival and stayed for two nights two days after my op. But did not do lifting, carrying nor the physical activities. My eye is great now, roll on the second.

Make sure the surgeon talks about the lens they're going to use and what the after results will be. That gives you the chance to ask informed questions and to make sure that you get the optimal lens for you.

That didn't happen to me and probably the main reason I'm so disappointed.

Thought I'd come back and update. DM (83) had her op nearly 4 weeks ago.
She has had corneal decompensation (oedema and swelling on the cornea) which means she can barely see. I took her back on day 4 but it was early days. There is no after care, you're just expected to get on with it. None of these symptoms were mentioned on the sheet of paper of complications/worrying symptoms to look out for.
On day 11 I took her back again as she said her eye and her whole eye area on her head was hurting which is when it was properly diagnosed. She's on a new regimen of eye drops. That was just over 2 weeks ago. She says she feels she can see slightly more but it seems like her sight is still severely impacted. The new lens is in the correct position. No idea if we will be called back for ongoing monitoring, the dr said she may or may not be, or what we do if things don't improve. Dr Google says it may be permanent and the only cure then is a corneal transplant (which she won't want).

Sunglasses are a must as everything will be very bright after the operation.

They tend to give single vision lenses so while distance vision will be fine reading will probably be difficult. You need to wait at least 6 weeks before getting glasses (if getting both eyes done if will be 6 weeks after the second eye).

I couldn’t watch television for a few days so talking books were essential. Also the no bending down is quite difficult, it’s amazing how much you drop things, so a cheap grabber stick is also a good idea

Ah sorry see this is older. Hope things improve for her .

I was very short-sighted, so I got them to do both of mine at the same time (not private either) I'd have had terrible vision problems otherwise.

I’ve had my second one done and have a cheap pair of off the rack glasses whilst I wait for an interim pair and then get a real true pair. It’s tough as I work full time and without I cannot really see to use laptop, read etc. they really don’t seem used to working people and that’s a major difficulty for me.

@TooTrusting , how is your mother now? I hope she was referred for more help.