Rapid-progressing cataracts at 43, single mum of autistic teen

[ScotsMagpie]

Hi All

Sorry to be a drama queen, but I have just been diagnosed with cataracts which I am told will rapidly progress because of the type. I'm only 43, and the carer for my teenage son with autism. My optician was very matter of fact about it, she found them in a routine exam which I went to because I was having problems with near vision and headaches, and she simply said you have cataracts in both eyes, they will get worse rapidly, you will need surgery in somewhere around 6 months to 3 years to prevent blindness, but its an easy surgery so you will be fine. In the meantime take these glasses, you will find that you need the prescription to change frequently.

I know nothing about this but am just bumping it for you, for traffic.

Hope you can get some good advice soon.

Poor you. I am a mum to a child with autism and have serious chronic illnesses including my eyes so I understand the panic and stress this must be causing you.

However, the surgery for cataracts is very, very straightforward. They usually only do one eye at a time so you’ll still be able to see and recover well before they do the other one if they are extreme cases. My mum has had hers done and she said it was the best thing ever, her vision is pretty much normal now and she was -10 short sighted as well - they did a lens replacement at the same time and now she doesn’t even need to wear glasses! The recovery was very straightforward and they gave her lots of drops so it wasn’t too painful.

I have had cataract surgery on both eyes, totally straightforward and a brilliant result. Don’t worry about it, my advice would be to get them done as soon as can be arranged. I had one done , then a week later the second. No glasses needed now and my vision is perfect .
Absolutely no pain either, truly.

Agree with the others I will need mine done but yours being urgent will be done sooner rather than later and one at the time. So have it sorted as soon as, we need to look after ourselves first in order to help our families.

Sorry to hear of your issue. Did the optometrist say why you were developing bilateral cataracts so early in life??

As PP said. Also, age related cataracts are usually slow.. not rapid. I would get a second opinion or go back and ask to be referred for surgery if your vision is affected! (Usually a long process on NHS).