Has any one had cataract operation on both eyes at the same time?

[drivinmecrazy]

My DM is in Spain and recently found out she needs both eyes done. Her surgeon has said he can do both eyes on the same day.
For us it will be much easier in that I can fly out next week and she can have both done so won't need to go back straight after Christmas for the other.

She lives alone so will rely on me for any convalescence.
Any one done this?

@drivinmecrazy Not me but my Mother had to have cataract operations - the doctor would only do one at once - similarly for DFIL - I can see it is more convenient to have both done at once but I suppose how much you trust the surgeon.

Personally I wouldn't as if one eye treated and works well - vision will be better so don't need to go back quite so quickly - but your choice.

So quick answer - no never had anyone getting both eyes done at once - personal experience with relatives is advice was to have them done one at a time.

But I am not an eye surgeon

Best wishes

Very common in some parts of the world, less so in the UK. I think it comes down to the way NHS pathways and funding works. If you want to research it further, the official name for it is simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery.

The only people I know to have had cataract surgery have had each eye done separately, with time to recover fully in between.

I don't really think it is a terribly good idea, sorry.

I've been told I'll only have one eye done at a time for my cataracts.

I have found out - and experience - a cataract in my right eye...

Your mum lives in Spain? You won't get any info about that on a UK website.

Spanish health help is very good, I've heard. (Family there)...

Loads of websites online for expats living in Spain. Have a google.

Good luck. I've had elders living in different countries while dealing with their health breakdown. It's a nightmare.. especially with kids in the mix and as a single mum

Thankyou everyone.
She's lucky in that she has very extensive private health care so has access to people at the top of their game.
DM seems quite up for it and the surgeon has done this many times.
I think we're going to go for it. Not only for the convenience but also because this will, hopefully, be the last thing she needs 'fixed' for a while and she just wants to get on with her life.
shes had so many operations on her spine over the previous three years so shes getting pretty weary of the hospital.
we have a consult on the 23rd and then hoping to get away for a few nights before having the procedure.

As a PP has said it does get very wearing flitting back and forth for health matters.
sometimes i think my kids and DH forget what i look like!!!

I wouldn't recommend that. I do pre/post cataracts ops. It's an operation and things can occasionally go wrong.
I think this review is a good pro vs no
[[https://bjo.bmj.com/content/85/12/1489s w

My mil had both done at the same time (privately in the UK). Everything went absolutely fine.

Just read your update, the risks of cataract surgery compared to spinal surgery are small unless your mother has high myopia, a connective tissue disorder, retinal degeneration or has an underlying health or ocular problem (glaucoma, diabetes etc)
Does she have any health/ocular issues?
(I still wouldn't have both done myself though!)

I've had cataract surgery on both eyes separately. I'm not sure I see the issue in having them both done at the same time and would probably have preferred this.