Cataract operations

[Paulina18]

I’m having 2 cataract operations in January .
Feeling very scared .
Anyone had or having Sam soon or suffering with cataracts ?

Did you have yours done earlier to avoid the deterioration.
I’m paying to get mine done early as my friends suffered badly .

I struggle at night with driving as it’s so uncomfortable and prefer not to .

Encouraging,

I had vitrectomy surgery earlier this year, under local anaesthetic to repair a macula hole. It went well, but I will need cataract surgery at some point, too because vitrectomies often cause cataracts in the future.

It's all very straightforward surgery and they were all so lovely and reassuring during the operation. I couldn't feel anything at all. I thought I might panic, but it was all OK.

Cataract surgery is quick and a lot more routine than my operation. Everyone else on the list that morning was in for cataracts and I was the only vitrectomy, and even that took under an hour.

My partner is having operation fir a hole next week , they are changing lense at same time due to cataract prone to developing after surgery .
He is going private .
They are putting gas bubble in his eye and can’t drive fir quite a few weeks .

@Paulina18

My partner is having operation fir a hole next week , they are changing lense at same time due to cataract prone to developing after surgery . He is going private . They are putting gas bubble in his eye and can’t drive fir quite a few weeks .

The gas bubble is fine, your partner definitely won't be able to drive for a few weeks as initially you can't see through the eye at all. Over the space of a few days the gas bubble starts to dissipate as new vitreous fluid is made. As the gas bubble dissipates you can actually see it, you start being able to see over the top of the bubble in your eye like looking through the side of a glass of water, then gradually day by day the water line gets lower.

Your partner is likely to have 'floaters' for a while which can be odd but is totally normal, bit strange seeing little black wiggly specks floating across your vision though. Tinted lenses can help as they're more noticeable in bright lights. After a while your brain starts to filter them out and you only notice them occasionally.

Oh and it's worth being aware, but not worrying about, a thing called posterior capsular opacification, a film that can develop over the back of a replacement lens. It's very very easily fixed with a laser procedure called a Yag which takes about 5 minutes to do. I went private for that just to prevent having to wait 18 months for NHS, it was £350 but I have insurance through work who covered that.

Thankyou for your information .

I think my friend had laser treatment on one of her cataract operations , like you , she said it took a few seconds .

My surgeon did say there might be further treatment after pending on outcome

I’ve messaged you @Paulina18 but forgot to say I had follow up laser tweaks on both eyes. Years ago a relative had laser correction and said it was horrible and the smell sickened her, but this laser is different. No smell, just popping noises like shooting ducks at the fair.

As PP has said, be scrupulous with the aftercare and drops.

Good luck to both of you.

My friend experienced this after her surgery

Many thanks

When I had mine done they didn’t put the oil bubble in Mr Mujit was wonderful and said “Because you’ve only got one eye we’ll do air instead of oil” it saved me being blind for weeks also the head down would have been difficult as well.

Laser treatment is incredible I had scarring after my first cataract and to see the scarring fall away was incredible.

I had one done at age 49, the other eye doesn't need one. Was under local anaesthetic (eye drops) and felt very little. The eyedrops keep your pupil dilated so you do end up with a monster headache until that wears off, but the effects have been amazing. The only downside was the surgeon's taste in background music - some kind of hideous freeform jazz.

At my last eye test I was told that I have a very slow growing cataract in one eye. Reading this is a little reassuring as I find the thought of any work on my eyes really frightening. I'm only squeamish about eyes and I dread this type of thing. I can barely stand the machine which which puffs air into your eyes and they usually need several goes.

@pointythings I didn't get a headache at all and I was a long term serious migraine sufferer. I did suffer the music though. As I lay in the chair I asked 'which joker chose the playlist?' I kid you not, the first song was Another One Bites The Dust Luckily I wasn't feeling too sensitive and it broke the ice because we all laughed.

@prettyteapotsplease
The actual operation felt less invasive for me than the puff of air tests do.

@prettyteapotsplease you can't see or feel anything, if you have a good eye it's covered, the eye they're fixing is numb and the pupil dilated so you have no vision.

You 'know' they're doing something to your eye, you can tell they're moving near your face but it's not uncomfortable at all.

As part of the op I had, they had to make 3 small holes in my eyeball for the instruments and then these were stitched up. That was the worst bit about recovery, they didn't hurt but I could feel a scratchiness when I blinked for a week or so, like when you get a bit of dust in your eye.

That’s strange I was told jazz music is out on in the back ground where I’m going to have my procedures , not my favourite music but I think my mind will be else where 🤔

Thanks meadowbleu and HalfShrunkMoreToGo that is reassuring, and goodness knows I need that. Hope all goes well Paulina18 - if listening to freeform jazz is the worst thing about it then it's not so bad is it? Perhaps it's a distraction technique.

I had both of mine done earlier this year. Easy Peasy. I was in and done and back in my friends car in less than an hour. I’m one of the few that still needs glasses ( new this at the time) but my goodness it’s fabulous being able to see properly again!

(Knew)!

Thankyou
I find the whole thing daunting .
I’ve had friends that have had the operation ( awake )
They have all been happy with results .
In fact their sight is so good they don’t wear glasses all the time anymore !!!

@underneaththeash

I do pre-post op consults for cataract surgery, They are usually very successful / particularly as most people end up getting cataracts at some point in their lives. Is there anything you’re specifically worried about? Nb it’s incredibly rare to have a general for cataracts.

Do you mind if I ask a question?

I was told at my last eye test that I have cataracts and that over time I'd need the op but it'd only be able to be scheduled at the point where they were causing me too much trouble in my normal life.

That feels a bit late to me. I also note that on the NHS you can only have standard lenses. I am wondering if it's worth saving up for private so I can have it done before it gets too bad and so that I could get toric lenses for my astigmatism. I daren't hope that all need for glasses would be gone, but a prescription that fits into my frames would be amazing :)

I realise you can't give proper advice here, but are you able to tell me if I'm barking up the wrong tree?

I am paying to have my operations .
My friends had to wait and when the cataracts became troublesome they struggled until their turn came .
With covid and everything going on I’m getting my done early as waiting list are getting longer each week .if you pay a surgeon will do it private .
The lens you are referring to can sometimes be troublesome for some people .
They can cause halos and dazzling .
for that reason only I decided against it .
They cost more but that’s not my reason .
I think I’ll be really happy if my sight is like it was 7 years ago before I needed glasses all the time and only used glasses for tiny print .

If my wishes happen I’ feel sure it will be worth the fear / apprehension and cost

Thank you so much 🥰

My nan had this done a few yesrs ago.. she wss scared..she said you dont feel anything and they are friendly with you to keep you calm