Cataracts at 55!

[Mamalicious16]

Went for eye test 4 months ago. Slight cataract in one eye. No impact on vision so no issues. 4 months later cataract has grown so much I have been referred for an operation to remove it and put another lens in. Also other cateract is growing . I'm concerned it's grown so fast. Is this something to worry about. I know I should have asked this at the appointment but was a bit shellshocked by the op needed and I've asked for a callback but he's not in for the rest of the week
Anyone else had similar
I'm.voncerned about the rate it's growing.........

Ignore the year question 😁

My brother had one removed at 52. Quick recovery.

I had both of mine done at 42, just one of those unfortunate things I was told. I felt very young whilst sat in the waiting room though!

I have glaucoma, genetic condition. I needed surgery for this. Consultant said she'd do my lenses at the same time. It was wonderful. Colours were brighter. Driving at night. I went from plus three to minus.5. only wear glasses driving now.

DH went private had trifocals because of his sport. He's pleased too.

Don't worry about your age, it's a real plus.

I was in the optometrist this week and saw a sign that said 1 in 2 people over 50 have cataracts. I felt somewhat alarmed, even though I don't believe that's an issue for me at this time. My mother has never had them but my father did.

I had mine done at 30. I had to wait 3 months between each op, and as I was a -7 in each eye before, I was pretty useless for the 3 months in between, as I can’t wear contacts and you can’t correct that sort of sight. I remember not being able to do much, having to move my head slowly, be careful sneezing etc for a couple of weeks after each op.

the surgeon has set one of my eyes to long and the other to short.
so I don’t wear glasses post surgery.

I have worn glasses since I was a toddler. So this has been remarkable. I still try to take off my glasses before bed….. and then have a chuckle to myself when I remember I don’t need them any more!!!!

mine got worse very rapidly at a similar age.

the procedure is very simple and painless and i was delighted with the results. If you’re having it on the NHS you do end up with long or short sight. If private they go for superior lenses and your eyesight is 20/20. I still need glasses to read but my distance eyesight is the best it’s ever been, and I’m chuffed with the results. I normally hate people poking about in or on my body (hate dentists, chiropodists, and cervical smear) but honestly you barely notice the surgery happening

Went yesterday for consultation and eye drops for the extra tests. The eye drops did sting A LOT, but thankfully not for long. NHS waiting time do probably next year and I was told they WILL WORSEN A LOT by then. Plus side- I e been told the other eye is nearly 20/20 and is making up for the eye with the cataract! 😁

@Mamalicious16 I also had a fast growing cataract at the age of 60. The optometrist said some are fast growing, some aren't. It's just one of those things.
I had mine operated on at a private company used by the NHS - Newmedica. It was all very quick and straightforward.
I had to wear an eye guard for the first 24 hours (stops anything getting in your eye) then I only had to wear it in bed at night and when showering for 7 days after the op. I would imagine you'll have to wait a few weeks before you can swim due to infection risk of getting pool water in your eye.
I was able to drive as soon as I felt my eye sight was no longer blurry - i left it for 2 days post op.
You will need a driver to bring you back from the op as you'll have so many eye drops and be wearing an eye guard - mine was clear plastic it had lots of tape sticking it on!
You will have a 4 week regime of eye drops after the op - i had one lot 4 x a day and another 3 x a day - so quite a lot. I think that was a bigger nuisance than the surgery.
My other eye has the start of a cataract so I'm fully expecting to need that doing next year.

Thank you. I've just been to New Medica for the first consultation. I saw three people and I had eye drops. They've just rang me today to say I can have a private consultation, if I decide to go down that route, there's a chance I can have the op before Christmas

@Mamalicious16 I went for my initial consultation on a Thursday and they booked me in there and then for my operation 3 days later as they'd had a cancellation. Was glad I didn't have long to think about it. Good luck with yours.

Was that the NHS or the private consultation?

That’s true, you can indeed do that, but monovision doesn’t suit everyone. My DM tried it with contacts and it made her feel very dizzy and she finally had to give up on it after a long trial. So I wasn’t prepared to take the risk of putting it in permanently without trying it (my cataracts were too advanced to try it with contacts before the op).

I know what you mean about the trying to take off the non-existent glasses after so many years! 😂It’s an amazing feeling and always makes me feel so thankful I live in the modern era. The way those cataracts were going I’d be blind by now otherwise.

I envy your 14 week wait. I’m the same age and in the same boat with a 2 YEAR wait.!!

Never believe anyone who says the nhs in Scotland is “better”, it’s screwed

I’m having my op tomorrow. Private, both eyes, mono lenses. Can’t wait!

@Mamalicious16It was all NHS

That's fantastic. I was told 16 week wait

Waiting list here has grown so large the NHS have offered patients willing to travel the surgery in Ellesmere port. DH knows two people who've been.

Blimey I must have been very lucky! I only had to wait a few weeks for my first one. The second one was delayed because I had to have my gallbladder out then again as I broke my shoulder and that had to be operated on (I was having a run of bad luck that year!). The second cataract was treated about six months after the first but even just having one done made a huge improvement to my sight. And this was 2021, with all the delays covid caused. I can only think it was because before I had the first done my sight was so bad I ended up being signed of sick. I’m a mental health nurse in the NHS so I do wonder if my gp put a word in and asked for me to be prioritised as most people who have the surgery are already retired, plus mine were deteriorating very rapidly.

im absolutely delighted with the results.

Had op a week last Sunday. I fainted after the op even though I had diazepam. Wasn't given an eye guard. Just two lots of eye drops 3 x a day. Went for post op check up and consultant said did I want to book my other eye. I said not yet. He said my other eye didn't need it and, when it does, he advised me to have GA at hospital. Not the best service ( although I can read books now with single lensed glasses. Specsavers told me to pop one lens out as, due to the op, I don't need help for that eye anymore. I've only ever had a small prescription for both eyes anyway ( for reading and screens) .

Where did you have your surgery. I’ve just been to NewMedica but I am facing second thoughts as done of the staff seemed a bit rude and it’s quite far from where I live

I thought you had to wear an eye guard at night too

Leeds- where do you have to go?

I did for a week at night. My husband didn't. Different surgeons.