Cataract surgery referal

Had both mine done over the winter. Can drive again but still need glasses for reading. Also, still suffering with glare and just started PVD in one eye but the eye surgeon is keeping a close look at the situation and I must go back in six weeks. Just trying not to do too much bungy jumping in the meantime! Sorry, joke!

15 month waiting list where I live in Scotland. Gave up and went private. Also, if you need two eyes done, you wait 15 months have one done then join the waiting list again for the other. I dread to think how long the list would be without all the folk going private.

Thank you all for your replies. I think I worry about the local anaesthetic more than anything as I had surgery for a macular hole 18 months ago and it was, to my surprise, painless and discomfort free. But I can't say the same about the local anaesthetic beforehand which was a bit of an ordeal. I dont know why the anaesthetist was struggling and seemed a bit flustered but she was also leaning on my brow bone which hurt so much- I've never considered that before as a potential place for pain!

I had both eyes done 6 weeks apart and best thing I had done . Didn’t need my glasses afterwards

I had mine done about 5 years ago and received a letter giving me a choice of hospitals and an idea of how long I would have to be on the waiting list for each of them. I chose the shortest time and had them done on the NHS at a local private hospital. The surgeons at all the hospitals were the same, all worked for the local NHS at the local hospital.

I had my cataract removed at Spa Medica and was referred by my optician. Its done on the NHS. The staff are amazing and so lovely. I had the cataract remove from my left eye at the beginning of June and am having the cataract in my right eye removed on 22nd August. I was very worried before i had the first one done but i didn't need to. There is no pain and its over with very quickly.

My optician made a referral through the GP and I got a letter with details of how to book appointment with a choice of providers both NHS and private clinics.

You'll be contacted, doubtless by letter. I don't think I was given a choice of clinics, just the one nearest to me. Walking distance from home, so that's fine, and only a few weeks ahead. But if your optician says your area offers a choice, I'm sure that's correct. After the initial letter I made all the arrangements online, but I think I could have phoned if I'd preferred to.

The consultant was much more interested in testing me for glaucoma than in the cataract! One eye was done a few weeks later, the other a month after that.

The whole system seems to be a mix of direct NHS provision and contracted private services. People who drone on about 'selling off' the NHS should note that this has been going on for years, and seems to work pretty well.

Everyone says 'you won't feel a thing'. Well, on my first eye, I DID feel something. Not excruciating pain, and perfectly bearable, like an uncomfortable session at the dentist. The doctor said my brain was 'interpreting pressure as pain'. Well, OK, but it felt like pain when it reached me! On my second eye, I was resigned to the same. But when I flinched as the procedure started, the doctor immediately stopped with 'hold on, you shouldn't have felt that at all, I'll give you the stronger eye drops'. THEN I felt nothing.

An ex colleague of mine with very bad cataracts was referred to a Spa Medica clinic. I picked him up after the first was done - and have to say he was over the moon the very next morning to find how his sight in that eye had already improved so dramatically.
His other eye was done a month or so later.
I’m sure he’d give them 10/10.

It is encouraging to hear all the positive comments. Sorry that you have to wait so long grimpy.
Willjac123 , at Wednesday’s SpaMedica pre op assessment I was told that, should I feel at all anxious about the procedure, to ask my GP for a sedative, Diazepam, to be taken before leaving home. The surgery is done under a local anaesthetic. I’m sure you will be fine. I also have glaucoma 🙄 and have been referred to the hospital in October. It was first diagnosed before the pandemic and I have been taking Lumigan eye drops.

I have been referred by Specsavers for cataract removal, but here in North Wales the waiting time is 18 months to see the consultant, even though I am regarded as a priority.
Much as I like living in Wales, the NHS is hopeless.

My OH had both eyes done privately. Swift recovery and now sees better than ever. Can even spot furniture dust!

I'll try and cut a long story short. I've worn specs since I was about 9 or 10 years old, and have been attending a NHS eye clinic as a 'glaucoma suspect' for the last 25/30 years. Had one cataract op about 4 years ago.
In January 24, I had not been to the clinic since January 23, but was having problems with my sight and decided that maybe I needed new glasses. Made appointment at opticians who took one look and announced that I needed a cataract op in one eye and that blood vessels at the back of my other eye had been hemorrhaging, so she could not do anything other than refer me for surgery etc.
I got lots of correspondence as a result and could choose where I wanted to go - all the information was clear. Even though their admin had slipped up and forgotten me, I chose to go back to the clinic I had been attending.

I had my second cataract op a couple of months ago, which wwnt smoothly and made a big improvement in my sight and just yesterday I had laser surgery on the eye that had the cataract op a few years ago.

Yes, it is scary to begin with, but actually the cataract op is amazing - you are awake and aware that something is being done, but don't feel anything and it takes only about 20 - 25 minutes.

Hope you get an appointment soon - the sooner the better - good luck!

PS. I've just read the message before mine, which in many ways is similar to mine. But the more reassurance you get, the better!

I think I might have to have cataract removal soon. Would somebody be able to explain what the procedure involves? Is it painful/uncomfortable? Is it done under local anaesthetic?

I was referred by my optometrist and had a phone call the next day with appointment for pre op assessment. Cataract op two week later and 6 weeks later second eye was done. Fantastic and very efficient. This was a private clinic but still on NHS. The difference in vision is just amazing. You will be delighted.

Hi Gsnm
Just this past Monday I had cataract surgery at an eye clinic fairly local to me.
I was referred by my high street optician and the process was very quick and efficient.
I should add I had been previously referred by the hospital to another hospital and was told by the referring Dr that the waiting time would be six months approx.
However I heard about this eye clinic CHEC (community health eye care) and asked to be referred there.
So after my referral to CHEC I had a very quick response inviting me for an initial appointment for a pre-assessment test where they check your eye for cataract and do all the paperwork.
Then at this appointment I was able to arrange the surgery date which was about two weeks later.
A week earlier they did laser treatment to my other eye where I had cataract surgery some years ago.
So my experience with CHEC was very good.
I should mention this is in the UK and is free at the point of delivery.
I believe they have clinics all over the country so if you're in the UK there should be one relatively near you.
I hope this is helpful to you, feel free to send me a pm if you have any questions.
Good luck

I had a call today and my cataract procedure is booked for next Wednesday.

I was fast forwarded to the Great Western Eye hospital as my dense cataracts had been missed by opticians somehow. In recovery just now. Very pleased.

SpaMedica phoned me to confirm the pre assessment appointment, as there wasn’t enough time to send a letter. I was very satisfied with my appointment today, and was even offered an appointment for surgery tomorrow. However, this wasn’t convenient to me as we had commitments. Impressed with their efficiency.

Thank you for your reply , Yes we have a Spa Medica close to us.Just wondering if i get a letter and who will send it.NHS or my doctor or my optician.He said i will need to call next week to arrange which clinic i would like to use.Unfortunately he forgit to tell me whi would be asking me for the information.I work everyday and the few times i’ve tried to ring opticians to ask this question the phone lines have been busy.They are closed by the time i get home
Thanks again

WOW … that was quick which medical group did you attend . We have 3 close by . Spa Medica , Nuffield and another can’t think of name now, but yeah all private but they do NHS .Apparently the ordinary NHS hospitals have long waiting lists.So you can now choose another clinic that is available and does NHS treatment
Thanks for your reply

This has just happened to my Gznm. Specsavers referred me to my GP for a referral to NHS SpaMedica for cataract surgery. I went today for a pre assessment and should be offered an appointment for the procedure in 2-6 weeks.

In my area the NHS is contracting private clinics to provide the service. I was referred and done and dusted in a few weeks. Brilliant service.

DH was referred by high street optician on Weds on Thurs given appt for following Tues at private clinic which also does nhs. The Consultant offered him Thurs the same week. Amazing from referal to actual surgery was one week!!! Two follow up phone calls to check how he was. 4wks time will have check up and if all well will be referred again. Operation only took under 45mins from entering building to leaving. No discomfort no pain. Brilliant service.

DH's optician wrote a request for referral letter to DH's GP. DH had the cataract operation on the NHS within 6 weeks although the provider was private. This was only a few weeks ago. DH had a choice of hospital. The cataract developed very quickly and needed urgent treatment.