Cataract surgery soon

Hello
I had multi focal lenses in each eye about three years ago and no longer need any glasses at all. Worth considering over the single focal nhs ones if you are able.

I have had both eyes done in the past 6 months and can now read and drive without glasses. I was offered a choice and chose the NHS Eye hospital as I felt that if anything went wrong I was in the best place for it to be rectified. It all went well - actually beyond expectations. I had them done separately and found the experience interesting with absolutely no pain or discomfort. NHS at its best.

I had both eyes done in the past 3 months,I don’t need glasses for driving now,but do for reading.

I got different prescription in my eyes so I can go about the house not needing glasses and am able to read labels in the supermarket unlike my DH who has both eyes fully corrected and he needs glasses to see print . My optician advised me to do this and the consultant was a bit taked aback when I asked for it but it has been great. I use distance glasses for driving and watching TV.

I went privately after an acquainance was left blind in one eye after a botched operation at our local hospital.

I was offeed the choice between lenses that mean I needed glasses for reading or different lens that made reading spec free but I would need classes for distances.

I chose to have the distance offer, which means I can go round all day, reading, sewing, almost everything without glasses, but need them for driving, tv and cinema etc

The option of havng adjusted eyes so I didn't need glasses,w as around but not suitable for me because I was so severely short sighted.

That was my decision in the end as well tanith and despite being very short sighted and having astigmatism I’m delighted with the result. I hope all goes well for you, I’m sure it will.

I have had both eyes done, I wasn’t asked to make a choice of which lenses I wanted, they just used what they thought was best. The result is I don’t need glasses for driving and I can now read really small print so I am happy with the result.

Thanks everyone I’ve pretty much decided I won’t pay for private lenses if I need glasses so be it.

DH had both eyes operated on privately under our health insurance. We paid an extra £1000 for lenses we were told would ‘probably mean he doesn’t need glasses at all’. After the operations he was prescribed varifocals glasses. He used to take his glasses off for reading but now he has to wear them all the time. I wouldn’t advise anyone to pay for special lenses.

I had my cataracts done privately through a very well accredited eye surgeon and he said he stayed with middle range vision which could be supported with reading glasses. I can drive, shop, etc without glasses but do need them for reading.

OP, this is correct. The NHS will only provide single vision lenses. You have to make the decision whether you want long or short distance. I am having my op at Moorfields and have investigated having the op done privately so that I didn’t have to wear glasses but due to other issues this won’t be possible for me.

I had this dilemma recently but the clinic gave me lots of advice. They told me to ring them before my op so they could prepare the right lens. If I’m understanding your post correctly and your operation is a week away it may be advisable to get in touch with them now to talk it through?

Thanks both I found that post and it made things clearer not sure what I will go for but at least I’m better informed.

You can get bi focals and varifocal lens, as with contact lenses.

Neither did I so I just had my op on the NHS and I'm perfectly happy with it.

There was a thread on this very subject recently so you may be able to find some answers there.