Replacement lens surgery

Again, ladies, thank you so much - what a wonderful community!

As others have said, it's life changing. Mine was an emergency (acute angle closure) and the hospital brought a consultant from his bed in the middle of the night, as I was losing the sight in my left eye. That was done the very next day and six weeks later my other eye was done. Now just need glasses to read small print.

Unless you choose a general anaesthetic it is all over in about 10 minutes. I think the worst part is thinking about the actual procedure, and having to lie very still, but you don't feel a thing. You will be given a buzzer to press should you feel like sneezing or coughing. I could hear music playing and the professionals speaking quietly to each other. One of them was my friend's daughter, and she'd told me, that if ever she needed the op she'd want that surgeon to do it, so that filled me with confidence.

Good luck and look forward to never having to search for lost specs ever again!

I have had replacement lenses in both eyes this year. The difference is life changing. The first thing you will,notice is how vibrant the colours of everything is. I now only need +2 .00 glasses to read. As for the surgery I have had worse visits to the dentist. I was talking to lady at the bus stop yesterday who had hers done this year at the age .
.of 92. So do go for it. I don't think retinal detachment is very common and you will wish you had it done years ago.
Good Luck

When I was having my first glaucoma assessment I spent half a day on the opthamology ward having my eye pressure done.

They were wheeling the non GA cateract patients in and out of the theatre all day. A lot of these people were older than me and all seemed to be taking it in their stride as if it were a day out. Our parents generation are/were a tough lot.

Thank you, MaryP45, I'm trying to be calm about it and everyone's 'real' experiences are definitely helping!

I had lens replacement surgery 3 years ago - I found wearing varifocals so debilitating. It's transformed my life. I'd don't need to wear glasses at all now. The surgery is the same as a cataract op and only takes about 20 minutes. You have to use drops for 2 weeks after the operation. Only slight drawback is driving at night (which I had been warned about) - the lights on approaching cars can be a bit blurry from a distance, but it's not a huge problem.

My 92 year old dad also had lens replacement surgery about 2 months ago. He can now actually see the football on the telly!

Hope all goes well, best wishes

Thank you everyone for your helpful & supportive responses - very reassuring! The problems with my eyesight that have brought me to this situation have made me uber anxious which doesn't help when you're trying to make a calm & considered decision ... am going for full assessment on Thursday, so will hope for the best.

Had cataracts in both eyes done. I chose to have lens that mean I wear glasses only for distances and driving. It is still wonderful to not to need glasses or contact lens after over 50 years of wearing them.

I was so relaxed about the second op that the doctor commented that my blood pressure remained at the same low level from my initial measurement when I came in until I was discharged.

I'm short sighted and had a replacement lens due to a cataract.
All done under local anaesthetic, bit uncomfortable at the time but a cup of tea and a biscuit later and I was home with an eye patch for 48hrs.
No problems other than the normal getting used to it.
I'm sure you will be fine and be very glad you've had it done.

No more complicated than a straightforward cataract op I'd say. When mine were done my clouded lenses were replaced with prescription lenses which meant that after 50 years of myopia and varifocals I now need only simple reading glasses. +2.5
I'm sure you'll find the waiting (and worrying) is far worse than the reality.
I was anxious before my first op and was given a valium to help me relax. For the 2nd op I needed nothing as I knew what to expect and was not worried!
Good luck. Come back and tell us how easy it turned out to be.
Happy to answer any questions if you think it might help.

Optician hubby says op perfectly straightforward and surgeon will advise you of any potential problems with detached retina.