Eye health (cataracts, glaucoma etc) - expert Q&A

Thank you John - that is most helpful

I've hesitated posting here, as I don't want to step all over Mr Benjamin's answers - I'm sure they'll be really helpful, but if anyone does have anything they wanted answering urgently, RNIB's Eye Health Information Service (020 7391 3299) can help with understanding a diagnosis and where to find support, in the meantime.

I'm hoping for a response soon as I have some decisions to make.

It is a long time, over a month I d forgotten about I too

I went to my the optician today and the lovely (Alex dishy male) has now written my referral for my Cataract.

I don't know how long a wait it will be but It has at least now been put in for action.
It has been become a real nuisance.

I am disappointed too that we haven't had a reply - I wonder why?

Yes, it's been so long I'd forgotten about it.

Still no answers to our questions, a bit disappointing.

Nor me, I think the answers are usually posted on one thread.

No answer yet

Anyone had an answer yet to their question?? Not sure if they will be posted on GN or be sent as a private message.

Mr Benjamin just to update you my blood sugars are now pre-diabetic and in the normal range. Does this mean I have a better chance that my background retinopathy result in my last test has, or will now reverse itself also? The test has previously been normal each time

I agree, Cari, an amazing range so hopefully he will be able to answer our questions.

I've been told that I have a cataract developing in one eye. Early stages. Is there anything I can do to slow down the progression; wearing sunglasses etc....

Moses didnt realise that laser treatment got rid of 'floaters'. Please can our expert confirm this because if true i will ask at my next appointment with eye consultant as they are a real nusiance!!!!!

Gagagran thank you

I had a macular repair with vitrectomy a few years ago and it accelerated cataract development for which I had another operation. After this my vision was much clearer (right eye) though the scarring from the macular repair resulted in some distortion. I was discharged from the hospital as a result. Now I find vision in my right eye is blurred even with glasses. Is it possible that the new lens has clouded over? And can it be replaced? I also have glaucoma which is controlled with Timoptol.

I have had a few floaters for years, but they have just been a bit annoying . Over the past year however they have increased to the point that they are impacting greatly on my life. They make reading a book really difficult & I can't read a screen comfortably as the brightness makes it worse. I work in a school so this is really making life difficult & depressing . I'm constantly moving my eyes back & forth to shift them . Can I have a laser treatment on the nhs to get rid of them?

Do you find retired professional pilots are more likely to have faster deteriorating vision? Are there any long term effects of the lower oxygen at altitude?

Following a cataract operation on my left eye in September 2017 I have been diagnosed with negative dysphotopsia. Although my vision in this eye is fairly good the effects of the condition are not good ie the shadow/dark strip on the left side of the eye and my reaction to sunlight and artificial light. Shopping can be a nightmare because of the lighting in shops. For various reasons it has taken some time to diagnose this condition because it is quite rare - my optician has never heard of it in 40 years of practising! The discomfort I can feel varies from day to day and on a scale of 1-10 can be one or 10 with no discernible reason for the change.

My consultant has offered a lens replacement using a different type of lens and has said he will place the lens slightly differently. However this is not without complications and because it is not known who or why negative dysphotopsia affects neither he or I will know if it will be successful - it could make matters worse. At my last visit to see the consultant he offered a different solution which is I have a cataract in my right eye and he thinks if my lens in my right eye was replaced it could make it the dominant eye which could lessen the problems I have in my left eye. He has no way of knowing however if I could suffer the same condition in both eyes so it would be a leap of faith on my part to have this done.

I really would appreciate your thoughts on negative dyphotopsia and possible solutions to the condition.

I have dry eyes but strangely enough they mainly only trouble me when I am even slightly stressed. For example I can be perfectly fine, the phone will ring and if the call is anything stressful POW I have dry eyes. How can this be? I visited an optician to do with my dry eyes - she did a very thorough examination - but when I told her of my selective dry eye problem she said she had never heard of it. I am sincerely hoping that you have and can help me. Thank you!

Ninathenana I am type 2 diabetic but am on oral metformin not insulin . I don’t know if that makes s difference

Cari said the questions would be passed across on 29 April BradfordLass so I think it will be a while yet!

Has anyone had a response to their queries yet?