Eye surgery fears!

Must say I really sympathise. I have no phobies apart from the idea of sharp objects near my eyes. But having seen my mum become blind, of a combination of cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma - I would do anything to save mine. But I think they would have to give me a large dose of lala land pill beforehand.

Please type Cataracts into the search facility here. You'll find several threads on the subject, lots of explanation and heaps of sympathetic support.
Best bit is when a gran who's terrified at the prospect comes back later and agrees that it was every bit straightforward and painless as the posts suggested!

I have had to have injections in my eye/eyes on an almost monthly basis for the past year.
I was really scared before the first one, imagining being able to see the needle coming at me but as has been said the anaesthetic works very well and with the plastic clamp holding the eye open and the doc approaching from the side you do not see what is happening. I would assume it's similar for a cataract procedure.

My aunt when in her early 90's had both eyes done and she was fine, living on her own and coped.

I had cataracts in both eyes removed 8 years ago. It was a shock because my cataracts were fast developing which is extremely rare. Basically I went to bed and woke up to discover I was almost blind in my left eye and when I was seen by the ophthalmologist I had a fast developing cataract in my right eye. I had no choice really and was fast tracked for the operation. I was scared at the thought of being awake but I needed not to be. The surgery takes no time at all and you are distracted by the nurses and surgeon chatting to you. I never had the urge to blink either. I was only 57 when I developed cataracts but it was a blessing in disguise because varifocals were costing a fortune and now I just need reading classes. Please don’t worry.

I've had both my cataracts done and have just been to the dental hygienist. The hygienist is worst!

I have had both eyes done at different times. It really doesn't hurt (except for the drops that sting a bit), and you can't see anything of course. If they will do everything at once I would have it and get it over with.

I would discuss with your surgeon whether to have everything done at once on both eyes or have the worst eye done and then assess the outcome. I would go for the latter.

Also, forgot to say,you will be amazed at how clear your vision is immediately

Hello Gill I also could have written your post as I'm very squeamish about eyes too. Yesterday I had an eye test and was told that I had the signs of very early cataracts and the thought of surgery terrifies me.
The second post from Glamma gives some reassurance and I wish you all the best.

Please don:t worry, you will not feel a thing. i have had cataract surgery, on both eyes a month apart i think it was, ages ago, also had laser done later on the right eye
The worst bit is having the drops in,they might sting a bit, but it doesn:t last long,but the op is completely painless i promise,

You have my sympathies. However, eyesight is so precious that I think you must somehow manage mind over matter. Not easy I know. Just yesterday I had to have various intra ocular pressure tests and sclerotic thickness tests. It wasn't great but it wasn't bad either. I really didn't feel anything. I'd have a greater fear of sight loss or just further impairment.
If it was me I'd have everything over and done with at once. Staff are very understanding as I don't think anyone at all exactly likes having things done to their eyes. You're certainly not alone in that.
Be brave. Do it. Then get back to let us know how you got on. Good luck.

Gillw123 I could have written your post myself as I have just been this week for my pre-op examination for cataract surgery.
I explained to the specialist how scared I was about the procedure and after speaking to him and another patient (who was having his 2nd procedure for his right eye) how painless the operation is.He explained how drops are placed in the eye to aneathasise (sp) the area and only when they are convinced that has worked do they clamp the eye open the whole procedure takes just 10mins and totally pain free so I came away really convinced and happy to go ahead,I was told that if you are really unerved to can ask for a sedative which will relax you completly but if you take this option you must have someone with you for at least 24hrs just in case you are a wee bit wobbly.
I had my appointment this last Tuesday and offered an appointment for this coming Saturday but had to refuse that date as I fly out on holidays the following Tuesday so will have it done when I come home.Best of luck sweetie try not to worry too much.