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Cataract operations getting cold feet.

(17 Posts)
Liz46 Mon 15-Mar-21 05:54:47

I had cataracts for a long time and the optician was keeping an eye on them. Suddenly I became nervous of crossing the road and realized that my eyesight has suddenly deteriorated.

I had both cataracts removed a few months apart because we had a holiday booked and you can’t fly for a while.

I now have to wear reading glasses but my distance sight is excellent.

Don’t feel nervous, just do it. I felt a bit uncomfortable but no pain.

ev00stanley Mon 15-Mar-21 02:45:16

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

dogsmother Sat 30-Jan-21 08:52:27

Oh goodness I am actually envious!
I’m so fed up with my eyesight that I went to see about laser treatment, to be told that actually at my age lens replacement would be a more viable option. This would be too expensive for me. So my thinking is when/if cataracts take over same thing!
Nobody I know has ever had anything but amazing results.

Lovetopaint037 Sat 30-Jan-21 08:52:22

Thank you Franbern. .That is so encouraging. I will have to get some sun glasses as I have worn varifocals for years. Also look into needing some reading glasses.

Franbern Sat 30-Jan-21 08:47:15

PS just to add, that at my last opticians visit last year, I was told that thought it is okay for me to have glasses for driving, in actual fact my sight is now actually legal for me to drive without any glasses. Thank goodness for those wonderful cataract surgeons.

Franbern Sat 30-Jan-21 08:45:34

I had both of mine done a few years back - it was when the opitician told me that I was on the edge of not being to drive.

Live by myself and on the morning my daughter was due to take me for the first eye, I got myself into a total state. Indeed when I arrived at the eye hospital, my BP reading was frightening high. Wonderful senior nurse who took it was not as alarmed by it as I was (Obviously used to this happening to patients), proceeded to prepare me and took it again a little later and it had dropped.

Probably one of the most easy and painless procedure I have ever undergone in a hospital. No pain afterwards either. The day after the op. I went, by bus, to my local town (wore some normal sunglasses, even though it was November). Had to get used to putting in eye drops for a few weeks.

The only time immediately afterwards I went into panic was when I first got home, with a pad covering the repaired eye, could not put on my normal glasses, and could not read anything. My trip to town the following day was to purchase a pair of over-the-counter reading glasses, which served me perfectly.

Lovetopaint037 Fri 29-Jan-21 11:14:57

Oh! Thank you so much. You are all so encouraging and I feel so much better. I pictured myself unable to see for weeks and suffering a lot of discomfort.
Rosalyn69 said she had issues with eyes and sinuses after but still says it is totally worth it.
Thank you again.

Parsley3 Fri 29-Jan-21 11:13:53

Do go and you will be glad you did. I have had both eyes done and the difference has been quite amazing.

Rosalyn69 Fri 29-Jan-21 10:45:01

I had mine done three years ago and it was brilliant to be able to see again. That said I have had more issues with my eyes and sinuses after the operation than before; however it was totally worth it.

nadateturbe Fri 29-Jan-21 10:41:05

My husband had both eyes done. I had to put his drops in for a time afterwards. No complaints at all. Didn't feel a thing. One eye was bloodshot but it cleared up. His sight is so good he doesn't need his glasses.

NannyJan53 Fri 29-Jan-21 10:40:04

My partner had his done a week before Christmas. He says the difference in his sight is wonderful. He said it was fairly painless, and would have no qualms about having the other eye done in future.

Gwenisgreat1 Fri 29-Jan-21 10:35:58

Lovetopaint. don't listen to the downsides - unless you want to give up painting!!

I had both mine done - with just a local anaesthetic. Admit it was the first op I'd had where I was able to sit up on the operating table and say "thank you" after

If you are offered it - take it with both hands!!

Brendawymms Fri 29-Jan-21 10:21:17

I had both eyes done four days apparat. Nothing to it and the end result was well worth it. You may need dark glasses after the first eye because the world is suddenly bright again. Driving at night becomes possible again. I say go for it you will love the results.

aggie Fri 29-Jan-21 10:17:25

If you are an artist you must know about Monet , his paintings while he had cataract problems are so different
You think you can see , but after the op you will notice what you have been missing !
Without surgery there will be further decline in your vision !

NellG Fri 29-Jan-21 10:14:02

Totally understandable to be worried, who wouldn't be? My husband has had both eyes done. During the first he said to the surgeon, when are you going to start? Was told they were just finishing up! Afterwards it was just eye drops for a few weeks.

A few hours after the op when the anaesthetic wore off he couldn't believe how much colour he had lost to cataracts and how sharp and vivid everything had become. he has never regretted having it done. he had intermediate lenses so still has to wear reading glasses but other than that it has been totally worth it for him.

Mamissimo Fri 29-Jan-21 10:11:49

Oh please have it done - it was painless and quick and the difference it made to my sight was fantastic! We are all different but I had two straight forward lens replacements and could simply see again the next day. I regained the ability to thread a needle, drive at night - and to read easily - even the small stuff on tins! ?

Lovetopaint037 Fri 29-Jan-21 10:06:13

Just that. Is the post operative experience worth it? Just read my SIL ‘s booklet she sent me and I am getting worried. I can still manage sight wise. I can read so long as the print is dark enough and I can still paint. However, reading say The Times is hard going unless in the sunlight or bright light. My glasses can’t be improved. Also what kind of lens did you have? So appreciate your input.