Cataract surgery

My appointment went well today and he is hopefully going to be able to give me middle vision in my right eye . So reading glasses will be required and possibly top up distance vision glasses for TV etc . All sounds good to me ! He did say as I’m so shortsighted in that eye it may not be a perfect result . Also I run a higher risk of detached retina following surgery too . But the waiting list is only 2-3 months ? . One happy bunny !

What I was hoping was that the operation would simply make my vision clearer, and that I would go on wearing varifocals to cover the middle distance, music reading and close work. I have no problem with continuing wearing glasses. I just want to be able to see better for night driving.

I had planned to ask for single vision implants.

Just make sure you have single-vision implants. I speak as a retired optometrist. Multifocal implants cause a lot of disruption to night vision. And many of my happiest patients had one eye set for distance, the other for middle distance. Very good for both driving and seeing shelves in the supermarket, and seeing a person clearly while in conversation. Just pop reading glasses on for small print

All the best to you Blossoming and to SusieB50

I also have extropia in my right eye, a condition that causes my right eye to turn outwards when I try to focus on objects in front of me. It’s related to previous retina and nerve damage and it’s getting worse. The intention is to remove the cataract in my right eye and carry out the corrective muscle surgery at the same time. I don’t know when they might remove the left cataract, I will have a lot of questions to ask at my appointment!

I’m going today to a private hospital but under NHS , for an initial consultation for hopefully cataract surgery . I had one done six years ago . I’m very shortsighted and my operated eye now has perfect vision without glasses or contacts so hopefully I can have the same for this eye too .I do still have problems in bright sunlight however even after six years .

An ex colleague whose eyesight was appalling (he’d avoided GPs and opticians for years) eventually did something about it - they said his cataracts were about the worst they’d ever seen.

I collected him from the first appt. - he was sent courtesy of the NHS to IIRC a Spa Medica - he was virtually blind from the procedure/eye shade, plus the other eye being so bad.

I rang in the morning to see how he was - he was absolutely elated - could read, for the first time in many years - the departures notice board in the nearby railway station, which he could see from his flat. I was astonished that recovery was both so quick and so complete.

He’s since had the other done, equally successfully.

I had both my cataracts removed at a Spa Medica. The optician asked me which hospital I preferred so I just asked him which one he would use.
I need to use reading glasses now but my distance vision is good. I also had to have some laser treatment after the operations. This is painless.

I was surprised too Grammaretto. The eye clinic I used to attend was dreadfully busy with long waits the norm and I thought I’d be on a long waiting list.

A new purpose-built super duper eye clinic has been built since my last visit to cover the whole region. It looks impressive on the website.

www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/lancashire-eye-centre

I had both eyes done, 6 months apart, three years ago, before Covid.
Both were done under the NHS, but the first operation was carried out on a Saturday, in a local private hospital, by the NHS consultant. I had one nurse who saw to me pre and post the operation and everything was fine.
The second operation was done in a NHS setting, a dedicated eye clinic. I was operated on by a Polish Doctor and again everything went well. But in the NHS hospital there were four nurses hovering around. One nurse took my details, another gave me the drops, another asked if I wanted my hand during the procedure and the 4th nurse was supposed to explain the eye drop routine post operation, but as I knew the procedure she decided there was no need to explain. She did however make me a cup of tea.
Is this one of the reasons that the NHS is overspent, if a private hospital can do it with 1 nurse, why the need for 4 nurses?
I had to have another small op on both eyes 18 months along because part of the lens that is left behind had become cloudy and needed laser treatment, This apparently is quite common and again was painless.
The only thing that annoys me after having the surgery is that I now have to wear glasses for reading or any close work, e.g. peeling an onion, which I never had to before.
Lucky Girl - My son had to have cataract surgery a year after having detached retinas in both eyes. Again the need for cataract surgery is not unusual after such an operation. He is fine now.

DH had his cataracts removed nearly three years ago. We went privately and he had lenses inserted which meant he didn't need glasses at all. Up until the last three months its been brilliant but now close up reading vision has deteriorated so much so he's using a magnifier to read the small print. We've an appointment in a couple of weeks with the surgeon. I've spoken to people and quite a few have had this problem. Someone explained it as a mist behind the lens. Think they use Laser to clear it at the appointment. Hope that's going to be the remedy. Distance vision is fine.

I am too Luckygirl for the same reasons.
I was told it was very low risk but I guess that's not no risk.

I am a bit concerned to hear that one poster still has problems with night driving - that is one of the main reasons I am having it done!

We are lucky here in Oz if we hve private health insurance - majority do I believe. Had my op 2 weeks after consultation, although I spent about $3,500!

2 weeks*Blossoming*!!
That's fast
I was told 60 weeks unless there's a cancellation.
I first have to see an opthalmologist.

My oh had his cataract op 5 weeks ago .
He was in and out of the hospital in just over an hour and is still absolutely thrilled in the difference it has made the whole procedure was painless just a bit of discomfort for a couple of days but we'll worth it

OH had both done earlier this year, 6 weeks apart. Only a few weeks wait from Boots opticians refferal and done on NHS at Spa Medica clinic. (We're in the south east). Have to wait 6 weeks after surgery before getting new spectacles. Can drive before that if you meet the requirements for reading a number plate at specified distance. He always wears sunglasses now even if mildly sunny. Good luck.

I had mine done a few years ago. Privately as I had health insurance through my company at the time
As everyone has already said, the procedures were quick, painless and the difference in my sight was instant.

I have had both eyes done and I no longer need glasses I still have problems driving at night though so I avoid it.
It sounds like a scary procedure to have but it really isn't.It is painless and doesn't last long and the results are definitely worth it.

Thank you for all the responses, and thank you LuckyGirl3 for starting this thread. I’m waiting for the assessment appointment, I was only referred last week. The waiting time for surgery here is only 2 weeks.

Our thoughts entirely Luckygirl - it shouldn't be like this but what price your health?

Go for it . The difference is amazing .

Had mine done some years ago, and had my myopia corrected at the same time. No pain, no problems.

That sounds encouraging. Mind you, at 18 I was very short-sighted!

I have no wish to lose my glasses - no-one would recognise me - I have worn them from age 5. I just want to see a bit better.

DH had one done recently and is now waiting for the second. Both NHS. Although he wanted it done he was a little nervous having read a bit about the procedure. After he said it was absolutely fine and not painful at all. He hasn’t had the brightness others mention but has regained his distance vision in the operated eye.