Gransnet forums

Health

Eye surgery for distance and reading

(14 Posts)
M0nica Tue 31-Jan-23 16:02:07

You can have cataract type surgery to improve severe short sight, obviously it will need to be self funded.

I have friends with cataracts who have had a distance lens in one eye and reading lens in the other.

This is essentially is what I have had, only as I was so short sighted, I do still need glassses for driving and tv etc, but as I type this I am not wearing any specs because the lens in my other eye works perfectly for reading and close work.

wildswan16 Tue 31-Jan-23 11:13:53

Reported

edithjc Tue 31-Jan-23 10:50:40

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

avitorl Wed 23-Nov-22 20:07:24

You can have lens exchange surgery privately even if you don't have cataracts.I have one eye done for reading and one for distance and I am delighted with the outcome
Not everyone can cope with this so a surgeon may refuse to do it if you haven't experienced something like this beforehand.I was short sighted so tried a contact lens for long distance in one eye and left the other without to see if I could cope.Initially I only had one eye operated on for long sight and had the other operated on when I did start developing a cataract in it.
I think the cost was about £3,000 per eye

CanadianGran Wed 23-Nov-22 19:56:22

My DH had Lasik surgery about 7 years ago and is very happy with the results. He had worn glasses from the age of about 12, so was delighted to be able to be glasses-free.

At his consultation they suggested one eye for distance and the other for reading, which he agreed to. He loved the results. He is now having to wear reading glasses, since his close vision has somewhat deteriorated, but they did warn him of this, and in fact a "touch up" is free if he makes another appointment.

He said the procedure was quick and pain-free, just a bit of nervous discomfort. Dry eyes afterwards for about a month, but eyedrops prescribed.

I have been told I am not a good candidate, since I already have dry eyes and it may cause discomfort. But I do wear a contact lens in one eye for close up, which is amazing not to have to reach for readers all the time.

Go ahead and make a consultation - a clinic will give all the benefits and risks, and you can make a decision from there.

Jaxjacky Wed 23-Nov-22 19:50:13

I have two friends who had laser surgery some years ago,not sure of prices or the detail, but both have now got to either have it redone, or go back to glasses. The price has obviously increased.

Blossoming Wed 23-Nov-22 19:36:13

Yes, Silverlining it is. I know very little about it, I have hypertensive retinopathy so it wouldn’t be suitable for me. I don’t think you can have cataract surgery if you don’t have cataracts, so I’m not sure what your neighbour has had done. I’ve been referred to a consultant ophthalmologist, next appointment in a couple of weeks.

icanhandthemback Wed 23-Nov-22 18:43:18

As with all surgery there are risks. Any good eye surgeon should tell you this so you can weigh up whether it is worth taking the risk. We were going to pay for our dreadfully long sighted son but after seeing the specialist who told us his sight for driving was already borderline with his glasses and surgery could make things worse, we withdrew the offer. Our son was happy to stick with glasses.

baubles Wed 23-Nov-22 18:34:51

I know someone who’s had this procedure with brilliant results. I think it was four or five years ago and she’s delighted with her new vision.

silverlining48 Wed 23-Nov-22 18:30:02

Have to admit to bring unclear about the name of the process but think it’s a cataract type surgery where a distance lens is put in one eye and a reading one in the other.
How dreadful for your friend Sago.
Is that Lazer surgery Blossoming?
I havnt started investigating yet but thought there might be information and experience on here.

Charleygirl5 Wed 23-Nov-22 18:25:21

Please think twice about this- you only have 2 eyes. I am partially sighted and it is no fun. This was not caused by surgery, I have geographic atrophy in my left eye and age-related degeneration in my right.

Sago Wed 23-Nov-22 18:00:26

Please be careful a friend went through optegra and has had awful trouble, she has to use steroid drops daily and has had 3 lots of surgery as the lenses used calcified.
She signed a disclaimer and cannot sue.

Blossoming Wed 23-Nov-22 17:42:52

Is this LASIK surgery?

silverlining48 Wed 23-Nov-22 17:24:48

Has anyone had this done? Was it successful, any regrets ?
Did it hurt? Was it expensive? ( think I know the answer to that).
A neighbour had this done and is encouraging me, I am considering but I am fearful of the process as I don’t ‘do’ eyes. Would prefer a knockout anaesthetic fir anything eye related.