Cataracts disappointment

Like grannydarkhair and Fleurpepper I hate anything to do with opticians and eyes. My optician says I will soon need my cataracts doing and I am seriously wondering if I can face it. The other thing that worries me is my tendency to tremble violently for hospital procedures. Even though I was not consciously scared for my pacemaker op, (the consultant said he’d never seen anything like it), I was still shaking non stop. What would happen if this happened during a cataract operation?

We should just be extremely grateful that cataracts are now very easily repaired and sight restored to how it should be. Thousands are done every year and everyone dreads it and then discovers it is very simple with little discomfort for a day after.

The majority of people just have their eye numbed with a local anaesthetic, but if you are very nervous then sedation or even a general anaesthetic can be given.

How miraculous that 15 minutes of lying flat on your back with no pain or discomfort at all can make such a difference to our lives.

I had the cataract operations when I was in my 60s. It seems that if you are very short-sighted you are more likely to develop cataracts relatively young - and I was very short-sighted.

I also had some laser treatment on both eyes. For some people vision can become reduced if the remaining outer membrane or capsule of the natural lens becomes cloudy or scarred.
The lens itself is removed in cataract surgery but the outer capsule remains in. The cloudiness or thickening of the capsule can result in reduced vision and glare, much like a return
of the cataract. Laser capsulotomy is a safe and effective way to clear a hole in the outer caapsule.

My sister early 50 's thought she needed a change in her glasses prescription, no both eyes Cataracts.
My friend the same she's now late 50's both eyes, Cataracts but she uses Steroid inhalers as she an Asthmatic, Steroids known to bring them on earlier.
It's brilliant they get picked up earlier these days and op is so routine now.

I was told I was developing cataracts about 10 years ago. So far they haven't got any worse and I'm 77 now so I don't know if they ever will. The only problem I've had is other people's headlights when I'm driving at night. My latest pair of glasses have been treated with a coating to help with this and I rarely drive at night now anyway.

silverlining48

Should mention that dh and mother both had this done and neither was straight forward so I don’t entirely believe the ‘it’s simple’ story I often hear about. It wasn’t simple fir them though dh is now fine.

Mine wasn’t straightforward either, but I know it is for most people. I have only had one done. I am not bothering with the other one for now, because I can see well enough for everyday needs. I don’t drive, which probably makes a difference.

My first one wasn’t at all either Grandma70 but I took a deep breath and went ahead with the second one
My operation each time took 30 minutes not 15 …….but it’s still miraculous

I think most of my friends and relatives have been told they have cataracts developing .
Those who have got as far as having the op’ assure my that it is not anything to get worked up about.

I have had many operations and can tell you the cataract removal was by far the easiest and simplest. All done and dusted in a day and home again.

Please do not worry. I think you are panicking unnecessarily!

The whole concept of cataracts being ripe enough for surgery is nonsense nowadays. Some people have their lenses removed and replaced when they do not even have cataracts, but simply to correct poor sight.

The surgery to remove cataracts and replace the lens is one of the most successful pieces of modern surgery and is totally without trauma.

I had mine done earlier this year - both on the same day - and was driving within a few days. It was a simple and painless procedure.

grannydarkhair

crazyH No, I’m not a particularly anxious person. I’m fine with any other part of my body being examined, go for all my regular medical appointments, tests, carry a donor card, etc. but when it comes to my eyes, it’s a whole different story, and I’ve always been like this.

DH is the same, flinched if I had to put drops in his eyes for any reason, and if I put drops in my own eyes he says "I don't know how you can do that!".
However, he had cataracts removed from both eyes and was fine about it! The worst thing was when I had to put the drops in for him afterwards.

Callistemon21 I’m fine as long as it’s only me going anywhere near my eyes, I have dry-eye, been using drops for quite a few years. I also used to wear contacts when I was younger, could put them in/take them out and it didn’t bother me a bit.
I worked in care for nearly 30 years, had to help many a service user with eye drops, etc., and that never bothered me either.
I was diagnosed with Asthma in my early 30s, been on inhalers since then and have had several courses of steroids over the years, both for that and for CIU which I’ve suffered from for about 20 years. I wasn’t aware of the link that Visgirl mentioned.
I know cataract removal is considered to be a very routine procedure nowadays, and was well aware of how grateful both my brothers were when had their cataracts removed. Still hope that I never have to have mine done 😁

I have been on the NHS waiting list for a year to have my first cataract operation.
I look out every day for a letter. I've had the assessment 2 weeks ago but still no word.
My DM had both hers replaced and said it was brilliant.
My sight has deteriorated. I don't drive at all now.
Neither of my siblings have cataracts though both wear glasses whereas my sight was 20:20 before cataracts.

I was told it is hereditary, not sure if that is the case or not. I had one done because one formed after an eye operation but my other eye is not ripe enough. I can see very, very small print so I am reluctant to do anything. Distance viewing is pretty ordinary, though and always has been. I find it hard to drive at night and avoid it.

Nanalot If you were shaking a lot then the surgeon would either not do the operation or would administer a muscle relaxant in some kind. They are not going to operate on you if you are shaking and if you shake with fear of having something happen you will be doing it before the operation starts, not when it has just begun or is part way through.

Oh Nandalot I feel your pain. I thought it was just me who trembled with any medical procedure. I have to go to the optician today as I have had a couple of episodes of seeing flashes. I'm shaking already. I'm sorry you get like this but if its any consolation you have helped me no end.

I had flashes in my eyes - saw the consultant - had a small retinal tear - sat in a chair for a while during which he sealed the tear with a laser - walked out fine. Painless, swift, saved me going blind - it's a miracle!

Thank you *Lucky". I'm glad they fixed it.

My cataract ops are booked for October. At first I was apprehensive but now I'd be happy if they phoned and said come right now! I'm so looking forward to being able to see really well. Even with the strongest lenses my distance vision has deterioprated a massive amount. Bring on the ops!
(Theyre doing one eye first then the other two weeks later in case of infection)

I am 66, went to the optician a week ago, told I had the start of cataracts, but they were too small to be operated on, no other problems found. I have never smoked either.

Must be about 7 years ago, when I had an eye test, the optomotrist told me I was unusual for a woman of my age because I had no cataracts. Move on a few more years and, disappointingly, a small cataract was developing in my left eye. Owing to Covid, I missed eye tests until this year when that cataract had grown enough for the optomotrist to predict it would need surgery in about 18 months and there was another growing in my right eye. I can't say I am alarmed, since many of my friends of similar - mostly younger - age have already had the surgery and my (younger) sister has had both eyes 'done'. I'll probably be 84 before I have to go under the knife, but if that's what it takes to save my sight and enable me to continue to drive, then 'bring it on'.

Try not to worry. I had one eye done and then a fortnight later the other. You will be given sedative , the staff know what they are doing . I'm sure you will be pleased with the outcome.

I understand your feelings grannydarkhair. I too was horrified when an optician casually said ‘cataracts in both eyes’ during a routine examination.

I am visually impaired already due to hypertensive retinopathy and have had haemorrhages in both retinas. I also have exotropia in my right eye which was getting worse, this is being treated at the hospital with a Botox injection into the hyperactive muscle. So the possibility of more problems from cataracts was frightening.

I had a thorough assessment and lots of tests at the hospital. The consultant ophthalmologist reassured me that cataracts can take years to develop and may never cause a problem. They are quite common in older people who may never realise they have them. If they do get worse then they can be dealt with.

I too was told from my late fifties that I had the signs of them but it would probably be years. When the time came, they had suddenly got so bad my sight was really poor and I was not allowed to drive! The operations were absolutely nothing to worry about.
However, grannydarkhair, my dh feels just the same as you, despite my assurances. A normally very brave man, who had both hips done whilst awake, he can’t even bear having drops in his eyes. He is talking about finding someone who will do the job under general anaesthetic or, at the very least, heavy sedation - and says he will pay to have that done if he can’t have it under the NHS!

Do not be afraid of having Cataracts done. Had mine done last year and it is painless and nothing to worry about. They do one eye then you go back to have the second one done. Sounds daft but I quite enjoyed the experience !