Eye health (cataracts, glaucoma etc) - expert Q&A

I’m another one with cataracts, nearing the stage of needing removal, plus useful vision in only one eye.
Apart from being left blind if anything goes wrong, I’m very worried how I will cope after the operation on my good eye. How much will I be able to see until I can have new glasses? Would I be best kept in hospital overnight when my good eye is covered?

What are the signs of cataract forming please. Can you still read with cataracts? drive?

Hello Larry,
I thought I needed new glasses and, as I couldn't afford them, did nothing about my deteriorating eyesight.

Many years later, having been diagnoses as diabetic, I was entitled to a free eye test and they discovered I had AMD.
(there was and still is no damage from diabetic retinopathy)

Since that time I have been having injections of Avastin in my eyes, originally every month, then 2 months and now, after 8 years of regular injections we have come as far as we can. I simply go for checks every 4 months.

I would encourage everyone with any sort of eye problem to have a test because had I been aware of AMD, the ophthalmologist may have been able to slow down my AMD at a much earlier stage.

I also took part in a trial by Auckland (NZ) University.
They were looking for early signs of AMD, and, I believe, found them.

www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/news-events-and-notices/news/news-2016/03/new-test-for-early-detection-of-eye-disease.html

I do feel there should be much more publicity about catching AMD early.

I can no longer read, paint or drive (books and research were my life, painting and carving my passion and of course my car enabled me to go anywhere) but I had 63 years of these treats and created heirlooms over the years. All my treatment has been free so I am not really complaining.

Hello Sir,
My 12year old grandson has extreme sensitivity t9 light so much so that his dread on going to the dentist is more from fear of overhead light than the drill. Is that normal and does it carry some risk for future eyesight ?

Hello

I had macular hole surgery a few years ago.

I was recently 70 and was required to undertake a DVLA eye exam during which I had to score 100% in the peripheral vision test*.

I understand my licence will need to be renewed in three years (as with everyone my age) but could you please tell me if I will have to take the DVLA test again?

*I was told I had three attempts at this test and then.... no licence!
Shaking like a leaf, I first scored 119/120 but told this was a fail.
I had to re-take, managing 120.

I have been diagnosed with pigment dispersion syndrome and have to attend the eye hospital to have the eye drainage channels assessed. My appointment is over five months away. Is the risk of Glaucoma such that I should worry about this ?

I have suffered with dry eyes and blepharitis for several years and have done all the things I am supposed to do - warm the eyelids, gently massage them and use eye drops, mainly artificial tears. I also use chloramphenicol when needed
as I often get infections. The trouble is that my eyes are very sensitive and don't like me messing about with them too much. Is there anything else you can suggest please as it's driving me mad!

I have recently been diagnosed with cataracts. My vision is not blurry but suffer a lot from glare which is causing me migraines lasting several days. Is this common and can anything be done, apart from reactive or polaroid glasses which I now have.

Short sighted -12 ish both eyes, I wear soft contacts for 40 years Astigmatism in both eyes and had torn retinas after a blow to the head some years back repaired twice been ok for a while Now have cataracts and been advised to wait until I really can’t manage because of my previous eye problems I m 74 does this sound right please ?

Secondly one granddaughter Very long sighted about +10 or 11 had a turn which isn’t noticeable in either her glasses (thinned glass very expensive) or contacts is there laser treatment for long sight yet ?
Thank you

I had a Macular hole and lens implant operation in July 2018 and my Consultant is pleased with the result. I however feel that the vision is still slightly distorted which my Consultant says is due to scarring. I would like to know if it will improve with time.

I almost always wake up in the mornings with red eyes, the actual eyeball itself is very red with red veins. What causes this and is it anything to worry about please?

I find that when i’m doing any close work I automatically close my left eye, which is the eye I had a cataract removed from. The optician doesn't seem to take any notice when I tell him. It’s driving me round the bend.

Hi, for many years I have suffered from Uveitis and as a result of oral medication (steroids) I have suffered from cataracts . The one on my left eye was removed September 2017 and the one on my right eye is nowhere near ready for removal.
I expected my eyesight to improve greatly after the removal of the left eye cataract and was very disappointed to find that it didn't. I asked one of the many doctors I see at the eye hospital every few months about this and was told ' Oh you can't expect a good improvement as the optic nerve has been permanently damaged due to the inflammation. I was very surprised by this as this was the first time I'd been told this. Was there any point then in the cataract op, and is there any point in a future op on the right eye ?

I have been told I have cataracts developing and feel my glasses often look dirty or Misty my optician days there is nothing to worry about but would advise against removal as I have a lazy eye minimal to no vision and feels the procedure would be too risky I would value your opinion on this.

Both my parents had glaucoma, what are my chances of getting it? what age range for the onset of glaucoma? I might add I go annually for eye testing and have done for many years

My eyelids on both eyes itch like fury top and bottom.
I have used Blephasol, Sodium Cromoglicate, warm eye pads and baby shampoo, all to no avail. This has gone on now for over 3 years, and each morning I wake up feeling like I have been punched in the eyes!
Is there anything I can do?.
Many thanks, Meg.

My question is similar to Twiceasnice's I have had 5 or 6 injections in one or other eye over the last few months for diabetic retinopathy. Is it likely that I will be able to go longer than 4 wks between check ups soon ?
Interesting that TwiceAsNice? was told that improving blood sugar levels could help reverse the problem. I haven't been told that.
I am on insulin for T2

I have been diagnosed with 'narrow angles' and advised that I should have a Laser Iridotomy within two years. Is this necessary, and if it is, how soon should I get it done. Should I have it done now and not wait two years??? Thank you.

I sometimes experience bright wavy lights to the side of my eyes. Also occasional flashing lights. Is it anything serious.

Why do I wake up with red eyes all the time?

Hi
I get double vision in y right eye if I have been reading or looking at my phone. It lasts for a long time, but it is always there slightly.

My infant grandson has a coloboma in the iris of his left eye. He’s been referred to the ophthalmology department but as yet hasn’t been seen. It runs from the pupil to 5 o’clock. I realise that you can’t tell if his vision will be affected but what can you tell me about it in general terms please?

Postcode lottery or outdated opinions when it comes to "being ready"?
My ophthalmologist believes that the op should take place just as soon as the cataracts are diagnosed and that there is no justification for the idea of "ripening".
Do you agree?

I have had Fuchs Endothelial Dystrophy for a few years now as well as dry AMD since 2009. I can still drive but those days are numbered.

I also have mild cataracts- I was led to believe that having Fuchs was a contraindication to having cataracts removed as and when. Has that changed? That to me would mean that cataracts would be most likely to cause severe visual impairment before the other two diseases.

I am highly myopic with astigmatism in both eyes and very thin retinas - I had laser treatment for a Neovascularization about 15 years ago which has left a blind spot just below the macular in my left eye. I wear varifocal gas permeable contacts and can see fairly well at the moment - my prescription hasn't changed for the last 3 years (still -15.72 & -16). Glaucoma also runs in the family and a scan at my last optician appointment showed PVD in the left eye and to a smaller degree in the right. I haven't noticed any symptoms with this.

I'm concerned that if cataracts develop (none so far) surgery could cause more damage - I understand I wouldn't be able to have corrective lenses inserted but would clear lenses be possible?