cataract aftercare

Nelliemoser - stoic of the week award.

Nelliemoser ?

Useful reading I am developing cateracts . According to the eye clinic where I go for my glaucoma monitoring. I have put my eye drops in this morning but never got round to putting my glasses on. I wondered why reading was hard work.

Yes indeed Moocow. definitely an "if only" moment. and thank you.

Watermeadow, my optician monitored the cataracts, six monthly over a few years. He wrote to my GP to say the left eye needed to be done. He listed five reasons why the surgery would be complex. He said it shouldn’t be done at our local eye unit but at the City hospital because the complexity meant an expert was needed. Delays at the city Eye Hospital meant I was referred by them to a private provider. The surgeon was brilliant, he did both eyes a few months apart and now reviews me regularly because of various risks. Feel fortunate but of course, me treatment costs are absorbed by the health service and not everyone is as lucky as I’ve been treatment wise.

Ouch annep sounds like one of those times when you're left wishing you'd just left the other to sort themselves out! Hope your DH will soon be back to normal and in the meantime you continue to manage.

So my husband was trying to remove one lens from his spectacles as the sight in his eye is better than the one that still needs cataract removed. I offered to help. Trying to unscrew frame, pushed down hard on screwdriver and it went full force into my finger which stupidly was underneath! Blood spurted out, so painful. Oh well, at least my husband is active again making dinner ?.

I'mv not sure I understand watermeadow. Are you only getting one eye fixed? My husband has to have both eyes done but its only one at a time.

Mr SpecSavers told me that no surgeon would touch my eyes with a barge pole, because I only have useful sight in one eye. If anything went wrong I’d be blind.
I have cataracts and, when it can’t be put off any longer, I’d want to be kept in overnight, as I couldn’t cope with my good eye covered.
I worry about this, of course, and can only hope that I get a very good surgeon, not a learner.

Good for you annep, take care

I hear you Missterious. We have a friend who fell after her op and it caused a complication and another op. I guess I was over nervous. Today will be a normal day!?

DH two ops, one with no local anaesthetic, one with. First op, eye sore but back to normal day after. Second op fine from the word go. Two paracetamol and you'd never know he had had surgery. This really is considered minor surgery these days!

Thanks Iam64. Yours sounds more complicated and you are out walking your dogs so I think my husband could be a bit more active. I think as long as its safe, being active is much healthier.

Annep, the advice is hopefully linked to the surgery. If they say no heavy lifting, that’s good advice. One of mine was complex, the other slightly less so. I was walking my dogs, plus eye patch within a couple of days. Your husband can increase his domestic contribution, without fear

We are told no heavy lifting or housework so can anyone offer advice on what it is safe to do please. Or should he continue to listen to radio 4, dust, and make cups of tea!

mcem just noticed your first message. thank you for your encouragement. everyone is so nice. thank you ?

Don't remember such a strict regime but pleased to hear you're getting i to the routine. Keep up the good work!

thd

thanks for that lam64. My husband needs to read this. Thankfully we are getting into the routine.

It’s not so complicated really, just needs routines establishing. I had both mine done about four months apart last year. I listened to books on CD because watching tv or reading for any length of time is not advised.

Gosh, we had nothing like that. It does sound very complicated.

Its 2 different drops 4 times a day each and you have to swab the eye carefully with sterilised water beforehand. The drops are used for different kengths of time. One for two weeks four tjnes a day falling to twice a day for second two weeks. One of them must be kept in the fridge. Its not simple for everyone, especially if you're not feeling well. And people are given the instructions after surgery although they are written as well. Not everyone is good at that sort of thing. Perhaps a chart to tick would be a good idea.

I had both my cataracts dealt with when I was in my 60s, about 10 years ago, DH has had his done more recently.

As I remember aftercare was no more than putting drops in twice a day, and having baths rather than showers for a week. I washed my hair by lying back in the bath and keeping my eyes shut.

Beyond that I felt fine as soon as the operation was over. DH felt a bit hung over but I put this down to me being someone who snaps out of all forms of sedation and local anaesthetic as if I had never had it and DH usually reacting quite badly to such treatment.

annep try to think of the aftercare in the way you and OH think of the actual op- not nearly as difficult as you'd imagined.
Clean hands, sitting still, a bit of practice! You'll soon get the hang of it and if you miss and there's a dribble on his cheek it really doesn't matter. In a couple of days you'll be confident and coping.

How kind of you to say so Panache, I am blessed by 4 wonderful Grandchildren, so they truly are my heavensjoys. Lots of luck with your op too.

Annep, thankyou, it sounds as though your Husband is going along fine. Long may that continue and you take care too!!

I shall let my husband read this. Thank you Telly. and all the best for yours * Panache* My husband said the operation was fine. didn't feel a thing and it was nothing to worry about.