Cataract surgery

I had mine done and was nervous beforehand but I thought, well I won't feel anything because of the local anaesthetic and won't see anything with a bright light shining in my eye and so it was. The course of eye drops afterwards is very tedious.

Luckygirl13 Don’t feel guilty, best of luck with the operation. Hsb doth of mine done and as someone said it’s now a bit like seeing the world in HD. My glare hasn’t gone after a number years but I love wearing tinted glasses - so no probs.x

cc You may need a bit of laser treatment. That happened to me.

I've had both eyes done on the NHS, the first one worked really well, but the second has left me with slightly cloudy vision. I still can't really see well enough to drive confidently at night so I simply don't do it.
The sensitivity to bright light didn't last long. One interesting thing that happened is that colours now appear different - apparently the cataract makes colours take on a slightly more yellow tinge, so what now appears to be blue looked more greenish before. My poor husband ended up repainting the living room because I didn't like the new blue! A major advantage has been that I no longer need glasses for driving as the new lenses have a prescription which has corrected my old short-sightedness to some extent. I do need reading glasses more than I did, though that might simply be old age.

I had my cataract operation just over three years ago
They were due to do my other eye but covid stopped that
Everything was brighter in the eye done, but has returned worse now in that eye than the other one
Regarding the operation it was fairly comfortable ( not pleasant though ) just the thought really and being awake.
I was only there around a hour or so and other than using eye drops and not bending about much it was straight forward afterwards..

I had cataracts last year and Boots said I could not choose my new varifocals until I had surgery. Did a lot of research and as I kept losing my glasses I had my eyes operated on to get new lenses. I no longer wear glasses and it was so worth the cost. At my age I am not saving up for my children!

Had both of mine done 12 years ago, really recommend it. However back then there was a wait of over 18 months so decided to go privately.This was in Essex. Living in Suffolk now DH saw optician just over 4 weeks ago and goes to have the first eye done tomorrow. There are two clinics in Suffolk that do the op and there is no waiting list for NHS patients.

Glammajx
I have had cataracts removed from both of my eyes. Do not worry ask your GP for a referral to your local specialist centre. These professionals know what they are doing and will be able to give you the best advice. I appreciated been told that it was best to leave my cataracts to ‘ripen’, which I did. I then went in day surgery twice over a six month period and had both eyes operated on. I’d also like to say that the after care is as important and I found the support of my husband invaluable in dealing with the aftercare medication via eye drops. So if you can get a BFF or kind relative to stay over for a week after your operations. A kindly neighbour would do, it’s just that some people have difficulty putting in eye drops. Several members of my church have recently had their cataracts removed and are overjoyed at the difference it makes. I still wear my glasses but am so happy that I can see with such clarity.

I had my first cataract done in 2019 - I was only 62 and had suddenly gone completely blind in one eye. It was VERY scary. I was deeply apprehensive, and very, very squeamish about eyes anyway.

Before the operation I got some anti anxiety pills from my GP.

And, in the event, it was really easy and I needn't have worried at all. Mild discomfort at most.

Can't wait to get my other eye done but alas it's not yet bad enough for the NHS and I can't afford to go private. Just bad enough so I have difficulty putting on eye makeup (first world problem, I know....)

I had both eyes done about 10 years ago and ‘have never looked back’ I still wear specs - varilux, then one pair does all

Thank you Rosina, that is very reassuring - and encouraging too!

Southdowns- there are other ways of checking your eye pressures which do not involve a puff of air, but not every practice will have one of the alternative methods ( such as an Icare tonometer an applanation tonometer which requires the use of a drop in each eye). It may be worth asking before you make an appointment (if that is your particular dislike) what methods they use to check eye pressures.
Heads are not clamped in anything - but some examination techniques require the head to stay nice and still, so a chin and head rest is used to help you keep still.
I have been referred by my optometrist for cataract surgery but the first wait is to for the 'non urgent' telephone appointment to speak to the GP continue the referral to the hospital.

I was told I needed cataracts in both eyes done about 5/6 years ago - I had one but I felt it didn't feel comfortable and my range of peripheral vision seemed restricted so when I asked to have an appointment for the first to be reviewed and if I would need the other I was told the operstion had gone normally but that the other wasn't bad enough and at the time they were only doing one per person on the nhs. I now look at my eyes in the mirror and the one which had a cataract done looks 'odd' not natural and, the effects of 2-tone vision means I look at my net curtains through the treated eye because they're bright and white whereas the other eye makes them look as if they have 20 years of nicotine staining!!

I had my one eye done and it improved things greatly. Waiting to have the second and I can't wait. If I close my good eye everything takes on a yellow tinge which is horrible and I can't focus even with glasses on. It is well worth getting done and is nothing to worry about.

Southdowns please try not to worry. I wore contact lenses for thirty years, but could never let the optician put them in - I can't bear anyone near my eyes. However, I have had both lenses replaced, and can assure you that you don't see or feel a thing, it really is amazing. A cloth is placed over your face, oxygen is puffed under the cloth to keep you refreshed, you are asked to look at a light above the cloth and your only awareness will be of shadows moving about. I had no sensation of being touched, and the procedure is carried out after a few drops in the eye - no injections or anaesthetic. I am thrilled with the results, and have better eyesight than I was born with!

Had my right eye done end of January, a few weeks unable to drive or bend head down, then after follow up went for new glasses. Op straight forward about 30 mins but did experience vivid (neon) pink stripes in toothpaste for a while! Now waiting for left eye to be done. All on NHS. No regrets.

Thank you ellecs, for mentioning that you had the procedure done under GA, that’s given me hope of a much less scarey way out!

I have had both mine done. One private and one NHS. I am delighted with the result and it was less unpleasant than going to the dentist.

Luckygirl3

Anyone had this? Optician yesterday said I needed a new prescription in my glasses, but that it would be like polishing a scratched window!

I would be interested in the experience of others.

My situation is slightly more complicated as I have cystic spaces in my retinas and a previous torn retina.

I have no wish to get rid of my glasses; I just want to drive more confidently at night and be able to read music more easily.

Oh it's like a miracle. The glare is temporary. Honestly, I would not think twice.
The only thing is, you may have to get lazer treatment in the future. That is an even more simple procedure.

Had a vitrectomy and cataract removed at same time. Absolutely no problem. Annual check up at optician has identified a cataract appearing on other eye but not severe enough yet for removal. Will have ut done when necessary without hesitation. Sister in her 80s had cataracts removed on both eyes. I accompanies her. Again no problems, all done in minutes.

My husband went to Specsavers about 6 weeks ago and the optician there made an immediate appointment for him to go to a private hospital on the NHS to have a cataract removed. He goes on Friday of next week. He's been told for 3 or 4 years that he would need this, but the speed at which he was offered the surgery has amazed me. Apparently in order to speed things up following Covid, the NHS bought slots privately.

Yes...had both eyes done last summer. This is how I would describe the difference it made. Imagine seeing the world as if it was a dirty yellow old master and then seeing it after it had been expertly cleaned. This is how it was. Now I see the world in all its beauty...every colour as clear and sharp as it could be... It is a beautiful world ?

I had cataract surgery in both eyes several years ago using the femtosecond laser assisted procedure as opposed to the traditional surgical procedure. I had monofocal implants with one eye for distance and the other for medium and close-up vision. I did need the YAG laser treatment for posterior capsule opacification some 18 months later - this is very common. I am now 75 years old and have better than 2020 vision and no need for reading glasses. It is the first time in my life that I have not needed glasses or contact lenses! It was done at a private clinic but funded by the NHS. I would suggest anyone contemplating such surgery thoroughly researches it to facilitate informed discussion as to the options available.

Had mine done in May this year, 4 weeks apart. They don't do both at the same time, which appears to be a common myth. Loads of drops of different types put in the eye beforehand. The procedure didn't hurt and all you can see is a bright light. They cover your face apart from the eye being done, with an adhesive plastic sheet and pulling that off at the end was the worst bit. 2 lots of eye drops to put in afterwards for 4 weeks, on of the quite stingy. Sent home with a plastic shield over the eye which I had to wear at night for a few nights. Results amazing, I'd always been extremely short sighted and now I'm not. I had one eye done for distance and other for reading and now I don't need glasses at all, for the first time ever, it's marvellous.

HannahLoisLuke
The eye drops are 4 times a day for one week, then 3 times for 1 week, then twice a day for 1 week then once a day for 1 week.