Cataract surgery

By the way, I should say my cataract surgery was done on the NHS and the whole team was professional and supportive. Excellent service. I still have to wear glasses for reading but otherwise, all is well. I don't drive anymore.

I,v had both done in the last couple of years and told them I was needle phobic, they just put drops in , I felt nothing . I mentioned this right at the beginning.

Hi Luckygirl, I had cataract surgery on both eyes last year, one after the other. The cataract grew quickly and was covering my eyes. Of course, I was very nervous about the operation but I have to say, I was very much looked after by the consultant ophthalmologist and his team. Both during and after. I was worried about the pain and how long it would take for recovery and whether I would be able to see again!! Before the surgery is done a pellet is put in your eye to numb whatever discomfort you might feel. The actual operation takes about half an hour. You are given time to recover in the waiting room with your eye bandaged up and they suggest a family member or friend come to collect you. You are given medication, eye washes, etc to help with the recovery at home. This takes about 4 weeks. However, by the end of the first week, I could see clearly and I was amazed at how bright and shiny everything appeared. It was like looking through sun-filled windows that had just been properly washed. Everything appeared bright, the colours of the foliage and flowers in my garden, the sunshine, everything! I was delighted after years of seeing things through cloudy, hazy lens. When friends visited my house before I had the surgery, they would often remark on the dust on my tables, books etc. The thing is I could never see the dust and thought I had dusted properly. So, don't be put off having cataract surgery it is absolutely worth it.

I had both mine done in June. I have been incredibly short-sighted all my life (couldn't see the big letter at the top without my glasses) I have also had detached retinas in both eyes repaired in the past. They did warn me the retinas might be a problem, but luckily they were OK. I got them to do both eyes at the same time, as one eye with and one without a prescription would have been complicated; and I also persuaded them to do them under GA.
They asked if I would prefer to be able to see long-distance or close to without glasses, as the lenses can be done one way or the other. (If you go private, you can get prescription lenses to do both) I went for clear long-distance vision, and when I woke up I could see clearly without glasses for the first time in 60 years!
I bought some cheap reading glasses for close work, until I could get a new prescription. My eyes also were (and are still a little) sensitive to glare.
I wouldn't have had the op. just to improve my vision, but since the cataracts had to be done anyway, the vision is a nice bonus.
My optician referred me 2 years ago, as she knew there would be a waiting list, then I had my pre-op assessment in April; and the operation in June.

I have had both my eyes done and laser on them both afterwards too. No problem with any of it at all. Still use varifocus but now I can see clearly.

My friend has had both eyes done now and said it was absolutely fine and painless. The most difficult bit was the anticipation of someone coming so close to her eye and fear of it going wrong. After a couple of weeks her eyes were fine and she was delighted both times as she got her good sight back.
These are routine small procedures that they do all the time. I've never heard of any that didn't go well.

Can anyone give me the reassurance I need?
For some reason I have a real phobia about having any treatment / close up scrutiny of my eyes! I put off having my eyes tested for as long as possible, particularly hating the puff of air that they do - it’s all really silly I know . . .
I simply hate the idea of having my head put in a clamp and having a bright light close to my eyes - even thinking about it makes me feel faint!
I’m not yet aware whether or even if I will ever need cataract treatment - but I do know from all your posts that it’s obviously painless and totally worth doing - but when the time comes I don’t know how I would cope!

I’ve had one eye done and need the other done sometime. Immediately you have a dressing on but can take it off later. You’re given an eye shield to wear in bed for a few days, just to stop you rubbing your eye in your sleep. Drops have to be put in four times a day, can’t remember for how long. You can drive after a couple if days if I remember correctly but you’ll be told all this and given a booklet. The procedure itself is nothing to worry about. The surgeon will tell you what is happening. You are aware of bright light but there us a moment when everything goes black. This is when your old lens is collapsed. Then the new lens is inserted and all is bright again. The main thing I noticed was that with one eye closed the new lens made everything brighter, like the difference between a white lightbulb and a warm white one. My untreated eye is still warm white. With both eyes open this isn’t noticeable. Mine was done about eighteen months ago and has become a little cloudy so needs laser treatment to polish it up. This only happens in a few cases apparently.
All in all it’s quite a pleasant experience and you’ll appreciate the better eyesight.
BTW I also have macular degeneration and have injections every few weeks for that so I don’t expect perfect results from the surgery.

I had a cataract removal a couple of years ago. I had an infection post injection for macular degeneration. The Consultant advised it should be done to remove infection and cataract at the same time. The worst thing for me was keeping my head very still during the procedure and lying flat. I think as I always say, if I can do it anyone can as I never thought having injections in my eye would be tolerated. The Hospital I attend is amazing and NHS.

I had cataract surgery a year ago. One eye at a time. I was so short sighted and the cataracts were making it illegal for me to drive.
Do I took the plunge and had it done privately. Marvellous results. Left eye he made 20/20 vision And right eye he made so I can read . I’ve got used to my new eyes now but I do need a good light to read by. But that’s old age for you ! I’m 72

Have just had retinal surgery AB’s a cataract done. If you have those retinal complications OP, they will be thorough in their assessment of your need and if advised, take the surgery. Cataract surgery has a very low complications risk. The cataract was easy, the retina surgery less so. I am waiting for my second cataract to be done, not due to waiting list but because the retina of the other needs to settle and I can’t risk both eyes being wonky!

I had my right eye done two years ago and am getting my left one done next month. I am a complex case because I have advanced keratoconus and only really see out of my left eye.

I will always need glasses and have been warned the results for me are unpredictable, I may need a second lens inserted 3 months later. They’ve left it until my cataract is really bad because I am totally dependent on my left eye, that means I haven’t been able to drive for about 6 months now and everything else is being affected.
I am desperate to get it done and can only hope the results are worth it.

Simple procedure. Takes about 20 minutes at most!
Nothing to worry about. If both eyes need doing take the opportunity to have flexi lenses fitted means you never have to wear glasses again. You will have to pay something towards it, a not exorbitant amount, but probably worth it. I regret that due to my 2 cataracts being done 3 years apart that I was not able to take advantage of this.

Had both done within a few weeks clinic for NHS patients 5* service great result

Hugely recommended. Had both of mine done during the lockdowns either side of Christmas 2021, painless, quick, (circa 30 mins in and out) as a day patient. Definite improvement in vision, only down side, because of pressure behind the eyes, I was recommended not to play my Bagpipes for a month afterwards, but this is not an issue for most people !! A couple of local ‘grumps’ complained they missed my daily practice!!!

so easy had one waiting for next one

Thank you everyone, your responses are very reassuring and informative.

I think that if I have both procedures on the same day it will be a general anaesthetic, but should still be able to go home the same day.

Deterioration after some months post surgery affects about a third of people. It doesn’t mean the cataract growing back - that can’t happen. Rather, the body’s own capsule that originally held the lens of the eye, may deteriorate. A fraction-of-a-second laser procedure cuts an opening in the capsule, and good vision is restored.

I had both eyes done a few years ago, before the lockdowns and on NHS
The first thing I noticed was I could see bright colours!
I still need glasses for reading and close work, but am fine without them otherwise.
I do feel at this present moment that my eyesight is starting to deteriorate again but will wait for next optician appointment as have had a lot of expenses lately.

But not always painless * normandygirl* !!

I was absolutely terrified and kept putting it off. We have no waiting list in France and you can just choose your own appointment. I don't think it helped that I googled the op and it looked awful. Well I'm pleased to report that it is completely painless, quick and you have instant results. I cannot stress how much it has changed my life for the better. I cannot wait to have my other eye done but have been told to wait a while as it is better to have it done when the cataract is worse than mine is atm. I have ditched my varifocals and only need mild reading glasses for very close print.
The only drawback, as someone else has said, is suddenly seeing all the dust and cobwebs in your house again!

Ouch!! Poor BlueBelle
That would be a worst nightmare.
Perhaps next time you'll have a more sympathetic surgeon.

I am glad your appointment went well Susie and quite a short wait now.

I had one eye done about 8 weeks ago and it was incredibly painful operation like having a tooth drilled without an anesthetic Knowing it shouldn’t hurt at all I was telling the surgeon all through that it was hurting badly he didn’t even acknowledge I d spoken
Having said that I need the other one doing badly so got to swallow my fears and hope that the next time the anesthetic works better
Please don’t be put off as I m assured it’s rare although I ve now heard of three others (two gransnetters) who had a painful time
If and when they do my other eye I m going to ask for stronger anesthetic it really was bad I m no baby to pain

Glad it all went well Susie

I am so glad it all went well.