Cataract surgery soon

Neither did I so I just had my op on the NHS and I'm perfectly happy with it.

There was a thread on this very subject recently so you may be able to find some answers there.

You can get bi focals and varifocal lens, as with contact lenses.

Thanks both I found that post and it made things clearer not sure what I will go for but at least I’m better informed.

I had this dilemma recently but the clinic gave me lots of advice. They told me to ring them before my op so they could prepare the right lens. If I’m understanding your post correctly and your operation is a week away it may be advisable to get in touch with them now to talk it through?

OP, this is correct. The NHS will only provide single vision lenses. You have to make the decision whether you want long or short distance. I am having my op at Moorfields and have investigated having the op done privately so that I didn’t have to wear glasses but due to other issues this won’t be possible for me.

I had my cataracts done privately through a very well accredited eye surgeon and he said he stayed with middle range vision which could be supported with reading glasses. I can drive, shop, etc without glasses but do need them for reading.

DH had both eyes operated on privately under our health insurance. We paid an extra £1000 for lenses we were told would ‘probably mean he doesn’t need glasses at all’. After the operations he was prescribed varifocals glasses. He used to take his glasses off for reading but now he has to wear them all the time. I wouldn’t advise anyone to pay for special lenses.

Thanks everyone I’ve pretty much decided I won’t pay for private lenses if I need glasses so be it.

I have had both eyes done, I wasn’t asked to make a choice of which lenses I wanted, they just used what they thought was best. The result is I don’t need glasses for driving and I can now read really small print so I am happy with the result.

That was my decision in the end as well tanith and despite being very short sighted and having astigmatism I’m delighted with the result. I hope all goes well for you, I’m sure it will.

I went privately after an acquainance was left blind in one eye after a botched operation at our local hospital.

I was offeed the choice between lenses that mean I needed glasses for reading or different lens that made reading spec free but I would need classes for distances.

I chose to have the distance offer, which means I can go round all day, reading, sewing, almost everything without glasses, but need them for driving, tv and cinema etc

The option of havng adjusted eyes so I didn't need glasses,w as around but not suitable for me because I was so severely short sighted.

I got different prescription in my eyes so I can go about the house not needing glasses and am able to read labels in the supermarket unlike my DH who has both eyes fully corrected and he needs glasses to see print . My optician advised me to do this and the consultant was a bit taked aback when I asked for it but it has been great. I use distance glasses for driving and watching TV.

I had both eyes done in the past 3 months,I don’t need glasses for driving now,but do for reading.

I have had both eyes done in the past 6 months and can now read and drive without glasses. I was offered a choice and chose the NHS Eye hospital as I felt that if anything went wrong I was in the best place for it to be rectified. It all went well - actually beyond expectations. I had them done separately and found the experience interesting with absolutely no pain or discomfort. NHS at its best.

Hello
I had multi focal lenses in each eye about three years ago and no longer need any glasses at all. Worth considering over the single focal nhs ones if you are able.

Yes there are different lenses. I had mine done a fortnight apart at Moorfields privately 6 years ago. Huge success from the word go. Never worn a pair of glasses since for anything from threading a needle to looking out for bus numbers. Well worth it for me. Good luck with your op.

I too have reading glasses after cataract surgery on the NHS. I wasn't given any options as to lenses but am very happy with what I was given (although I do need to wear sunglasses outside more than I used to). All the best for your procedure next week x

When I had mine done at a private clinic but under NHS I was scheduled to have lenses to enable me to see long distance. The difference in fee between lenses for both long and short was a £1000. I asked if I could pay the difference but was told if I wanted both I had to pay the full amount. To me, it would have been a win win for clinic, NHS (who were already being charged for one type of lens) and me. But I couldn't afford the higher cost c. £4000. I therefore opted for what NHS was happy to pay for.

We had the discussion about lenses but decided that my DH would just have the NHS ones.
He had his 2nd one done last week and seems to be able to see most things without glasses now.
We bought him a couple of pairs of x2mag. at £1.75 and he finds those sufficient for reading in dimmer light.

just have the NHS , they are trying to upsell, i had mine done in June, i was terrified but it simple, and now no need for glasses, briliant. dont worry, youll be fine

I had cataracts developing. Surgery was discussed for some time in tbe future as it wasn't urgent.

In the meantime I had 2 pairs of glasses: reading/close up and distance. When I looked at varifocal glasses I found them expensive. Hubby mentioned his colleague had had lens replacement surgery (similar situation to me) and it was successful and he no longer needed multiple glasses. Admittedly it was done in tbe Netherlands. We researched the clinic/costs and I had the procedure done in Rotterdam. The clinic has a lifetime guarantee for its work. 5 years down the line I'm happy with not having to wear glasses with my multifocal artificial lens implants. And I no longer have cataracts. The cost of the procedure over the the rest of my lifetime outweighed the cost of expensive glasses.

Had my right eye cataract done about a month ago at my city NHS Eye Hospital and now awaiting surgery on my life eye in the znNew Year

I as also told by my surgeon that the NHS only do the single lens.

Hope your surgery goes eell

I’m also due a cataract removal in the next few weeks and so very interested in responses to the OP.
I’m considering all lens options. But what happens when only one eye is being’done’ and the other eye is cataract free eye so will still be short sighted? How does this affect my choices? Does anyone know?
To OP I hope all goes well. Will be interested in any updates you make.

I had cataract removed at private clinic two years ago and went for a superior lense. Being short sighted and wore glasses I had a lense that allows me to see distance without glasses. I did, though, need to buy a supermarket pair of glasses for reading. Took me a while to become accustomed to not needing glasses for drivingg etc . It was like being in another world. You pay extra of course.