Cataract Surgery

McMouse | 11:17 Thu 17th Nov 2011 | Health & Fitness

21 Answers

Having a cataract done tomorrow morning......anyone have any experiences to share?

having had pains in my kidneys

FAO SQAD - Aching feet.

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sunny-dave

Based on friends & relatives (rather than personal experience) but I'd say :

1. Don't worry - the procedure doesn't hurt & is quickly done

2. Make sure you have read/understood all the post-op instructions - and be really scrupulous about doing them - it's easier with a helper, but perfectly possible flying solo.

3. Don't expect instant miracle vision - seems to take a little while for most people to get the full benefit

4. Ring the helpline number you will have been given if you are even the least bit concerned/unsure about anything - they are there to help & happy to answer any questions

oh ... and did I say ... don't worry

dave

Sonyme

sunny-dave's advice ie good, I have had both done and the dfference is amazing. I live on my own and had no problems. Good luck!

McMouse

Question Author

Thank you both.....very reassuring. Have 'Nurse' McM to help with drops etc.

granny grump

The difference as Sonyme and I can reasssure you the op its self was not frightening I had both mine done fairly early mid 50s and 14 years on the effects are great - recovery time fairly quick although I did have an allegic reaction to some drops that they gave me apart from that good luck and 'look' forward to a brighter future

McMouse

Question Author

Thanks g g.

anneasquith

no............. but good luck

McMouse

Question Author

Thanks anne.

rsvp

can't offer any first hand experience but hope all goes well

AdriSco

My mother has had cataracts in both eyes done - a few months apart. Straightforward operations, minimal discomfort - and the results amazing. She is so pleased.

DTCwordfan

My Alzheimers mother has had both done - the last time was "hell" as she took it upon herself to behave like a six year old as to the "lack of food" - I would have been really pizzed off if I had heard somebody ranting on about a bloody pastie every five minutes. My Millie (m-i-l) had both done too.....

The worse is (i) the enforced diet (ii) the wait - hospitals are like the Army - wait and more wait.

It's useful to have someone to do your eye drop - 4x a day plus any glaucoma drops etc - and avoid bending down for the first 48 hours. Sometimes you may feel a bit of discomfort in the eye, bang a drop in first and see if that does the trick before calling the help line....the eye can occasionally become dry and fee like it has something in it.

Otherwise a doddle.

The Mater calmed down when a young person next door in head and thorax died (where the procedure was) - while having an internal x ray - a heart attack. Even though he was in the best place to have one, they couldn't save him. That had her quitened down and she accepted an hours delay with reasonable grace, the priority being someone else and not her nibs.

DTCwordfan

Lastly, they may give you a sedative or a mild anaesthetic if your eye continues to think it is on "Strictly" - my mother was under for about ten minutes, so even that is nothing. As to someone picking you up (necessary as your eye is patched until the next morning), the whole procedure from entry to exit is about 4 hours.

Euphemia

It is quick and pain free and your vision will soon be greatly improved. I could't believe how bright colours were after he op.

granny grump

Just reread my post - meant to say 'difference is amazing - would be interested in your own reactions McMouse -

derekpara

I had one done two weeks ago and the other six weeks before that. The improvement is incredible and almost immediate. Colours are now vivid again.

Before the first procedure I was under the legal driving requirement but was driving the next day with greatly improved vision. Now the second eye has been done my eyesight is very good again. I will need glasses for reading because they usually fit fixed focus lenses in for distance.

The procedure was painless and took about 12 minutes. I had to wear an eye patch in bed for three weeks to guard against rubbing and put antibiotic eye drops in four times a day for that time.

A truly wonderful medical advancement.

Good luck.

D

islasmum

I had one eye done about 7 years ago and it was fine, it doesn't hurt, and they usually give you a sedative if wanted - as others have said on here, I couldn't believe how bright the colours were! Make sure you do the drops religously, and don't rub the eye - on the second day after the op. my eye felt a bit gritty, and it was murder trying not to rub it. My other eye has a cataract too, but developing very slowly, but will have to come out one day. But fotunately the op is so easy that I'm not worried, and I'm the world's biggest coward! Good luck in any case.

McMouse

Question Author

Just got home, op was a doodle. Have to wear and eye patch over the weekend.......getting a Parrot this afternoon.

Many thanks to all who wished me well.