I have been having trouble with my eyesight and headaches recently.

Went to an optician today who said that I have a cataract in my left eye that will need surgery to remove.

The optician explained that the operation is now fairly routine, and a recovery period of one month from the date of the surgery will then be followed by an eye test to see what prescription I will need.

Could anyone who has had the surgery tell me if I can resume riding after a few days of the surgery?
Would it be better to ride the road bike and minimise the chance of trail debris getting into the eye?

My old man had it and it took 2 weeks before he could ride.

I wouldn’t risk it. What’s 2 weeks and a lifetime of high speed black runs?

Ask your Doc about the recovery procedure.

Usually have to see the Doc after 2 days, then a week then a few weeks to monitor your healing.

You get an automatic 2 weeks on the sick! Well I did anyway.
Had mine done 4 years ago, the thing the doc will tell you is that you must not bump your head for about 2-3 weeks until the replacement lens has settled/bedded in or whatever it does. I’d stay off the bike for a couple of weeks.
The procedure is painless & takes about 10 mins. Just don’t cough while the surgeon’s poking around.

Thanks.

Looks like a few weeks rest from the bike then.

Will need to get some walking in, and the odd whisky for medicinal purposes.

I’m waiting for mine to get bad enough for the specialist to say yes. Then I can get shut of these ridiculously expensive specs.

I’m waiting for mine to get bad enough for the specialist to say yes. Then I can get shut of these ridiculously expensive specs.

Don’t bank on it. I still need mine.

Mum is going through it at the moment. While routine there are some small risks and she’s fallen into the small percentage which was causing some inflammation of the retina. Now clearing up with treatment but it extends the recovery time. There is also a risk of retina detachment for some reason I don’t understand (nor the inflammation really). I’d be concerned about heavy activity if there’s a risk of that.

Any hint of cataracts in the other eye? Often both need doing but they put off the other until it needs doing and even if it does they’ll put it off until the first is done. If you’re fairly short sighted it becomes a problem as one eye will be fairly perfect distance vision after the op but the other way off, but glasses mixing clear lens and one for short sighted apparently doesn’t work well. Ideally the other eye needs doing or maybe laser surgery to sort the vision.

A note – generally you get fixed lens replacement. You won’t have any near vision and will need reading glasses.

Don’t bank on it. I still need mine.

No change in prescription then?

Other eye is fine.

Been wearing varifocals for a while, but thinking of switching back to bi focal.

The focus area on the varifocals is just too small.

I’ve had both mine done. Can’t really describe how good my vision is now but I can read number plates way in the distance.
The procedure is a bit daunting when you think about it but in reality it’s ok. Overnight with an eyepatch and then when you take it off next day it’s awesome!
Yes I need reading glasses if I’m doing serious reading but for general use I make out enough to get by.

Had both eyes done with slightly different focus so I could read without glasses unless really small. I think I first rode the bike at 4 weeks because any sudden jerks were to be avoided. Detached retina is a risk & it did happen to me 4 yrs later. Urgent hospital attention is required if this happens (scary!!).

Plus side is that after 50yrs I don’t have to wear glasses for distance.

Just come back from the opticians where they dilated my pupils for a good look around.

Will be on the NHS waiting list for the op.

Seems to be about a six month waiting list at present.