[Closed] Cataracts, anyone had them done recently?

No sorry, I have a Lincoln Continental. (Terrible not very PC joke from the sopranos)

Mum had hers done a few years ago, wasn't too bad, 30 mins and done - I wouldn't fancy it under a local but she said it wasn't too bad, couple of days later better than new.

Both my parents have had them done , under local one eye at a time. Both very happy with the results no glasses for distance only for close work

I had my left eye done about 5 years ago. It's a pain free doddle of an op that takes about 2 minutes.
Just a pity I still can't see bog all through it without glasses. 🙄

esselgruntfuttock - Member
I had my left eye done about 5 years ago. It's a pain free doddle of an op that takes about 2 minutes.
Just a pity I still can't see bog all through it without glasses.

They're telling me I've got a choice, I can go for proper long distance vision, but I'd have to wear reading glasses, or I can have this lense which will mimic my normal myopic prescription since I've worn glasses all my adult life it'll be a bit weird, not taking them off to read things as I had been doing up until recently when just before Christmas the sight in my right eye deteriorated at every point of focus and I couldn't see much close up with the other. It's a ball ache riding and a nightmare sailing (I race dinghies these days and can't see the marks) so I guess I have to go through with it but can't decide what to do about the prescription if it'll end up as good as everyone says it will. Or I become Jack Sparrow.

Feel your nervousness! Borderline cataract but MRI has now changed to a different diagnosis - I see specialist on Wed so trying remain optimistic. Dad had the cataract and was over the moon. I am assured the cataract is now much more straightforward than it used to be 🙂

Had both my eyes done about 3 years ago, private due to work insurance, but very quick, relatively pain free operation, just the drops before stung a little.

My 85 year old mum had 1 done last week in local NHS hospital, biggest complaint she had was constantly being asked to confirm her name, and being last 1 in theatre so rest assured the operation itself went fine , otherwise we would have heard about it.

1 week later and she has now started to grumble about having to wait for second eye to be done.

I got good long distance vision out of my ops, and need off the shelf +1.5 reading glasses for I pad etc, would reccomend this route to be honest, having worn glasses for 40+ years I still marvel at what I now see without glasses

Are you anywhere near Knottingly. I might be able to arrange for you to come and see some Ops.

They are pretty routine operations that take about 20 mins all told.

My optician is constantly telling me how I will need cataract ops at some point in the future, that it's a doddle and that I won't need my ridiculously expensive lenses any more. Just do it now dammit.

I had my left eye done about 5 years ago. I was short sighted (in both eyes) and went for a lens which corrected that. It's actually a multi-focal lens but for some reason the reading prescription bit doesn't really work properly for me so instead I'd been using reading glasses (with a contact lens in my other eye) although have just started trying multi-focal contact lenses with a -0, +2 prescription in that eye.

The operations was fine - no where near as bad as having a filling at the dentist in fact.

nickc - Member
Are you anywhere near Knottingly. I might be able to arrange for you to come and see some Ops.

They are pretty routine operations that take about 20 mins all told.

Thanks for the offer, but I really couldn't, I have to leave the room when Holby City comes on, I'm such a wuss when it comes to watching stuff like that and now the thought of the needles going into my eyeball.. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggghhh there I said it, someone is going to stick needles in my eyeball.Ugh I know I'm going to die.

Based on my own experience I suspect watching an operation is probably more traumatic than being the subject of that operation! Mine really was quick and painless.

those who have had it done, may I ask what age you were ? I am early 50's and have been told it's on the cards.... Does it last for life once done, or can it need repeated 20 yrs later ?

Lasts for life IIRC as they remove the lens and put in a plastic one so you cannot get another cataract.

thanks tj - maybe they will sort my -6.75 short sightedness too 🙂

Can you drive after the op, given it's only the one eye?

Have a little problem, turns out the bread knife is away the day of the appointment, so getting back might be an issue, will I be like Boris the Blade from Snatch with the hood over his head, 'reaching & stepping' his way into the car park?

those who have had it done, may I ask what age you were?

I would have been 44. Only had a cataract in my left eye at that point and there is still no sign of one developing in my right eye yet. The consultant though it was only a matter of time so there was talk about getting both eyes down but I decided against it.

Can you drive after the op, given it's only the one eye?

I'd have been happy enough to drive after my op but was advised it wasn't a great idea. You look a bit like a pirate though, with an eye patch.

Dad and Grandad have had there's done in the last year. Grandad in his 80s, Dad is just about to retire. I remember Dad needing to have a week off work afterwards, due to inability to drive, something to do with not lifting and having to be careful bending down.

[i]Lasts for life IIRC as they remove the lens and put in a plastic one so you cannot get another cataract[/i]

If thats the case then why is a lens not used which resolves all prescription issues?

It usually reduces the prescription dramatically. Assuming it needs reducing that is.

I'm dreading that possibility, I had a retinal detachment operation in 1 eye 3 years ago, which I found a bit traumatic, I'm expecting one in the other eye at some point in the next couple of years. If I get cataracts, they'll have to sedate me.

Had detached retina around 1998, which was dealt with successfully. This made me susceptible to an early cataract and in due course one formed. Actual op was pretty straightforward though still around -2. Was due to have other eye done to balance sight - was pretty myopic previously, but first certainly wasn't an unqualified success, so won't be done unless/until I need it. Also suffered a secondary cataract a few years later which was easily dealt with. It's actually a cloudy membrane which forms behind the implant.
Long and short is if you need it you need it. Actual op is nothing to be afraid of.

Well it's a couple of days to go now and I don't mind admitting I'm really nervous, I'm a bit down anyway following a funeral of a childhood mate, the anniversary of the death of my son and some bad news of another chum who's had a stroke, somebody I'd never have expected it to happen and now I'm trying to think of ways to duck it, using every pathetic excuse my pussy side can come up with. The logical bit of me is telling me not to listen and everything will be fine but...
Usually when i want something it's easy to convince myself I need it, but this is the other way round, I need it but don't want it, not only do I not want it, I know it'll go wrong, everything goes wrong for me, always has, so how do I duck it?

Once you've had one done, can you have it done again? IE put a different lens in? Cos my eyesight in the one I had done is only about 75% of what it should be. Better than before but still need a prescription for it.

Graeme's I,
I understand your nerves, I had them as well, and I can't say a lot other than it should be fine, though I know you won't believe it till after.

Like I said up there ^^ somewhere, for me the result was fantastic, prescription was -9.5 in 1 eye, -9.0 in other and now only use ready readers for close up work,

I've gone from paying approx £250-300 a pair for specs due to complex prescription to nowt, and now own several pairs of really cool designer sunglasses,
And here is the thing,
After the op your eyes will be more sensitive to light etc so invest in a good pair of sunglasses.

Good luck and enjoy the clear view of the future

Essel..... I don't think so, the procedure disintegrates your natural lens and it is replaced by a plastic one, not sur they could ultrasound that away, but it may be worth asking the optician

Well that was a nightmare, surreal and disorientating, and I didn't realise I'd be off games for a month, so no biking, sailing windsurfing kiting, I'm screwed for the moment. Going to be depressed and will likely kill myself I told them.