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I’ve just been to see a private consultant to find out the options open to me.
I’m 42 and have cataracts in both eyes, my right needs a new lens soon, my left isn’t as bad but will be soon.
I’ve been looking for online resources but I’m struggling to get through the chaff of adverts and paid-for reviews.
Does anyone know if there is a cataractworld forum somewhere?
Any advice or experiences gratefully accepted.
Thanks
Are you thinking about multi focal lenses?
Yep. Trifocal lenses. Should mean I can see near and far without glasses. That would be a huge plus as I work outdoors and wouldn’t have to faff with specs.
I'm interested too. I'm 43 and have very mild congenital cataracts. Destined to get worse though, and a wise chappy advised me that there's no point waiting ages - once I start losing acuity and accommodation then I should just crack on and not wait until I'm in my 60s.
Can't you get it done on the NHS?
I've had both eyes done over the past 3 years and considered multi-focal lenses but the consultant told me they were jack of all trades but master of none so I just went for a standard lense.
Luckily I had private health cover so had the first done at the Manchester Eye Hospital and the second at Optegra Didsbury and can recommend either.
I’m on the NHS waiting list for standard fixed focus lenses.
However, given my age, job and hobbies I wanted to investigate all the possibilities and I’m prepared to spend if the result is much better for my lifestyle.
If I was in my 60s and already wearing glasses then I guess the decision could/would be easier but I’ve got 20 years before I get there...
NHS messed my mum about, did one cataract eventually and then said to her after numerous trips to the consultants that they wouldn't be doing the other as she had one good eye. Fortunately she had enough savings to do it privately. She's now going through the same rubbish with her hips.
I really struggle with the NHS, they saved my hand after an infected dog bite (my fault, not the dogs) last year and were bloody excellent but then they mess my mum round something chronic on two things that are severely life limiting for her.
The thing is with multifocal IOL I would worry about is you can’t change them if they are a bit shit.
Multifocal contact lenses are way better now than ever before, and I find they work fine. But would I want to be stuck with them for life?
If it was me, I’d probably choose perfect distance vision and then use varis and readers. Tough call though.
I know it's not quite the same but I wear contact lenses and I have long distance in one eye and close up in the other. It works for me. My wife used to have the same and when she had a cataract done was disappointed that they wouldn't do that on the NHS, but it was ok if she went private.
A warning from the experience my MiL had. Don't ignore any odd vision effects after the operation. MiL was all stoic and didn't want to bother the doctor and is now functionally blind. The lenses went wrong (frayed around the edges is the best description of the problem) and by the time she got herself to the consultant they could do nothing for her. Her mental health is now back on the level but it was a hard adjustment for a sharp woman in her late 80's.