Surgery

[nemisis2]

I an soon to have cataract surgery and because of arthritis problems I am having a General, but I am worried about this because of my AF. I am on warfarin and have been for several. Does anyone know how long I will need to be asleep, thank you.

[Nannie-C]

I’ve had both cataracts removed,six months apart under local anaesthetic in around 15 minutes each time.

Don’t understand why you’d ever need a GA for this very minor operation. I’ve AFib, multiple spinal fractures, degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis. They just took extra time to ensure I was in a comfortable position before starting.

[Bagrat]

Average time 10-15mins. Maybe you felt more comfortable with thought of GA? Usually in NHS they just support you with pillows and foam wedges. I know the preferred position is nearly flat and supine.

[irene75359]

Each eye takes about 15 minutes and it is a pain-free procedure. I wasn't in the least bit uncomfortable, I was in a reclining chair - not unlike a dentist's chair. Honestly, it hardly seems worth putting you out!

[nemisis2 in reply to irene75359]

Thanks to all of you who replied to me. Without going into too much details on here, something happened to me as a child and because of it I have always been terrified of anyone getting near my eyes, so the thought of cataract surgery is quite horrific to me. That is the reason I need to be asleep for the surgery. I only wish I could have it done the usual way but I just can't. Thanks again, Pauline

[irene75359 in reply to nemisis2]

Pauline, so so sorry to hear of that. You go ahead and be put out and wake up with new eyes, you won't believe the difference! Merry Christmas!

[nemisis2 in reply to irene75359]

Thank you Irene, I hope so, Happy Christmas z

[Desanthony]

I had one eye done just two weeks ago and was 1 and a half hours in the hospital in total - got there at 11.00 and was out before 12.20 after having spent time before op having three lots of drops every ten minutes and just about managed to drink half a cup of coffee after I came back from theatre before they ushered me out! So not a long time. The op itself lasts under half an hour usually - probably quarter of an hour to 20 mins. All the best. You will see a huge difference.

I too have chronic neck and back problems but thought it better to have local as then I could ask to move at a suitable time if I needed for my eye - it was such a short time I didn't. As I react badly to GA I have had a hip replacement and total knee replacement under local and light sedation with music played in headphones to take away the sound of the sawing (!) - if it got through - it didn't btw and I was in fairyland through all of the operation.