Cataract operation with COPD
Need advice please. I suffer with COPD and Bronchiectasis and am on Oxygen 24/7. I am shortly due to have my first cataract operation, hopefully with just drops to numb the eye after which I have to be able to lay completely flat for 20 minutes. Other options are to be sedated or have a full general anesthetic both of which I don't believe are suitable options due to my lung condition.
Has anybody else on oxygen managed to lay flat for the 20 minutes without any problem.
Hello. I have copd but do not require oxygen. I go for my cataract surgery on 1st February. Feeling nervous I asked for advice from those who had it done.The response was amazing and I feel easier about the procedure now. I did ask about lying flat and was reassured that I could have 1 or 2 pillows for my breathing. I hope that it is the same for you.
Best wishes. Dawn.xx
Hello Dawn and thank you for replying to me I am sure a pillow or two would make all the difference. I wish you well for your operation, do let me know how it goes,
Best wishes Ruth xxx
Had my cataract OP 7 weeks ago I have severe COPD and it was no problem painless and stress free. The Consultant was marvellous and I now have perfect eyesight in my left eye , right eye next cant wait xxSheila
I am looking forward to having it done and being able to hopefully being able to see better again. Were you laid completely flat?
Yes but only because I was able, they did offer to prop me up. They put a pillow under my knees which helped support me. It was only 20 mins and honestly really painless. Theres oxygen on hand if needed so they look after you. Good luck xxSheila 💕⚘
Thank you for your reply hopefully all will go well and I am sure even one pillow would help me breathe more easily.
They will help as they understand our condition you'll be fine. Good luck xxSheila ⚘💕
Thank you Sheila that was most re-assuring. Best wishes Ruth
Let me know how you get on Ruth. You'll be great .remember we are all different and heal differently. Some have said taken 6weeks to see properly. Think it can take from days to weeks depending on healing process. Just be careful it doesnt get infected. You will be great Sending healing xxSheila 👍💕⚘
Yes I will let you know how I get on. Ny other worry is I sleep with a CPAP mask every night and I worried about that pushing up onto my eye. They have suggested gluing a plastic eye patch to my eye nightly but doubtful that will work but I can only try and aww what happens
They put a plastic eye shade on for me. Took it off next day. You'll be ok I'm sure xxSheila 💕⚘
Yes she did mention a plastic eye shield. I am sure I shall be fine. Many thanks Ruth
Morning Sheila. Pleased you got out and about recently 😀 looking good! Know we're all different/ heal at different rates but just wondered how long it was before you could SEE out of eye after surgery. Read 2 to 3 days ..1 to 2 weeks, suppose it depends how I go. 🤔 Eye drops are going to be a pain but know they essential.
Lastly any tips to help. Having my hair cut and coloured on Thursday as know you can't wash hair! 🙃
Thanks 😊 in advance. Best wishes.
Dawn.xx
Yes hated not being able to wash hair and put eye make up on. Went out in sunglasses. The drops are a nuisance. 4 a day week one 3a day week 2 . 2 a day week 2 and then last week 4 one a day I would have hair done before operation
I did have my highlights on week 3. My hairdresser comes to my home and we were really careful no soap etc went into eye. .some say they could see immediately. This didnt happen with me and quite blurry after drops.
I would say it was over a month and then overnight my eyesight was perfect. Unbelievable. My daughters are envious as I can watch tv and read small print without glasses . Wait until I have the right eye done.
Problem is I keep dusting as can see even the smallest specks.lol. yes get your hair done first or wait a few weeks.. good luck you'll be fine.painless and over in less than 30mins. xxSheila 👍⚘💕
Hi I have the same conditions and I had to lay flat for a kidney biopsy and that was OK short term then the let me have a pillow after half hour .Good luck
Mine should only take 20 minutes so hopefully I shall be fine, thank you for replying.
I had mine done last year and worried like you are doing now.I neednt have done!They will be aware of your problems and will proceed accordingly.I wouldnt hesitate to have it done again.
Thank you for your reply. I am quite happy to have it done my only worry is trying to breathe if having to lay completely flat as even with the oxygen that is really hard for me to do but we shall see.
Hi ginergermusic,
I had my cataracts done 3 years ago, was only on ambulatory oxygen then. Pretty sure I didn’t have to lay completely flat for the surgery. Just laid back from the vertical somewhat for a little while.
The surgeon and nurses were really supportive and reassuring and the whole experience was pretty good so try not to worry.
I have to return this coming week for laser treatment for a side effect of cataract surgery, a PCO to the same company who did the original surgery. Now I am on LOX so will see how it goes, and sure all will be well.
Go well.
Thank you for your reply hopefully if I am propped up even just slightly all will be easy. Hope you get on ok next week, good luck x
Hope all goes well for your procedure gingermusic, ask them for a pillow if you are not comfortable I am sure they will give you one. Let us know how you get on x
Thank you for your kind reply and yes I shall if I find myself struggling. Yes will let you all know how I get on.
Hi goood morning i wish you all the best i got that coming next i in the same mine it what you think not any body else good luck ghoust rider
Thank you I am sure all will be ok in the end.
I was worried about coughing and jerking about during the operation, so opted to be put under for both my cataract ops. Great result.
I am unable to be put out completely as my lungs are to weak but I am sure if they give me time I shall be fine. Thanks Ruth
I just wanted to add that my brother has scoliosis which has left his spine and ribcage deformed and lying on his back impossible. He had the surgery almost sitting.
He was very lucky then, I am sure I shall be fine but thank you for your reply
no absolutely no, I’m also on 2ltrs 24/7 I went to the hospital last week, echocardiogram 20minutes, should have lain flat but impossible, so was allowed to sit maybe halfway up. I have cataracts too, and dreading Any suggestion of removal.So I really do wish you all the best. Please would you come back again ginger and tell us how it went, good luck. Janet
Just I shall come back and let you all know how I got on
i think i had to lie on left side for that
I have been told I shall be required to be flat on my back
Hi I have COPD and Bronchiectasis and have had a cataract operation, I don't need oxygen but I was able to lay flat and felt very comfortable they make you feel at ease, it you need to use your oxygen I'm sure they will be able to supply you as part of the procedure good luck very Straight forward.
Thank you so much for your lovely reply. I am on oxygen all the time so shall have my own with me anyway so that shall not be a problem.
Hello I had my first cateract done 9 weeks ago. I’m on oxygen 24/7. Only took less then 10 minutes. I have COPD and pulmonary hypertension. Had the shakes from nerves was given a low dose sedative. Was amazed how quick and pain free it was. You’ll be shocked at the improvement. Can’t wait to have other eye done. Good luck x
Thanks Kate that was reassuring although the actual operation does not faze me at all it was just the worry of not being to lay flat, so shall wait and see. Best wishes Ruth
they do let you prop up if needed. You’ll be fine x
That would be brilliant thank you
i have problem with lying flat and cannot breathe. but i managed with head raised up somehow. Ithink it was a chair like dentists chair . they are used to coping with that. Mine was years ago so cannot remember details exactly . same with dentist . why dio they have to make you lie flat !i start coughing when i have to be like that so warn them and they will arrange it for you .
good luck and dont worry
Ihi I’m Janet I have emphysema and on oxy, 24/7. and impossible to lay flat or on my left side, I’m going to carry on as long as possible without the surgery , I had dry eye 30 years ago and was treated for funnel infection with eye cream? Which burned of my cornea covering, I can’t explain the Pain, it was intense on every movement, I lay in bed for three weeks on my back unable to move. I was rushed to hospital with kidney failure, imagine todays payout
That’s why I’m afraid of anyone near my eyes..
Oh dear Janet that sounds awful, I really do wish you all the best. Ruth
thank you Ruth, I’m really not ready for surgery, I’m not brave enough, even the optician scares me as they get closer.
But maybe when it’s completely foggy I hopefully will find the strength. Best wishes Janet.
I was given a gel type " pillow" which holds yr head and is comfortable.a dr / nurse sat with me,checking was ok and they pump 02 for duration yr there.any concerns,do tell them.did u not discuss at pre op? Id not worry.
I have not had a pre-p[ as yet it is next week on the 31st but I shall ask quesions.
Copd & foreign travel
Frankie (copd stage 4 )
Breathing Problems - COPD? 
I have no personal experience of this gingermusic but my dad (not on oxygen) could not lay flat. My sister ( who took him for the initial consultation) insisted he had to, so we tried practising, much to dad’s dismay and discomfort. However, on the day, he told them he couldn’t lay flat and they gave him pillows.
Likewise, my husband squirmed all through his first cataract op. He was given a pillow and sedation for his second - which was a much more intricate op due to the shape of his eye.
I suppose what I am saying is that you are not the only person who has had cataracts removed who cannot lay flat. ( There was a gentleman in the waiting room who was in a wheelchair and on oxygen.) The drs and nurses have experience of this kind of thing.
Did you ask about this in your consultations? Is there a number on your documentation you could ring to get reassurance?
Thank you for your reply. I did state yesterday at my appointment that I had difficulty breathing if having to lay flat, to which I was told well if you cannot lay flat you will need to be sedated or have a general anesthetic. I am unsure if I could have sedation but I know that due to the damage to my lungs I cannot have a general anesthetic. I was due last year to have my lungs washed out and the procedure was cancelled as the anesthetist refused to put me under stating I was not a suitable candidate and it was far to risky. I shall just have to start practicing and see how I get on. I have just over a week until my pre-op appointment is due.
Thanks for your help, Ruth
but general anthestic for copd is dangerous isn’t it? I too have a cataract developing and I’ve noticed it’s getting worse and am hoping to get it done but the sheer thought of it freaks me out
You are completely right, so I shall only have the drops in my eye. I am not the least bit worried about having the actual operation as I have every confident that it is painless, so do please ret not to worry about yours being done
I suggest that you ring the pre-op clinic nurse whose number will, hopefully, be on your paperwork/ ask to be put through to the relevant dept and state plainly your concerns. Also your GP, who should be able to smooth your way. Good luck honey. They will have the experience to deal with it, so long as they’re apprised of the state of affairs. You will be thrilled with your new eyes!
Thank you for your helpful reply