I have just had a call from the eye clinic to book me in for a cataract op in two weeks time. This will be my first, so am feeling pretty terrified. I am going the week before that for a scan, measurements etc. I have been told I can have distance or reading strengths, had hoped for something in-between, similar to my present spectacle prescription, as I am used to reading without any spectacles. Have also just been told my right eye will be done first, which I cannot understand. When I was contacted a few weeks ago was told it was my left eye as this was the worst one and then when I went for a scan was told I had now started to have glaucoma and put onto eye drops. I cannot see hardly anything out of my left eye (presumably due to the cataract) and my right eye is doing all the work. So why are they doing the better eye first? Very worried and terrified as do not know what expect.
Cataract procedure: I have just had a call from... - Glaucoma UK
Cataract procedure
Enigma I know the thought is scary, I was beyond petrified before my first cataract op but it is over and done with so quickly. You will be given drops to numb your eye and to enlarge your pupil which is totally painless. The op roughly takes 5/10 mins,you will be on operating table and your face is covered with a sterile drape and you look into a bright light above you. You cannot see anything that's going on and I was in no pain at all, I did feel something was being done to my eye but it really didn't hurt. Afterwards your eye is covered in a plastic shield and vision is blurry for an hour or so. They give you all your drops and aftercare advice and you are good to go. You have to be careful for the next 4 weeks with regards heavy lifting, gardening etc and have steroid and anti biotic drops to take,in my case 4 times a day . I had my second op 6 weeks later and didn't feel remotely afraid . The thought is much much worse than the op itself.
I had my worst eye done first but I guess each consultant has his own ways.
The measuring for the artificial lens is just a case of looking into a machine.
I still have to wear varifocals although my prescription had changed completely after the ops.
Thanks for your message. Hopefully my op will go as smoothly as yours did. I will ask about the choice of eye when I go for my pre-op next week.
Yes it's definitely worth querying the eye choice. For me it's better having a date that's not too long in the future as it's less time to stress. If you are concerned Glaucoma UK have a buddy system where where you can speak to someone who has been through the procedure and that would probably give you more reassurance .
Good Luck Enigma , hope it all goes well x
Thanks
Hi, They would normally do the eye that is most affected by the cataract first. I would contact the consultant for clarification. As Witchie346 has mentioned, if you want to speak to someone who has had the procedure done you can call us as we will arrange this for you. 01233 648170
Thanks Trish. I did phone the consultant but he is away for a few days. I am going for measurements etc this coming Tuesday and as his secretary doesn't work on Fridays or Mondays, just hope he gets back to me before this coming Tuesday. I have a friend who has had cataracts removed, which has been helpful with the procedure.
Hi Trish, the consultant's secretary just phoned me to say the consultant wanted do the right eye first as the glaucoma cupping was slightly higher in that eye. He is hoping that the cataract removal will reduce it. I have just looked up glaucoma cupping and frightened myself again as I do not want to become blind.
Glad you heard back from the secretary with clarification on which eye will be done. Cupping is how they word the damage to the optic nerve. Everyone with glaucoma has cupping. You have been well monitored and the glaucoma was detected in the early stages which is always a good thing. People with very advanced glaucoma have a higher risk of sight loss but this isnt the case for you, so try not to worry.
Thanks Trish. Makes me feel a bit better. The trouble is I have not been told anything about my glaucoma apart from that I have now started to get it. Then lots of words are used which do not mean anything to me, so I Google them and get frightened! Thanks goodness for Glaucoma UK - you are all very helpful and understanding.
Google is a wonderful thing but sometimes its better not to look things up as it puts our heads into overdrive and worry more. Any concerns, speak to your consultant. You know we are always here for you too 🤗
I agree. Will try not to keep Googling! Thanks for being there for everyone.
Hi there Engima - I hope all goes well for you. I rang Moorefields Eye Hospital on Monday and was given an appointment for 11-30 on Wednesday as i have glaucoma and a cataract in my left eye and my eyes are watering all the time - i was surprised to get an appointment so quick - when i got there they informed that i was having laser treatment in both eyes - well it all went very well and i was back home by 3pm in the afternoon with some drops to put in my eyes for three days and a further appointment in four months. Laser is very quick and painless. I too had the first cataract in my left eye removed about eight years ago and it was so quick and took no time at all and i was amazed at just how painless it was - so i wish you good luck and hope that you have a good experience. Bless you👍
Thanks for your good wishes. My pre-op this coming Tuesday will be the first time I have been back since being diagnosed with glaucoma (about 5 weeks ago) so I am hoping the eye drops have started to lower the pressures. I thought about asking if I could have laser treatment after both eyes have had the cataracts removed. Will have to see what they say. From your message it sounds as if you have had cataracts removed twice in your left eye. Didn't realise they could come back again so quickly. Wishing you all the best. x
Hi there Enigma - No i have only had one cataract removed and that was from my left eye and it all went well - but that was a few years ago now - my eyes have been watering for the last two years or more and all they kept doing was to give me drops and it was just so bad that they decided this week to do laser on my eyes. I cannot see very well from my left eye but my right eye is pretty good. I have to go back in four months to see if all is well - but the consultant told me i must keep havimg my B12 injections and he was contacting my GP to tell her that she has to give me them - initially one a week for six weeks and then once a month as lack of b12 causes damage to the optic nerve of the eyes - as of yet she has not been in touch with me - she done the same in March of this year when i saw another consultant at Moorfields - she ignored him and went on holiday for a month even though he messaged her and said i had to have eye drops - i have never had a b12 injection from my surgery. Hope all goes well for you - Keep safe - bless you👍
Hi Engima sounds like we are having pre op and cataract op pretty much at the same time! My pre op assessment is Weds plus the COVID test, isolation on the Thursday and op on the Friday. I remember I was terrified of the unknown the first time around, however that was May 26th and all went very smoothly. So second op on July 23rd, no worries about the procedure this time just a little anxious it’s on my dominant eye, and so don’t want anything to go wrong this time, I’m sure it won’t! Don’t forget you will probably need to continue with your present glaucoma eye drops, just make sure they are all brand new unless they are in separate phials. Also I requested preservative free post cataract drops, so ask for these or at least a prescription for some. I certainly feel far more relaxed this time round, if anything worrying that I should be more anxious if you understand what I mean 🤣so let’s keep in contact and share notes! Keep strong, take care x
Hi. Thanks for getting in touch. I am having my dominant eye done first as the consultant has told me the pressure is slightly higher in that eye and he is hoping it will become lower after the cataract op. Did you go for distance or reading when you had your first one done. I am used to reading without specs so don' really know which way to go. But of course as I have bad astigmatisms I may not have a choice at all! Will find out tomorrow at the pre-op stage. Still worried very badly of course. I am already on preservative free drips - Monopost in single capsules, so hope they are bringing the pressures down. How long is it before one can see out of the eye after the op. So worried I am not going to be able to see, or they put the lens in the wrong way, the size isn't right, I will be able to feel the lens in my eye etc etc. Wishing you all the best for Friday. Definitely keep in contact. xx
Oh bless you, all I can say is I’d much rather have a cataract op than go the dentist. They look after you so well, and it’s so quick! More of a hassle taking all the drops after op. I could see straight away from the eye operated on, a bit strange at first, for me colours were different and much brighter, the eye soon settles down after a few days. I had distant lenses, didn’t have choice however really happy, fingers crossed for us both! At least the sun is shining 🤗today I’m getting all the washing and housework work done, tomorrow my little grandson is coming, Weds pre op, Thursday is the day of clearing garden and Friday the Op! Yes definitely keep in touch x
Thanks. Yes sun shining, have done some gardening as someone told me that one couldn't do gardening or heavy lifting for about 4 weeks after op. I'll have to get my long-suffering husband to put the drops in for me as I don't trust myself to do it correctly! Hopefully the cataract drops will not have to be administer for too long! Speak soon.
I believe everyone has two additional types of drop, one for two weeks and the other for four weeks if my memory serves me right. I wrote down a schedule so I would know which I had taken. Hopefully your husband will organise that for you. It keeps you busy however it’s so worth it! x
All the best to all of you getting your cataracts done. I had mine done last year.... now running about with no specs, first time for 57 years! And in my worse eye the prescription was -15. I am better with the cheapo reading glasses for computer etc. I have some in every room. You get loads of drops beforehand so it does not hurt. Yes, drops regime for a wee while after... I made a schedule too, tick box, tick tick, made me feel in control. I also had laser a few weeks ago just to "tidy up round the edges". I need preservative-free drops all the time. That would be my 11th and 12th "op/procedure" on my eyes, not counting lasering. So amazing to be able to get about without specs. I remember my father saying he could count the windows on the train across the firth after it was done and he was 91! It is a life-changer, no mistake. Like clear glass instead of frosted. Good luck, all.
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