Looking for help.

[Wonderfullifeandmore]

Hello Everyone,

I am having cataracts removed from both my eyes next week and haven’t heard of anyone that’s had them done both together.

Has anyone had this done please.

[Lizzyanne567]

No I thought they were done 6 weeks apart.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello,

If you have cataracts in both eyes, surgery is typically performed on one eye, and then a few days or a few weeks later, it's performed on the second eye, allowing the first eye to recover and stabilize.

Although some consultants do offer/ suggest cataract surgery on both eyes on the same day, especially if the person is very short sighted or very long sighted. Having one lens done can cause you to feel off balance until you have the 2nd one done.

This is more popular in Europe, and results have shown little problems in having both done at the same time.

Any concerns you have about having both done on the same day should be discussed with your consultant.

[Littletreasures]

My brother had both done at the same time about 2 years ago. It all went well with no problems. I plan on having both mine done at the same time when I get them done.

[Wonderfullifeandmore in reply to Littletreasures]

Hi thank you so much for your reply, This has made me feel much better about it.

[Tshape2022]

Hi,Had both of my cateracts removed at the same time ...no problems.

My consultant thought this was best for me because of my eye condition.

[Wonderfullifeandmore in reply to Tshape2022]

this is great news for me, I feel reassured, I am having them done next Thursday.

[Tshape2022 in reply to Wonderfullifeandmore]

I'm so pleased you feel reassured.

[Annamay17]

I have never heard of anyone having both eyes done same time. I had one doe last April. Had other one done yesterday. It’s only my first day. But doesn't feel as good as first one

[Ginger30]

I hope your operation for both goes well. It's not normally done like that in New Zealand where I am but that's not to say it won't go well. Wishing you all the best.

[PeterRabbit62]

I have cataracts in both eyes also waiting for one to be removed other ok at the this time. Best to speak to your consultant, best wishes hope it goes well.

[SpaceBend]

everyone’s circumstance is different but I had one done and lost that eye eventually. So had I done them both at the same time .. well you can imagine. But don’t let that discourage you. It’s only my experience.

But I feel like it’s sold as this extremely simple operation but there are risks.

Like in my case they used too much energy to remove the gelly bit as a result they burnt my cornea and sent my pressure to the roof after and after 6 more faild ooeratiins the optic nerve was already gone.

I wish you all the best an easy operation and a speedy and successful recovery !

[Wonderfullifeandmore in reply to SpaceBend]

have to admit you have put the fear of god up me, with your story.

[SpaceBend in reply to Wonderfullifeandmore]

I did not mean to scare you.

But you have written this post because you’re a bit unsure as to why. Or how common it is to have this done in both eyes at once.

I just wanted to highlight that even though it’s a simple procedure it’s still a procedure none the less. And like with most of them there are risks. During and post op as you’ll be given a concentrated course of steroids to reduce inflammation and help recovery. That raises the pressure substantially and in most cases that’s a managed risk.

In my particular case the trab I had done as a teenager didn’t hold up. And later a faild shunt operation meant pressures were out of control and the optic nerve was damaged.

I was told before op that the only risk is some rare occurrence of bleeding. No one says anything about access energy being used that might damage your cornea or the need to have well managed pressure to be able to withstand the steroids or what ever other things might happen that hadn’t happen to me but might’ve happened to others.

I will emphasise again however. My case though not unique is slightly out of the ordinary. Having glaucoma since birth abnormal pupils and trabs I had done in both eyes as a teenager.

So be confident don’t be afraid but if you have concerns like why the twoncataracts at once you should air them with your consultant and ask maybe ask for a second opinion if you’re still unsure ask to have them done separately. This is elective surgery it’s not something you have to do to stay alive.

Cataract is usually simple bhr we have glaucoma on top so a little extra thought and planning might go a long way.

Good luck ! I’m sure what ever you choose it will be fine as most cataract ops turn out perfect

[whitedog]

Not had both eyes operated on together but am now virtually blind in my right and waiting for a date for cataract op on my left. Am a bit apprehensive as I live alone so hoping a friend will help me afterwards.

Hope all goes well for you.

[Wonderfullifeandmore in reply to whitedog]

thank you white dog I had my operation last Wednesday cataracts removed from both eyes all went well 🤞hopefully