Cataract Surgery and Sedation

[Lizzyanne567]

Hi,I am on the list for Cataract Surgery which I should be having in about 3 or 4 months time.I will be having Local Anaesthetic and I have also been asked if I would like sedation,I don't know what to do is it painful without.

[Islandhome]

no, it really is not painful. They put lots of drops in before hand and tell you if you feel anything to raise your hand (or squeeze the one holding yours!). They will immediately stop and put on more drops. I have just had both eyes done and can honestly say I didn’t feel a thing. Not an overly pleasant way to spend an afternoon but they talked through and explained what they were doing all the time so it seemed to pass quite quickly. Good luck.

[Lizzyanne567 in reply to Islandhome]

Thanks for the advice,I only have early cataracts but I need replacement lens because I have very narrow angles and replacement lens should open up drainage channels more.I think I will do without the sedation.

[Islandhome in reply to Lizzyanne567]

my cataract surgery was for the same reason. Will find out this week if it has helped!

[Lizzyanne567 in reply to Islandhome]

My eye pressure ranges from 20 to around 30 so lens replacement should lower it l am on 2 lots of eye drops at the moment,let me know how you get on, good luck.

[Islandhome in reply to Lizzyanne567]

first follow up today. Pressures down from before surgery but not really enough yet. However, last on only 3 weeks and still on steroid drops so will see in a few weeks. Will keep you posted! Good luck with the ops. You should be fine without sedation, thinking about it is worse than the reality!

[Lizzyanne567 in reply to Islandhome]

Hi how much did your pressures come down this time?

[Islandhome in reply to Lizzyanne567]

Both were 24 before surgery. First done was 19 second 20 (still on steroid drops). They want both lower as optic nerve ‘very thin’ so I am to see consultant to advise on next step. Currently taking Diamox. Watch this space!

[Lizzyanne567 in reply to Islandhome]

Hi 19 & 20 would be great for me ,I have only had a problem since last summer until then my pressures had been between 19 & 21for more than 30 years which was ok for me then last summer they started going up reaching 30 at one point.It was discovered I had very narrow angles then I had an Iridotomy, pressures are now 24/26 on 2 lots of drops.

[Islandhome in reply to Lizzyanne567]

mine were low 20s or high teens for years but they have now said that, as the optic nerve is so thin, if pressures stay in the 20s the nerve may only last a few months, hence cataract surgery. Not an easy statement to live with!

[Lizzyanne567 in reply to Islandhome]

Try not to worry, I know that's easy said but there are so many things that can be done these days , keep me updated

[Islandhome in reply to Lizzyanne567]

thank you. Will feel better when I have seen the consultant again but I can’t ‘unhear’ what he said but I am trying!

[Littletreasures]

Is the sedation to calm you in case you are nervous rather than to stop you feeling any pain? If so I suppose it depends how nervous you might feel.

[Lizzyanne567 in reply to Littletreasures]

Hi, The sedation is to calm me down but I now don't think I will need it.

[Windflower]

I had both my cataracts done. Worst one first and the second one four months later. I had a local anaesthetic both times and had no pain during or after surgery. Completely painless and made a world of difference.

[Lizzyanne567 in reply to Windflower]

Thank you I feel much calmer now I won't bother with the sedation.

[Windflower]

😁 Absolutely no need for sedation. Just be relaxed knowing that it is a commonly done operation and all will be well. The nursing staff keep you in for a few hours after to make sure you are OK and your blood pressure has gone back down. I got milky coffee and toast afterwards.

[Lizzyanne567 in reply to Windflower]

I think you also have to stay longer if you have sedation.

[Windflower]

’Spose it depends on how much sedation they give you. I had to be at the hospital for 7.30 a.m. and as I have pseudoexfoliation glaucoma which has a higher risk factor, I was to be first on the list, but my eye did not dilate quickly enough so it was done later. I was discharged at 12.30. Second eye was done by the Consultant and I was third on the list of five for that morning. 😄❤️

[Lizzyanne567 in reply to Windflower]

I am having my left eye done first which is a lazy eye and I also have primary closed angles so I suppose I am higher risk too.

[Windflower]

That is beyond my knowledge level. Before my op. I was told of all the complications that could occur. Fortunately the ophthalmologist had gone through this scary list before I gave my consent for the operation. If she hadn’t, I might have needed sedation! 🤣

[Granny79]

glad to see all these comments here re Cataracts as I was told by the Consultant yesterday that I would need this done in my right eye before anything else being done to lower the pressure in that eye in particular.

[Amandeep_GlaucomaUK]

Hi Lizzyanne567, 

Islandhome is correct you are given local anaesthetic in the form of eye drops to numb the eye, so you don’t feel anything during the surgery. Throughout the surgery they will continue to put more anaesthetic eye drops in as well. If you are nervous/anxious prior to surgery you can request a sedative. This would mainly help calm your nerves. This does generally had an extra 30 - 60 minutes onto your surgery as it does take effect. 

[Lizzyanne567 in reply to Amandeep_GlaucomaUK]

Thank you

[Cockerspadge]

I had cataract surgery and never felt a thing. The consultant performing the procedure came to talk to me prior to surgery, he hadn’t read my notes at this time so I told him about damage to my zonular fibres & a retaining ring would be required to hold the lens in place. This isn’t the norm but even when this was factored in, the procedure was straightforward and pain free. The nurse held my hand throughout the surgery, the consultant talked to me & the radio was on in the background. There was a bit of noise but I was told to expect this. I would say having a tooth out is worse than cataract surgery.

[Lizzyanne567 in reply to Cockerspadge]

Thank you