Waiting for cataract surgery

[mrswaffle]

I have glaucoma, diagnosed 17 years ago. My (wonderful!) consultant put my name on the waiting list for left cataract removal at the beginning of May. I check (every day, sadly) on my NHS app, hoping to see an update. The average waiting time is apparently 11 weeks. I don’t want to hassle anyone & I know I have to wait my turn; the info on the app says that patients will be taken in order of clinical priority, but I can’t help but be anxious. Also, maybe slightly resentful as I have always followed my consultant’s instructions & tried to care for my health in other ways too. I know there are patients who don’t try as hard as me (I’ve met some!) & I feel a bit upset that my treatment may be delayed due to this. I’m apprehensive of ringing the hospital, as fear a negative response will upset me even more. Thanks n advance to anyone who reads this!

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello. I would call the eye secretary explaining your frustration regarding the appointment. They may be able to look into it for you and bring your appointment forward.

With any form of surgery, priority is given to those who need to be seen sooner. But saying that, I would still call the eye secretary.

[mrswaffle in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thank you, Trish. You’re always so reassuring! About almost every other aspect of my life, I am a strong, capable woman, but about my eyesight, I am a miserable wimp!

[Goatiegoat in reply to mrswaffle]

You are not a wimp at all! We are all very anxious about our precious eyesight! It’s natural for you to feel worried and frustrated about your long wait. However, there is a process of prioritising the most urgent cases, a kind of points system as I understand it, and, given the pressures on the NHS caused by under-resourcing, this leads to delays. By all means make enquiries about where you currently are on the waiting list but you may have to be patient a little longer. You can perhaps take a bit of comfort in the knowledge that your condition hasn’t deteriorated as some other oeople’s.

[SIMONE75]

I find if I call them if any appointment hasn’t come through when it should they are fantastic and give me one straight away. They won’t think badly of you and you might find they give you your appointment. I’m surprised it is taking so long as I thought most NHS cataract surgeries were quick now as the routine ones are done at Spire clinics on the NHS leaving much smaller waiting lists.

[Angel5454]

when I was waiting for glaucoma surgery I was told it was a four month waiting list. I waited to nearly seven months then I contacted PALS and not long after that I was given a date. I was willing to wait my turn but as my left eye was the one being operated on and it is the only eye I have any sight in I got worried that I’d been forgotton. There is nothing wrong in finding out. I spent too long waiting and I’m really hoping now that I did the right thing for my sight.If you are worried then contact them sometimes you need to push yourself forward or you might end up waiting a long time

[Iona57]

When you contact the hospital it may be worth emphasising how the cataract is affecting your life. This may increase your priority. The hospital had been 'keeping an eye' on my developing cataract for some years. However it seemed to suddenly get to the point where I was failing the driving eyesight test. I was then offered the surgery quicker than I expected- within a couple of months I think. I hope all goes well for you.

[PeterRabbit62]

I have glaucoma and I had both cataracts removed now, both painless and both recovered well a enough to drive. My first one was in October last year done at my local hospital in Llandrindod, I did not have to wait and was not put on any waiting list because I literally couldn't see with my right eye so it was done quickly in October last year, normal 4 weeks recovery for that one and driving after a week, you can drive sooner if you have the confidence to do so. My left eye was different, my pressures have spiked in it up to 30 and I was told that having a glaucoma operation called a GTT would help a long with cataract removal at the same time, this could not be done in my local hospital I would have to travel to Hereford hospital for, it when ahead very smoothly apparently I slept through the operation. There is an 8 week recovery, results were good pressure 12 in left eye right 16, the only thing is with the left eye I could not drive for 8 weeks, I am retired so work was not a problem. I was on a waiting list for my left but because of my pressures I was faster tracked, and have it done on the 24 June and fully recovery was 13 August, I think it worked out a little bit over 8 weeks because one appointment was cancelled and rescheduled because my consultant was unavailable anyway all worked out fine, hope yours does too and you don't have to wait long. Best wishes.

[Crafty-gran]

hi

I totally understand you’re anxiety And hope you get an appointment soon

I would certainly chase up with the secretary . It’s ok to chase up these things. It’s our eyesight and it’s precious

I think everyone on this forum will have felt just the same as you at some point

You are not being a wimp at all

I’m due to go in tomorrow for cataract and insertion of I stent . And I’m anxious

I hope you get sorted soon . Keep us posted how you are getting on

Big 🥰

[mrswaffle in reply to Crafty-gran]

Thank you & good luck tomorrow. ❤️

[woodthorpe]

Dear Mrs W., the average waiting time for NHS cataract surgery appears to be more like 10 or 11 months. I'd suggest, as does Trish@GlaucomaUK, that you contact your hospital eye department, especially if your eyesight is noticeably deteriorating, and/or you're having difficulties in daily life. I think they'd understand your concern. An alternative would be private treatment where the wait would be something like 4-6 weeks.

[mrswaffle in reply to woodthorpe]

Thanks for your advice; I did an update yesterday on here, as I did ring the hospital. They explained the situation & were very helpful & understanding. I can’t honestly say my eyesight has got worse since my referral but the lady I spoke to said she’d put my name on the ‘short notice’ list so they’ll phone me if they have a cancellation or similar situation. I originally saw my current specialist privately, & I am seriously thinking of having my right eye done privately, because of the waiting time.