Footworks

[Footworks]

I'm a new member and would like to know​ how best to​ deal with the fear and uncertainty of approaching a Cataract operation.

[Hidden]

Hi footworks, I don't have them but a friend had hers done - she said it was painless. I'm thinking you are feeling the apprehension similar to before a first eye inj. All I can say is try to relax. It will not be as bad as you fear. Focus on the good that will come after when your sight is improved. Make a list of your fears and what you will gain - keep reading the good list!

I watched an inj on utube which really helped me. I bet there's one for cataracts on there. Don't be squeamish, if you can familiarise yourself with what will happen it removes the fear of the unknown.

Write down all the things you want to know for before and after - speak to the eye clinic before or on the day and write the answers down as you will likely forget with the adrenaline of the day! Ask them if you can take a couple of paracetamol on the day an hour or so before the op - I find it helps any postop discomfort. If you are super nervous they may be able to give you something - let them know in good time so it can be agreed before you are in theatre.

And remember to breathe......I distract myself thinking of other things when I'm having an inj and put my "focus" somewhere else (not my eye's of course ha ha). I often tap my foot and count repeatedly in my head. Hold a nurse's hand , that little bit of human contact makes a massive difference.

Good luck to you, enjoy your postop vision xcc

[Footworks in reply to Hidden]

Hi Eyesright........ I hang on to your every word...... Thanks but I do fear that dreaded 1 in 1000. .So it's what it's going to be.

[Hidden in reply to Footworks]

It's natural to have the fear footworks, but all it does is spoil today, it doesn't make things any better x I know you know that, and its easier said than done but try to live in the moment, if we all died tomorrow what would our last day have been? Choose enjoyment rather than fear x

[Footworks in reply to Hidden]

Hi Eyesright.,...... Your words are like some medicine....... hard to swallow but good for the ailment / patient...... Thanks again.

[Hidden]

I am certain many with personal experience will post soon. In my case I know many people who have had cataract ops with complete success. My wife's aunt had both hers done at age 98, now, at 105 she has better eyesight than I do!

[Footworks in reply to Hidden]

Hi Rennatk..... Thanks for your help and I think your wife is very fortunate to have such a remarkable Aunt.

[cormorin]

Hi havent yet had my cataracts done as waiting for wet amd to stabilise but my friend has had both eyes done & has told me not to panic about it as he had no problems. He is really glad he had the cataracts removed as his sight is now very good & he is driving again. Try to watch how it is done as my friend did, he said it helped him.

It is scary as is having the injections but concentrate on something else. Lots of luck & hugs to you.

[Footworks in reply to cormorin]

Hi Cormorin..... Thanks for the encouraging info but I've googled the Cataract operation and the apparent precision required is scarey. However , I've had a lot of very helpful advice and I hope that I will do them all justice.

[Ayayay80]

Hi Footwork

Like eyesright I have no personal experience and I agree with everything she said. It will only be a matter of time before mine need doing. One of my friends had cataracts removed in both eyes within 2 months of each other. She told me it didn't hurt. The only difficulty she experienced was trying to keep her eyes still for quite a long time, unlike the injections which are over very quickly. But the difference it had made to her eyesight was worth every bit the inconvenience. So do not worry too much, relax and go with the flow. I know it is easier said than done. All the best.

[Footworks in reply to Ayayay80]

Hi Ayayay 80....... Thanks for your encouraging advice.

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Dear Footworks,

I am copying the information from our cataract information sheet below, which may be a useful discussion tool with your ophthalmologist. You could raise any concerns with your ophthalmologist’s secretary. Doing so and having these addressed may help you to feel a little less fearful and uncertain.

In addition, are you in contact with one of our local group? If you could let us know your location, then we could let you know the details of your closest one. Talking with others is often helpful in these circumstances.

The Macular Society helpline is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a common condition, which often occur in later life, many people over the age of 60 have some form of cataract.

A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. Vision becomes blurred, the person affected often describes vision as being misty or foggy.

When someone has both macular degeneration (MD) and cataracts, (which is incidentally quite common, although there is no link between the two conditions), it is difficult to know which is causing you the biggest problem with your vision. Is it the MD or the cataract?

MD affects central vision, but peripheral vision remains; however a cataract in its more advanced stages can blur the peripheral vision and will significantly reduce your sight overall.

Cataracts can also be a factor if you suffer from glare, adding to the problem quite significantly at night.

An optometrist or ophthalmologist will carry our various tests to evaluate a patient’s clearness of vision (the visual acuity). If the tests show that the cataract contributes significantly to visual difficulty then its removal may be appropriate. A cataract operation is generally a straightforward procedure, but as with all surgery there are some risks.

Cataract surgery is usually only suitable for patients with dry MD. It is unlikely that cataract surgery would be undertaken for someone with active wet MD. If however the wet MD has been stable for at least 3 months, then it may be considered by your consultant. He/she would have to assess the risks.

It should be borne in mind however that the improvement after surgery for someone with MD and cataracts may not be significant. The area of vision affected by MD will still be blurry, but there will be an improvement in the peripheral vision. General clarity and colour definition will usually be greatly improved as more light is being let into the eye after removal of a cataract.

If cataracts are forming in a patient, there are NHS guidelines (thresholds) for ophthalmologists and opticians to follow to establish when someone should have cataract surgery. These thresholds can however vary across the country.

If a patient falls outside of these thresholds, but an Ophthalmologist feels cataract surgery is still beneficial, an application may be sent to your local health care commissioners to seek approval for surgery.

There may be occasions when an ophthalmologist considers the risks of cataract surgery are too great; for example if someone has no sight in their other eye, or if they have high pressure in their eye from uncontrolled glaucoma.

Just to make you aware, we are currently offering free 6 month membership. This is a good way to keep up with current developments. Please ring us if you would like to benefit from this, or join via the following link:

macularsociety.org/6months

Kind regards

[Footworks in reply to Rosalyn-helpline]

Hi Rosalyn helpline..... You've certainly given me a lot to think about...., Thanks.

[Mal0927]

Hello footworks.... I had a cataract operation in November and I can honestly say there is absolutely nothing to worry about. I was one of a group of patients called in at 12.30. We were looked after by 4 or 5 nurses who took blood pressures and administered eyedrops - lots of eyedrops. Time passed quite quickly with so much going on. I was a bit apprehensive and worried I wouldn't be able to keep still during the 'op' so made sure I 'spent a penny' beforehand. In the event I felt amazingly calm once I was on the operating table. The preparation is similar to those before AMD injections and I was amazed at how quickly it was all over with no pain at all. In all it took about 20 minutes. I am a bit deaf so didn't hear what was going on which was annoying. The instrument used to remove your natural lens apparently makes a noise but I didn't even hear that.

Often after AMD injections I have a sore eye for a couple of days but there was none of that. The thing that hurt most was when I removed the dressing and looked in the mirror. Where had all those wrinkles come from!

[Footworks]

Hi Ma10927.......Thanks for the very uplifting news of your Cataract operation and I hope that those wrinkles have now disappeared just as misteriously as they appeared. Could you give me some idea of the differences​ / improvement in your vision after the operation and how soon was it noticeable. Also, what sort of after care / follow up treatment did you have ?

[Mal0927 in reply to Footworks]

Hi Footworks,

I was advised to leave the dressing and eyeshield on overnight which I did despite the temptation to check it out. When I removed them the next morning I was astonished at the clarity and brightness of my vision. My distance vision is amazing and I now only use glasses for reading. (I had to have a new lens in them). A friend who had her operation about the same time and has glaucoma and AMD, didn't have a dressing, just the eyeshield and she could see the improvement immediately the operation was over.

The aftercare consisted of putting drops in the eye 4 times a day. Anti-biotics for two weeks and anti-inflammatories for 4 weeks. In my case 2 lots of A.I's because of my AMD. I continued to wear the eyeshield at night for couple of weeks as recommended, to guard against infection The A & E Dept is always available if you have any worries.

As for the wrinkles, they are still there I'm afraid. I just have to accept they were there all the time.

Best wishes

[Footworks in reply to Mal0927]

Hi Mal0927

Thanks for the much appreciated information which I requested. Maybe you could give me some tips on how to apply eye drops without wasting it all over the face. Anyway, in appreciation I have some information for you (if you haven't already heard) that " Green Tea Ice Cubes Blitz Eye Bags In A Jiffy ". Surely your wrinkles wouldn't​ stand a chance..... so here goes.

Make a cup of good quality, strong green tea, allow to cool, then make into Ice Cubes in the freezer. When needed, wrap a single cube in a piece of muslin or Gauss or similar and use the cube to gently massage and press under and around the eyes. I understand that just a few minutes can produce dramatic results.

Best regards and Good Luck.

[Mal0927 in reply to Footworks]

Hi Footworks

Putting in eyedrops is a bit tricky but I hold the head well back and try to look at the actual nozzle of the bottle as I press it. Sometimes I do miss the target but the 35 ml bottles seemed to last the course despite losing some of the contents down my face..

Thank you for the tip re my wrinkles but at 87 I do not expect miracles! However I must dash off and get some Green Tea.

[Footworks in reply to Mal0927]

Hi Mal0927

Thanks again for your very helpful responses.Good luck with the Green Tea Ice Cubes and I would appreciate your comments on the results.

[Hidden]

One advantage(?) of a cataract op is that it enables a clearer view of the insude of the eye. Hopefully, to confirm that all is OK. 🙂

[carolineJames]

Mal0927 - where did you get you operation done? What hospital? And I am also interested in your reply to Footworks

[Mal0927 in reply to carolineJames]

Hello Caroline, My operation was done at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Bucks UK.

[Lizjim]

I have had both eyes done ,like you I was very anxious before first one ,in fact I was terrified. Please believe me its is such a very simple procedure, you feel nothing and see nothing. A nurse held my hand throughout and told me to squeeze her hand if I felt uncomfortable in any way and the doctor would stop immediately. I was amazed when doctor said I was finished the time about 20 mins went so quickly. I had no after effects apart from eye feeling a bit itchy first night. Everything was much clearer and sharper.I went quite happily to have my second eye done 3 months later.I know its not easy but there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Good luck x

I forgot to say I had cataracts done before I was diagnosed with AMD. Also you have to put drops in eye each day for a few weeks after procedure.

[Footworks in reply to Lizjim]

Hi lizjim...... Thank you so much for your response . I hope that I'll be able to let someone feel as good and relieved as you have done for me.

[Lizjim]

I'm so glad I helped .

[mumsabout]

I have yet to read about anyone who had cateract surgery having damage done to the retia like me. it also took houtr with mine not 20 mins Is there anyone who had really bad cateracts but still came out ok. also had to wait a year before i had the other one done ,which came out ok

[Footworks in reply to mumsabout]

Hi Mumsabout

Sorry to hear about the unfortunate circumstances of your first Cataract operation and I hope we never hear of any more like it. However, you had the second op which you said was OK. So I guess that all's well that ends well. Nevertheless, I can't help wondering how you managed during the long( hours) period of the first operation.