40 and too young for cataracts

[Linzilei]

In October 17 I was told I had a small cataract in my left eye. And that I've probably had it most of my life and not to worry. I turned 40 in Nov 17 so I am quite young to be diagnosed. In April 18 I noticed that I was looking my vision in my left eye and with in 6-8 weeks it had gone. I call the opticians and doctors to get an appointment and was told to go straight to a&e I had many tests done and had to attend the eye clinic the next day. More tests and scans on my left eye to be told that I needed to see a consultant. I was extremely anxious as I had no idea why I lost my vision..

Seeing the consultant he diagnosed me with server cataracts in both eyes and that I do need surgery. I waited 6 weeks as an urgent patient to see the next doctor and yesterday I had the pictures taken for my lenses but still no operation date. I am getting more and more frustrated as my right eyes is almost as bad as my left eye. Knowing that this will be sorted and I will be able to see again soon does give me some sense of ease it's still not reassuring me that I am just 40 and I am grounded I don't go out I can't drive. I miss reading and my day to day chores I can't complete. It might sound sad but just that I can't complete my personal care.(my eye brows) I know there is a light at the end of this tunnel but it's not helping me right now...

[Bobbie915]

I didn't realise that cataracts could get so bad in such a short time. I had mine for years before having the operation. I guess it depends where you live but we have a Care hospital who takes NHS patients, in our small town and they only do fast track, so no waiting. The NHS hospital are generally very good - as long as you have all the time in the world and can put your life on hold. Good luck, hope it all end well for you.

[Linzilei in reply to Bobbie915]

Hi

Thanks for your reply and sorry if the spelling is all over as I just can't see.. I manage to just see my phone now. Just!!

I have headaches everyday and I'm tired all the time. I sleep a full night and a couple of hours in the day. I struggle with pictures and people I can't work out faces and that's horrible as I struggle with my kids faces I don't see there emotions I can see shapes and blurred figures. I do hope that the operation is soon as it's like looking through a really good frosted window if someone leaves stuff on the floor or moves any think in the house I walk into it and trip over everything and day to day things that are easy and simple I can't do like washing dishes.. And wiping the side I miss so much even tho I take so much time on doing things. This has been such a short process for me but I would not wish this on anyone I have such a long way to go yet as I do need to have both eyes fixed but it does make you sit and think a lot as you have nothing better to do. It doesn't matter what age we are this is a life changing issue and has taken over in such a short time I have still not got my head around it fingers crossed it will be all sorted again before I do ...

[Hidden]

Hi linzilei sending you a hug x

The speed this has come on must be terrible for you.

There is a process in the NHS called ' any qualified provider' which basically means if the wait list at your hospital is too long you can ask to go to another NHS hospital who can do it quicker.

Why don't you speak to your gp, get them to chase your hospital for a date then if it's too long ask them to get you in somewhere quicker given the impact it's having on your life and safety?

Best of luck going forward, cling to the knowledge that it WILL be treated and your life can resume.

Ps I would ask why they think you have developed them so young and why so accelerated ( mine is accelerated I'm told but nowhere near as bad as yours and mine are a side effect of steroid implant in eye)).

[tallyho]

It sounds as if you have Psc ( posterior subcapsular cataracts) rather than the ones that affect older people. These cataracts can appear in much younger people and do indeed grow quicker.

visionaware.org/info/your-e...

[Linzilei in reply to tallyho]

Sorry i didn't reply as my eye sight disappeared very quickly. I had my first op yesterday and the pain is unreal. I can see a tiny bit but it hurts. I will let you know how I get on again Thank you