Hi guys, just had my cataract preop assessment. No date for surgery yet.
A couple of interesting things - Dr said he can't tell me if the blurry vision I have now is due to cataract or oedema so no idea what result I will get. I figure it can't be worse ( barring complications of course).
The other thing a nurse told me - she said they will give me a squeaky toy to hold and press if any problems as ' not enough nurses to hold your hand'. I was speechless. The small contact with a warm human hand that squeezes back is what gets me through these things and not to have that offered when the procedure is so much more invasive is terrible I think! What a state of affairs.
Hope all goes well eyesright. Let us know how you get on please. Hope there will be someone by your side!!
Hello eyesright. Commiseration! Something else you have to contend with. I too am waiting to have my cataracts done, but I am further back in the queue than you are. I too have been told that they are not sure whether or not it would improve my vision - and that is my better eye with dry AMD and asteroid hyalosis, a shower of spots which don't move away like normal floaters. I think they are also hanging back because of possible complications, not to worsen the better eye.
The issue about the squeaky toy is laughable if it were not so sad, but I suppose because it is a longer procedure the nurse will be busy assisting the surgeon. At least you will be able to let them know if you feel anything untoward. I have never heard of that. Now don't go squeaking too much!! Sorry, that's not funny.
I hope everything goes well for you and that you notice an improvement. I would be interested to to hear of your experience when the time comes. By the way, are they going to do both eyes within a few weeks of each other? It is usually the case even when one is not quite as bad as the other.
Hi Eyesright, wishing you well and trust things will go smoothly for you. If it is any consolation, I had cataract op on both eyes at a private hospital that take NHS patients and I don't remember a nurse being present. Also, I don't remember it being any worse than having injections. It just takes a little longer - I think about 15 minutes. Sincerely hope it makes a difference. x x
Hi eyesright. Oh dear. I too like a hand to squeeze. Would it be an option to have hubby there or a friend to give you reassurance. I don't know if this is allowed but maybe worth asking about.
I wish you luck with yet another procedure. I will be interested to hear how you go as I was informed accidently that I have cataracts forming and was a little concerned.
I too have had cataract surgery in my good eye and am waiting for surgery in my “ bad eye” to improve the peripheral vision and help the eyes balance as I have already lost most of the central vision in that eye due to scarring. As the surgery took place in an operating theatre, there was no nurse at my side but the theatre staff assisting the surgeon were very reassuring. The clarity of vision in my treated eye continues to amaze me - having been shortsighted all my life, I can see clearly for miles and, despite nasty floaters, my left eye is compensating for the poor vision in my right eye (at the moment, I wear a contact lens to help the balance and peripheral vision in that eye). I was fastracked for my first cataract op by direct referral from my macular consultant to the cataract consultant but I am on the normal waiting list for the second one - almost a year’s wait.
I agree with Bobbie915 above - no worse than injections and actually maybe better as you don’t feel a thing. Hope you get the same really good result that I had - best wishes x
Funnily enough I used to work in theatres and was the one usually assigned to hold the patient's hand and distract them during l.a. orthopaedic procedures.
It was back in May when I was first listed for cataract surgery and that doc said " I'll put you on now as it takes about 6-8 months to get to the top of the list and that's about when you'll definitely need it doing". The preop appt this week came out of the blue ( good job I was back from hols) and I was told the wait from now is 18 weeks. My headaches have been worse and more frequent so I'm looking forward to getting it done for that reason but am a bit nervous - but then I always am with the inj etc so it's good to hear it's no worse.
I am now exploring a private option via my Benenden membership - consultant appt on the 25th at the Winfield Gloucester. If that works out it will free up an nhs place for someone else and I should get it over and done with quicker. Will report back how it goes. Thanks again for your support x
It is reassuring to have a nurse hold my hand but I did draw the line when on a couple of occasions a male nurse offered.
To our mutual relief I declined as gracefully as possible. 😜😜
They say a change is as good as a rest - but I do tend to agree with you.
UPDATE
Just had appt with private consultant.
He asked if my hospital had done further investigation ( blood tests) back in 2015 as I was young (53 then) to have bleed and brvo. He was not impressed they hadn't. The moment has passed now of course.
He told me the eye massaging they did last week is because the ozurdex needle leaves a ' furrow' and they have to close it up to stop anything getting into the eye.
He confirmed cataracts due to steroid and not age related.
He measured my eyes for the new lens and said it was good I'd had the implant already as any reduction in the swelling makes a difference to the figures they use ( so the nhs preop is essentially out of date and they obviously know this but don't seem to think it's an issue).
Best bit of the appt - he scanned and showed me that all oedema has gone after just one week! so new implant is working for now at least. It also means that the blurring now is all due to cataract so vision will be clear after op
Yippee!
Just got to finalise details tomorrow and book for new specs once op done.
All sounds positive eyesright. Your private consultation will have alleviated some of your fears. Nice to have the luxury of time to have everything explained at length. The benefits of private. Best of luck with surgery and let us know how it goes. 2468G
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cataract surgery & epiretinal membrane
What is the Cataract operation and recovery like?
Ozurdex and cataract.
