Had my visit to the consultant yesterday and after the OCT scan he said that the Eylea (after 9 injections) had worked and that the bad eye which had Wet AMD had dried completely which was good news.
He said he would put me on the waiting list for a cataract op for that eye to improve the vision. It still has some distortion but in bright light is still useful, except for reading; the good eye is very good and can nearly read to the bottom of the eye chart.
I wonder if anyone else has had this op and what it was like, and the recovery time? It is the lens replacement type. When I asked about laser treatment for it I think I hit a nerve; I don't think he approves of this procedure, and from reading, apart from the high cost and not available on the NHS, it seems not always to be that successful.
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MikeG1944
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I had one of my cataracts done ( in bad eye) last year and the procedure was painless. Better than most inj I'd had. My surgeon talked me through it as he went along which I appreciated and said to let him know if any pain. At one point there was very slight discomfort, pressure, and he immediately topped up the anaesthetic drops which worked well. A good thing is eye doesn't dry out unlike after inj as they constantly wash it so no gritty pain after.
The brightness of everything immediately after op is astounding, you cannot believe you didn't notice the dullness before!
My recovery was fine. I think I posted about it. Only problem was having to wait until followup check to get new specs. which affected my working. I booked the optician appt ahead of time once I knew op date.
The only thing I'd say is that docs tell you you will be able to see better but of course that's only in the near or far, not both, as the new lens isn't like a natural one. They like to give you whatever your sight was before as your brain is used to that. So I see well at distance but still need reading specs. There is a varifocal lens but only privately and it wasn't suitable for me.
I was very very nervous but it was fine and I shan't worry having the other one done. There are of course risks with every surgery so im not having the ' good' eye done until absolutely necessary.
Thanks eyesright; I wasn't that worried but interested in how others got on. I did see a short clip on the TV once of the op and it didn't look too bad. Having been used to the 9 or 10 injections I don't feel so concerned about having my eyes messed about with now.
It's a pity you have to wait for 6 weeks before having new glasses, and like you my eyes are best at a distance. Will let you know how I get on but not sure when I'll get an appointment; could be a while. Mike.
Hi MikeG1944, I have had cataract op on both eyes. The worst thing I remember about recovery, was having to sleep with an eye patch for a few days. At the time I had never heard of AMD, wet or dry, and I certainly don't remember anyone telling me what the risks are with this operation. I must admit that because my sight was very good, I didn't go back to my optician as soon as I should have. When I did go I was told I had damage to the back of my eye. Of course, being a member of this forum you will be more aware of risks that I was.
I was asked by the person doing the cataract op if I would prefer better long, short, or overall sight.
With the new lens everything outside is blindingly bright. After about 5 years, I hardly ever step outside without dark glasses. I have read that this is because the artificial lens doesn't have a natural tint like your original lens.
Thanks for the reply Bobbie915. I read the NHS page about the op and it said you have to wear the patch in bed for a week; I guess it's to avoid infection. I hadn't heard that it was a bright lens; that's interesting. I guess I may need the other one done eventually so they'll match, but it's OK at present. I think the overall sight lens is only available privately as they said you have to choose long or short focus on the NHS. Long will be fine as that's what the old lens focusses naturally. I don't mind wearing glasses for closer work.
I have had cataract op in both eyes, never felt a thing. As I take Tamsulosin which can affect the op the surgeon had to take extra precautions. I only had to wear an eye patch for one night. Good luck.
I am between cataract surgeries. Truly was dreading this as I have experienced extreme pain after Lucentis injections in left eye. Everyone assured me it would be a piece of cake...right! Well, it was SO different than injection. Wonderful MD who listened and acknowledged my fears. Extra flushes during and following surgery and placed a patch over my eye which I wore for about 4 hours following. (Doing the extra flushes and having a patch placed over left eye has decreased post injection pain)
Next surgery is next week. Had optician remove left lense from my glasses, adjustment for my eyes has been a bit of a challenge, minor balance issues, but I am driving and getting around quite well. Looking forward to seeing at a distance as I have been near sighted my entire life.
Hi yatzy, my optician recently told me not to drive in low light conditions and related it to ' pigment changes' in my good eye ( rather than being due to the cataract it also has which I am delaying op on - other ' bad' eye cataract done successfully). I checked with my consultant and he said the pigment changes were very minor, not classified as dry MD, OK to drive. I wonder if your night blindness is related to any pigment changes? Might be worth asking your optician ( apparently they often don't tell us). I'd also use the amsler grid to check no wavy lines.
Thanks for that, eyesright. I’ll ask, and do the amsler grid. Optician seems informed generally but basically saying ‘Put the light on!’
No mention of driving, but problem only in one eye so far. I’ve avoided night driving though where possible since cataract glare started.
He also says will review after second cataract removed, things might change then. When I hopefully have two good eyes, working together, with a prescribed pair of specs. We’ll see (hopefully!!) but I’m a bit concerned.
Thanks Yatzy, hadn't heard of the night blindness with cataract op; would have thought that was the other way around with a clearer lens; strange things eyes?
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