Stage 3 macula hole

[LexieK]

Hi

I’ve just been diagnosed with stage three macula ho which is as such a shock! I’m going private as nhs wait is too long and have had one quote out of three so far and it’s between £5-8,000 for one eye! Has anybody else had this op privately and can give any recommendations?

Also not Looking forward to having to lie postural after again any advice?

Thanks

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner]

Good Morning LexieK,

A macular hole should be operated on within 6 months of diagnosis, so if your appointment from the NHS is within 6 months, there isn't a need to go privately.

If you are wanting to go privately, send us an email on [e-mail] with where you are and where you are willing to travel to, and we can provide a list of specialists, however it is likely that the prices will be about the same across different private clinics and you will be treated within the same time frame (6 months from diagnosis)

Posturing is important and not doing it limits the success of the operation, however there is equipment is available to make you more comfortable. If not loaned by the hospital, you can hire equipment from Face Down Support Hire, their details are as follows:

Tel: [phone]

facedownsupporthire.com

Once you know how long you will have to posture for, they can give you a quote on their prices. Your consultant should tell you how long you should have to posture for,

Posturing tips:

•stock up on entertainment

•clothes without buttons are more comfortable to lie on

•keep things you’ll need during the day close-by (tissues, snacks, water, drinking straws) and have meals organised so they can be prepared quickly and easily.

• You will be allowed up for about 10 minutes every hour

Best Wishes,

Becky

Macular Society

Advice and Information

[e-mail]

0300 3030 111

[LexieK in reply to Becky_MacularSociety]

Thank you Becky. I don’t particularly want to go private and I’m going to call gp today to find out how long the waiting list if BUT for my own well being and also I’m studying at the moment and will be going into my last year September and don’t want to defer for a year I would want to get it done ASAP.

I live in borders of London and Kent so anything near there I would consider. The quote I had yesterday was from Moorfields which I know is the best but so expensive and I don’t have private medical insurance so anything advice would be great thanks

Alex

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner in reply to LexieK]

I have sent you a private message with details

[springcross]

All the best with it LexieK. Hope all goes well for you. x

[LexieK in reply to springcross]

Thank you it’s just all so overwhelming but starting to take control again and feeling a little better

[Hidden]

Hi I dont know if he does this op but try Professor Simon Taylor at the Nuffield Guildford. We have nothing but praise for this highly qualified man. He has a website or you could contact his secretary Anne Strudwick 01483533118 [e-mail]

For cataract op we also got quote from Optegra and although we didn't use them I was pleasantly surprised by their hospitals around the country and pricing ( I'd thought they were just laser eye clinic but they were recommended by a friend of a friend) again, dont know if do your op.

Best of luck going forwards.

[LexieK in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for the information

Much appreciated

[dinahdough]

Hi Lexie, I hired equipment from Facedown Support and they couldn't have been more helpful. You could also get a massage table online as you can buy one cheaper than the cost of hiring one. I was really concerned about the posturing but apart from an hour straight after the surgery I wasn't required to do it. It meant I had wasted a lot of money on equipment hire although I was so delighted not to need it that I didn't mind too much. But I know that if I had been face down the equipment would have made a huge difference. So I would recommend you check with your surgeon before ordering anything.

Would also say, in case you're worried about it, the surgery itself was so much better than I had anticipated. I felt nothing at all during the op.

[LexieK in reply to dinahdough]

Thank you that has given me reassurance about the posturing

Who did your operation was it nhs or private?

I had read in some research from the Mayo Clinic in America the specialist there doesn’t recommenced posturing so I’m feeling a little more confident

[dinahdough in reply to LexieK]

My operation was nhs . I would recommend the surgeon but I live in Scotland so not much help to you.

[LexieK in reply to dinahdough]

But still encouraging to know that some of them don’t agree with days of posturing so thank you I will ask the question now 😉

[dinahdough in reply to LexieK]

Good luck

[Shimano]

All the best lexieK. Hope your op goes well and you are able to get back to your studies soon.

[LexieK in reply to Shimano]

Thank you I’m staying positive