Hi, I have seronegative RA and am on Benepali. Have just had a routine eye test and been told I need cataract surgery. I thought I needed new glasses but it turns out it's cataracts! Anyway my optician has referred me on the NHS via my GP but I'm wondering about going private as I have no idea how long I will have to wait for NHS treatment. (I'm really not happy to drive in the dark as everything seems so shadowy.)
Has anyone had this done privately? Am also worried about post-surgery infection/healing etc but will discuss this at my next rheumy appointment in January.
Basically just wondered how people have got on with the surgery and healing afterwards.
Thanks.
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Chann
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Oh my goodness Paula! Thank you so much for all this. I've had a very interesting time reading through all the posts and comments. I'm feeling much better about the whole thing now so thank you again.
I've just read all the posts in the links I've done. Just want to add that my near vision is still good, can read the smallest of print in the card they give you when having an eye test. I have been told on my last two eye checks that I am just in the legal limit to drive without glasses but I do wear them to be on the safe side, my distance does vary slightly, especially if I'm tired.
My 72 year old neighbour has just had both her cataracts done…Privately….within a month…..apparently her husband had his done on the NHS last year & she said they both did as well as each other.
She seems to think the only problem would be putting in the drops afterwards.
Well….I don’t know about anybody else, but I can put drops in my eyes without help! Might be a bit damp if you miss..but nothing major!
If I needed the op I’d be quite happy living alone to go for it.
Thank you. I am considering going private purely to get it done sooner as I keep hearing how long NHS waiting lists are. It's only been 24 hours since my referral though so I can't get impatient yet! 😁
Like you Chan I have RA and am on Benepali (and Methotrxate) and had a cataract removed about 2 months ago. I went NHS as only a few weeks to have op done after referral but this no doubt varies depending where you live. Now waiting to have second eye operated on but I am having a longer wait this time. Op was very successful, no need to stop medication. Op was painless. The eye drops took awhile to master the administration! But all good in the end. Best wishes to you and that your cataract op is just as uneventful. I will still have to wear glasses for my long vision but the world now appears brighter.
I had to stop my meds, I know I was off enbrel for five weeks, think three before and two after. I couldn't restart until there was no sign of infection. Who told you to keep taking your meds?
Hi Paula, I queried this advice on two separate occasions with the consultants secretary and again with the admissions nurse and the reply was always the same ‘dont stop meds’. The nurse qualified her statement by saying as there were no blood vessels involved it was ok to continue with prescribed medication. i had initially messaged the RA helpline at hospital and she said to contact the consultant. i am glad to report all went well and now waiting for other eye to be done.
I asked because how drugs are so complexed and it's best to check with your Rheumy team. I know of someone who was having surgery on her arm, the consultant doing the op told her to carry on taking them (she's on anti tnfs), I said check with your Rheumy team and she was told not to take them a few weeks before and not to restart until no signs of infection. As far as I know it's not a case of no blood involved it's the healing and risk of infection afterwards, our compromised immune system puts us at greater risk if any problems occur.
I had both my eyes operated on (separately) on the NHS but at a private hospital. I think the waiting time, per eye, was about three months. I had no problems, and infection control was easy using the prescribed eye drops on a daily basis post surgery. I chose my Consultant by following my Optician’s advice, so definitely ask around for recommendations. Good luck with it all.
I had both eyes done privately a few years ago, I had prescription lens put in and I don’t have to wear glasses at all. It was painless and the drops are fine. The only problem is that often you need laser a few years later as the lens get a little cloudy, quite normal, I had that done on the NHS and was also easy and painless. I hope your waiting list is short for NHS treatment.
I have a cataract appt coming up in the new year. I've been offered several NHS (Scotland) appointments but have delayed them because of covid and because I dont experience huge problems yet. In answer to this question, I would be inclined to find out more about the wait before going private.
Suppose it depends on the region and also the hospital but my last eye op (had a few) this year was a cataract and the pre op assessment date came through the day after my consultant agreed to put me forward for it!
And the op was done within 2 months. Different NHS hospital to the one I had all the other ops at so not sure if the consultant who did it chose that hospital (it's nicer and quieter) or if there was another reason. Different experience as well, as they just used numbing drops this time.
I had both mine done on NHS whilst I was still working a few years ago with hardly any wait. If you are also still working and need to drive after dark for work you may find you don't have to wait long. Both ops were a doddle and, as I live alone, I managed putting the drops in my eyes without any difficulty, although I used to wear contact lenses so perhaps it seemed easier for me. Some of my older friends have paid to get the ops done rather than wait many months and all think is was worth it.
I'm retired so am probably not top of anyone's list unfortunately. I have a routine appointment with my rheumy consultant in January so I will discuss with her. I am thinking I will go private just to get it over with as I'm definitely noticing the deterioration in my eyesight and there does seem to be a big benefit for most people.
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