Cataract surgery: I CAN SEE!! This morning I had... - PMRGCAuk

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Cataract surgery

CRW-68 profile image
CRW-68
β€’38 Replies

I CAN SEE!! This morning I had my last cataract surgery performed. Two weeks ago I had my right eye done and today my left.

Oh my, I cannot express how wonderful it is to be able to see a blue sky again.

My cataracts were caused by my taking Prednisone. Two weeks ago prior to my first surgery I could only see fingers being held up, could not see the eye chart. Legally blind . Today I can see clearly again.

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CRW-68
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38 Replies
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Maisie1958 profile image
Maisie1958

Very, very pleased for you x

CT-5012 profile image
CT-5012

Fantastic, really pleased for you. 😊

Rose54 profile image
Rose54

Brilliant

Jackoh profile image
Jackoh

So pleased for you!! Fantastic to have your life back!! My eyesight is greatly compromised especially in this lovely bright weather - it's just like its foggy!! Going about my cataract operation next week so this post very encouraging xx

Charlie1boy profile image
Charlie1boyβ€’ in reply toJackoh

Good luck Jackie - I'll be thinking of you.

Paddy

Jackoh profile image
Jackohβ€’ in reply toCharlie1boy

Thank you Paddy. Do hope you're well xx

Charlie1boy profile image
Charlie1boyβ€’ in reply toJackoh

Not doing too badly Jackie. Down to three mg daily, but nowhere near ready to reduce any further just yet.

Paddy

CRW-68 profile image
CRW-68β€’ in reply toJackoh

Jackoh, good luck next week. The operation is so easy, pain free, and wonderful. Today I drove my car for the first time in a year.

Please keep us updated.

Jackoh profile image
Jackohβ€’ in reply toCRW-68

Wonderful- I too can't drive at the mo. Next week is like a pre op really - yet to set a date for op but I think waiting time after this consultation is usually 2 weeks xx

Marijo1951 profile image
Marijo1951

I had my cataracts dealt with about 6 years ago and I can absolutely empathise with your current euphoria. The difference seems astounding...

karools16 profile image
karools16

Join the club! Had both mine done about 10 years ago. Ah! The blue sky. Precious sight. All the best.

Pipalina profile image
Pipalina

Absolutely joyful news...x

Valnvaughan profile image
Valnvaughan

Oh wow! That is great news!

As they say" smell the roses" Valerie

alice1940 profile image
alice1940

I too have had mine done the first thing l noticed how blue the gas on my cooker was l always thought it was grey the down side was seeing dust when l thought l had dusted ,Alice

Omanain profile image
Omanain

That is wonderful news.

I member when my Mother had hers done, she walked into the living, looked at the new chair covers she'd recently had made and said 'If I had known they were that colour I would never have chosen them' !!

dar58 profile image
dar58

I have been putting off my surgery for a couple of years now. I am so afraid because I cannot handle anything near my eyes and to know I would be laying there awake looking up while they come at my eye...I can just see it now, I'll be the one jumping off the table. Any ideas to lessen the fear would be helpful, is there pain while doing the surgery or do you feel it? Please help as I do want to see again.

scats profile image
scatsβ€’ in reply todar58

None at all! Search the earlier posts we have talked about this before. It's well worth doing.

Angiejnz profile image
Angiejnzβ€’ in reply todar58

I was knocked out for my surgery as it was quite obvious from my reaction to the option of the op being performed while I was awake. After I calmed down and got off the ceiling, we had a sensible talk about the only way the op could be done and that was with me waking up with it all done πŸ‘€

dar58 profile image
dar58β€’ in reply toAngiejnz

That will be me, I believe on the ceiling.

karools16 profile image
karools16β€’ in reply todar58

I also do not like anything near my eyes, even the eye tests, BUT I have had both cataracts done, and it gave me such an enormous boost!There's no pain. My surgeon worked from behind. Didn't know what they were doing/saying.Tiny prick for anaesthestic, and couldn't believe when he said he was finished. I saw those glass bits, in a child's kaleidoscope and their bright colours whilst he worked. Pat yourself on your back when you have it done. There was a nurse, holding my hand throughout, in case I moved.GO FOR IT!!

CRW-68 profile image
CRW-68β€’ in reply todar58

The procedure is nothing to fear. You do not see anything coming at your eye. They put numbing drops into your eye. They have a sterile paper shield over your face. All you see is a light. That is all. No pain whatsoever. Before you know it your done.

Marijo1951 profile image
Marijo1951β€’ in reply todar58

I think we are all a bit squeamish about eyes. However I can only echo the reassuring messages of the others. I too had the kaleidoscope effect while the op was taking place and, as it was shortly before Christmas, the twinkling of all the lights on the way home was magical. Within a day I could count the bricks in the wall of the block of flats across the road. Having my cataracts removed was one of the best decisions I ever took and improved my eyesight well beyond my expectations.

scats profile image
scats

Great result!

Amazing how many of us have had to have this, good old pred!

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Great πŸ’

Poppy_the_cat profile image
Poppy_the_cat

I cannot tell you How very grateful I am for your post!!!

In mid August we discount that my dear mother has cataracts one far worse then the other... The opticians swore they would deal with it immediately by advising the appropriate body..

Upset that this was her situation, we waited...and waited to be contacted. Nothing happened. Nobody knew what was happening. The surgery have nothing to do with it... So I eventually got to the bottom of it. It seems there is an intermediary body called the CCG who act as middleman. I got hold of a number and enquired about the status quo of my mother's case...only to discover that nobody had any record of my mother's case anywhere!! The CCG had never received and "fax" concerning my mother's condition. As you can imagine I was furious.

To cut a long story short, had I not pushed and investigated who knows how long we would have waited for contact...

Only yesterday did we see the Persian Consultant who was excellent, top notch! However, due to the delay, we will be lucky now if the operation is performed this side of Christmas. This timing potentially will present us as a family with several serious problems, but somehow we will have to manage.

Needless to say I am very concerned on several fronts.

Last night it stopped me sleeping time gone 4am...

I have seen her very active, positive approach diminish. I can see how severely this condition is affecting her. I am angry at the beurocratic delay and know we cannot delay till ater Christmas.

Due to her back condition amongst several other issues, remaining in situ, motionless, lying on her back for 30 minutes may be a problem.

We are going to practice. I shall time her.

The alternative is a general anaesthetic in a larger hospital and general anaesthetics need to be avoided is at at possible....

I'm praying she can do the 30 minutes..

Then the recovery time, post op??

2-3 weeks we were told.

But what can one expect of her in those 2-3 weeks? What will the pain be like? How steady will she be on her feet?

What will her needs be?

Any advice will be enormously welcome.

Many thanks,

Best Wishes

And We'll Done!!!

Poppy the Cat 🐈

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassadorβ€’ in reply toPoppy_the_cat

aao.org/eye-health/ask-opht...

eyewiki.aao.org/Positioning...

I believe surgery used to be done on sitting patients - but with a different technique I think. Your best bet would be to contact an eye hospital and enquire, Moorfields in London would be the obvious place as the oldest and largest centre for ophthalmic treatment, teaching and research in Europe. You don't appear to have to lie flat - the legs can be supported on the table to make the sitting position while the back and head is horizontal so it depends what her back problem is.

moorfields.nhs.uk/

I think the steadyness depends to some extent on her vision - some people find unbalanced vision makes them unsteady, others don't. I think the 2-3 weeks is the time until you can do the restricted things such a lifting heavy weights, bending, water near your eyes. You aren't "ill" in the sense you often are after surgery.

allaboutvision.com/conditio...

But no doubt there will be people who've had it who can enlighten you on the 2-3 weeks bit.

Poppy_the_cat profile image
Poppy_the_catβ€’ in reply toPMRpro

Thank-you for your reply.

karools16 profile image
karools16β€’ in reply toPoppy_the_cat

MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE SHE HAS THE DROPS 4X A DAY. I HAD A LEAFLET SETTING OUT EXACTLY WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. I MANAGED WITH A BACK PROBLEM. It's vital that she does do the things they advise...eg. Sunglasses in bright conditions, no picking up even a kettle.Nothing heavy. No bending.mARVELLOUS OP, NO SIDE-EFFECTS/PAIN, just glorious VISION. All the best.

Poppy_the_cat profile image
Poppy_the_cat

Apologies for the dreadful spelling...they are 'spell corrections' not my errors!!

Nitrobunny profile image
Nitrobunny

I’m almost on the same exact schedule as you! 😊 I had my second cataract surgery yesterday and the first one a week ago. Stunning isn’t it? Best of continued good health ~

karools16 profile image
karools16β€’ in reply toNitrobunny

I THINK WE NEED A 'CATARACT CLUB'.

Grants148 profile image
Grants148

How wonderful that you are able to see the lovely blue sky again,and all the other beautiful things in the world around you,l am so pleased for you.

AndrewT profile image
AndrewT

Yes it IS a Brilliant Moment, it's 'officially' called The WOW Moment. I too had cataracts, as a result of Medication- primarily prednisolone. Enjoy having, your vision, back....

Warmest wishes

AndrewT

Suet3942 profile image
Suet3942

Wow that’s brilliant. We all take our eyesight for granted. 😎😎

Wonderful News 🌺

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

Wonderful. X

Patience47 profile image
Patience47

Great news.

ATB

CRW-68 profile image
CRW-68

Today was my post-op appointment with the eye surgeon. He was amazed by by numbers. Both eyes 20/30 vision. I even drove home today. My husband sitting shotgun. I have not been able to drive now for a year. I did great. I am back in the saddle again.

It is amazing how getting my sight back completely lifted my spirits and feel that I am finally starting to make some good progress out of this terrible disease.

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