Cataract Surgery: NHS referral for fast treatment

[Hulotsholiday]

I’m aware that cataracts are a common side effect of steroids. I’ve developed cataracts in both eyes, rapid growing and last week had surgery for replacement lens in one eye. The waiting time for NHS treatment at the hospital eye clinic is over three years. I was referred for urgent surgery under an initiative to clear backlogs, but I discovered something I didn’t know.

If you’re in England, you can ask for referral to an external service provider and the one used by most hospital trusts is SpaMedica. They have about 40 sites with clinics and the waiting time from referral to surgery is around four weeks. You can chose location and date. Opticians in England can refer directly, so if you’re stuck waiting for a cataract op because of backlog, you may want to consider this option.

spamedica.co.uk/treatments/...

My surgery went well and most of the patients were NHS so there’s no cost. Another plus, they don’t use any needles.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

That’s interesting , thank you for info

Glad yours went well -

[Hulotsholiday in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you. I was terrified but they made me feel comfortable. The convenience of choosing a date and time is good and they have free transport. There is an NHS website with reference to them and the referral process with patient reviews, but I can’t find it.

[herdysheep in reply to Hulotsholiday]

That's really useful info. I was lucky to get mine done just before Covid but the 6 mth wait between the first and second, despite it supposedly being urgent was very trying given the difference in sight. Hope all goes well for the second.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hulotsholiday]

this?

nhs.uk/services/independent...

[Hulotsholiday in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes, that’s part of it. It confirms it’s NHS approved.

[Koalajane]

hi, this is the case in my area too. Due to having macular oedema I had mine done at the cataract suite of my local hospital within 2 months of it being diagnosed. Unfortunately I had complications which was quickly sorted with another op 1 week later, all very sympathetically done and am able to go to the opticians soon which will start the process for my second eye.

Spa Medica have a good reputation in my area too and the waiting lists here are very short, certainly not over 3 years.

I know a needle was involved for me but the numbing drops worked so well I would not have known that an injection was given!

[Exflex in reply to Koalajane]

how do you keep your eye still. I’d imagine anyone coming near with a needle or other implements my eye would look at the needle, no conscious act on my part would stop it. It’s like the eye has a mind of its own.

[Hulotsholiday in reply to Exflex]

I was worried about keeping still, but you’re not really aware of detail. Pre op they put in loads of drops to dilate and anaesthetise, then more just before surgery. The surgeon was very calm and reassuring and said lie on the table and put your hands on your thighs. Look straight up at the light. They place a mask thing over your good eye and part of your face ( but no sense of suffocating) and all I could see was a machine with lights which he pulled closer. He kept talking and suddenly he was irrigating with water and the op was nearly over and I was thinking he was still preparing. I’ll feel much better at the prospect of having the other one done…I’d even gone to the gp who gave me two Valium and said take half before surgery to relax. I decided not to and pleased I didn’t.

[Exflex in reply to Hulotsholiday]

Many thanks you’ve calmed me a bit.

[Bingo1947 in reply to Exflex]

Best thing I ever did. Spa Medica are brilliant. They look after you every step of the way. During op all you can see is a very bright light. No pain no discomfort. My op took 11 min. I didn’t think they had started when it was all over. Now 2 days post op and can’t believe the difference. Can’t wait to have the other one done. Believe ,me there is nothing to be scared of.

[toots1951]

Many thanks for this information.

[Jooster]

I'm glad your surgery went well, I too had a similar experience. I'm in the South East and my GP referred me to the Optegra group who are seeing the NHS overspill. I was referred in November had the first eye treated in December and the second in January. Wonderful service and the joy of seeing so clearly is fantastic.

[Hulotsholiday in reply to Jooster]

I’m pleased both eyes were sorted so quickly and with great result. That’s interesting; presumably NHS are using more than one service supplier. I guess the bottom line is that the name doesn’t matter as long as they’re good and able to offer fast and efficient surgery. I’d looked at private surgery, but at around £2500 per eye, it was too much. I’m glad I didn’t as I’ve had the same treatment paid for by the NHS and I’ve cost them relatively little throughout my life!

[Jooster in reply to Hulotsholiday]

Yes, I agree. I was quoted £7000 for both eyes with varifocal lenses, but I chose NHS standard and just need reading glasses, which isn't a problem, I use my husbands! I'm so pleased to have them done as we have the trip of a lifetime to the Canadian Rockies in June, I shall be hopefully be able to spot wildlife and enjoy the scenery!

[TJ70]

Had my first cataract surgery a week ago through SpaMedia -referred by my optician due to rapid growth of cataracts caused by use of steroids - a brilliant service

[Gaycreasey]

I recently had both my cataracts removed at the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton. It was a remarkably calm and seamless event and the results are amazing. I have my sight back and I feel so grateful. I had heard about Spa Medica from a friend and asked my optician about it but as I was already referred to the hospital they said I couldn’t be referred to Spa Medica. I did wait a long time ( from May- April) but after a phone call to find out what was happening, things moved pretty quickly. I can’t believe the difference in my sight. Only one issue is that I also had a small operation to remove a ‘thing’ from my shoulder nog long before the cataract op. Now, a week later I’ve had to up the pred as I can feel the symptoms coming back. Presumably because I have had two ops very close together, my body is saying ‘enough’.

[Exflex]

Just remembered what the retinal consultant said when I was assessed for potential vitreomacular traction… (it self corrected, fortunately) he said “you have ‘nuclear’ cataracts in both eyes, but it’s not steroid induced, steroid induced cataract begins from the perimeter. “ Anyone heard of this before, ie steroid induced don’t start from the centre?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Exflex]

I'm sure he knows what he's talking about but I thought the peripheral type were cortical cataracts - and the steroid induced sort are posterior subcapsular cataracts ...

northfloridavision.com/blog....