UPDATE ON CATARACT SURGERY

[Missus835]

Hi all! Had my right eye done yesterday. Seems to have gone very well. Easy peezy. Good drugs. Took about 20 minutes at the most. Everything is so much brighter today. I can now see the dirt on my floors. Nasty! I didn't realize how difficult reading was and my specs weren't helping. Lol. I do have 3 types of drops to instill, one being predisolone. The other abx and also an NSAID, Diflucan. They do burn, but what needs must (to quote Pro). Have post-op check this afternoon. Also waiting for Rheumy's 3-month phone call, with great anticipation I might add....not. Appt is 10:15 so I'm betting she's going to call maybe by 11. Thanks everyone for your support.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Some good news from you… pleased to hear it.. and yes, welcome to world of seeing dirt when you couldn’t before .. small price to pay… . 🤣😂

[Missus835 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DL. It's there for sure. Very small price.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Missus835]

Well I still have a perfect excuse if it is in a corner along with the cobwebs… but I wouldn’t wish monocular vision on anyone… 😏

[Missus835 in reply to DorsetLady]

Me neither DL. One blurry eye is enough. My hat's off to you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Missus835]

As I’ve said many times, you get used to it, and one’s certainly better than none..😊

[Crochetgardener in reply to DorsetLady]

Just been reading about the cataract surgery which I am having on Monday . May I ask why you said you wouldn’t wish monocular vision on anyone as I think that is what my surgeon has suggested for my .So the first eye will be for reading etc ,then the second will be for distance and driving. Is this something to avoid at all costs !!! l Thankyou

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Crochetgardener]

I wasn’t referring monocular lenses - I meant monocular vision, which is what I have following loss of sight in right eye due to late diagnosis of GCA…..

[Elsabounre in reply to Crochetgardener]

My sister had that done over 35 yrs ago...worked great..she could read and see in the distance...

[Crochetgardener in reply to Elsabounre]

Thanks that good to hear

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Missus835]

Still easy enough to ignore ...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Very…

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

I don't like it when the cleaner ignores it though ...

[Missus835 in reply to PMRpro]

Lol. I have to. Can't get to the floor to.pick it up. Can manage to sweep and pile it up though.😆

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Missus835]

Now that’s another valid reason…😊

[HeronNS]

That's great. Thinking that's coming up on me faster now. Sometimes I do a double take when reading because I'm seeing the word wrong. Is that what happens?

Do you find it hard to give yourself the drops? I can't imagine how I'll manage when it's my turn. A friend of mine didn't get drops at all. They injected something in the eye instead and sent her on her way. (Couple of years ago, she's been fine.)

[Missus835 in reply to HeronNS]

Sometimes I felt a little dyslexic. No...the drops are easy, but they do sting. 4X a day for the first week and then I think the antibiotic drops off after 7 days. My glasses weren't working well at all and had my phone pretty much up to my nose. Right now it's down at lap level....no glasses. Just waiting for Dr. Zaki, who is wonderful. He's at the Halifax Eye Clinic on Chebucto. Easy surgery Heron. No need to worry. You're a trooper. Today I have to wear my old glasses and flip up sunglasses outdoors. A sort of protection I guess. .

[marigolds in reply to HeronNS]

Wish I'd have had that the drops caused me no end of problems. Still going on.

[HeronNS in reply to marigolds]

I read that actually the majority of patients who self administer their drops do it incorrectly. I even have trouble using artificial tears so having to deal with important medication for several days does worry me. Can't say I find your experience very reassuring! I hope matters are improving now?

Unfortunately, although hubby is well-experienced at giving himself eye drops several times a day, he doesn't see well enough to give drops to anyone else and there's really no one else I can ask to help out. I'll certainly ask my ophthalmologist when the time comes. When my friend told me about this I was interested and looked it up, and the one time injection apparently works very well.

[Missus835 in reply to HeronNS]

Yes. I didn't realize there was an injection. Maybe next eye, I'll ask. It sure would be more convenient and sanitary. My apologies, Heron. I didn't mean to sound dismissive of your concerns. Reassuring as it isn't, that's what I'm left with as there is no one coming in 4X a day to do eye drops. I just hold the bottle over my eye and drop in one drop. Not particularly accurate, but you definitely know when you've hit the spot. Just doing the best I can and fingers crossed.

[HeronNS in reply to Missus835]

Oh no, I was referring to Marigold's problems post-op and difficulty using the drops. My problem is I can't even imagine putting my head back and putting drop in eye. With artificial tears I have to tilt my head to the side and put the drop in from the side, which of course means a lot of the liquid usually flows out promptly!

[Missus835 in reply to HeronNS]

If it's any consolation, the Prep Nurse just had me look down when she instilled the drops. I didn't have to tilt my head back. At home I lay on my back or just look down. It's still messy, but you can tell when the drop goes in as they do sting a little. I'm assuming we have an injection available, because the person who gave me the eye test on Tuesday asked if he gave me drops because sometimes he doesn't. Maybe it depends on individual circumstances. At any rate, not worth putting the surgery off, if it comes to that.

[HeronNS in reply to Missus835]

Oh I won't put off surgery. There'll be a long enough wait after I get on the list anyway. However I've been having annual checkup since being on pred but now that I'm no longer taking pred (touch wood) we agreed at last appt in January that I could go back to biennial. Now I wonder if that's wise because my eyesight is deteriorating. Fortunately (or unfortunately🤣) I can still see dust and grime!

[Missus835 in reply to HeronNS]

Strangely enough my distance vision had "improved" to where I didn't need my glasses for distance. Actually they aren't much good for anything now. 2 years ago July, the optometrist had said "oh...you don't have to worry about cataracts for years". Yet, here we are... able to use a cheap pair of readers from Dollarama. No longer need the trifocal for the computer monitor either. It's clear as day. Not bragging, just very pleased. When I get the left eye done end of May, it's going to be awesome! It's $80 for the permanent lens they install during the op, and $100 for the eye measurements at his office. This is per eye, but so worth it. I'm wondering if pharmacare would reimburse, because I most likely won't require the bi-annual that they cover. 🤓

[HeronNS in reply to Missus835]

I thought MSI covered it, unless you went for a corrective lens. Is that what you have? I was told my distance vision appeared to have improved slightly, not enough for a prescription change, and I remember laughing and saying maybe presbyopia was overtaking myopia!

[Missus835 in reply to HeronNS]

No it's not a corrective lens. It's like a permanent contact lens measured for my eyesight. Only way I can describe it. MSI doesn't cover it, but they will cover a post-cataract eye exam. She said to submit my receipts regardless and they would review them. My thought is the measurement should be covered. Now if it was measured at the hospital, it would be covered. What is the difference? I dunno.👀

[HeronNS in reply to Missus835]

There is an issue with coverage when not in a hospital. Remember when they started to be able to treat cancer at home? Suddenly medications were no longer covered. I think that got fixed pretty quickly, because who could afford it?

[Missus835 in reply to HeronNS]

Yes. Well I'm going to try. As usual, Seniors here get shafted. Enjoy your evening Heron. 🌹

[marigolds in reply to HeronNS]

Wish I'd have had the injection the drops caused me no end of problems

[Missus835 in reply to marigolds]

I didn't know there was an injection. Too late now. I will check when they do the left eye. Thanks!

[marigolds in reply to Missus835]

Perhaps it's not available here

[Missus835 in reply to marigolds]

Well I'm in Nova Scotia, and not really aware of what's what in UK. 🌹

[powerwalk]

Great. Good it went well. X

[agingfeminist]

thank you so much for this...ophthalmologist told me last week it is where I am heading...but said the cataract development was due to age not steroids. Your breezy account made me feel much brighter about the prospect of surgery...do keep updated.

[Timelost in reply to agingfeminist]

Me too. I was told yesterday that new glasses wouldn’t improve my sight. I need a cataract op.

[Missus835 in reply to Timelost]

No worries. It was very easy. I was nervous, but no need. Hope it goes well for you.

[Predderman2020 in reply to agingfeminist]

I had mine done. Cataracts came upon me very fast with pred. But the evening after the op’ I could see the tiniest leaf on the tree outside with the operated eye. Really worth it. Don’t worry.

[agingfeminist in reply to Predderman2020]

so encouraging...especially valuable as that is the way most of us are heading

[Missus835 in reply to Predderman2020]

Yep. It's done and vision is amazing in that eye. Next one to be done May 23. Reading with cheap readers at the moment. My Rx glasses don't work anymore; rather they irritate. Didn't realize how bad the eyes were. The other one is like looking through gauze. Thanks for your response.

[Abcd123455]

so pleased for you x

[Hulotsholiday]

pleased it went well. I had my first cataract op 12 months ago and after being terrified, was pleased it all went so well and without discomfort. All good since too. Just waiting for appt to have the other eye done now.

I was told to do no gardening for 6 weeks because of risk of dust or dirt post op. I bought a pair of wrap around safety glasses to wear outdoors. It’s very windy where I live and I found they protected the eye from airborne dust for the first few weeks going out. They just look like sports glasses but are safety designed and I still use them on windy days or if I’m working outside with branches where debris might hit the face. Good luck with rheumy.

[Missus835 in reply to Hulotsholiday]

That's a great idea. I found the wind hard yesterday - and cold. Next eye will be done May 23. The Rheumy blatantly lied. She called 1X. It rang 3 times and I couldn't get to it. No voicemail...nothing. She called at 11:35. My appointment was 10:15. Then she called back around supper time. I mentioned the first call and she said she called a few times throughout the day. Does she not know I have a call log? Which I double checked and screen shot. Why lie about something so stupid or lie at all? The call lasted about 5 mins and she emphasized reducing the Pred - again. This after waiting 3 months. In 2 years, this woman has never been on time! This time I think I WILL make a complaint.

[Hulotsholiday in reply to Missus835]

Infuriating. I don’t understand dishonesty; it’s unnecessary. I think you’ll find the safety glasses helpful. It’s surprising how much dust is in the air and as you say the wind can be cold. They really do protect.

[Missus835 in reply to Hulotsholiday]

Yes you don't realise what's blowing around out there. Pretty sure I can get some wrap arounds at our local dollar store. Thanks for the info.🌹

[strawclutching]

That's so encouraging to those of us not knowing what to expect when the time comes around. My cataracts aren't ripe enough yet, but a friend had his done and they nicked a nerve in one eye and it took 3-4 months of antibiotic drops before it improved. His story put me right off.😕

Just wondering for those of us who also have dry eye, how we would juggle both types of drops throughout the day,

[Missus835 in reply to strawclutching]

The Ophthalmologist says there is no such thing as "ripe". I asked him the same question. He referred me immediately. The prep room was packed with people of a certain age, getting their cataracts done. It's only for a few weeks and I still put regular drops in the other eye. Next surgery is scheduled for May 23. I have dry eye as well. Had my post-op yesterday and he says the eye looks great. The only things I'm not allowed to do are lift over 20 lbs., bend to the floor, get soap or shampoo in it. Outdoors, I have to wear sunglasses for the first week.

Don't let fear put you off. (I had to wait until I could lay flat on my back for more than 20 mins. I have some spinal fractures.) As with any surgery, there can be complications. I was nervous the day of, but decided to look at it as plastic surgery. LOL. Hoping your friend is good now? They actually insert a permanent lens right in the eye and secure it in place. It's so enjoyable to see vivid colours and read with cheap readers. I'm an avid reader. What a miracle to have great vision and my own teeth! I'm so grateful for the health I do have. The other eye, which was the "good" one is as if looking through gauze. Never realized it. Cheers to whatever you choose. - Deb xx

[perceptual63 in reply to Missus835]

I recently had my lower lip frenum removed and opted for a local anesthetic instead of sedation. My mistake was that I kept my eyes open while the oral surgeon removed the frenum muscle and then stitched me up.

Thankfully, the chair I was in was reclined all the way back, but even though it was, I felt the aura of me going to pass out but I couldn't because I was fully reclined due to my heart being level with my head.

I should have opted for sedation. Hindsight is 20/20.

Did they give you an option to sedate you for your cataract surgery?

[strawclutching in reply to Missus835]

So I won't be able to do my usual 100 press ups in the mornings, then? 😂

My friend's eye is all good now, but being a bloke he did freak out when he found it was still giving him some jip months later. I read a lot too. Also write murder mysteries with a spoof element of humour. Maybe ripe wasn't the right word, but up here in the North East of England we only get referred when things are getting bad. My friend was finding it dangerous to drive only being able to see out of one eye, and then not all that good.

I'm so pleased you've had one good experience with your health after all the stuff you've been through.

[Missus835 in reply to strawclutching]

No pressups for you! I think they used to do them when they were "ripe". My vision wasn't so bad that I would be unable to drive, but my neck is a whole other story. Yes, I'm glad it's a good report, instead of what's wrong. I can now see accumulated dust and bits on the floor I didn't know were there.😆

[strawclutching in reply to Missus835]

That's not necessarily a benefit. 😅

[Elsabounre]

Truly a wonder of modern technology and medicine..had both done 20 yrs ago..manually..before the modern technic...both went perfectly..about 20 yrs later the lenses were getting slightly blurry as tissue starts to grow back over the lense..got that lasered in a few minutes..some eye drops again and now good like new again...

[Missus835 in reply to Elsabounre]

That's awesome and good to know should it happen. I was actually wondering what happens if they grow back. Thanks!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Missus835]

From this site -

schwartzlaser.com/blog/can-....

Can Cataracts Come Back After Surgery?

No, cataracts cannot come back after surgery. The artificial intraocular lens cannot grow a cataract. However, after surgery the lens capsule may become cloudy. This can lead to blurry vision, creating symptoms similar to cataracts.

Symptoms can occur months or years after surgery. This condition is sometimes called a “secondary cataract.” It is actually posterior capsular opacification. While posterior capsular opacification is the most common complication after cataract surgery, it only occurs in a minority of patients.

[Missus835 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DL. That's good to know. So nice of ypu to find it. 🌷

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Missus835]

Vested interest..😉

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Missus835]

They don't grow back - it is just rogue cells that grow where they shouldn't on the surface of the artifical lens.

[Countrykitten]

So pleased it went well. I had both mine done a few years ago and I'm still delighted.

[Missus835 in reply to Countrykitten]

Thanks for your reply. So great to hear good news. I still have one to go, but very pleased with the right eye. Take care.

[BartsDad]

Glad it went well. I just had my right eye done after much angst and investigation. I only have vision in one eye due to a childhood injury so I approached with caution. I flew to Miami to a very respected eye clinic and the Doc said I took more of a chance flying than I would be taking with modern cataract surgery. That convinced me. I’m presently 10 days out and am pleased with my ability to see except for one small item. I can now see my floaters much more clearly too…..LOL!

[Missus835 in reply to BartsDad]

Lol. I'm so happy it went well for you. With only one good eye would cause angst. I could actually see when he started to peel the cataract back. My next one is scheduled for May 23. I was thinking about my floaters this morning. Can't actually see them. They will not be missed. Anyway, all the best to you BartsDad.

[Stills]

👁️

good to hear as just been told I will need op in the future

[Whitner]

great news! I can’t wait to get mine done.