Cataracts

[droopydrawers]

I am visiting the hospital tomorrow to discuss my Cataract operation.

I have done plenty of reading on the subject and do know people who have had it done successfully. I understand instead of injecting around the eye some surgeons will use drops to numb the eye?

My worry is the thought of seeing that scalpel heading towards my eye.... anyone had this done who is willing to share their thoughts on the actual process please.

Scary Mary me!!

DD

[boxtops]

droopy, I share that scary thought too. My mother had both done very satisfactorily, but the thought of seeing the knife approaching scares the wits out of me.

[LazyGun]

@Droopy I can appreciate your concern, and share them to some extent- I will definitely be needing cataract surgery myself in the future.

You can see very little though. You will be given eye drops to dilate the pupil, and that point pretty much everything happening around the eye will just become a shadow.

I have included a link to a page outlining the process of the surgery itself, which may help calm the nerves a bit - generally, the more you know, the more relaxed you can be about the process.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cataract-surgery/Pages/How-it-is-performed.aspx

My Father has recently had cataracts removed, and he says he saw nothing of the scalpel or anything like that....

[ChillDoubt]

Try not to be too worried. You will not see the scalpel, your eye will be numb by then. Opthmic Surgeons generally use the drops you mentioned but in conjunction with the local anaesthetic.
Should be no more than 20 minutes and before you know it you'll be back on the ward wondering what all the fuss was about!

[Sir Alec]

I have no idea which operation my Mum had, but she was quite vain and was so glad to get rid of her glasses after the operations! I say operations. She had both done, pain free!

[Pete65]

I've had both eyes done and it is absolutely nothing to worry about!
No pain, and all I saw during the ops were vague shadows. My good eye was covered each time.The theatre nurse held my hand throughout the op and each op took around twelve minutes in the theatre.
I'd rather have cataract surgery than have a dental filling!

[Pete65]

They only used drops for my ops and I couldnt feel the top of my head after I had them. Very effective indeed!
If you have any concerns discuss them with your surgeon.
I was told cataract surgery is the most successful op the NHS do.
My vision is great now, though I need reading glasses now.

[Clanad]

Having had both eyes so treated (here in the U.S.) I found my treatment to be fairly standard in that the surgeon administers a low level general anethestic intially. It only last for about 5 minutes, during which time the extremely minute (leass than 2mm) incision is made near the top of the eye. Even that is unfelt (although I still experience occasional discomfort near the incision site, which the Opthamologist explains as being scar tissue) ( 5 years later).

Through this incision (they call it a tunnel) the now fractured cataract is removed (called phacoemulsification of phaco[i for short) none of which one can feel.

My only complaint was the temperature of the O.R. must have only been 40 or 50 degrees (F) in there. In my case one is wrpped tightly in a sheet and covered with a blanket, but still cold.

Incidentally, my doc explained that there are basically two types of cataracts... one caused by age related problems, but the other (both of mine) were caused by trauma to the eye. I can't remember any significant such trauma, but he said it could have only been a relatively minor blow to the side of the head... which explains everything...

The operation is nothing to be concerned about at all, by the way... That and the doc's choice of music (Wagner's [i]Flight of the Valkyries] as I recall...

[DSJ]

I've had the operation & a much longer & more complicated macular hole operation before that. It's a doddle, really it is. Just vague shapes around you, a nurse holding your hand & talking to you throughout. Don't be scared & good luck.

[islasmum]

I've had a cataract removed from my left eye about 5 years ago now, and it was the easiest operation I have had so far - I was a bit nervy going in - I hate having my eyes messed about with, and they gave me a valium, and it took about 35 minutes from start to finish- you don't feel anything - they anaethatised the eye with eye drops, and you don't see anything coming at you, and I had a lovely nurse who sat and held my hand and chatted to me. The worst bit for me was having to keep the eye guard on for 24 hours and not rubbing your eye. You will not believe how much brighter colours look! I've got to have one taken out of my right eye at some stage in the future, but it's very slow growing, so not necessary yet. I hope that everything goes well for you, it really isn't anything to worry about.

[droopydrawers]

Thankyou very much for the reassuring replies.
The consultation went very well with a lovely male Doctor. After several tests, mostly via clever machinery one of which was clever enough to measure the eyes and print out details for the op itself.

I was able to ask any questions I wanted, some of which had unexpected answers. I have been short sighted since before I was 10 years old. I am now 74 so a long long time, but he told me that his aim to is correct that too!

Unfortunately I now have to wait between 10-18 weeks for the op. It will be at a local private hospital, paid for my the NHS as they are doing more and more these days.

Thankyou again

DD

[LazyGun]

Good news droopy - glad to hear that you have been reassured somewhat :)

And yes, one of the benefits of having cataract surgery can be the correction of some of the more common sight deficiencies - short-sightedness in particular.

Will be interested in a follow up once you have had your surgery....

[boxtops]

that is so reassuring - thank you from me, too!