Has Anyone Here Had Cataracts Removed?

[naomi24]

A friend was told by the optician that he has cataracts which will stop him driving before long.  He asked what the procedure is and was told that, under local anaesthetic, the surgeon 'cuts the eye, removes the lens and replaces it with a fake one'.   Is that right?

 

He's terrified.... so, does it hurt, and is it possible to request a general anaesthetic?

 

[barry1010]

It's correct.  I know many people who have had this routine, very common procedure and everyone has been delighted at the huge improvement to their sight.

Sounds gruesome, but is quick with a quick recovery.

I would encourage anyone to have it done

[davebro3]

yes - that's correct, corneal implants.

Usually done with a local anaesthetic (about 6 pricks) then no pain.

I had one eye done (cataract formed after an injury). It fogged up a couple of years later but that was easily removed with a single laser treatment.

[naomi24]

Do you now what actually happens, barry?  Presumably they have to keeo your eye open somehow to stop you blinking?   

[Tilly2]

My husband has had both eyes done. No pain experienced. It's a quick and easy procedure lasting ten minutes at most.

 

[naomi24]

Do the injections go into the actual eye, dave?  Sorry if that's a daft question but I really have no idea how it works and I'm trying to gather as much information as possible to put his mind at ease.

[SlackAlice]

I had cataract surgery about 10yrs ago without any problems. Would recommend it, makes an amazing difference. Done under 'local' anaesthetic, not painful, some mild discomfort for about two weeks. They generally do one at a time.

Just had my yearly eye test and easily pass the driving standards. 

Go for it!!

[davebro3]

PS. they usually do each eye separately with a few weeks between ops.

[Vagus]

Corneal implants and cataract surgery are two different procedures.

[naomi24]

Thanks SlackAlice.  He's not bothered about pain or discomfort afterwards - it's just the procedure itself that terrifies him.

[ubasses]

Many of our friends have had this done.  One very recently, her anaesthetic was give by drops into the eye. 

[Tilly2]

The eye is not injected, Naomi. Have a read of this.

 

https://mft.nhs.uk/app/uploads/sites/2/2019/11/REH-241.pdf

[SlackAlice]

Eyedrops given beforehand to stop any pain and reduce blinking and expand the iris.

[retrocop]

God .I'm terrified also. I have been under the knife many times and worries me not one jot. Pacemaker fitted in 10days. I am a likely candidate for cataract surgery. Follpw up consultation cancellled on 29th/12/ and due now in February. The thought of a scalpel slicing a pouch in my eyeball petrifies me to be honest. I hate eyedrops and I get enough of those each visit to the Opthalmic hospital.

[bhg481]

It's almost exactly a year since my second eye was done, the first one was done about 2 months before that. The procedure is painless. I had drops in the eye about 15 minutes before the operation and the procedure was explained to me. I was taken into the operating room and a protective mask placed over my face and then the eye clamped open - a little uncomfortable but nothing more than that. I was told to stare at a very bright light and I could fell them manipulating the eye. I then heard the surgeon ask the nurse to confirm the lens he was fitting and moments later I was told I could sit up as it was all over. The old lens is broken up with ultrasound and you dont feel a thing, then the replacement is fitted in again, no pain. The after-treatment is wearing a transparent plastic cover over the eye overnight and then having drops for a fortnight. I cannot stress enough how painless the whole procedure was and what an instant improvement in vision I got. After being apprehensive before the first eye was done I was really looking forward to the second operation.

[SlackAlice]

Succinct explanation by 

//bhg481//

What I can remember is looking up at the night sky and seeing ALL the stars clearly for the first time in many years.

 

[barry1010]

I am dreading my cataracts getting worse as I am not a suitable candidate for surgery.  I sincerely wish I were

[Redhelen72]

MIL had it done - but she didn't stop driving - I thought they were supposed to but she said she was told she could continue.

Also she said it didn't hurt and just felt a bit of pressure

[bhg481]

I've worn specs since I was about 10 and would not even have considered driving without them I remember coming from the operation with the transparent cover over one eye and unable to wear specs because of it. My wife was driving and I was amazed that I could easily read the number plate on the car in front throught the plastic cover. I was not advised against driving at all.

[naomi24]

I'n so pleased I asked this question.  At least I can put his mind at ease... if only a little bit.  It doesn't sound nearly as bad as he thinks it is.

[-SharonA-]

I had one of my eyes done & like your friend, I was Beijing it. But it is the best thing I did. The whole thing was painless, couldn't believe it was over in about 10 minutes. If anything the worse thing for me was having to sleep in a rock hard eye mask afterwards for 6 weeks.