General Chat

Thanks to each of you for those most helpful and hopeful replies.

Perhaps the fact I'm 80, has something to do with it. As it stands after three days I am about even. Close up is marginally up and anything over 2 yards is slightly down. (typing this without specs, which is novel)

I have an appointment in two weeks.

Noreen - they hinted at 2to3 days. Got to say, the whole operation was much easier than I thought. To measure that, the drops and the waiting were equally the worst thing i.e. minor discomfort and better than going to the dentist. You are hardly aware that they are operating - you can just sense the laser? moving across your eye. Absolutely no need to be 'knocked out' first, although you are on your back for 20 minutes and covered with some kind of aerated sheet.

Thanks to all Happy days

PS They give you a kind of hairnet - Ena Sharples lives again.

Nolls, all hospitals are slightly different, but I was told, like Harry, up to 3 days. My eye was completely covered with a plastic shield for 24 hours (sleeping was most awkward!) but when I removed it the first eye was great. The second took another day before the blurred vision improved.

I agree with Harry - the worst part is the waiting around. I had three lots of three drops at 20 minute intervals and my blood pressure taken 4 times in all! :-| :-| On arrival, immediately before the op., immediately after the op and again before thay would let me go home. That was actually the most "painful" bit of it all.

One set of drops is anaesthetic, and during the op - about 15 minutes - you have to keep quite still and the main sensation is warm water pouring all over your face.

Afterwards I had a follow-up appointment after 6 weeks and I was then given the go-ahead for new glasses.

Hi
I have had the same surgery, dont worry it improves with time.

As far as cataract surgery goes Harry you are a youngster.

The oldest person in this country to have had cataract was 107 years old. :-D

Dear Mr Harry

Hello


All improvements are most welcome.

Mr Harry in a hairnet!! Ohhh, I say!! :-)

As Lady Kira says you are a tiddler.


Take very gentle care of yourself <3
Lots of good wishes to you
Elizabeth, EOS
xx

All good stuff - keep the comments coming - I'll keep my eye open for them.
Many thanks for your interest. Happy days

Harry
Even having both eyes done I still need glasses. Wear varifocals and didn't start to need glasses till I turned 40.

Am told I need them due to natural ageing of the eyes but I do find my prescription hasn't altered much from the new glasses I needed after the ops and that's about 10 years now

My last call on this one - many thanks to all who have contributed.

Shirley -good post. Natural ageing of the eyes is probably correct.
Sight is one of our most precious gifts.

Happy days

Andysmum Thanks for the info it's an awful thought having something done to your eyes so this thread has helped (me) hubby not to bad about it . :-D

Nolls, I know exactly how your hubby feels. The anticipation is much worse than the op. and no matter how many people tell you it'll be fine, you don't REALLY believe them until afterwards, when you wonder why you were so worried!! :-) :-)

Back from my hols.. so I had more than a good weekend Susan, I had a wonderful week in Wellington.

Purple Liz my youngest wore glasses from about 13 and then contact lens, she then had laser surgery on her eyes we got it done on our medical insurance as was very expensive. The medical insurance clamped down after that and stopped providing that service.. too many people were opting for laser surgery. She had to stay in a darkened room for the day after her operation (separately on each eye .. done a few months apart).. she said her eye felt gritty. Had to eat her dinner in the dark.

Harry, my Great Aunt had her cataracts done at 86.. she got another 10 years of use out of those eyes. She was not about to miss anything going on.

Persie

Hi Persie, glad you had a good holiday.

My sister in law had laser treatment and apparently it hasn't gone well, not sure if it's been done again or not as they don't keep in touch now with the rest of the family. I am glad your daughter's treatment went well and she got it on the insurance.

I am happy to stick to my specs for the rest of my life, there is an indentation on the bridge of my nose from all the years of specs sitting there so I prefer the specs to hide it a bit lol


Hope you are doing ok, Harry.
Lizx

Can anyone tell me how long does it take for cataracts to form, or is everybody different. On my last eye checkup the optician said they were just starting in both eyes. I am very squeamish about anything to do with eyes, can't put drops in, wash them or put my head under water. I understand that you have to me awake for the operation.

Thank you all for those replies. They give you the choice of being 'put out' or having a local anaesthetic.

Believe me, the only thing to fear about the operation is fear itself.
My cataracts were formed over at least five years, only worsening very gradually.

best of luck Happy days

Thank you Harry for the update

Wendy

For Tenerife Sun, Nolls' OH and anyone else worried about cataracts, this is a very good article and should answer most questions.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/cataracts

Thanks Andysmum, your link made interesting reading. I have cataracts in both eyes, first diagnosed at routine eye test about 4 years ago now. I have had regular annual check ups and the optician says no change in either cataracts (hug relief each time).

Thanks to Harry for sharing his experience all very helpful. I hope that your eyes continue to improve each day. Take care now.

Thanks Andysmum, I hope I don't need the op yet. Just reading the ,very informative, article made my stomach churn. But as the op is the only answer if in the future I need it then I'll just have to go and get on with it!