Cataract Treatment Guidance

[PNJB]

I am particularly aiming this thread at any T2 who has had treatment for cataracts. Did you have surgery? Was it effective ? How did you initialise getting the treatment? Did you go NHS or Private?

My T2 has affected my left eye such that it seems to be looking through grease proof paper. How would you advise me?

 

[Deleted member 308541]

Get a referral from your Optometrist to see a Ophthalmologist.

I had both eyes operated on for cataracts about five years ago, and the results are perfect. I do however have to wear glasses still because of my right eye has some problems nothing to do with IOL's though..

I had both mine done privately at the Mater Hospital day surgery section by my Ophthalmologist of choice.

 

[Dark Horse]

To get cataract surgery on the NHS you may need to meet specific criteria which can vary according to where you live. A common requirement is that the visual acuity in the affected eye should be 6/12 or worse but some areas may only require that the cataract is affecting your ability to carry out day-to-day activities:-

There are no national guidelines stating what your level of vision needs to be before cataract surgery is carried out, although individual NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) may have their own criteria outlining when cataract surgery should be offered
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cataract-surgery/Pages/When-it-should-be-done.aspx
​

Risks of surgery are discussed here:-

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cataract-surgery/Pages/Risks.aspx​

 

[jimfraser]

In Scotland. Have had 5 procedures on my eyes - excellent results. Got a cataract where I could only focus at a few inches. Local anaesthetic and put in a plastic lens. Excellent- perfect bright vision - no need for glasses any more. Developed a secondary cataract a year later - treated by YAG laser. Worked well also. Great treatment under NHS. Developing an epiretinal membrane in my other eye which might need an operation in a few years.

 

[Deleted member 308541]

Developed a secondary cataract a year later - treated by YAG laser. Worked well also.

I had that Capsulotomy op done as well last December, great thing that Yag laser cannon.

 

[scouse13]

Hi
I've had both eyes 'done'.
Due to DT2 and Glaucoma.
Referred by GP to NHS hospital eye clinic result 'good'.
All staff involved were excellent.
On going treatment for glaucoma.

 

[Pinkorchid]

I have had cataracts removed from both my eyes. I was given a letter by my optician for my doctor who referred me to the eye clinic. I had both eyes done within 4 months and it was effective although I still need glasses for reading but my distance sight is much better

 

[greyposter]

Had my left eye cataract removed in July and my right eye on 21st of November, just past. Both eyes are now very good with glasses.

 

[Humblebee]

I was already under the hospital for dry eyes, they were very aware of the cataract in my left eye, but told me best to leave it until it is much worse. Ha ha ha - it was far worse. Had to see optician for new driving licence. He was amazed at how bad it had become, and he put me up for cataract removal, 12 December 15 saw specialists, 30 January 16 had left eye done, Brilliant. Saw optician 6 weeks later, he said have to get the right done now, and on the 9 April all done and dusted. Only have to wear glasses (1.25) when using very dark yarn, and reading in poor light. I had originally said I wanted the new lens for close work, and glasses for driving, but my consultant explained if I had the ones for close up, then I would need glasses for just about everything else, not just driving. So glad I went with his recommendation. By the way my optician is a small private one man business who does NHS.

 

[JohnD54]

Have had both lenses replaced this year, optician told me to stop driving so looked around for private surgery.

Decided who to utilise, went back to optician advised them I was going private and with whom, they amazed me stating they could get me in the same clinic under the NHS.

First eye done in May, 2nd in July.

Good vision in both eyes, glasses only required for reading and computer.

Operation painless to me, results outstanding.

If anyone wants further information, let me know.

 

[RosieLKH]

I had cataract surgery on my right eye earlier this year. I had developed a trauma cataract after a fall in the garden where I got tangled in the lawn mower lead, fell onto the grass and clonked my eye socket on the only thing in a 3m radius. The cataract developed within a year, but wasn't too bad. My vision was just a bit blurry, but I was already extremely short sighted. We couldn't get my vision better with contact lenses or glasses so the optician referred me to Addenbrookes.

I was nervous about the op - after all, it is surgery and can go wrong, and for me it wasn't urgent. However, it went very well. About a month afterwards I experienced a vitreous detachment in that eye, but Addenbrookes checked it our thoroughly and it cleared itself.

The only problem I have now is that in one eye I wear a very strong contact lens - -8.5, which gives me a much smaller image than the 'done' eye, so my brain has had to adjust to combining 2 very different images. It was awful at first and I felt very dizzy. It's not so bad now - the brain's a wonderful thing - but because I have such a difference between my eyes it qualifies me to have the other eye done, even though there's no cataract. I went in for that op 2 weeks ago, but it was cancelled due my blood pressure being too high (blood sugars were fine!). It might be due to a cold and ear infection, but I have to get that sorted out before I go back on the waiting list.

 

[Traceyhills21]

I had cataract surgery on my right eye earlier this year. I had developed a trauma cataract after a fall in the garden where I got tangled in the lawn mower lead, fell onto the grass and clonked my eye socket on the only thing in a 3m radius. The cataract developed within a year, but wasn't too bad. My vision was just a bit blurry, but I was already extremely short sighted. We couldn't get my vision better with contact lenses or glasses so the optician referred me to Addenbrookes.

I was nervous about the op - after all, it is surgery and can go wrong, and for me it wasn't urgent. However, it went very well. About a month afterwards I experienced a vitreous detachment in that eye, but Addenbrookes checked it our thoroughly and it cleared itself.

The only problem I have now is that in one eye I wear a very strong contact lens - -8.5, which gives me a much smaller image than the 'done' eye, so my brain has had to adjust to combining 2 very different images. It was awful at first and I felt very dizzy. It's not so bad now - the brain's a wonderful thing - but because I have such a difference between my eyes it qualifies me to have the other eye done, even though there's no cataract. I went in for that op 2 weeks ago, but it was cancelled due my blood pressure being too high (blood sugars were fine!). It might be due to a cold and ear infection, but I have to get that sorted out before I go back on the waiting list.

Hi
We live in Haverhill so Addenbrookes is our hospital as well. Could I ask if you had to make sure your blood sugar was well controlled before they would agree to do the surgery. My mum is struggling to control her bloods even with tablets and insulin twice a day and the hospital said she would have to have blood sugar steady at 13 or below before they would do the op.
She is anything from 10 in morning to 28 in the evening and nothing seems to help. He cataracts are very bad she cant see a thing and this worries me in case she falls let alone having to administer the insulin and take her tablets. Dont know what to do

 

[RosieLKH]

Hi
We live in Haverhill so Addenbrookes is our hospital as well. Could I ask if you had to make sure your blood sugar was well controlled before they would agree to do the surgery. My mum is struggling to control her bloods even with tablets and insulin twice a day and the hospital said she would have to have blood sugar steady at 13 or below before they would do the op.
She is anything from 10 in morning to 28 in the evening and nothing seems to help. He cataracts are very bad she cant see a thing and this worries me in case she falls let alone having to administer the insulin and take her tablets. Dont know what to do

I'm afraid you are right, they do insist on you getting your blood sugar down before the op. If your mum could keep it around 10 she'd probably be fine to go ahead.
I'm hoping to get a cancellation in the next week or two to get my other eye done, so at the moment I am going on a seriously low carb diet to try and keep my BS at around 5. I have trouble getting it to the 5s in the morning, so am hoping for an afternoon appointment.
Maybe your mum could try going on a very low carb diet, as much as she can. My op was cancelled last Nov because my blood pressure shot sky high. I had an ear infection, but I didn't know at at the time.
Best of luck.

 

[Tannith]

I am particularly aiming this thread at any T2 who has had treatment for cataracts. Did you have surgery? Was it effective ? How did you initialise getting the treatment? Did you go NHS or Private?

My T2 has affected my left eye such that it seems to be looking through grease proof paper. How would you advise me?

How much does it cost to have it done privately?

 

[Deleted member 308541]

How much does it cost to have it done privately?

It cost me $6600.00 privately here in Australia for both eyes when they were done several years ago. Most of which I got back from my health fund.

 

[frankbegbie]

I had both eyes done a couple of years ago over a few months.
Developed secondry so had lazer treatment a few months ago perfect now.
Distance is great but need a very weak prescription for glasses for the middle distance now:
Looking around the supermarket and watching TV.
Also still need reading glasses.

 

[frankbegbie]

It cost me $6600.00 privately here in Australia for both eyes when they were done several years ago. Most of which I got back from my health fund.

Thank God for the NHS.

 

[OrsonKartt]

Thank God for the NHS.

Long may it last ! ( and of course technically I don't think it's god we should be thanking, but a strong minded, forward thinking politician who may have been driven by gods grace )