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Cataracts

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Unicorns_and_stuff

Member
Messages
10
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi all,

So my control has been pretty wushu washy over the last few years, currently HBA is currently 9.0!

I became short sited approx 4 years ago and now my optom has said I have cataract in both eyes and is going to recommend me to the hospital for a 2nd opinion!

Anyone going through or has had the operation? Should I go for it at 30 years old been T1 for 20+ years!
 
I had my cataract done a few years ago, I'm now 64. I had them in both eyes and my optician basically said that there nothing to be done with my prescription. I had also noted the deterioration as well. So I think the best thing to do is ask yourself whether it's bothering you at all and whether it affects your everyday life, driving being the obvious thing. I had noticed that I was beginning to clip hedges on the left side (left eye more advanced) in narrow lanes more frequently.

The operation is very straight forward, I didn't feel a thing, they numbed my eye with a very small tablet in the corner before anesthetizing it good and proper, I don't think it took more than 30 minutes to perform the lens replacement, hung around for an hour or two so they could ensure no problems then kept using antibiotic drops for a few weeks (3 or 4?).

Outcome AMAZING! I don't need glasses for driving, even reading seems OK. Right eye is on it's way but not really a problem at the moment, seems it isn't any worse than last year.

I think you will be the best decision maker, obviously taking advice. You might hear different stories, I know my MIL whinged a lot after having hers done, but in her 90 years, she's never had medical interventions of any sort except giving birth to my wife, 60 years ago. She's now left her other eye go so far that she can't see anything out of it, silly really, but that's my MIL.
 

Morning, I am type 1 as well and have cataracts in both eyes and I have had them for 5+ years now. My hospital eye consultant said at some point they will need to be done (she talked to me about it and gave me a leaflet to look at) as it is my choice. I guest it depends on their progression or if they cause visual problems,. It must be a concern for you at such a young age of 30 and making you feel anxious, but talk to them and get lots of information.
Take care
 
Unicorns_and_stuff said:
Anyone going through or has had the operation? Should I go for it at 30 years old been T1 for 20+ years!
Click to expand...

Eyesight is such a precious thing and being unable to see correctly can have a major impact on life, so if the cataracts have developed to a stage where the Ophthalmology team recommend an operation then I would go ahead, the operation takes no more than 10 mins per eye and the recovery time is about 4 weeks, I had the operation about 10 years ago and it was painless and the Ophthalmology team were fantastic.

However the best thing you can do to improve your eye health and health in general is to get your diabetes under control, unstable diabetes can lead to complications of the eye such as diabetic retinopathy, so do try and improve your overall diabetes control and speak with your diabetes team if unsure how to approach things. Best wishes.
 
I had a trauma cataract develop in my right eye 2 years ago after falling in the garden and hitting the eye socket area. I was at risk for cataracts anyway, being seriously short sighted (-10.5), but didn't expect to get one at the youngish age of 53. I was by far the youngest on the list on the day of my op, and I'm not good with hospitals, rarely having been in one, but the whole thing was fine.

You are awake when it's all going on, but you can't feel anything and you can't see anything. You have to rigorously keep up the after care routine, using the eye drops they give you, but the effect is marvelous. I've worn glasses since age 8 and could see nothing clearly any further than 6 cm from my face. Now I wake up and see from one eye (I still wear a contact in the other). I can see the stars when I'm in bed at night. I will be getting the other eye done as my brain isn't so keen on getting two very different images to blend together from each eye.

However, as easy as it was for me, it is still a big decision. It is surgery. There are risks. For me, I could easily cope with things the way they are. Even so, I think I will do it. You need to think and read about it to make an informed decision.
 
Yes I have had cataracts removed from both my eyes and the operation was very straightforward and painless. Now my distance sight is really good but it does not usually alter the close up sight. Those who have had reading glasses before the cataract surgery will usually still need those after the cataract removal operation
 
Yes, agree wholeheartedly with Pinkorchid. Had both eyes done within less than six months. When you do agree at the hospital I recommend you tell then that you would take a cancellation and after the first op when the nurse meets with you mention again that a cancellation would be OK, to go ahead for the second eye, for me it meant that the operations went ahead with little delay and now drive without glasses which I had worn all my life. Amazing, great and yes painless and quick.
 

My MIL at 60 has recently had one eye done and all she has done is complain! That's why I was a little concerned! Thanks for the advice
 


I'm hoping they will say I can wait! Fingers crossed! Thank you
 

Completely agree with needing to be in control! Thank you
 

Thank you for the tips!
 
I was shortsighted before the cataracts were removed, and I was less shortsighted afterwards - but my reading sight deteriorated so that I had to get specs for reading when I'd managed fine without them before. Anyway, I was 75 at the time so it wasn't much of a bother.
I did have some problems with my right eye though. It felt as though there was a small hair or something irritating in my eye the whole time which was quite unpleasant. It lasted the best part of 9 months before it subsided (as the surgeon assured me it would). So if you experience this, don't worry - it does go given time.
My distance vision is much better than it used to be, although I do still wear my glasses for driving.
 
I had cataracts in both eyes, and I had them removed in 2009.

The world took on new colour after that, plus being very bright on the eyes, but was supplied with a couple of pairs of wraparound sunglasses.
 

I was asked what type of lens I wanted, basically did I want them for reading or driving or a combination of the two. I was advised against what I suppose is the equivalent of varifocal because the surgeon felt they weren't so successful. I went for long distance, driving but my reading seems OK as well.
 
I was very short sighted with astigmatism. Also type 2 on diet (steroid induced but family history so genetic as well)
When my cataracts were done I had 1 lens to give me slight short sight, the other for distance. There is only about 1.5 dioptre difference but I can see to read if needed without glasses, using 1 eye. This means I can read labels when food shopping and see to use my mobile phone without magnifier or reading glasses. My longer sighted eye gives good clarity at a distance, possibly I could have had both with the slight short sight.
BUT I HAVE ASTIGMATISM I need glasses for driving for that reason, so I have to wear them anyway.
There is a slight risk of problems with diabetes, I was given Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drops for 3 days before and then for a while after. I did tell the nurse I cannot tolerate NSAIDs. The lovely doctor on NHS 111 advised me to stop them after 3 days, allergic reaction!
I've seen the optician today, sight better than before, new glasses next week. I'm 65, worn glasses full time since age 8. Swapping heavy lenses for light ones, lovely.
Ask about risks, think of the risk when the cataracts get bad, and remember the form to reapply for your licence has to be collected from a post office or ordered online. I think you need a new photo as well. I've just discovered that when I tried to apply online!!
I know this is an old thread but I found it via the search engine, I just happen to be a member as well! So thanks to all for your advice on this forum.
 
Dear Unicorns_and_stuff,
I needed cataracts 'done' at the 44 year mark on insulin. (at the 'tender age of 57). But one has to allow for age (the older you are the more time for cataracts to form) and that I have lived all my life in Oz, where the sun is fierce. Cataracts are more common in sunny countries. My cousin who also has type I diabetes and lives nearby had similar problems at about the 38 year mark.
The facts were that, without cataract surgery, I would eventually lose my ability to drive and thus my job, lose my ability to read and void my independence.
Another one that I do not think has been mentioned (and my sincere apologies if I have presumed too much) was how could the eye specialist continue to examine my eyes for retinopathy if there were bloody great big cataracts blocking his ability to see into my eyes? When I pointed this out to the eye specialist he laughed and said. " yes, that is a no-brainer"! That was when I knew this jovial Irish doctor was the expert for me !
I am naturally long sighted and astigmatic ( speed signs showing ,say 100, look to me without corrective glasses like 111) My eyes lenses would distort things so they looked slimmer. I had a choice of intra-ocular replacements, ones which were long vision for which I could wear reading glasses to deal with short vision like reading, over visa versa, or have a short sight lens in one eye and a long sight one in the other. With the last option I was assured my brain would work things out in a week or so and my sight would not require me to wear glasses to correct vision. But I almost felt dizzy at the thought of it and opted for the long sight replacement intra-ocular lenses as these were reputed to be the least troublesome and since I always wore sun glasses outside it was just as easy to wear multi-focal glasses all the time, with tinting lenses for the sun. I also felt that wearing glasses al the time gave a bit of extra protection against something blowing in my eyes. That is a important considerartion for a kite flyer !
Before my first cataract surgery all the pros and cons were discussed. And a chat with the anaesthetist ensured that we were on the same page for managing my insulin and blood sugars (by insulin injections (MDI) at the time) during the procedure.
Post surgery was a little uncomfortable but the sandwiches were yummy. Lots of regular eye drops were needed for several days. Keeping BOTH eyes covered and out of bright light was important. Apparently the light going in the 'good" eye triggered the contraction of pupils ( the black spots in the middle of the eye) of BOTH eyes. That contraction is painful in the 'operated on" eye.
Within 3 days the vision through the operated on eye was crystal clear. And I had to admit that my wife had been correct (As ALWAYS - it is a safer way to live!!) about the her choice for tile colours in the bathroom. Not only had the cataract blurred my vision but had distorted my colour vision to include a brownish overlay. {Purple become a vague mauve). So one more reason to replace the cataract - ability to regain colour (and art) appreciation ( and settle marital disharmony)
There are other advantages too, in my post-operative stupor and uncomfortable sightedness I could not possibly do the washing up or put out the bin . But I can assure you my state of ineptitude and grace was short-lived !
The second operation, on the other eye, was 6 months later and just as uneventful. Although my grace time was curtailed more !!
The only problems I have faced occurred 6 to 7 years later. Apparently in about 30 % of patients a fibrous film develops over that time over the back of the capsule holding the lens in place and starts to affect the clearness of vision. Yes, muggins here was one of the few 'honoured' with this affliction !!
Not to be daunted my eye specialist fired a series of special laser bursts at the film to disrupt it. And commented that his children could proudly state that their father played laser 'games' at work! My second eye was similarly treated only 8 months ago. The effect is apparent within 2 hours.
Would I, knowing what I now know, undertake cataract surgery ? Yes. But ask the doctor for a medical certificate not only for work but for household duties ( and I include every patient in that suggestion, even though I am kidding )!!!!!
 
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