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Cataracts...

Opalshards

Opalshards

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I was at the Hospital yesterday and was informed that I am starting with cataracts. My question is has anyone had surgery, and has it helped or hindered . I only get slight blurring at the moment and it does clear. I am just a bit concerned because as some of you know I love crafts.
Thank you in anticipation . Hugs June.
 
I am on the eye clinic waiting list now to have mine removed . If yours are only just starting it will be quite a long time before they are ready to remove. I think the cataract has to cover the whole of the lens before they will remove them. Everyone I know who has had it done said it vastly improves their sight and some have said even to the extent that they don't need to wear glasses for long distance any more
 
Cataracts surgery can be done whenever they start affecting your life. Previously you had to wait until you were almost blind,this is not the case anymore.
Depending on the cause, cataracts may progress in different rates, but they usually develop slowly.
I got mine very quickly - my vision went from perfect to half blind in a span of few months, but I'm told this is quite rare. I had the surgery on one eye already and I'm about to have another one In 2 weeks.
Surgery is quite straightforward, takes 10-30 minutes tops, most people have only local anesthetic, so you go home the same day.

I'd say, as long as they don't affect your everyday life, no need to worry. But once they start to be annoying, it may be worth to push for the op.

I had 20/20 vision all my life, with cataracts I went to only being able to read the top/second top row on the letters chart (at the doc's office). After the surgery, it's not back to perfect, but it's sooooo much better.

Apparently some cataracts can actually disappear, but I don't know how true that it.
 
I've had both eyes done and result is fantastic. Like you I enjoy crafts which almost came to a stop due to the eye strain and I also came with a whisker of having to stop driving as was only just legal to drive.
Now everything is crystal clear and my prescription is better than it was about 6 years ago. No problems with the op very straight forward and a good recovery as an added bonus.
 
Had one eye done after an eye op several years ago, what a difference it made and I would recommend it to anyone who is experiencing difficulties with their vision.
 
Cataracts can develop at different rates - my mother had them in both eyes - one was very visible within 6 months of diagnosis and he other eye took 4 years before it was in an operable state. She has had both eyes done and whilst unpleasant she is happier she has had it done.

We were lucky enough to be able access the cataract surgery via a local Nuffield / Bupa hospital in the area, even though we did not have private health insurance. the first eye cost £2000, the second eye (about 3 years ago) cost £2500. The alternative was an 18 month wait on the NHS list. Dependant on circumstances / daily life requirements you might consider having it done privately.

Check with your GP/eye consultant - it is not an uncommon process to refer to a private practise. On the first occasion the NHS consultant effectively referred my mother privately to himself at the local Nuffield hospital!.
 
Had one eye done and waiting for date for the other eye. Fantastic !!. Had drops for local anaesthetic and the opp took about 20 minutes. Drops 4 times a day for 6weeks. I had no problems and now have Crystal clear vision. You could need glasses for close-up and reading. There are lens options in the eye such as bifocals etc if you go privately. I used the NHS and they were only a couple of months waiting. Had the outpatient appointment for the post op care yesterday and was told the other eye could be done before Christmas. Waiting eagerly for the letter. :)
Oh yes. I had the choice of hospitals and choose a local private one on the NHS. Free car parking!!!!
.
 
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