I called in at the cataract clinic at the local community hospital last week to check on progress. I'm now on their database and they were just waiting for my file to come over from the Royal Eye Hospital for assessment and organising a date for surgery...can't wait !
Anyone here got any stories about the treatment either to themself or a relative ? I spoke to a couple of our bike club members and their comments were amazing, one guy hadn't realised what colour the carpet was until then. I'm not in the slightest concerned about the treatment, I've suffered over 24,000 laser shots to rectify retinal bleeding, which is now clear. If you can take that, you can take anything ! I'm pretty certain that treatment caused my cataracts.
I understand a plastic lens is slipped into the eye, how do they evaluate the strength of the lens or is that not necessary as the natural, cloudy lens is no longer there. I know there is a private operation where the lens is later heat cured to your particular 'prescription' and I might have gone for that option had my appointment not been close.
Anyway, £3k buys a lot of motoring and boy's toys !
Any part-time eye surgeons out there care to comment ?
Ted
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My mother had both done. One following the other after about 6 months ~ 4 years ago.
She was 76 then and is 80 now and has been fine ever since.
However last year, she had an eye irritation. Turned out ot be a bit of stitch left in her eye!
Cant blame the NHS, she had it doine privately.
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'Er indoors has had both hers done and her sight is now fantastic. Her recommendation is that you try to get a surgeon who uses anaesthetic eyedrops (which are completely painless) rather than an injection.
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>> .......... how do they evaluate the
>> strength of the lens ............
They measure the shape of the retina and its distance from the lens (but don't ask me how!), and they then calculate the required lens dimensions. www.yorku.ca/eye/eye1.htm
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they use an optical device thingamijiggy that bounces light off the back of the eye.
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>>
>> I understand a plastic lens is slipped into the eye, how do they evaluate the
>> strength of the lens or is that not necessary as the natural, cloudy lens is
>> no longer there. I know there is a private operation where the lens is later
>> heat cured to your particular 'prescription'
My optician tells me that I will require cataract surgery in a few years time. We have discussed the procedure in a little detail - my understanding is that a lens of the correct strength is inserted in the eye.
I don't think that private treatment or NHS comes into it. I am, of course, open to correction.
Do keep us posted.
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Here's an animation of the operation. tinyurl.com/382otug
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My late MIL had both eyes done by the NHS (about six months apart) when she was in her eighties. She couldn't believe the improvement. The dressings were off within a few days and apart from a little itchiness for the first few days, she had no problems.
I've a phobia about all kinds of medical treatment. I've had to be sedated to get to a dentist and had a broken ankle plastered under general anaesthetic. I'd consider this operation.
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My sister has just had one eye done, the other in a week or so.
She's thrown a load of clothes away, as she has realised they are colours she doesn't like.
Rather worryingly, she has also conceded she can now actually read roadsigns.......
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Thanks Peeps. All good stuff and a very interesting BUPA link. I'm not bothered about injections if needed, I stick meself 4 times a day anyway, just to stay reasonably alive !
Interesting that no stitches are usually needed. I had a bad experience after having a certain ' Gentleman's ' operation many years ago. I asked the surgeon about the stitches and he said to get my secretary to take them out....dirty beggar. Actually, they were self dissolving and I got an infection...quite painful.
One evening I was offered a recovery to Pontefract, Castleford or some other god-forsaken hole. I couldn't face the pain of a long sit down, went to the bathroom and took them out using a razor blade ( very carefully ) to cut them. Ten minutes later...no pain !
Got my initial assessment appointment in the post today...July 6th. I'll phone this afto and see when I'm likely to go under the knife after that.
Ted
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My FiL has worn glasses for all the 40 years I've known him,
He had both his pork pies done and now doesn't wear glasses except for reading,
He is 85 :)
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My grandad had his done when he was about 80. Meant he didn't have to wear glasses except to read the paper and he could enjoy driving in bright sunlight again.
My old flying instructor also had his done (mid 70's) and was back instructing again within 3(?) months. All very positive.
Give it 10 years and they'll have replacement squishy lenses, be like having new eyes and no reading glasses either. Though being 24 if I wear reading glasses I can't see anything!
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My actual eyesight isn't too bad, I can't read things at a distance but I've no problem in seeing things or colours in general . My major problem is glare, either from headlights, street lights or the Sun himself. It takes a second or two to adjust from a light area to a dark one. Hitting unexpected tunnels on continental roads whilst on the bike was a problem.
I remember riding down a very sunny road somewhere half a mile before it went into a wood,
It was like a black wall built across the road, The world could have ended at that point and I'd just have gone over the edge !
I'm sure, in time, an artificial eye will be available linked to the brain to accept visual signals.
Bit like a digital camcorder in the shape and size of an eyeball.
Ted
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Well, I think you've all made Ted feel very, very old on this thread! I'm sure he's still a handsome young 'un really:)
Pat
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>> Well, I think you've all made Ted feel very, very old on this thread! I'm
>> sure he's still a handsome young 'un really:)
>>
>> Pat
some say he was the model for the gargoyles on York Minster
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You are in soooo much trouble now Z !
Anyway, what are you going to do for a face when King Kong wants his ar*e back ? :-)
Ted
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>> Anyway, what are you going to do for a face when King Kong wants his
>> ar*e back ? :-)
Sit on it!
Anyway any more trouble from you and I will steal your guide dog.
Last edited by: Zero on Tue 11 May 10 at 16:26
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I intend to have a guide vole........easier to keep.
How's the poodle ?
Ted
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fine, its just finished snacking on your vole.
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These little friendly spats on here never fail to make me laugh and that's what makes this forum special.
I'm having a doldrums day....the body wants to go gardening but the hands are refusing to work. Too hard to pot up anymore hanging baskets so I thought I would tie in some climbing roses but the knots won't tie either:(
So I thought I would spray the weeds and the trigger thingy is all wrong for fumbly fingers AND it's too cold to sit out there and enjoy the birdsong.
So I'm back in the warm cooking liver and onions with cheddar mash!
I feel better now I've had a moan:)
Pat
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I'm glad you're here now Patsy, As we've met I'm sure you can tell that Zero bloke how good looking I really is and I do not take my holidays high up on the wall at York Minster !
I have a team of rsearchers trying to find his whereabouts at the moment and our evidence to date points to one of the larger County Asylums.
The delightful Mrs Cams produced a superb Pea and Prawn Risotto washed down with half a bottle of a spectacularly nice Merlot......She had the other half.
Hope the chubby little ones get back to work soon.
Ted
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Prawn risotto with red wine? Is there no end to the lack of sophistication on this forum:-;
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We're alternative............we care little for convention !
.........and we 'ad no white in !
Ted
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That Zero bloke has certainly got it all wrong.
When I looked at you I saw a tall, slim young man. Broad shoulders, slim hips and long legs ending with a nice pert bum. In fact I'm sure I've seen you gracing the pages of Men Magazine.
He's just jealous Ted:)
Pat
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>> That Zero bloke has certainly got it all wrong.
>>
>> When I looked at you I saw a tall, slim young man. Broad shoulders, slim
>> hips and long legs ending with a nice pert bum. In fact I'm sure I've
>> seen you gracing the pages of Men Magazine.
You kow what? I thought lorry drivers pulled out without looking because they were bullies.
All is clear now, they are blind.
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Zero, you're a star.
If we ever meet, I'd shake your hand and let you buy me a pint.
OK, maybe not shake your hand, your knuckles may be sore from dragging on the ground.
All good fun. Take care anyway.
That Patty is sooooo right in her observations !
Ted
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My mum had both hers done recently. A few weeks apart. She went private as you can no longer choose a surgeon so you get pot luck with nhs. She had an nhs appointment and the woman operating the eye machine could barely turn it on never mind communicate.... private people were great. Knew what they were doing and dressings were off in no time. Only complaint she had was that she could see her wrinkles and dust round the house much better! She's very squeamish so I'm amazed she went though it, twice.
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I have had both my eyes done in the Hospital Costa del Sol, in Marbella. (Andalucian Health Service, so as a pensioner, FREE!).
A fantastic hospital in every way, with, apparently the best ophthalmic surgeons in Spain!
The first one was very conservative - I had a chest Xray, an ECG and a blood test prior to the op. On admission I was sent to a ward and dressed in a green hospital gown and put to bed.
Drops were administered to relax and dilate the eye. I was wheeled to the operating theatre on a trolley - recumbent!
The op itself was a doddle: no pain (an injection technique for anaesthesia) - I was awake, but couldn't see anything. I gather that a tiny cut is made in the eye and the old organic lens is liquefied using ultrasound and then vacuumed out! The new plastic one is inserted folded and then unfolded once it's in the eye.
Afterwards I was wheeled back to the ward and left until the surgeon came to inspect his work; then allowed to go home.
Next day a check-up and that was it.
The second eye job was different in so far as on admission, (all pre-op tests the same), I was placed in a reclining chair for the pre-op preparation and the operation was carried out in a similar chair in theatre. This time drops were used. Again no pain.
Check up next day, with a return a week later to have a stitch removed from the eye - I didn't know I had that!.
Results are superb. I no longer need glasses for distance and for reading a cheap non-prescription pair is fine.
One tip - ALWAYS wear sunglasses when it's shining or bright, as the UV rays in the sun can dgrade the plastic replacement lens.
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Spot on, Landy.
Our local does it in the chair. and the procedure is as you described.
The result I'm after is exactly what you got...Good distance vision, cheapy readers and polaroids for the Sun....if we ever see him !
5 years ago I was having to use a magnifying glass to read normal print, ( and the monitor ) then I was good enough to use non-scrip readers. Now, I can read without any help........strange how that's changed for the better.
Got a letter from the Diabetes clinic today for me to make an appointment. There's a recent treatment called Byetta. One injection a day stimulates the old pancreas to produce insulin to suit your food intake rather than actually injecting the stuff 4 times a day.
Interesting stuff...I'll see what happens.
Ted
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Teddy ole son, just out of interest - are you a 'type 1' or a 'type 2'
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Being diabetic myself, I was told:
Type 1 is controlled by insulin injections.
Type 2 is controlled by diet or tablets (metformin)
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>>Type 1 is controlled by insulin injections.
Type 2 is controlled by diet or tablets (metformin)<<
Yes & no Dave,
some type 2's have to go on the needle if they get to a stage where medication alone doesn't sort out the ole HBS.
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Sorry, just got in from an hour gently trading insults with Ali, our local postmaster...plus a cuppa !
If injections are type 1 , that is wot me is. Started on Metformin 23 yrs ago but it gave me terrible foot pains.
I can never remember.
Ted
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Not that I know anyfink Teddy but - you're probably type 2 (adult onset) which didn't respond to meds.
Type 1 is usually child onset which is actually an auto-immune disease.
As long as you can still get your leg over (that motabike) you can't be doing too bad :)
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I'll ask, next time I go in, K9.
Bike will be even better when I can see where I'm going....have to stick to under a ton at the moment !
Ted
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We'll I'm sure a clutch of Wyre Piddle's would compensate ;-)
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Only one left.....Some Brakspear's and Shepherd Neame in the garage.
Just rebuilding the water pump on the Jowett then going to make 40 litres of
Great Eastern Ale.
Oh, the work I have to get through in a day !
Ted
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>>Oh, the work I have to get through in a day !<<
Cor! how the other arf live hey :) have pity on us poor cornish calvados drinkers!
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>>
>> Got a letter from the Diabetes clinic today for me to make an appointment. There's
>> a recent treatment called Byetta. One injection a day stimulates the old pancreas to produce
>> insulin to suit your food intake rather than actually injecting the stuff 4 times a
>> day.
>> Interesting stuff...I'll see what happens.
>>
>> Ted
It's actually two injections per day. I have been prescribed the alternative treatment quite recently, Victoza, which is one injection per day. I preferred this to Byetta. It is a brilliant treatment and my recent HbAic was 6.9 whereas it was 9.8 lastOctober. I've also lost a couple of stone.
The problem with insulin and some of the tablets to treat diabetes is weight gain. This does not happen with Byetta or Victoza.
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Interesting. I cut out the article on Victoza from the paper some time ago and am going to ask about that as well.
I liked the bit about weight loss, it's very difficult to keep a balance on the normal treatment.
I'll ring and make an appointment in the morning.
We should have a forum section where all us oldies can discuss our ailments !
Ted
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Don't you dare lose any weight Ted, you're perfect:)
Pat
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Yes, Z....but a tart with taste !
Ted
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But the vision I have of you Z, just doesn't cut the mustard:)
Pat
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Just had to give you a thumbs up for your previous post, Pat !
Ted
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Oh excuse me pass the bucket, I need to vomit at this incestuous love fest.
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>>Oh excuse me pass the bucket, I need to vomit at this incestuous love fest.<<
I think they do it for the camera really - wait til they get the 7 policy itch.
oops! I thought this woz the Election thread :)
Last edited by: Dog on Thu 13 May 10 at 17:44
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Well , went for assessment yesterday and booked to have left eye done a week on Friday........ten days, that's good service.
Also been given the go-ahead to start the new diabetic treatmant, Byetta.
Some initial side effects, nausea etc. Possible appetite suppressant, so may lose a bit of weight.
SWMBO's on a WeightWatchers regime anyway so I'm being dragged along with her menu, which is a good thing.
We'll see how things go.
Ted
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I hope it all goes well for you Ted
You'll be a new man before you know it:)
Pat
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>>Byetta.<<
So, you're on the needle now Herr Ed ... quite a powerful drug in its actions upon the bod,
make sure you read & re-read the info leaflet me ole Son, and watch out for hypo's while driving that Zimmer frame :)
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It's a tried and tested technology Ted, as I'm sure you know. My late mother-in-law had one eye done in her late eighties. For some reason, rather unusually, there was no improvement. Being a woman of considerable courage and character, she urged them to go ahead with the other eye. That one was tickety-boo, and she she was soon reading small print merrily in the dark again, as well as listening to radio 4 at top volume all night (sometimes people had to sneak into her room and turn her wireless down so that other people in the house could get some kip).
You'll be fine. Hope the diabetes shots work too.
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Been on the needle for 22 years Doggo...4 a day, whether I need them or not.
They've changed my current insulin,, though. Apparently the new stuff's better than what I've been on up to today. Shorter needles as well, 12.7mm down to 5mm
Nice story about the old girl, AC. When I'm that age I intend to spend my time at the front gate in a wicker bath chair, feigning deafness and irately brandishing a walking stick at passers-by.
Ted
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Oh ... I didn't realise that matey, just make sure you get used to the new stuff then,
at least you stay positive and active, with all your 'goings on' ~ way to go, man.
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Had both done, a couple of years apart, at the Hospital Costa del Sol in Marbella.
Free as I'm a pensionista - results are absolutely fabulous!
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Well, had the left eye done this afternoon by a very pleasant Italian doctor. he did it while I waited. Lots of drops in the eye first to dilate the pupils. I'm used to that after laser surgery.
Sat me in a chair, which reclined into a table and put 3 lots of anaesthetic drops in.
Wheeled me into the theatre, covered my face so as not to scare the nurses and got to work. No major feeling, just a bit of pressure. I could see better as the new lens unfolded in the eye.
Cup of tea and a biccie afterwards then SWMBO drove me home. I could read the larger print in the paper with the eye.
Got to keep a clear shield over it 'til the morning and then wear it at bedtime.
A bit of pain, now, like a bit of grit in the eye but I'm not allowed to rub or touch.
Mr Paracetamol's doing his work now.
Looking forward to the dilation wearing off to see what the vision's like.
Thanks to Dr landsker and others who gave me re-assurance........the cheques are in the post !
Ted
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" he did it while I waited"... love that, LOL
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>> Well, had the left eye done this afternoon by a very pleasant Italian doctor.
Very appropriate that it was done by an eye-tie doctor!
;-)
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SWMBO had both her eyes done a couple of years ago by a specialist in Limoges, at a total cost to us of about 100 euros. That was our contribution, the French system paid the rest, reimbursed - of course - by the British system (not many people know that).
She has worn specs since 12 and was practically blind without them. The cataracts have been getting worse for years but before we moved here she kept being told to come back in a year's time because they weren't bad enough.
I was with her the first time when they took off the dressing and she said 'I can see a tree'. I looked over my shoulder and realised she was looking through the window and there was a tree in the distance that I could barely see with my specs on!
She certainly calls it a miracle.
Only snag now is that sunglasses have become a fashion accessory again for her, now she doesn't need prescription lenses and the other day I counted five pairs lying around...
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Once you have plastic lenses it is ESSENTIAL to wear sunglasses in sunshine, or even bright glare, as the UV light can degrade the plastic.
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I did mention that to the doctor, Landy, after you or someone mentioned it earlier.
He said not...but maybe there are different plastics in use.
Ted
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>>She has worn specs since 12 and was practically blind without them.
>> The cataracts have been getting worse for years but before we moved here she kept being told to come back in a year's time because they weren't bad enough.
>>
>>I was with her the first time when they took off the dressing and she said 'I can see a tree'. I looked over my shoulder and realised she was looking through the window and there was a tree in the distance that I could barely see with my specs on!
Mike, I am interested in your report as there seems to be little information about changing the prescription when cataracts are treated.
SWMBO has had specs for many years since her school years. After a period of contact lenses she was banned from using them and reverted to specs.
She has slight cataracts and has been told they can be easily fixed AND major correction to her prescription at the same time.
She will then probably need much much low power specs for reading but with a much greater range of spec designs due to simpler, lighter lenses.
She is quite excited at the prospects of this operation but is fearful as she has an exceedingly low pain threshold.
I understand that going "self funded" will ensure a consultant does the operation.
In addition "better" lenses are available privately that the NHS will neither fund or allow one to pay the difference.
Last edited by: henry k on Tue 7 Dec 10 at 23:33
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Assure her that there is no pain whatsoever.
Unfortunately I had a fibrosis, triggered by my cataract operation, 3 days after the event.
This is a fairly common occurence for me, being the result of thousands of laser shots to rectify retinal bleeding. We decided not to go ahead with the cataract in my good eye as it was less of a problem at the moment. The fibrosis has cleared a lot, as it always does, but I do need sunglasses in sunlight or it's like looking through net curtains.
I went for a refraction test a couple of weeks after the op and was prescribed new lenses, together with prescription polaroids and 1.5 dioptra readers.....fine, if costly.
A month later my vision changed and I found that I can do distance better without specs but I have trouble reading, even with a 3.5 lens.
A visit to the eye hospital A+E seems to indicate that I now have a Macula Oedema in my ' good ' eye, affecting my focus. I'm now waiting for a fluoroscene test to see what treatment is needed. Meanwhile my opthalmologist is doing me new readers 4.75 and 5.75.
4.0 is the legal limit for ' off the shelf '.
None of this will affect your SWMBO, Henry. My bike chum has just had a rather severe cataract ripped out and is over the moon with the result !
Ted
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Ted - Thanks for your prompt response
>>Assure her that there is no pain whatsoever.
I will try but she has, as I said a very low pain threshold. Even a blood pressure monitor cuff on her arm gives her significant pain.
I am not familiar with the lens power but I think she was told they may be able to change it from 10 down to 1.
We have always bought top make lenses - currently Zeiss as we consider it money well spent.
Over 30 years ago I insisted she prescrition goggles for snorkelling - money well spent.
We are prepared to spend a few £K to get the better lenses etc for her operation.
The advice was to have both eyes done at once else there will be problems "adapting"
Of course she will probably need immediate new specs. Not sure how quick basic specs can be made these days. I assume within a day ?
Last edited by: henry k on Wed 8 Dec 10 at 00:51
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My wife was standing nude, looking in the bedroom mirror.
She was not happy with what she saw and said to me,
"I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly. I really need you to pay me a
compliment.'
I replied, "Your eyesight's damn near perfect."
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What an interesting thread! My correected eyesight is fine but last time I had a test I was told that I had the start of a cataract in one eye. I don't 'do' hospitals, as an in-patient, but I found everybody's comments about the ease of the operation and the good results very reassuring! Thanks.
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I had a cataract removed in July this year. I had several times in one year been to the optician because one eye kept changing its prescription. Was told not to keep closing it to compare vision with the other eye! Visited my doctor for other reasons and asked him if he could recomment a good optician - he said "I go to xxx". So I went to xxx and she told me I had a caratact and put me in the NHS queue.
The surgeon said he had done over 6000 (!) cataract operations.
I was given the option of a near or distance lens, although I guess you have to have a very unusual job to want permanent close vision.
Operation arrangements were so smooth. Six of us one afternoon. I remember being asked what my hearing was like and only when I got home did I realise why - Ultrasound at about 25 kHz is used to remove the faulty lens. My hearing struggles with 8 kHz
A few days afterwards I was concerned and a little frightened because the vision in the very centre of the eye was blurred - I could only read one letter at a time, slightly off centre. However, this blurred bit progressively broke up over about six weeks and the end result is fantastic.
The worst part is having to wait several weeks for an eve test and new prescription as your old glasses will be useless.
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Thanks to all for sharing your experiences.
>>The surgeon said he had done over 6000 (!) cataract operations.
please excuse my plug
A charity I have been interested in and supported over the years.
www.orbis.org/
They have "Directly treated more than 9.7 million people for blindness-related diseases and conditions."
A comprehensive website. Great support from Fedex plus United have donated a replacement aircraft.
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Now its my turn ?
I have tried out my new frames with new prescription lenses.
After two days I have reverted back to my old specs.
The problems
I seem to be back to the nodding donkey days - trying to find the best part of the lens to focus through.
Some lights in the ceiling of an auditorium appeared to have shafts of light like sunbeams vertically under them
Driving at night was not good. All cars with just dipped beams driving towards me had headlights with lots of rays of light radiating around them.
I am now told the last two are certainly symptoms of cataracts.
I was not aware / have not read about these conditions so it has come as a rather abrupt "surprise"
I am still unsure why my new prescrition has made things worse in some ways.
I can now understand why lots of even older folk do not want to drive at night if they have a similar condition ( undiagnosed).
I have posted my experience in case it helps any others.
There is lots of text via Google but scant else but the following gives a better write up, some visual examples and notes especially re motorists
www.agingeye.net/cataract/cataractsymptoms.php
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I.ve had the light diffusuin problem for years, Henry.
I don't like driving at night...particularly unlit, strange roads. Not too bad in the City but i'd rather someone else drove......bonus, I can have a pint ! If the weather's good, then I prefer the bike. No screen to look through and a lot less width to get through traffic.
Sunlight is also a problem, even with Polaroids on, if the sun is low and to the side it can reflect off the back of the glasses into your eyes.
I've got 3 appointments at the eye hospital next Thursday afternoon....3 different clinics.
We'll see what happens.
Good luck with the peepers, henry.
Ted
Last edited by: Ted on Thu 16 Dec 10 at 16:49
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Spent all afternoon in the Retinal and Emergency unit at the Royal Manchester Eye Hosp today.
Had 3 appointments, at 2 different clinics, all overlapping but it worked quite well.
They wanted to see what had caused the vision in my best eye, the right, to get worse suddenly. A Macula Oedema was suspected.
After the usual sight test and dilation, I went to the other clinic where my eyes were photographed. More dilation and consent form duly signed, i was injected with dye for a Fluoroscene test. More photos and then on somewhere else for a scan.......different bit of kit with a red laser beam travelling vertically up the macula. Then back to retinal for a fundoscopy. Conclusion, a slight swelling on the right macula which may me treated with steroids or something else which I've forgotten and the removal of the cataract recommended.
Over 5 hours there, SWMBO nearly finished a whole paperback ! Guy sat behind us in the waiting area kept jumping up and complaining about the wait and that newer patients were going in before him. Told his wife he was walking out, on at least 4 occasions, but she calmed him down...silly sod !
Appointment with my consultant a month today and then get the cataract out...I've already got into the system for that.
Fluoroscene dye turned my skin yellow pretty much at once, so much so that I was considering invading Taiwan ! Pee came out dayglo yellow for a few visits to the cludgie.
Heyho...we'll see what happens next.
Ted
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Hope it gets sorted out Ted, but looking on the bright side, you won't need to pay for a spray on tan for Christmas!
Pat
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HeHe....back to off-pink now, Pat. Best wishes to you and BB for tomorrow.
What you having, mate....turkey pot noodle ? :-)
Ted
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Ah the much maligned NHS.....Spent some time at its mercy this summer when my wife fell off her motorbike (long story) - despite long waits at A&E, X-Ray and various fracture clinics and later physiotherapy it delivered what was required if it very well in its own clunky but dependable way - we're quite lucky.
All the best Ted !
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Cataract surgery. - Zero
