I'm at the Westmorland General in Kendal on Saturday for a cataract removal operation.

It's a bit unreasonable scheduling it on a day Burnley are at home, but I just want it over with.

To make up for missing the Spurs game, I'm treating myself to another away game, at Crystal Palace.

Anyway, some of you, particularly the older posters, must have had this operation. Any tips or advice!

No horror stories please!

My Uncle had one of his done last year. In and out and basically absolutely spot on again within a few days.

Hello lakedistrict. I have had both eyes done with no problems at all. I found the improvement in vision was amazing.

The operation is very straightforward. No discomfort afterwards. Well worth having it done. The worst part for me was having to lie flat on my back but they put a pillow under my thighs which helped enormously and it was all over in no time.

Good luck. I'm sure you'll have no problems.

Pedectly simply snd styaughtforwstd peocrfure. Giuid lyck.

Brother had both eyes done at Gisburn Park ... had to have eyes lasered a couple of years later... due to slight blurring problem which can happen.

Sister had both eyes done too at same place....

Both in and out same day (but both had two seperate ops a week or two apart as the surgeons wouldn't do both eyes at same time)

Both still wear glasses for reading small print ...

Several colleagues also had it done and rave about the difference afterwards...

All the best and good luck.

Thanks for the good wishes. I only effectively have one eye at the moment ( there's nothing wrong with my good eye ) so I'm looking forward to seeing properly again.

You may even see colours differently. My wife had hers done and said that there had been a distinct shade of brown which meant that after the op colours seem quite vivid.. Two years on she is hoping to have her second YAG laser treatment to put right a deterioration in her eyes which happens to one in 10 people.

lakedistrictclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 04, 2020 6:42 pm

Westmorland General in Kendal on Saturday for a cataract removal operation

VAR...vision actively restored!

best of luck with the procedure lakedistrict!

Having both mine done this year at Spa Medica in Bolton an NHS clinic that specialises in cataracts.

Is it true they laser your eyes to give you perfect vision, as part of the process, rather than cataract and out?

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 04, 2020 9:10 pm

Is it true they laser your eyes to give you perfect vision, as part of the process, rather than cataract and out?

As I understand it, there is no lasering involved. They dissolve the cataract, suction it out, and insert a new plastic lens.

Ah - so the plastic lens does the stuff.
Do you have to put drops in, for ever more?

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 04, 2020 9:20 pm

Ah - so the plastic lens does the stuff.
Do you have to put drops in, for ever more?

No, just four times a day for four weeks.

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 04, 2020 9:20 pm

Ah - so the plastic lens does the stuff.
Do you have to put drops in, for ever more?

Nope only downside is that the plastic lens cannot contract like your normal lens would do to focus when reading so if you didn't already you will def need reading glasses after surgery.

A small price to pay for getting your normal eyesight back and in reality for the majority of elderly people that need the surgery the muscle that contracts the lens to help reading has likely already deteriorated hence most people needing readers as they get older in general

Devils_Advocate wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 04, 2020 9:28 pm

Nope only downside is that the plastic lens cannot contract like your normal lens would do to focus when reading so if you didn't already you will def need reading glasses after surgery.

A small price to pay for getting your normal eyesight back and in reality for the majority of elderly people that need the surgery the muscle that contracts the lens to help reading has likely already deteriorated hence most people needing readers as they get older in general

At the moment my good eye is long sighted and my bad eye is short sighted. When they remove my cataract on Saturday I'm having a long sighted lens put in. So my long sight will be fine, without glasses, but I'll need some new reading glasses.

lakedistrictclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 04, 2020 9:34 pm

At the moment my good eye is long sighted and my bad eye is short sighted. When they remove my cataract on Saturday I'm having a long sighted lens put in. So my long sight will be fine, without glasses, but I'll need some new reading glasses.

Yep this would be the norm for most people. I lost complete vision in one eye last year due to a cataract but was a bit of a shock as a lot younger than the normal age of sufferers.

Had the op and was holidaying in Greece 2 days later and eyesight better than it had been for a long time. Need reading glasses for work but as I said a small price to pay for getting my sight back.

As others have said it really is a standard quick procedure and apart from some itching the first night and getting a bit of glare from sunlight the morning after you dont really feel a thing.

Hope it goes well and enjoy getting some vision back

Thanks DA that's very reassuring.

The operation is an unbelievable experience. Had both done and for me it was turn up for the op. Drops in eye, wait 20 mins, more drops and then some more. Wheel into theatre, face covered save for the eye to be done, music played-I had Coldplay as surgeon like them. See bright light and feel pressure on eye and what feels like running water. Mine all over in 20 mins.Eye shield and home. Shield to be worn at night for I think about a week and drops 4 times per day for a couple of weeks. Told to take paracetamol for pain but never had any. I had a complication about 6 weeks after when vision went off due to macula oedema-occurs less than 1% of times-more drops settled again came back more drops settled and then about 1 year later vision off again due to scarring of the lens capsule they leave in when they pop the new lens in. That is when you have laser to blast holes in the scarred capsule-again a pice of **** for you and instant return of good vision although quite a lot of floaters for a time after.

Had second eye done about 9 months ago no macula oedema this time and thus far no scarring but scarring is the commonest problem after and as I said it is an absolute piece of **** to have fixed.
I would be more worried about Liverpool not winning the Prem League this season,than having cataract surgery Lakedistrict

My mother had both done, by different surgeons, with different techniques. One of them involved a lot more water poured into her. But both were 100% successful with no subsequent laser surgery and definite improvement in vision.

They take out the cloudy lens and insert a plastic one, pre-tailored to your eye. It lasts, I am told, for ever. It doesn't hurt.

I had mine done during the same operation as another surgeon was fixing my retina detachment.
I could hear them arguing about who's turn it was and who was going on break next!

You get a nice little card to carry around in your wallet in case a police officer thinks your eyes look ******

you'll be fine

I had both eyes done at the same time last November (in Manchester).
Similar experience to the other accounts above-no pain, 4 weeks of antibacterial eye drops.
Colours immediately more vivid and even my vision was improved (immediately post-op).
Due for a follow-up check tomorrow but over those months my vision has settled towards good for distance and needing ready readers for small print or reading in low light.
Truly marvellous!

I was sat next to a friend of mine at the game last night who has recently had his done. He's worn contact lenses for as long as I can remember but doesn't need them now. He only needs his readers.

Things have changed somewhat. I remember my mum having them both done in the early 1990s and she was in hospital for ten days with each one.

Thank you everyone for your advice and good wishes. I've a good idea now what to expect.

Times certainly have changed since CT' s mum had hers done. I've been told I'll be in for four hours, and most of that is waiting for all the eye drops pre -op to take effect.

lakedistrictclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 04, 2020 6:42 pm

I'm at the Westmorland General in Kendal on Saturday for a cataract removal operation.

It's a bit unreasonable scheduling it on a day Burnley are at home, but I just want it over with.

To make up for missing the Spurs game, I'm treating myself to another away game, at Crystal Palace.

Anyway, some of you, particularly the older posters, must have had this operation. Any tips or advice!

No horror stories please!

No horror stories at all mate - had one last September and it is the best thing I have ever done. Painless and the effect is immediate. I was stunned when I took off the patch they give you for the first few hours (you will probably have to wear it in bed for a few days and they advise no strenuous activity for a couple of weeks). I had to have a couple of weeks off work simply because I work on a computer all day and they advised staying off for a bit. Because I have had a partially sighted left eye all my life and the cataract was in my right eye (just my luck) I was effectively going blind but now I only need glasses to read (I opted for corrected distance vision so I didn't need glasses most of the time - they can't correct both long and short vision).

The effect on my life has been immense mate and I actually cried with joy when I realised what they had done. The colours are brighter and the sharpeness is like I haven't known for years. Go for it mate there are no drawbacks, only advantages.

Thanks for that houseboy, that's brilliant.

Hi I am an Optometrists, all the above advice given is correct, it's a simple operation with a very high success rate, I'm sure you will be fine

Bosscat wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 04, 2020 7:05 pm

Brother had both eyes done at Gisburn Park ... had to have eyes lasered a couple of years later... due to slight blurring problem which can happen.

Sister had both eyes done too at same place....

Both in and out same day (but both had two seperate ops a week or two apart as the surgeons wouldn't do both eyes at same time)

Both still wear glasses for reading small print ...

Several colleagues also had it done and rave about the difference afterwards...

All the best and good luck.

That's where I had mine done bud. Amazing there. I have been warned of the possibility of needing some laser treatement because of something that can happen after a year or so but it is not that common and apparently takes a few minutes to correct. You are right the difference is so stunning it's like getting new eyes. I do need glasses for reading and using my phone but my distance vision has been assessed and the consultant said I would pass an RAF fighter pilot test. I have now sent off my application to the RAF but I have had to lie about my age.

houseboy wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 05, 2020 9:54 am

That's where I had mine done bud. Amazing there. I have been warned of the possibility of needing some laser treatement because of something that can happen after a year or so but it is not that common and apparently takes a few minutes to correct. You are right the difference is so stunning it's like getting new eyes. I do need glasses for reading and using my phone but my distance vision has been assessed and the consultant said I would pass an RAF fighter pilot test. I have now sent off my application to the RAF but I have had to lie about my age.

Funnily enough I had forgot about my Bro saying about colours now vivid (saw the post above about colours looking brighter) he said its amazing seeing colour again as everything was starting to look like victorian photographs

Bosscat wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 05, 2020 10:01 am

Funnily enough I had forgot about my Bro saying about colours now vivid (saw the post above about colours looking brighter) he said its amazing seeing colour again as everything was starting to look like victorian photographs

I must admit the last few weeks before the op I was getting a bit depressed because my vision was getting so bad, I was just about legal to drive with glasses but basically gave up driving at night because of headlights blinding me. The sepia life is not for me mate (your brother was right - everything was going a bit brown and grey). Without glasses I couldn't make out peoples faces across the office at work and had to kind of guess who was talking to me at a distance.
The only advice I would give to anyone offered a cataract op would be 'get it done, you'd be totally stupid not to'.

houseboy wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 05, 2020 9:54 am

said I would pass an RAF fighter pilot test. I have now sent off my application to the RAF but I have had to lie about my age

please use the auto-pilot houseboy!

claretblue wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 05, 2020 10:23 am

please use the auto-pilot houseboy!

They've said I could join if I Kamikaze Ewood Park. Sounds like a plan.

I have had both cataracts done in the last few years.The operations were as everybody says very straightforward and only about 20 mins long.One of mine,after I had finished putting all the drops in,was still foggy so I had to have the lens lasered which cleared it up.last year my other one clouded over so I had to have that lasered as well.I have diabetic retinopathy so I have had both my retinas lasered a number of times.None of these procedures are painful.Unfortunately because of my retinopathy removal of cataracts has not given me the vision that everyone else enjoys.It is however a little clearer.
I have not driven for 16 years.I still go on the ‘Turf’but sometimes I cannot distinguish between the 2 teams depending on what colours they play in.I go on with 3 grandsons so at least I am doing my bit to convert them to Burnley fans.

I said on a thread a few weeks ago that if you required any advice or information, about anything, there are always people on this board who are only too willing to help.

This thread is a case in point.

lakedistrictclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 05, 2020 3:00 pm

I said on a thread a few weeks ago that if you required any advice or information, about anything, there are always people on this board who are only too willing to help.

This thread is a case in point.

I paid 4 1/2 grand to get both mine done 7 years ago. The experience of getting them done is totally painless and they gave me a valium or something like that. The spray/drops to dialate the pupils stings a little bit but no problem. Best money I ever spent and would rather get that done than go to the dentist. You can chill out and look forward to it Lakedistrictclaret as its a doddle.
I did see a double horizon line at distance for some time as my eyes worked out what was going on but other than that and your eyes being more receptive to dazzling car headlights and bright sunlight everything was fine.
I would recommend getting some tinted driving glasses and sunglasses. utc.

btw the surgery was called interocular eye surgery and I had it done at that hospital in manchester, on Princess Street.

Dougall wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 05, 2020 8:37 am

I had both eyes done at the same time last November (in Manchester).
Similar experience to the other accounts above-no pain, 4 weeks of antibacterial eye drops.
Colours immediately more vivid and even my vision was improved (immediately post-op).
Due for a follow-up check tomorrow but over those months my vision has settled towards good for distance and needing ready readers for small print or reading in low light.
Truly marvellous!

So are you saying we really do play in Claret and Blue?

So how do you get one of these cataracts, so we can all have this op?

Like Claretnproud I paid for mine (after 40 years of wearing contact lenses)
Money well spent!

Having mine done here...only 2 or 3 weeks wait as against 26 weeks ,am told at Burnley General.
https://www.spamedica.co.uk/

All the best with it Lakes

Fairly routine these days. You’ll be delighted with the result.
During my ten year stint as manager of a small opticians group... it was always nice to see customers made up with the change.

Had my right eye done last year, can't believe how amazing the difference is. Routine operation, I just did as I was told and it was over very quickly. Put the drops in as they said, one was for a week and the other one for a month. Kept the clear plastic see through patch on for 24 hours again as they said. Within 24 hours to 36 hours my vision was fully back to good. My only regret was not going sooner as I feel a bit of a numpty for putting it off and not bothering to tell anyone the world was becoming fuzzy! All the best Lakes. Vin

Pleased to report that the operation was a complete success. What a difference. The colours with my " new " eye are so vivid. All the initial side effects, blurred and wonky vision, had gone within forty eight hours. I'm doing as I'm told ( drops four times a day, eye patch while in bed) except driving. They said I shouldn't drive until my follow up appointment in a fortnight, but my sight is so much better now than it has been for years that I' m back on the road already.

Excellent news Hawkeye.

lakedistrictclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 05, 2020 3:00 pm

I said on a thread a few weeks ago that if you required any advice or information, about anything, there are always people on this board who are only too willing to help.

This thread is a case in point.

It really is the best thing about this message board and always has been. No matter what advice you ask for, there is usually someone able to offer it.

lakedistrictclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 10, 2020 10:31 am

Pleased to report that the operation was a complete success. What a difference. The colours with my " new " eye are so vivid. All the initial side effects, blurred and wonky vision, had gone within forty eight hours. I'm doing as I'm told ( drops four times a day, eye patch while in bed) except driving. They said I shouldn't drive until my follow up appointment in a fortnight, but my sight is so much better now than it has been for years that I' m back on the road already.

And really pleased everything has gone so well.

You only need vision in one eye to drive lakedistrict although it has to be goodish vision. Problems arise where part of your visual field is lost which is not the case when you are "a one eyed claret and blue idol to the north of Burnley", with apols to J Milton Hayes (not Kipling)

lakedistrictclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 10, 2020 10:31 am

Pleased to report that the operation was a complete success. What a difference. The colours with my " new " eye are so vivid. All the initial side effects, blurred and wonky vision, had gone within forty eight hours. I'm doing as I'm told ( drops four times a day, eye patch while in bed) except driving. They said I shouldn't drive until my follow up appointment in a fortnight, but my sight is so much better now than it has been for years that I' m back on the road already.

That might be a problem for your insurance, take care. Glad to hear its all gone well.

Yes, I'll just have to avoid having an accident!

My follow up is now on Monday, I'm sure I'll be signed off then.

Living where I do, four miles from the nearest shop, and no bus service, your own transport is a necessity.

lakedistrictclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 10, 2020 7:59 pm

Yes, I'll just have to avoid having an accident!

My follow up is now on Monday, I'm sure I'll be signed off then.

Living where I do, four miles from the nearest shop, and no bus service, your own transport is a necessity.

Tell me about it, my first op was at the end of last year, then I had another for a detached retina at the end of Feb, my checkup is on Thursday but I wont get clearance to drive as gas bubble is still in the eye, so vision very poor. Only 3 miles to nearest shop/bus stop though.
PS did we have at beer in the Hotel Royale after the win at Bournemouth in November 2017?

Good morning levrai,

Yes, it would have been me. If I remember rightly, there was just us and a Bournemouth fan and his wife there. Apart from Aberdeen, that was the last away nihht match I went to.

Coincidence....

Before this post, the thread above this one was the 'Spot the ball - end of season competition'.

Strikes me as ideal for all the ex cataract folk, with new eyes!
Good luck.