Cataracts at 51

[ClaphamGT3]

Had a bit of a bolt from the blue this afternoon.

After noticing my close vision begining to deteriorate and noticing my longer vision wasn't as sharp as it was, I went to the optician, expecting to have my short sight prescription increased along with varifocals.

The optometrist took a while examining my eyes and then got a colleague in to check them too. I was somewhat stunned when he told me I had cataracts in both eyes. I am 51, fit and healthy with no history of glaucoma or eye disease in the family. The optometrists couldnt really explain why other than to say that it's not unknown for people to get cataracts in their 50s and that, given a lifetime of sailing and skiing, it could be UV damage.

I need to go and see an opthalmic consultant but they both thought it would be 3-5 years before I need surgery - albeit with quarterly eye tests to check on speed of deterioration.

Anyone else had this?

[Smoggy XJR]

Yep. 55, and minor(ish) cataracts in both eyes.

My optician arranged a referral and I had both lenses replaced, about 3 months apart IIRC.

I have a very bad astigmatism so I still need to wear glasses, (albeit with a hugely reduced prescription), but the improvement is immense.

The one downside is that I was very shortsighted and could focus to about 3 inches for fine work. This isn't possible any more.

All the best going forward.

[ParanoidAndroid]

Me too, 49 this year and was told I had them at my opticians appointment having noticed my eyesight seemingly getting worse last year or so Don’t have any cloudiness though and optician was happy to check again next year.

Edited by ParanoidAndroid on Sunday 9th May 00:20

[anonymous-user]

I had cataract by my early 50s, no one would operate until they were very bad, as I was very short sighted, and a history that included retinal detachment, had surgery at 56, with general, 13 years ago. Had a detachmet after first eye was done, so it all took early a year, one eye -14, one -1 was not easy.
But it's the best thing I ever did.
My daughter had inserted contacts 5 years ago. At 24 basically the same operation, they take out the lens, 'glue' a contact on to it, and put it back, she is very happy.
It's not plesent, but it's not painfull and success rates are high.

[ClaphamGT3]

Thanks guys - really helpful and reassuring to hear the experiences of others.

Having always enjoyed rude good health, I remain entirely convinced in my head that I’m really only 28, so this was a first sobering indicator that I’m knocking on a bit

[Jamescrs]

Due to an underlying eye condition I had cataracts at 30, I was basically blind in one eye at it's worst due to the cataract.
Anyway I had surgery on both eyes over a 12 month period, I had it under general anaesthetic due to my other condition on both occasions. It was uncomfortable for a few days after and I had to have the stitch in my eyeball removed which was weird to say the least but long term it's probably the best thing that I could have had done, I now have excellent distance vision without glasses and I only need reading glasses for very small print or bad lighting.

It was 10 years ago I had it done.

[QuartzDad]

Same age and optician told me last week I have early signs of cataracts in both eyes. My eyes are a disaster zone anyway but like you, another sign that I'm not 28 any more...

[Mr Pointy]

ClaphamGT3 said:

I need to go and see an opthalmic consultant but they both thought it would be 3-5 years before I need surgery - albeit with quarterly eye tests to check on speed of deterioration.

I lasted a bit longer than you before needing lens replacement in both eyes due to cataracts & I'd suggest you start investigating your options while you have a bit of time to decide what result you want to end up with.

If you're having the operation on the NHS your options are limited as generally they only fit single vision lenses & usually your quality of life has to be severely affected before they will operate & even then there can be a long wait. If you're having it done privately then you have more options - multifocal lenses, toric lenses & even monovision (where one eye is set for distance & the other for reading). These choices have significant impact so need careful consideration.

In general a cataract operation is transformative - it can really make a huge difference to your daily life. Your eyes aren't going to get any better over the next few years so you might want to consider having the operation done before it's strictly necessary.

There's quite a long thread here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[mike9009]

I had my cataracts operation aged 46. I have other complications which do not help matters, but the operation(s) are nothing to be scared of.

My mum had hers completed when she was 50, so a bit of a hereditary trait too.


There was quite a good thread on here about it all, describing the various options, the operation and outcomes....

[biggbn]

ClaphamGT3 said:

Had a bit of a bolt from the blue this afternoon.

After noticing my close vision begining to deteriorate and noticing my longer vision wasn't as sharp as it was, I went to the optician, expecting to have my short sight prescription increased along with varifocals.

The optometrist took a while examining my eyes and then got a colleague in to check them too. I was somewhat stunned when he told me I had cataracts in both eyes. I am 51, fit and healthy with no history of glaucoma or eye disease in the family. The optometrists couldnt really explain why other than to say that it's not unknown for people to get cataracts in their 50s and that, given a lifetime of sailing and skiing, it could be UV damage.

I need to go and see an opthalmic consultant but they both thought it would be 3-5 years before I need surgery - albeit with quarterly eye tests to check on speed of deterioration.

Anyone else had this?

Had cataracts in my 40s, both lenses replaced, made a huge difference. Its the most commonly carried out op apparently!!

[dxg]

I, too, have been told I have early signs in my mid forties. It was a hell of a shock. I'm to wear shades at every opportunity as UV damage was cited as the cause, which is strange as I've hardly had an outdoor life...

[ParanoidAndroid]

dxg said:

I, too, have been told I have early signs in my mid forties. It was a hell of a shock. I'm to wear shades at every opportunity as UV damage was cited as the cause, which is strange as I've hardly had an outdoor life...

That’s what I was told as well. Again odd as I spend most of my days working in an office!

[lemansky]

ClaphamGT3 said:

Had a bit of a bolt from the blue this afternoon.

After noticing my close vision begining to deteriorate and noticing my longer vision wasn't as sharp as it was, I went to the optician, expecting to have my short sight prescription increased along with varifocals.

The optometrist took a while examining my eyes and then got a colleague in to check them too. I was somewhat stunned when he told me I had cataracts in both eyes. I am 51, fit and healthy with no history of glaucoma or eye disease in the family. The optometrists couldnt really explain why other than to say that it's not unknown for people to get cataracts in their 50s and that, given a lifetime of sailing and skiing, it could be UV damage.

I need to go and see an opthalmic consultant but they both thought it would be 3-5 years before I need surgery - albeit with quarterly eye tests to check on speed of deterioration.

Anyone else had this?

Answering the bit I've bolded - yes, just about everyone who lives to a certain age!

UV light exposure is a big factor, definitely. People in 3rd world countries (with no access to sunspecs or other protection) can be struggling with their vision in their 30's.

Other factors include smoking, steroid use and trauma. It can also be hereditary.

Everyone is different. Sometimes, cataracts can start to form and then don't really change for years.

The phaco-emulsification procedure is literally that - a procedure. Takes ten minutes and you're home in time for tea with some eye drops.

A big change from the days of waiting until the cataract was 'ripe' and was removed whole, like a clove of garlic.
Stitches in the eye and a few days in hospital. Yuck.

Ultimately, listen to the advice of the ophthalmic consultant but there's nothing to stop you getting it done at any time, if you go private.

If you want it done on the NHS, you'll need a referral from your optom which verifies your corrected acuity falls below a certain standard. In this current climate, you could be on the waiting list for up to 12 months, possibly longer.

If you go private, I have no idea what the going rate is in these Covid-times.
A few years ago, you'd be looking at £2500 - £3500 per eye.

[spikeyhead]

ClaphamGT3 said:

Thanks guys - really helpful and reassuring to hear the experiences of others.

Having always enjoyed rude good health, I remain entirely convinced in my head that I’m really only 28, so this was a first sobering indicator that I’m knocking on a bit

As a 55 year old that's convinced he's still only 27, I've had mild cataracts for years but they don't impinge on my life at all. Sometime in the future, when it's convenient to me, I'll have lens replacement done privately, but that's as much because my eyesight is about -8 than due to cataracts.

[Mr Pointy]

spikeyhead said:

As a 55 year old that's convinced he's still only 27, I've had mild cataracts for years but they don't impinge on my life at all. Sometime in the future, when it's convenient to me, I'll have lens replacement done privately, but that's as much because my eyesight is about -8 than due to cataracts.

I used to be -7.5/-8.5 so I can guess what you vision is like: RLE is a real life transformation if you're that short sighted. It's hard to explain how incredible it is to just be able to see clearly without putting glasses on or putting contact lenses in. You wake up & you can actually see the room. No sweaty glasses in the summer. No messing about with cleaning lenses or waking up with your eyelids stuck together because you fell asleep with your lenses in.

[tobinen]

I had a cataract op and new lens two years ago aged 49. Massive difference for me but I still need glasses. I have another one developing in the other eye but it's not serious yet. I am fortunate to have private cover through work so I only waited a month.

I have my annual eye test tomorrow so I'll ask the tester to have a good check.

[tobinen]

Test outcome: My other cataract has developed further such that I need a new prescription. I'll give it another year on advice of the optician and then it's likely I'll have another operation.