Cloudy lens 2 years after cataract surgery

Cloudy lens 2 years after cataract surgery

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johnboy1975

Original Poster:

8,500 posts

113 months

Tuesday 24th January 2023
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Surprise diagnosis, I felt fine (puppy ate my glasses yikes so popped along for an eye test / new glasses)...he's fine too btw), but it became clear during my eye exam that I was struggling with vision in my left eye. I didn't have a clue til then, whereas when I had the cataract I could only see light and dark (basically)

Also surprised at how common it is:

said:
Up to half of all people or more will develop cloudy vision after cataract surgery. A secondary cataract, also called posterior capsular opacification (PCO), can happen months or years after you've had cataract surgery. PCO is the most common development after cataract surgery.
Been referred for 6-8 weeks time. Presumably for a looksee, rather than to correct it then and there? Any idea how long I could be waiting... Actually, is there any chance the wait is for the actual surgery? That's pretty bloody good if so

Had the choice between local hospital (unspecified wait, prob >> 8 weeks) or SpaMedica, whom I assumed are a private outfit outsourced to the NHS (now confirmed). Obviously chose the latter... Wasn't given a choice first time round - is this new? Kinda off topic, is this the "backdoor privatisation" people talk about?


Louis Balfour

27,311 posts

227 months

Tuesday 24th January 2023
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johnboy1975 said:
Surprise diagnosis, I felt fine (puppy ate my glasses yikes so popped along for an eye test / new glasses)...he's fine too btw), but it became clear during my eye exam that I was struggling with vision in my left eye. I didn't have a clue til then, whereas when I had the cataract I could only see light and dark (basically)

Also surprised at how common it is:

said:
Up to half of all people or more will develop cloudy vision after cataract surgery. A secondary cataract, also called posterior capsular opacification (PCO), can happen months or years after you've had cataract surgery. PCO is the most common development after cataract surgery.
Been referred for 6-8 weeks time. Presumably for a looksee, rather than to correct it then and there? Any idea how long I could be waiting... Actually, is there any chance the wait is for the actual surgery? That's pretty bloody good if so

Had the choice between local hospital (unspecified wait, prob >> 8 weeks) or SpaMedica, whom I assumed are a private outfit outsourced to the NHS (now confirmed). Obviously chose the latter... Wasn't given a choice first time round - is this new? Kinda off topic, is this the "backdoor privatisation" people talk about?
I don't know the answer to your organisational questions. But my guess is you'll see an optom who will confirm PCO and you'll return for the YAG laser procedure. It is a really quick job, though.

Mr Pointy

11,670 posts

164 months

Tuesday 24th January 2023
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You'll know if they are going to zap you as you will need to sign a consent form. It's very easy process & just takes 10 minutes zapping with a laser.

johnboy1975

Original Poster:

8,500 posts

113 months

Tuesday 24th January 2023
quotequote all
Mr Pointy said:
You'll know if they are going to zap you as you will need to sign a consent form. It's very easy process & just takes 10 minutes zapping with a laser.
Louis Balfour said:
I don't know the answer to your organisational questions. But my guess is you'll see an optom who will confirm PCO and you'll return for the YAG laser procedure. It is a really quick job, though.
Thanks both. Just don't want the vision to deteriorate too much before being seen, like last time. Seems an easier procedure though so fingers crossed

HelenT

267 posts

144 months

Tuesday 24th January 2023
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[
Also surprised at how common it is:


Had the choice between local hospital (unspecified wait, prob >> 8 weeks) or SpaMedica, whom I assumed are a private outfit outsourced to the NHS (now confirmed). Obviously chose the latter... Wasn't given a choice first time round - is this new? Kinda off topic, is this the "backdoor privatisation" people talk about?


[/quote]

20% risk of PCO after cataract surgery, In England outsourcing for both cataract surgery and YAG is becoming increasingly common.
Cataract surgery is probably the perfect operation for this, relatively production line, high demand (most of my Shropshire patients are seen by New Medica and since they started operating in Shrewsbury the wait time has gone down from over 12 months to less than 3 (most of that wait time is taken with 3 steps of shuffling paperwork to get to them, other areas with direct referral are 1 month or less).
My Welsh patients who only get referred in to the hospitals can have a 2 year wait. With YAG some do it there and then (the sensible way as that's what we've sent you in for, I think Spa Medica has been 2 visits for patients I've seen but may vary depending on area but still way quicker than waiting to be seen in a hospital which I would imagine would be a lot more than 12 weeks. Is it "backdoor privitisation" or companies making a profit out of the failings of the NHS probably, but if you can't and can't pay to go private you're not going to argue.

Somebody

1,288 posts

88 months

Friday 27th January 2023
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But it’s the same doctors, right?

The same doctor who does a NHS round/clinic on a Wednesday morning and then operates at the private hospital in the afternoon?

elanfan

5,527 posts

232 months

Friday 27th January 2023
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They’ll examine you with dilation and if it’s PCO they’ll do tge YAG at the same time. Should be in and out in an hour. Next day you’ll see again.

johnboy1975

Original Poster:

8,500 posts

113 months

Friday 27th January 2023
quotequote all
elanfan said:
They’ll examine you with dilation and if it’s PCO they’ll do tge YAG at the same time. Should be in and out in an hour. Next day you’ll see again.
Just the consultation (unfortunately) - had a call off them booking me in. Early March

HelenT

267 posts

144 months

Friday 27th January 2023
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Somebody said:
But it’s the same doctors, right?

The same doctor who does a NHS round/clinic on a Wednesday morning and then operates at the private hospital in the afternoon?
Not always they often have their own staff

HelenT

267 posts

144 months

Friday 27th January 2023
quotequote all
elanfan said:
They’ll examine you with dilation and if it’s PCO they’ll do tge YAG at the same time. Should be in and out in an hour. Next day you’ll see again.
You would think that's how it would work but with contracted out YAG it often requires 2 visits not sure why seems logical to me to to it in one visit (the NHS does in hospitals).

DKL

4,579 posts

227 months

Friday 27th January 2023
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Usually the only reason ours don't get done the same day is equipment down or lack of staff/overcrowded clinic.
To be fair the latter is usual so they work around it. It's not hard or time consuming so it makes sense to get on with it.
Secondary clinics like New medica and spamedica will do it there and then if they agree wit the diagnosis.