Cataracts

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Discussion

andyA700

Original Poster:

3,325 posts

44 months

Saturday 6th January
quotequote all
So, I was diagnosed with cataracts a few months ago in my left eye. Had the op done yesterday, was told that I would see an immediate improvement. This morning got the patch off, cleaned gently around the eyelid as recommended, then got the missus to put one drop in. I have to admit that I am quite underwhelmed at the moment, maybe a slight improvement on what it was, but there is a dull pain and a lot of redness.
The clinic is not open until Monday, so should I be on the blower ASAP or am I being a bit impatient?

mike9009

7,588 posts

250 months

Saturday 6th January
quotequote all
I have had both eyes done. I had my vision corrected too which was the game changer for me, no glasses! But TBH the other impacts were not so substantive.

I did write in here (cannot remember the thread?) about the immediate after op impact. I seem to recall it took a few days for it all to settle down. So I would overtly worry until they open again on Monday.

HTH

Jon39

13,375 posts

150 months

Saturday 6th January
quotequote all

As a cataract involves clouding of the lens, presumably your vision through that affected eye before the operation, was rather like looking through greaseproof paper.

Therefore the 'fogginess' aspect should end following the cloudy lens removal, when everything has settled, but properly focussed vision may not return until you have the prescription glasses (if applicable to your circumstances).


Blackpuddin

17,411 posts

212 months

Saturday 6th January
quotequote all
I had mine done a couple of years back plus another op where they put holes in somewhere (capsulectomy?) but didn't notice much improvement either, turned out my vision problems were more to do with clumping of the vitreous jelly gunk in my eyeballs.

Red9zero

7,911 posts

64 months

Saturday 6th January
quotequote all
mike9009 said:
I have had both eyes done. I had my vision corrected too which was the game changer for me, no glasses! But TBH the other impacts were not so substantive.

I did write in here (cannot remember the thread?) about the immediate after op impact. I seem to recall it took a few days for it all to settle down. So I would overtly worry until they open again on Monday.

HTH
I had the same and was told five days before normal vision would resume, which was about right.

redhotsheep

19 posts

34 months

Saturday 6th January
quotequote all
No need to ring the clinic yet.

How bad was vision pre-op? Obviously the worse the cataract the bigger the improvement. One absolute pet peeve of mine is patients having cataracts removed when they have virtually no symptoms. But they've been told they have the dreaded cataracts and see it like some kind of tumour that must be removed at all costs. Minimal / no symptoms you've got the same risks as those with dense cataracts who are fighting for a lot more.

Also the denser the cataract (and bigger improvement to be had), generally the longer the recovery. More energy used, more likely to get a bit of inflammation (inside eye or clear window).

Look out for significant pain or drop in vision which could signify nasty infection. Otherwise give it some time with your post op drops and see how you go.


Jon39

13,375 posts

150 months

Saturday 6th January
quotequote all

redhotsheep said:

Also the denser the cataract (and bigger improvement to be had), generally the longer the recovery.
More energy used, more likely to get a bit of inflammation (inside eye or clear window).


I am interested to understand more about your explanation above.

Thinking simplistically, the human lens is removed and replaced with a specific man-made lens, suited to individual vision.
The human lens extracted might happen to be less, or more dense, but why should that variation make difference to a patients recovery period?


redhotsheep

19 posts

34 months

Saturday 6th January
quotequote all
Removing a denser cataract needs more energy than a soft cataract. More ultrasound energy in the eye = more inflammation. A dense cataract is like chopping through a rock whereas a soft cataract is like the inside of a grape.

Tagteam

320 posts

30 months

Sunday 7th January
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I had both eyes done and tbh saw an immediate improvement when I removed the eye cover the next day. Maybe I was a lucky one.

andyA700

Original Poster:

3,325 posts

44 months

Sunday 7th January
quotequote all
redhotsheep said:
No need to ring the clinic yet.

How bad was vision pre-op? Obviously the worse the cataract the bigger the improvement. One absolute pet peeve of mine is patients having cataracts removed when they have virtually no symptoms. But they've been told they have the dreaded cataracts and see it like some kind of tumour that must be removed at all costs. Minimal / no symptoms you've got the same risks as those with dense cataracts who are fighting for a lot more.

Also the denser the cataract (and bigger improvement to be had), generally the longer the recovery. More energy used, more likely to get a bit of inflammation (inside eye or clear window).

Look out for significant pain or drop in vision which could signify nasty infection. Otherwise give it some time with your post op drops and see how you go.
Thanks to everyone who replied, last night (without the protective cap) was much better as was this morning.
Thanks RHS, this was a very dense cataract on my left eye. This morning was a revelation, immediately I got up I could see the difference, much clearer, hardly affected by the light. My wife drove us shopping and I drove back using quieter roads, constantly doing number plate reading from 20 to 30 metres. I used the drops four times (as recommended) yesterday, also too Paracetomol for the aching, dull pain. Today taking the drops but the pain has gone so have ditched the painkillers for now. Just a little redness in the eye, so fingers crossed for the checkup in four weeks time.

Jamescrs

4,874 posts

72 months

Sunday 7th January
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I had both mine done over 10 years ago, I was in my 30s so young to have Cataracts but I have another eye condition which made me more susceptible to it.

When I had my first done I was almost blind in my right eye so the difference was huge for me, my second eye not as significant but pre cataracts I required glasses for day to day including driving, now I don't although I am slightly longsighted now so occasionally need reading glasses for small detail.

When I had mine done I had an issue with the stitch they put into the eyeball which caused an infection and I had to have it removed after 2-3 days, no real issue but having a stitch cut and puled out of your eye is very weird.

No regrets at all at having it done though, i'd do it again tomorrow

SwanJack

1,922 posts

279 months

Sunday 7th January
quotequote all
I've had both done about four years apart, caused by the treatment required to fix torn retinas. The improvement was almost immediate, depth of vision returned and I now only need reading glasses.