36yr old wih cataracts. A bit anxious!!!

Ms-Pacman

Hi, I'm hoping someone has a bit of knowledge on having cataracts removed as I've just been told I have a large cataract covering left eye that needs to be removed, and a smaller one in right eye that possible will need to be removed. This may not be money saving but in a way it is because I've spent £30 on a pair of glasses that are useless to me. Also I've found the feedback and advice given on here is very useful.
After admitting to myself that my eye sight was getting worse and needing decent vision for a pending work medical I needed to pass, I went to opticians.

They spotted the cataract straight away and said they could not test my eyes properly for long distance until cataract removed but would check to see if some short vision glasses might help for reading and computer use at least. To be fair they have a tiny bit but the blurring is even worse probably due to magnification. Right now this minute the blurring is awful and the pressure feeling behind my eyyes is really uncomfortable but not painful. There are no improvments using my new or old glasses on and don't get me started on my sight without glasses. I'm 36 and been told it is rare to have them at my age which didn't exactly make me feel much better! I failed my medical not surprisingly but they are happy to wait until cataract removed.

My main questions are has anyone gone through having these removed, and how long did it take on waiting list etc. My GP and Optician both say that they don't know which I can understand but my worry is how long are work going to wait as needing to pass the medical is quite critical for my position at work.

I've made the mistake of googling the process and am already terrified - not great at going to doctor's for stuff let alone a thing at hospital. I know I'm a coward but at least I admit it!

leylie

Hello - sorry to hear you've got cataracts at such a young age, as you've been told it is rare, but it is known about.

Cataract surgery can be done when it starts seriously impacting on your daily living - with being so young, the consultant will be more inclined to operate at an earlier stage of the cataract development. (Unfortunately some people still talk about waiting for the cataract to 'ripen'... that's rubbish!)

Have you seen the eye consultant yet? That's the person to give you the answers to your questions. Make sure the consultant is aware of your need for the medical at work.

Hopefully you won't have to wait too long. Do you know where your nearest eye hospital is? Ask them for details on their waiting list for cataract surgery - you could also ask them to send you their leaflet about what is involved.

As you said, 'googling' can be a bit frightening, so stick the the respected sites
http://www.rnib.org.uk/eyehealth/eyeconditions/conditionsac/Pages/cataract.aspx

http://http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cataract-surgery/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Hope that helps - if you want more info - or a bit more reassurance you can pm me.

(I have 10 years experience of working as a special needs advisor for people with Visual Impairment)

margaretclare

Yes, DH and I both had cataracts done 2 years ago. The effects have been brilliant. We both wore glasses since we were 11 or 12, now we don't need glasses for normal purposes at all, not even for driving (except sun-glasses).

Thinking has changed over recent years - people used to be told they had to wait until it 'ripened' and that often meant they were near-blind before surgery. Now, the only criterion is that it is affecting your normal life - driving, seeing TV, reading etc.

The ophthalmology department at our local hospital does this surgery in morning and afternoon sessions 5 days a week. On average it takes 15 minutes. No need to worry at all.

HTH

floss2

Ms-Pacman wrote: »

....but my worry is how long are work going to wait as needing to pass the medical is quite critical for my position at work.

Is your job something for which excellent sight is critical, or is it that you need to have good all-round sight to pass that part of your medical? Have you spoken to your HR or Occupational Health department about it? If you are seen to be getting treatment (regardless of the wait, which I hope won't be too long) then they should not cause any detriment because of your (temporarily) poor eyesight.

SailorSam

I was about 50 when i had my first cataract op, i was worried but it really is nothing, no worse than going the dentist and the difference it makes is amazing. After we had all been in for our ops everyone was saying how clear the trees were outside the window.
I went in, in the morning and came home about lunch time, i don't think i had to wait long, i had my op in St Helens and was very pleased.
I dcan't understand how your optician let you pay £30 for new glasses, he should have advised you to wait.

Ms-Pacman

Hi thanks for the replies.
For the work part I work in the rail industry and part of my job will involve going out on site so I need to pass a medical and course to be able to go out on track so it is important. When I took the medical I was told I would have passed if only I could of read the next size print line down in the eye test. I know from previous optician appointments that and the next line down were never any problem. That makes me confident that when I have the cataracts removed it will be ok.

I've always worn glasses from a younger age but not constantly and only for reading. Its only in the last few years that I have realised that I need to wear my glasses constantly.

I'm still waiting for my eye clinic appointment, I've phoned them as well as GP and Optician. Optician said he has sent referral, GP and eye clinic saying not received but I'll chase it again end of next week as they suggested.

I'm just a bit nervous about the procedure, even though the amount of people who have had it done should reasure me. When I close my eyes my imagination goes wild and I see a big needle heading for my eyes since I read about the procedure. OTT I know!

Errata

I'm just a bit nervous about the procedure, even though the amount of people who have had it done should reasure me. When I close my eyes my imagination goes wild and I see a big needle heading for my eyes since I read about the procedure. OTT I know!

My stepdad had cataracts removed from both his eyes when he was in his mid 80's. Didn't feel a thing, enjoyed the cup of tea and biscuit afterwards and a little lie down and snooze. It was a walk in the park for him, and I can assure you he's the world's worst worrier and panicker.

chattycathy1674

Hiya,
Sorry I can't help with any info on timescales etc but just wanted to mention thet I'm 35 and I have a cataract in my right eye!
Left eye more than makes up for it at the mo. Been told when I feel it is a lot worse to get back in touch and they will get me in to do it...
Anyway, good luck! Hope they sort you out soon <{;0)x

Ms-Pacman

Mine are in both eyes, I know they've been there since discovered when was a child but were tiny. Now the left one covers the eye so got to have that one done for definate.

Do you get the strange pressure like feeling, cathy?

Gills

Hi.I was told when I was about 50 that I had cateracts and they needed surgery.I was horrified and terrified.I had never been in hospital before,except to have my kids and just could not stand the thought of having surgery on my eyes.I opted to have a general aneasthetic so I would be out of it,but when I realised this would involve a stay of a few hours or more in hospital,I decided to brave it,so I could get out of there as quick as possible.The day before I was literally sick with fright,even though I knew that people a lot older than me had it done.Anyway,to cut a long story short,there is absolutely nothing to worry about.It's quite quick and its painless.Don't worry about it,go for it.The results are amazing.If I can do it,anybody can ! Gills.

Ms-Pacman

thanks loads for all the replies. Its reasurring to hear it from other people, as waiting to find out details and having to wait puts all sorts of silly ideas in my head because not been in this situation before. I'm just a bit of a wimp!