Cataract Blindness ?

mumps

margaretclare wrote: »

I pointed out that it has also got worse since we had ours done in 2007, according to what we hear from people round about.

Yes you did, Richie from the Boro feels his experience is the only one that counts. He has even seen me do things I didn't do, ie remove details from a post saying where I live.

Impossible to have a discussion if people can't accept that things vary over time and according to location. The link I gave from the DM quoting a report from RNIB makes it clear that it does vary from area to area. The 80 year old woman it refers to is her husbands carer and she can't even read his med labels, if that doesn't show a real need I don't know what does.

The RNIB report is really interesting if anyone fancies a read http://www.rnib.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/yoursight/Documents/Surgery_deferred_Full_report.pdf

margaretclare

I note that the lady you refer to lives in North Essex where we live in South Essex, and which is one of the places where the new type of surgery was pioneered. Even here, it is more difficult than it was a few years ago!

mumps

margaretclare wrote: »

I note that the lady you refer to lives in North Essex where we live in South Essex, and which is one of the places where the new type of surgery was pioneered. Even here, it is more difficult than it was a few years ago!

It seems to vary alot and her case struck a chord with me, I am my husbands carer and have been for 20 years. Don't want to find myself in her position.

The information in RNIB report does make interesting reading and it is clear that the goalposts are being moved in some areas so I might qualify where you live but not where I live. My own area is close to the average but that is deceptive as I am in an area where lots of people retire so the average age of the population is high and it is therefore likely that the need is higher than average. It is all a bit of a minefield and I don't envy the professionals who are having to make these decisions.

I know the eye department at our local hospital well as two of my children had surgery there when they were younger, one had two ops but the other only needed one but I certainly got to know them well over the years, 11 years regular attendance with one and no sooner was he discharged than the little one had to start.

I am glad that finding the money for private treatment isn't beyond me but I have never had private treatment and would prefer to remain with the NHS but needs must.

nannytone_2

it amazes me that such a simple, quick but life changing operation is being rationed ( or so it appears)
i was already a patient at Moorfields eye hospital when i had my cataract surgery in 2004 at the age of 40.
i had to wait a month because i insisted on a general anaesthetic ( too squeamish to stay awake) i could have had the op in less than 2 weeks if id had it under local.
even so, it was like a conveyer belt, and Moorfields were carrying out 200 cataract operations a week under a general, and that was done in just 4 sessions
they were also performing roughly the same amount in out reach clinics

Indie_Kid

nannytone wrote: »

it amazes me that such a simple, quick but life changing operation is being rationed ( or so it appears)

I'm sure the RNIB have expressed their concerns over this a few times recently.