Unable to work due to cataracts

stuart30

Thought id ask on behalf of a friend.

If you have cataracts and they are at the stage of needing to be removed (NHS guidelines are they will be removed when your no longer fit to drive) would you qualify for ESA...or would you claim JSA.

Assume its ESA but with all the changes last couple of years i wouldnt like to offer bad advice.

They are now waiting for hospital appointment to have one removed and roughly 5 weeks later the other,so i believe potentialy out of work for 3-4 months at a guess..

Current job has just finished (they really shouldnt have been working due to eye sight)...and they cant job hunt until eye sight sorted.

Any thoughts or advice will be passed on.

suki1964

stuart30 wrote: »

Thought id ask on behalf of a friend.

If you have cataracts and they are at the stage of needing to be removed (NHS guidelines are they will be removed when your no longer fit to drive) would you qualify for ESA...or would you claim JSA.

Assume its ESA but with all the changes last couple of years i wouldnt like to offer bad advice.

They are now waiting for hospital appointment to have one removed and roughly 5 weeks later the other,so i believe potentialy out of work for 3-4 months at a guess..

Current job has just finished (they really shouldnt have been working due to eye sight)...and they cant job hunt until eye sight sorted.

Any thoughts or advice will be passed on.

Once the first cataract is done they can drive again. Mum has only clear vision in one eye, she's not had her driving licence revoked and she's 79 this year

If friend can get a fit note from the GP they can claim ESA for 13 weeks until their assessment. If they fail the assessment they then need to switch over to JSA

Tommo1980

You could also claim JSA and provide fit notes for up to 13 weeks.

You can then apply for ESA after this if you are not fit to work for an extended period.

ESA assessment rate and JSA are paid at the same rate.

Tom

Darksparkle

Are there no adaptions that can be made to allow her to keep working? There are blind people in my work, they have software on the pcs to allow them to use them.

nannytone_2

Darksparkle wrote: »

Are there no adaptions that can be made to allow her to keep working? There are blind people in my work, they have software on the pcs to allow them to use them.

speaking software does not solve the issues.

when you are use3d to doing things as a fully sighted person, it isn't just a case of switching to speaking software.

the way you do EVERYTHING changes.

try wearing a blindfold and see how well you get on with speaking software
its really hard to adapt to

also once the cataracts have been removed, everything will go back to normal ( apart from needing reading glasses.

the most commonly used speech/reading programme for businesses is JAWS. it costs about £800.
a bit excessive for a temporary measuer

Darksparkle

nannytone wrote: »

speaking software does not solve the issues.

when you are use3d to doing things as a fully sighted person, it isn't just a case of switching to speaking software.

the way you do EVERYTHING changes.

try wearing a blindfold and see how well you get on with speaking software
its really hard to adapt to

I never said it would be easy. It just doesn't necessarily mean you can't work. I only asked if adaptations where possible.

nannytone_2

Darksparkle wrote: »

I never said it would be easy. It just doesn't necessarily mean you can't work. I only asked if adaptations where possible.

to be honest , the SECOND the cataract is removed, normal vision returns.
it is such a temporary thing that by the time assessments and recommendations have been done there would be no need.

stuart30

Thank you for all the replies.

Ive passed the info on and atleast now they have an understanding of what to do/expect.

Not really an option to look for more work as they work as a security Officer and being able to see is a basic requirement.

stuart30

nannytone wrote: »

to be honest , the SECOND the cataract is removed, normal vision returns.
it is such a temporary thing that by the time assessments and recommendations have been done there would be no need.

You made me curious as my grandad had them done at 84 yrs old....but reading this makes me think your slightly wrong.

Recovering at home

Take it easy for the first two or three days after having cataract surgery. Start using the eye drops after removing the eye shield the day after your operation, and continue to use them until you're advised you can stop – they'll usually be needed for four weeks.
After surgery, you'll probably experience:
mild pain in and around your eye
an itchy or sticky eye
blurred vision
a feeling of grittiness in your eye
a slight headache
bruising of the skin around the eye
discomfort when looking at bright lights

These side effects are completely normal and should improve within a few days.

just_trying

stuart30 wrote: »

You made me curious as my grandad had them done at 84 yrs old....but reading this makes me think your slightly wrong.

Recovering at home

Take it easy for the first two or three days after having cataract surgery. Start using the eye drops after removing the eye shield the day after your operation, and continue to use them until you're advised you can stop – they'll usually be needed for four weeks.
After surgery, you'll probably experience:
mild pain in and around your eye
an itchy or sticky eye
blurred vision
a feeling of grittiness in your eye
a slight headache
bruising of the skin around the eye
discomfort when looking at bright lights

These side effects are completely normal and should improve within a few days.

Think she meant the recovery would be quick, and I don't agree with a lot of her posts.

Your friend may get esa but for a limited period. You're grandad was 84 not working age, your friends sight will return to shall I say to a greater standard, and return to work.

nannytone_2

stuart30 wrote: »

You made me curious as my grandad had them done at 84 yrs old....but reading this makes me think your slightly wrong.

Recovering at home

Take it easy for the first two or three days after having cataract surgery. Start using the eye drops after removing the eye shield the day after your operation, and continue to use them until you're advised you can stop – they'll usually be needed for four weeks.
After surgery, you'll probably experience:
mild pain in and around your eye
an itchy or sticky eye
blurred vision
a feeling of grittiness in your eye
a slight headache
bruising of the skin around the eye
discomfort when looking at bright lights

These side effects are completely normal and should improve within a few days.

i speak from experience.
i had cataracts removed in march and august 2004 when i was 41 ( so possibly the fact that your grandfather was already aged made a difference? )

i had eve drops for a few weeks, was told not to lift anything heavy for a week and also told to try not to sneeze

the sights was restored immediately, the advice regarding what you should or shouldn't do is purely to ensure that the implanted lens stays where they placed it.

unless it is a physical job, you can work immediately ( or once you have your reading glasses if you do 'close' work)