Lens replacement surgery costs

Wizard_of_Id

lewishardwick wrote: »

I had it done about 10 years ago (sorry, not much help now).

It's a life changer and worth every penny. I'm actually considering replacing my lenses as the newer ones will now correct astigmatism.

My prescription was - 11.5 before surgery, now it's +0.25!

I was planning around £5k per eye.

My brother had his done 12 years ago but he is still happy with the result and his glasses were like coke bottle bottoms at the time :eek:

iammumtoone

wish i hadn't looked at this thread now.

I am not suitable for laser treatment (I appreciate I would have to get this confirmed officially but all the information about it tells me i'm not)

I never reaslised there is an alternative option. I can't afford it but I can dream......or take out finance (note to self - must not do that!)

Wizard_of_Id

iammumtoone wrote: »

wish i hadn't looked at this thread now.

I am not suitable for laser treatment (I appreciate I would have to get this confirmed officially but all the information about it tells me i'm not)

I never reaslised there is an alternative option. I can't afford it but I can dream......or take out finance (note to self - must not do that!)

I have not decided yet myself but I do know that Optimax has a 2 year interest free deal on.

Manxman_in_exile

teddysmum wrote: »

It is available.


While discussing my dread of future cataract surgery (thankfully mine are slow growing),my sister,who was finding contacts less tolerable as she aged, so she was having to wear her glasses more often, said she was considering lens replacement.


I mentioned this to my optician who agreed with me ,that she was insane to want to risk unnecessary surgery ,especially as she may get cataracts too, because our grandmother had them (don't know about our mother as she died young).

Apologies if I've misread this thread but, as someone who worked in the NHS for 25 years, I agree with what I think is the sentiment of the above quoted post. Why "risk unnecessary surgery" if spectacles are still working?


Also, I'd always choose spectacles over contacts.


(PS - I also suffer from iritis/uveitis and have been warned that because of the amount of steroid eye-drops (and eye injections) I've had, I'm more likely to develop cataracts. I'm hoping I won't as I don't look forward to surgery - although, of course, by then it may be necessary.)

Wizard_of_Id

Manxman_in_exile wrote: »

Apologies if I've misread this thread but, as someone who worked in the NHS for 25 years, I agree with what I think is the sentiment of the above quoted post. Why "risk unnecessary surgery" if spectacles are still working?

Spectacles are still working but I have to use two pairs, for distance and reading, I have tried contacts, bi-focals, varifocals and mono-vision and although I am using mono-vision reasonably successfully they still have their limitations and towards the end of the day I find small print difficult and have to carry my reading glasses with me for this reason.

The surgery is not risk free but the risks are so low that I am willing to take them and although it will probably mean two visits a week or so apart, this is not my main concern, the financial implications are way top of my list.

Manxman_in_exile

Wizard_of_Id wrote: »

Spectacles are still working but I have to use two pairs, for distance and reading, I have tried contacts, bi-focals, varifocals and mono-vision and although I am using mono-vision reasonably successfully they still have their limitations and towards the end of the day I find small print difficult and have to carry my reading glasses with me for this reason.

The surgery is not risk free but the risks are so low that I am willing to take them and although it will probably mean two visits a week or so apart, this is not my main concern, the financial implications are way top of my list.

OK - but I've got three pairs of spectacles (distance, reading and intermediate for computer use) plus I carry a magnifying lens with me (useful in supermarkets, banks and solicitors' offices for reading small print).


Opticians have tried to persuade me to buy bifocal and varifocals ("Why would you want two/three pairs of spectacles?") but when I tried varifocals I hated them. To read properly I had to look right down my nose and it did give me a headache.


I appreciate your circumstances might be different from mine and in your position I might accept the risk. But as I posted earlier, I would only undergo necessary surgery, preferably NHS. (And by "necessary" I mean emergency; to set a fracture; to save my sight; to save a limb; or to save my life).


EDIT: If the "financial implications are way top of my list" why bother? Unless surgery can save sight you will otherwise lose.

Wizard_of_Id

I have taken the next step and booked in for a consultation and eye test that will determine what lenses I need and the options available to me. I am hoping to get monovision as I don't like the sound of the possible side effects with graded lenses.

Must go and see if anyone has a money off referral voucher

teddysmum

Manxman_in_exile wrote: »

(PS - I also suffer from iritis/uveitis and have been warned that because of the amount of steroid eye-drops (and eye injections) I've had, I'm more likely to develop cataracts. I'm hoping I won't as I don't look forward to surgery - although, of course, by then it may be necessary.)

My cataracts are slow growing at the moment so, hopefully , my eyes will outlast me.


I dread surgery for a couple of reasons:


A friend who is delighted by the results of having just one eye done, mentioned weeks of using drops, but my eyes are so sensitive that I daren't put water in them, so would be in a real state if I had to use drops.


The other thing is having to be aware while it's done, especially having had my eyes thoroughly examined because of potential torn retinae (they self healed)and a large floater, which is still present. The concentrated bright light and sore back from the tension, made me feel very nauseous and with my balance being out of control.

Alter_ego

Wife needed cataract surgery. She requested replacement lens to correct her vision. NHS eye hospital agreed that her prescription warranted it. It was done free on NHS. (about 5 yrs ago)

Jeniffer08

Thanks for sharing