Cataract surgery

GlasweJen

duncanthedog wrote: »

My dad got his done at Optical Express in Glasgow, 2 days 2 new lenses, no problems, perfect vision.

There's a reason the NHS don't do both so quickly, had he contracted endophthalmitis he could have lost both eyes.

Manxman_in_exile

GlasweJen wrote: »

There's a reason the NHS don't do both so quickly, had he contracted endophthalmitis he could have lost both eyes.

Yeah. My sister's partner had cataracts in both eyes. The NHS in the Isle of Man would only do one at a time. The first has been done (great success apparently which surprised me as healthcare on the island is not as good as it could be). He's waiting for the second one to be done.

GlasweJen

Manxman_in_exile wrote: »

Yeah. My sister's partner had cataracts in both eyes. The NHS in the Isle of Man would only do one at a time. The first has been done (great success apparently which surprised me as healthcare on the island is not as good as it could be). He's waiting for the second one to be done.

I've seen the results of private clinics pushing these surgeries so close together, frankly I'm surprised that the government doesn't intervene as it's left to the nhs to clean up the mess at huge expense to the tax payer and to the detriment of everyone waiting on the nhs waiting lists to see an ophthalmologist.

Undervalued

justtheonce wrote: »

Referal been made by optician, with copy to GP. No recommendation.
Waiting lists long, therefore reason for asking for info 're private.
We would be paying ourselves, no health insurance.

Look on the website of any local BUPA / Spire or other reputable private hospital. It will normally have a list of the consultants who use their facilities to see patients privately. You can easily see if they are on your insurer's approved list and establish what NHS posts they hold etc etc. In most cases you can "self refer".

pmduk

justtheonce wrote: »

Referal been made by optician, with copy to GP. No recommendation.
Waiting lists long, therefore reason for asking for info 're private.
We would be paying ourselves, no health insurance.

Have you asked the optician whether he could give you an NHS referral to a private clinic?

It seems to be the principal way of getting cataract surgery in this area. I had my first op within days this time last year, by using this method.

getmore4less

One of our local hospitals has put in a cataract unit doing 100 extra week waiting times are right down already and they are doing the followups after there regular list working late.

Those needing both done get the second scheduled quickly after follow up of the first.

Although some cateracts come on very quick why was this not picked up earlier before becoming so rgent, sight will have been deteriating for some time.

pmduk

getmore4less wrote: »

Although some cateracts come on very quick why was this not picked up earlier before becoming so rgent, sight will have been deteriating for some time.

Obviously, I can't speak in the OP's case, but mine developed to the point of needing surgery within 9 months from a previous eye exam. They'd not been noticeable at the earlier exam.

justtheonce

He has worn glasses for many years, and has regular eye tests.
Last year he wasn't able to see writing on tv with glasses on, trip to optician who stated that sometimes your time eyes change with qge, and he was able to read and drive without glasses. He was told he had start of cataracts, and return if any change. The change came within a four day period. He didn't have any blurred vision prior to that.

pmduk

justtheonce wrote: »

The change came within a four day period. He didn't have any blurred vision prior to that.

That must have been terrifying. I still can't believe the change in my vision since the surgery, the surgeon's clever choice of lens strengths now mean I don't need distance glasses for the first time in my life.

beefstew

Do not do as I did and have your cataract done by a specialist at a private hospital but paid for by the NHS an option being commonly used these days.I had problems on day two which they checked out and again a few days later and on that appointment they could n't discharge me quick enough despite my protests that I would prefer another consultation further down the line which they assured me I would n't need despite it was due to problems that day that I was there again in the first place.When I did in fact develop further problems with bad eye pain they would n't see me because they said the NHS would nt pay for it and they offered me no advise as to who was now responsible for my care or seemed to care and I ended up having to make several phone calls to find help,fortunately my overworked doctors surgery instantly stepped in and got some immediate help for me.........so beware ......if you do go down this route check that you are not going to end up in my situation .