Cataract Operation

[terminal7]

It seems that I will require cataract ops in both eyes in the near future. The next step is to have a consultation with a consultant. Of course my opticians has explained the options and I have done a little research. The big decision to make is whether to go with monofocal lens or multifocal lens (with attendant cost implications). Obviously the former will require post op prescription glasses. I was wondering whether any Fools have experience of multifocal lens? In particular whether they still needed glasses at a later date - maybe some time after the op?

Thanks for any feedback,

T7

[Lootman]

I am not as close to needing this as you evidently are, but I have had consultations about it, and had the measurements done.

My specialist can do the "basic" surgery but would refer me to another specialist if I wanted the more complex type of lens. What that tells me is that there is potentially more to go wrong if you go for the more complex option. And on that basis, when I do this I will choose the simple lens, and accept that I will still need glasses for at least some situations.

It is the most common type of surgery done at the NHS and so is routine and done on an out-patient basis. But at the end of the day it is still eye surgery and I want it to be as easy, quick and straightforward as it can be.

My doctor also told me not to schedule it before I need it as "the technology is improving all the time". I have a cataract in one eye but not the other, so there is no urgency.

I imagine there are others here who have had the procedure who can advise more.

[Alaric]

The big decision to make is whether to go with monofocal lens or multifocal lens (with attendant cost implications). Obviously the former will require post op prescription glasses. I

In it's being done under the NHS, you may not be offered the option.

One point to mention is timing. There are activities that are banned or not advised in the few weeks after surgery. These would include working in dusty environments, swimming and gardening (!).

[Dod101]

The big decision to make is whether to go with monofocal lens or multifocal lens (with attendant cost implications). Obviously the former will require post op prescription glasses. I

In it's being done under the NHS, you may not be offered the option.

One point to mention is timing. There are activities that are banned or not advised in the few weeks after surgery. These would include working in dusty environments, swimming and gardening (!).

I have had both my eyes done for cataract removal. I had the op on the NHS about 10/12 years ago. I still wear glasses mainly I am told because one eye is not perfectly 'round'. There is a technical expression for that but what it means is that I am constantly trying to correct this and it strains my eye causing tiredness. The lenses have not been changed since my op which says something for its success. Totally successful and I have monofocal lenses. I was not offered anything else. They are definitely biased towards distance sight and I can see as well without glasses as with for distance.

The biggest benefit was that colours after the op leapt out at me. I did not realise it but before the op I was seeing the world through a sort of net curtain and everything was a variation on grey.

Dod

[stewamax]

I had both eyes done - a week apart - by the 'laser' people Optimax who had a site near a railway station (you won't be able to drive home) and offer Intraocular lens (IOL) implants. It is apparently getting more common for youngsters with some money have to have IOLs in place of needing glasses or contact lenses for distance vision, so it not just for cataracts. Laser 'surgery' is cheaper but not permanent in the sense that the lens itself changes with age. (The simpler Lasik version is not normally re-done; it is replaced with Lasek that is 'less painless'...)

A written recommendation from one of Specsavers' tame ophthalmologists was sufficient for nice Mr BUPA to pay without needing a GP's reference.
The procedure takes around 15 minutes per eye and is painless. I had some (painless) swelling of the rear of one eye which was controlled by bromfenac (trade name Yellox) drops.

I have had hereditary monovision (one eye for distance and the other for reading) since teens, and the consultant surgeon gave me the option to continue with monovision (i.e. one lens would be for reading), but recommended that I elect for both lenses for distance. He did not recommend the multifocal IOL version of varifocals that OP was asking about since I had never used varifocal glasses.

The result for me is excellent, probably permanent, and for anyone (never me!) who regularly pays for designer frames with new lens prescriptions, is not that expensive. To OP's point, one should compare the cost of varifocal glasses with that of multifocal IOL implants. If OP has high astigmatism, there is a more expensive 'toric' version of the lens.

If the work were done via the NHS, OP will almost certainly not be be offered anything other than straightforward 'distance' IOLs unless medically contraindicated.

[GrahamPlatt]

Could be wrong, but I thought it was pretty much standard NHS practice to offer one lens (eye) for reading and the other for distance.
When I initially heard of this I thought it might be problematic, but apparently your brain sorts everything out.

[Dod101]

Could be wrong, but I thought it was pretty much standard NHS practice to offer one lens (eye) for reading and the other for distance.
When I initially heard of this I thought it might be problematic, but apparently your brain sorts everything out.

My lenses are certainly biased in both eyes to distance, although my near sight is not bad either without glasses.

Dod

[abisgran]

I had cataracts removed 20 years ago on nhs(Several years between first and second op on the other eye.)Chose to have leases for distance in both eyes and dispense with the need for glasses for driving etc .Need glasses for reading only now and no charge in prescription since.I generally find the more complex things are the more likelihood that something will go wrong/not suit/break down.

[abisgran]

Sorry -no change in prescription-typo!

[stewamax]

Could be wrong, but I thought it was pretty much standard NHS practice to offer one lens (eye) for reading and the other for distance. When I initially heard of this I thought it might be problematic, but apparently your brain sorts everything out.

Your brain does indeed sort monovision out as far as it can, but you lose stereoscopic vision so you then shouldn't drive without distance glasses.

If, like me, you have been used to monovision, continuing with it after an IOL implant would be manageable as your brain is already wired for it. The problem comes with those of a certain age - those who are most likely to need cataract surgery anyway - and whose brains are not already used to monovision. If such individuals then find the result disorientating, there is no remedy apart from glasses.

I am happy with my new 20/20 distance vision and wear +2D reading glasses that are adequate for both books and VDUs (and cheap).

[look]

there is also castor oil.
it workt good for my mother.
in a video they say: use it no more than 3 days, if it doesn't help, try other thing.
you must observe some precautions.

[terminal7]

there is also castor oil.
it workt good for my mother.
in a video they say: use it no more than 3 days, if it doesn't help, try other thing.
you must observe some precautions.

I didn't know Therese Coffey posts on this site.

T7

[look]

to terminal7.

i did a search about Therese but didn't find anything about the issue.
it's said that people ingeneral have closed heads in health questions. I am misunderstood very often.
let me tell more about my mother.
She has 84 years and was thinking to do a cataract cirurgy. The doctor said she won't improve her vision like the others because she has also advanced macular degeneration, she has only 10% of her vision.
I had read about more than 10 natural and alternative treatments.
The night after consulting the doctor i sit at the computer and thought i must find a better thing.
Then i choose the castor oil, because this "use it only 3 days and try other thing if it coesn't help".
I aplly the drops at night (one of the precautions0 and the next morning my mother said: it's wonderful, i am seeing again.

[Itsallaguess]

Let me tell more about my mother.

She has 84 years and was thinking to do a cataract surgery.

The doctor said she won't improve her vision like the others because she has also advanced macular degeneration, she has only 10% of her vision.

I had read about more than 10 natural and alternative treatments.

The night after consulting the doctor I sit at the computer and thought I must find a better thing.

Then I choose the castor oil, because this "use it only 3 days and try other thing if it doesn't help".

I apply the drops at night (one of the precautions) and the next morning my mother said: it's wonderful, I am seeing again.

Seeing a way to stop her quack son putting more drops of castor oil in her eyes...

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

[servodude]

Let me tell more about my mother.

She has 84 years and was thinking to do a cataract surgery.

The doctor said she won't improve her vision like the others because she has also advanced macular degeneration, she has only 10% of her vision.

I had read about more than 10 natural and alternative treatments.

The night after consulting the doctor I sit at the computer and thought I must find a better thing.

Then I choose the castor oil, because this "use it only 3 days and try other thing if it doesn't help".

I apply the drops at night (one of the precautions) and the next morning my mother said: it's wonderful, I am seeing again.

Seeing a way to stop her quack son putting more drops of castor oil in her eyes...

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

IIRC look doesn't live under the auspices of a health service run for public benefit... so I can understand trying whatever you can get your hands on.
...and often placebos can offer some relief

But I'm very tempted to think that the sensation of improvement in this case is because the oil gets flushed out after making it worse

[look]

Servodude, only once, only 1 drop.

[terminal7]

Anyone been to Lourdes recently?

T7