Anybody Had Their Cataract Done,

[trt]

and is it a long time to wait, once its been diagnosed for the surgery, or does it depend how bad it is?

[jennyjoan]

TRT - my neighbour got both eyes done. I put the drops into her eyes for about a week. She was simply great. My uncle got them done too and he thought it was the best thing since sliced bread

[gingejbee]

As far as time to wait goes....it very much depends on your Health Trust area. My father had cataracts done at a private facility but paid for/run in conjunction with the NHS....a way of cutting down waiting-times.

[Goofy]

MY OH has been referred. About 5 weeks ago, and still waiting for an appointment.
Then, presumably, another wait for the op.

[bookbinder]

I've had both eyes done. I didn't have to wait long for the surgery. I suppose the waiting time depends on where you live, and which hospital is going to do the operation. The surgeons won't do the operation until the cataract has developed to a certain point: I believe that they have to have something 'definite' to work on.

[trt]

To fill you in....
The past few months, I have had problems reading words on my laptop as it all looks grey.
I have used magnifier, tried to change colours, and asked on here for advice, so yesterday I did a kind Q&A test on-line with Boots, and given my answers, it looks like its my cataracts.

My eyesight is blurry/cloudy, even the tv is not as clear as it was, and thats a 50''.

So do I start with the doctor first?

[Togo]

Had both mine done. I was told I would be waiting for at least 9 months for consultancy and op. I went private to have one done paid £1700 and it was done in 3 weeks. When I went back for my check up I asked about the other eye and was told.... yep 9 months. I said that since I now had one eye that was letting me see perfectly well and one that didn't, that I was having trouble using stairs and steps and judging distances and was therefor in danger of injuring myself. The consultant was not happy but signed the referral for the second op. It was done in 5 weeks by the very same team, in the same facility and theatre as the one I paid for. Brilliant results for both eyes though, and I don't need specs for driving only reading.

[Togo]

Go to specsavers. Have an eye test and they will refer you. If you go to your doctor you will be sent to have an eye test anyway.

[trt]

Thanks folks.

[DSJ]

Both done so no longer wear contacts. Very short wait here in the Peterborough area.

[EdmundD]

Had both mine done last year but went private for it. Both eyes done within a month. Best thing I ever did as I was very short-sighted from birth.

[marval]

My OH went to Specsavers and they said he had the first signs of cataracts. They were very good though, and discussed the options with him. But he won't need them done for a few years yet.

[trt]

Spec-savers are giving me an eye test at home on Monday, very nice on the phone today.

[junenbob]

I have

[Buenchico]

You can check hospital waiting times for cataract surgery in your area here:
http://www.nhs.uk/service-search/Hospital/LocationSearch/7/Procedures?procedure=Cataract%20Surgery

[trt]

Thanks Chris, very helpful.

There is a choice of 2 on that site where I live, one is 9/10 weeks, and the other 14 weeks, so I will have to see after the eye test.
Sorry for the pun :-)