Cataract Op

[bednobs]

Hi, on the day before Christmas Eve I went to the optician and it turns out I need a cataract op. They referred me to a local private place that carries out these is on behalf of the NHS. Yesterday I had a text inviting me to make an appt. I picked 2/1/25. There is very little info in the text or on the appt website and I am assuming it's an appt to assess for the op. It can't be the actual op can it? I am deciding whether to drive myself or get a lift

[-SharonA-]

They should appraise you first. Or else you're going in blind.

[bednobs]

Ha! 😂 

[Toorak]

If it the initial appointment - which I suspect it is - you should get someone to drive you because you will have drops in your eyes which mean you can't drive. You also need to have someone to drive for you after the op. Based on Mr T's experience, though, you should be driving in a day or so.

[Captain2]

It will be an appraisal, if it follows the way mine went. They will dilate your eyes, so I'd seek further advice about being able to drive home - I employed the chaffeur, aka the Good Lady 😉

[bhg481]

It will be an assessment but, because they might put drops in your eyes, they might not want you to drive there or back. Check before you go - you don't want the assessment being put off.

Incidentally, I had my cataracts done a couple of years ago and it's less bother than having a blood test. Don't be afraid of the op and you'll be amazed just how much difference it makes.

[bednobs]

You're near me bhg, where were yours done?

[jourdain2]

Whichever, you'll need someone to drive you home.  Appraisal means drops and they take ages to wear off.  This is the most likely. Has anyone asked if you want to wear glasses for reading or distance?  That always has to be discussed.

I don't know the system they are talking about, but the same would apply if they actually removed the cataracts after a swift discussion.  P.S. Don't worry about it, it's a doddle.

[ladybirder]

These private hospitals aren't busy at this time of year so they take in NHS patients.  I had both of my eyes done but could have driven home myself home if I had sat in my car after the op for say 20 minutes.

[Pooka1950]

I've just had my second cataract done at an NHS hospital and was told not to drive until the after op assessment which is usually 4 weeks later. I wouldn't have felt safe driving "in a day or so" Toorak

[bookbinder]

I've had both eyes operated on (a long time ago), and I had no problems, neither before nor after. Get a taxi to take you there and back. 

[bhg481]

bednobs - I had my eyetest at Specsavers, Calcot and they referred me to the NHS. I got a letter a few days later offering me a choice of hospitals, RBH (about 12 months' wait), Frimley Park (I think, and about 6 months' wait) or SpaMedica at Wokingham ( a few weeks wait). Specsavers had warned me about this, said SpaMedica would be quickest and they'd only had good reports about them; I chose SpaMedica. I was offered an assessment appointment within about a fortnight, and one eye was done just a few weeks after that. What they do is to use a laser to painlessly destroy the current lens in your eye and then replace it with a plastic one. You will be asked if you want the new lens to be set for distance or reading; I chose distance, so now my vision is perfect for outdoors and watching TV etc but I need specs for reading. I've heard of people choosing a different lens for each eye but that didn't appeal to me. There is also a private option of a focussable lens, so no specs at all needed but I preferred the free NHS option. If SpaMedica is on your list I would certainly recommend it. A friend who lives in Tadley went to CHEC eye hospital in Basingstoke under the same system and was equally pleased with them.

[bednobs]

thanks, its chec

[Peter Pedant]

assessment: I wd talke a taxi

[ladybirder]

I also recommend Spa Medica, they did mine.

[Old_Geezer]

Whenever I've had such drops I've tended to go to the hospital cateen and have coffee until my vision is ok again. Of course, if you are paying for parking by the hour then may not be so attractive.

[Old_Geezer]

...canteen...

[Buenchico]

This is from the SpaMedica website but things will almost certainly be very much the same with Chec:
https://www.spamedica.co.uk/patient-journey/pre-op-appointment/

[bhg481]

bednobs - a final word from me. I've never known anybody who wasn't apprehensive about having their first cataract op - the thought of someone messing about with your eyes makes you cringe. I have also never known anybody who didn't really look forward to their second eye being done. 

[-SharonA-]

I am looking forward to getting my other eye done. 

[ladybirder]

Before my ops, my left eye was the worst, very blurred.  After my ops, my left eye is better than my right eye.  Is that odd or is it a common experience?