Location: The Burrow, N53:48:02 W1:48:57, The Tin Tent - EGBS, EGBO
Posts: 2,094
I had one done last May. In first thing in the morning, last on list so into theatre at around 11:45, back home an hour later after some very welcome coffee and toast. Eyeshield (curved one) to be kept on overnight then wash around eye with clean warm water and eyedrops as per instructions. The evening after the op I was sitting in my front room gazing out of the window and suddenly realised I was using the affected eye again. The only downside was not being allowed to drive until after my follow-up appointment. I got around the problem of shopping by using the bus (and my bus pass), taking Bryn wearing his backpack with me and using him to carry a few items at a time - carrying any sort of weight wasn't allowed but Bryn could have carried up to 8kgs at a time but never had more than 2.5kgs to contend with. Belfrybat - don't forget to use wrap-around sunglasses.
From all the stories they've passed on the chances of a 'problem' are absolutely minimal and its a 25 minute procedure each eye, local so you can chat to the surgeon as they do it.
So rarely does the chance come my way genuinely to agree with BDiONU that I now grab it. Frau Davaar just had the eyes "done". Her only complaint is that now she sees my defects even more clearly than before.
Location: The Burrow, N53:48:02 W1:48:57, The Tin Tent - EGBS, EGBO
Posts: 2,094
PingDit - many people are frightened by the thought of seeing someone using needles and surgical instruments around their eyes. I'm a retired nurse and have to say that I wasn't too charmed by the idea either but was able to reason things out to myself. In the end I couldn't and didn't feel or see a thing. Anaesthetising eyedrops were used before the full local anaesthetic was inserted and this completely blurred any vision I may have had. I didn't need any analgesia afterwards although I had bought a small amount of paracetamol just in case.
Thanks for that DX. Fortunately(?), due to an involuntary twitch my wife has, she's having to undergo the procedure under a general anaesthetic. It'll just be nerves pre-op we'll have to contend with.
Specsavers, during an eye test, told me I had developing cataracts and referred me to a specialist at the hospital. If there is anyone more scared of having his/her eyes looked at, perhaps the wimp could be introduced to me. The examination lasted some 2/3 hours, during which time various tinctures and very bright lights were introduced to my eyes, one in particular which made the pupils expand to maximum. After yet another substance was put into my eyes, I was asked to hang about outside for half an hour. He then told me he was going to touch my eyeball with a metal instrument, telling me not to worry, I would not feel a thing. He informed me that there were the merest hint of cataracts forming but it would be a matter of many years before they became a nuisance. He wound up the proceedings by telling me he was giving me a complete discharge....I swear I never felt a thing during the several hours...my fear of having anyone - mafia hoods excluded - meddle with my eyes has vanished.
Have the treatment with confidence. But do not drive yourself there. Your eyes will need to settle down in their own good time.
I had both eyes done a few years ago. Recommended many others to get done after that and am only aware of ONE person who had a minor infection after, which gave her some discomfort but was easily cured within days. The only side effect I had was that I now find it difficult to play snooker/pool. When bending right forwards and looking under my eyebrows I get double vision. No problem at all when sitting or standing and looking out normally. I have heard of no one else having this problem.
How about close-up vision? I work with some rather tiny components, as it is I use a visor cap with magnifying lenses. For really close-up I peer over the glasses holding the object a few centimeters from the eye.
I had the normal lens inserted, so I still wear reading glasses. My prescription for reading glasses, 2.0, did not change. Still hasn't come to think about it.
I was signed off yesterday after having my second eye done. I have an absolute phobia about anyone touching my eyes and wanted a general anesthetic ( request refused) but have to say despite my nerves I felt nothing. All I remember was what lovely warm soft hands the Nurse had!! The difference is mind blowing suddenly the World is clearer and no specs for distance any more, my vision is near perfect after being pretty dreadful.
Close up I didn't need specs before but do now, that said the prescription is mild and I knew it would be the case but am actually surprised how good my close up vision still is. No problem though
Bottom line it is probably better than having a tooth out but the result is life changingly brilliant. When I go surfing now I can actually see the waves coming which helps no end!!
Eyes felt a little gritty afterwards and the drops they give sting a bit at first but overall a doddle.
It's the fashionable operation at the gliding club. All the chaps who have had their cateracts done are delighted with the results, as was a friend who live 'up north'. She said that after having the first eye done she wondered where all the wrinkles had come from... She was the only one who had some problems with the second eye, but AFAIK it all settled down. My father was looking forward to his being treated but sadly died before it could happen.
They don't do both eyes at the same time. So, for some time (when the eye patch is off) you have one "good" eye and one "bad" one. The most amazing thing is that, when you compare each, the colour white is definitely white via the good eye whilst via the bad one it is most definitely yellow. Other colours show a similar improvement. Bottom line for me: this is an op that I cannot recommend enough and the downsides (if any) are minimal and can usually be rectified quickly. The op was painless (and I hate anything to do with eyes), and I actually looked forward to having the second one done. My optician now grades my eyesight as better than 20/20. I now drive at night whereas, with cataracts, the dazzle from oncoming headlights made it impossible, and I can now see better when driving at night than my wife who has very good vision.
For close up stuff I buy the really cheap reading glasses from the 99p shop. Now got several pairs (of various strengths) for everything from really close to computer work and dotted around the house and car where I need them - all at 99 pence each. Works fine for me.
But I've bad news about my detached retina surgery. Along with a detached retina, I also had a hole in my retina. The retina did 100% reattach, but the hole in the retina did not close.
So effectively I'm blind in my left eye. I still had full peripheral vision, which does help and I'm happy about that, but straight ahead vision, just a pinched blur.
But what the hell, I'm retired from active flying and when I should go back to private flying I'm sure I can get a waiver for a Third Class Flight physical.
I still think I'll get a black eye patch, I've been told I look rather rakish with a black eye patch.
What are the limitations after the op? Sounds like driving, carrying things and so on isn't on. How long does that last? I need both eyes doing, although they're not that bad yet, but it needs fitting in with the trips abroad for work. Fortunately, there's BUPA so there's more flexibility in schedulaing than if I had to rely on the NHS
At my last eye exam I was informed that I'm starting to develop cataracts. Despite which, I have 6/5 vision in both eyes - very good for spotting oncoming seagulls at five miles, but bloody useless for reading the compass three feet away. The problem is, there's no operation that can fix diplopia, so I'm stuck with permanently wearing glasses - unless I'm having a photo taken and I'm feeling vain.
When bending right forwards and looking under my eyebrows I get double vision. No problem at all when sitting or standing and looking out normally. I have heard of no one else having this problem.
