Eyes update.

[Nana]

I can't find the thread about my cataracts problem so I'll start this one. As most of you know it's been over a year now since I had my first cataract operation. Changed hospitals for a second opinion. Had second cataract done to improve vision. No such luck. Lots of tests, months later it was decided I have a condition called negative dysphotopsia. In short I have to have the present lenses removed and a different type put in. It's rare & I've now been referred to an opthlamic surgeon in Bucks called Larry Benjamin. He sounds a compassionate & kind man. Also the best in his field. So now it can take up to 16wks to see him. Never mind, there's a light at the end of the tunnel now ( all be it a blurred one in my case ). Onwards & upwards.

[Plantaholic]

So sorry you are having this problem Nana but it all sounds positive now. I live in Bucks, which hospital will you be visiting?

[Enfys]

Good news at last, Nana. The weeks will soon past and I hope it all gets sorted out for you. X

[Oma]

Well good news they know what it is and can be sorted , the time will fly by and before you know it you will have your appointment , chin up keep smiling xxx

[Bizzy Lizzy]

Nana I could write a book about post cataract eye problems. I had the first one done (right eye) and had double vision and flashing lights on day three post-op. Was told this would be okay after the second was done. Had the left one done still double vision and flashing lights. Couldn't drive, couldn't see the TV unless I put a patch on one eye (grandkids started calling me Grandma Pirate at this point) - very long story short I ended up having lots of tests at Morefields Eye Hospital in London and needed an operation on the muscle at the back of my left eye in order to help with the double vision. Thankfully I can now drive and read and watch TV without the eye patch but still have very bad glare problems - supermarket lights, hospital/doctor's waiting rooms anywhere with bright lighting is a nightmare. I wear sunglass in the house on bright days and to watch TV in the evening. Good anti-glare Polaroids (the kind worn by fishermen to stop reflection) work well outside. I have so many floaters that the light hitting the back of the eye just scatters causing me to be almost blinded. My one regret was that I didn't go to Morefields in the first place to have the cataracts done (they are the experts) and went for a local hospital instead. I think you are on the right track seeing a good specialist as this is the key to getting the problem sorted out.

[Daisy]

Nana - thank goodness things are moving forward - it's so frustrating and incapacitating when you have vision problems and this has been going on such a long time.

BL - that sounds awful. Thank goodness there's been an improvement - your pirate reputation might have 'gone public'. Seriously you must be very relieved that things are a lot better. Is there anything they can do about the remaining glare problems and floaters?

[Bizzy Lizzy]

Yes there is an operation to remove the Vitreous from the back of the eye and replace it but it is high risk and can cause detached retinas and having had problems for three years and so many trips to London I am settling for what I have got at the moment. Apparently I am very lucky to have had such a successful operation to correct the double vision as these ops rarely work well.

[Nana]

Plant, I have to wait for my appointment to see which hospital as he works at a few hospitals there, including Stoke Mandeville (spelling?). My sister lives in Aylesbury & so I've asked if we can stay overnight with her when the time comes.

Bizzy, no-one realises how frustrating it is, unless they've experienced it. I'm really sorry to hear that you didn't get the results you'd hoped for. Have you any intention of going back or just settling for how things are for you? It's that age old thing of how we take our bodies for granted until something goes wrong. Thanks for your good wishes & interest everyone.

[Bizzy Lizzy]

You are right Nana. I took my eyesight for granted until all this started happening and then the prospect of not being able to see properly really hit me. I love to read, use the computer and watch TV (sometimes) and all these things seemed to be in jeopardy. With everything else that is going on right now I am putting up with the current situation. I have an eye appointment in a couple of weeks and have an excellent ophthalmologist who think I am "an interesting case" especially with the mystery of the double vision and I will take his advice. The floaters take the form of spiderwebs rather than dots, although I do get those as well. The brain is suppose to adapt and ignore them after a while and mine are better some days than others. It's the light problem which gets on my nerves as if I visit someone and they sit in front of a window then I cannot look at them which I find embarrassing as I have to ask them to move or draw the curtain and I feel I am making a fuss. Today the dry eye is driving me mad too as my eyes water and I have to keep putting drops in. No one explains the possible complications of having cataract operations beforehand although my vision was getting bad with the cataracts too so....

[Nanto2girls]

Hope things can be sorted Nana, when you are next seen.

Bizzy, I can understand you settling for what you now.

[Gemini]

It does sound as though you have been very unlucky nana and BL

I have had nowhere near the problems that you 2 have had. However, I have never been happy with the cataract op on the 2nd eye. I still see dazzling star shapes in oncoming headlights with that eye, and have developed floaters in both eyes.

I hope things improve for you both soon xx

[Elisi]

I hope also things improve for you both Nana and BL.

Arthur was left with a film over the eye which was operated on for cataracts last year so we are off next Monday for laser treatment on this so he can see better, (hopefully).

[Bizzy Lizzy]

I had the follow up laser treatment too Elisi it is often needed apparently. It is painless and it works.

[Gemini]

I too had the laser on both eyes. Totally painless, quick and works straight away.

[Sum1Ls]

I do hope this is effective and that you don't have too long a wait. You've really suffered with this, it must be so frustrating - especially for an art lover