Unklewhale

1 hour ago, Thalestris24 said:

I find anything to do with medical interventions on the eyes very scary! I'm sure my cataracts are slowly getting worse but I know I won't even get an NHS look-in until they are really bad.

Louise

The present criteria for cataract operations is visual acuity worse than 6/9 and THAT YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE IS BEING AFFECTED. Clearly the latter statement is very different for many people. Having visual requirements for something like Astronomy would count I am sure. Other people are happy to walk around in a total blur without an issue to their happiness.

On 23/03/2019 at 21:17, carastro said:

This thread is an interesting read for any-one likely to have cataracts operated on in the near future.  I have to have this done in a few years time I am told, but on a recent eye visit I was told I have narrow angles in my eyes, this is the corners where there is a natural drainage channel for the fluid in the eye.  I was referred to Ophthalmology and I am going to have to have eye surgery to make a hole in my Iris's to provide extra drainage (Laser Iridotomy).  If I don't get this done it could lead to glaucoma.   

The one thing that was reassuring from my Ophthalmology examination, was the gel put in my eyes, I didn't realise this was to numb them, and while I was being examined, I thought, "hang on a bit, he's got a dirty great plunger thing stuck right on my eye (that he was looking through) and I can't really feel it".   I asked about it afterwards, and he said yes, I would not have been able to tolerate it without the gel.  So this at least has given me some reassurance that the numbing gel does actually work.

Must chase up my "being put on the waiting list" for this as it is being done at Kings College Hospital, and I was seen at Lewisham.  Must check that my referral has gone through OK.  

Carole 

Interestingly (possibly), another way to open the 'drainage angle' is to carry out cataract surgery with an implant intraocular lens (because the new lens is flatter). Was this considered at all, especially as you say you already have an early cataract?

Yes, multifocal implants have 'ghosting' issues, due to the fact that the Distance & Near focussing areas are (usually) in alternate circles radiating out from the centre. The brain is constantly receiving 2 images and has to sort them out. Usually not bad in brightly lit conditions, but more difficuly when dim. Some people have no issues, some don't sem to cope well with it.

An alternative (and more modern) design has the implant lens actually flex within the eye, something similar to normal 'accommodation', but it appears the effect seems to diminish with time.

Aaaaaaghhhh - one of those days !

Welcome - Will be interested to find out how you are getting on with the ZWO !

Yes, a really useful post. Even if I have eyepieces varying from these I know what to expect (and why). My collection spreads around these 'optimum' numbers, but nice to see I am in the right ballpark that this logic suggests.

Sounds like it went well for you, as most ops do these days. Still, knowing so much about it, leaves me very uncomfortable for when my turn comes!

There are many many causes of cataract - trauma can bring one on rapidly.

They tend to cause a blue shift in colour perception and it is often colour that people report afterwards.

The fact that surgeons can aim to make the final prescription as near zero for distance vision as possible is great for  us types. 

Most cataract operations are carried out under local anaesthetic (drops sometimes), rare for full general.

(maybe info overload, but I am a retiring Optometrist !)