Long shot but has anyone on here had bifocal lens replacement surgery?
If so how was driving at night?
If so how was driving at night?
Mrs Jock had hers done to correct cataracts. It was going to take ages on the national health but I have a small private provision which covers a highly select range of afflictions. Luckily the cataracts were one of them (great, been paying into this for over 40 years and never had been able to claim. Now it seems all worth it) She was in and out of the private hospital almost before we knew what was happening and the result is brilliant! Although the far sight is now absolutely wonderful she now needs reading glasses to correct for near sight. I didn't know about the bifocal type but it seems she did, however my policy wouldn't stretch to them and the extra contribution required was considered unacceptable by Mrs Jock so she just didn't tell me. The down side is she's now noticing all the shabby paintwork, plaster cracks and dusty corners so I'm going to be busy for a long time!New one on me..??
Replacement lens within the eye?
New one on me..??
Replacement lens within the eye?
Before the consultant examined her we didn't realise how bad Mrs Jock's eyes were, although she had voluntarily decided not to drive after dusk any more. One indicator should have been that before her procedure, if we were watching the likes of BBC1 in standard def and I wanted to change it to the High def channel she said that she could see almost no difference between the two and couldn't understand why I was bothered! Now, post op, she makes a point of selecting an HD channel if it's available!Sounds interesting.
She hasn't discussed the procedure in minute detail with me, but, as I understand it and from what she's said, they break up the old lens with ultrasound (we think) and then "hoover" out the smashed up bits with a suction device of some sort. The job is completed with the insertion of the new lens. The first eye, which was by far the worst, went without a hitch and was almost perfect within a few days. Three weeks later they did the other one but there were problems with the eye's tears being not "slippy" enough? and she was initially disappointed because the focus was bleary. She went back after a few days for the scheduled check up and special eye drops were prescribed (not available on the NHS so had to pay) However they must have been very special because within a day she noticed a difference and within a week or so all was well and has now been since before Christmas. She is absolutely delighted with the outcome.Interesting stuff.
Ive seen the 'cookie cutter and superglue'
Procedure for laser op's.
Is this much more involved?
Yup, Mrs Jock had eye drops for days too. It was Spire Healthcare who carried out Mrs J's procedure. They were wonderful! The hospital was like something out of a sci-fi novel. Nothing was too much trouble for them. Very polite, pleasant and helpful staff. There was virtually no waiting for examinations or the procedure itself. Everything was very modern with laser technology very evident. When the "dry eye" problem was being attended to she was told that if the drops didn't rectify things it would be rectified by a brief laser procedure. Apparently sometimes the new lens doesn't settle in just exactly the right position and the laser rectifies this.they are doing mine in 2 days one on each daythey give 3 types of drops to be applied 3 times a day after for ages, to prevent infections, help healing and stop infections. they will use laser to cut mine open but nhs still use scalpel.
during the 3 hour consultation they said their procedure is so advanced now i could be driving the next day after post op check up
Especially oncoming headlights in the rain, strange enough. By far not enough to stop me driving, but I would not drive for hours on end at night time now.
Slightly off topic but after a detached retina I've now had SIX invasive eye surgery operations the longest lasting 3Hrs 20mins under local anaesthetic.
The reason for this post/reply is that the eye is such a delicate and complex organ that any surgical intervention (top side lasering, lens replacement, corneal transplant, etc) should be entered into with GREAT caution and as a LAST resort. All surgery carries a risk so with something as precious as sight (even if limited/poor) then one has to be prepared for possible loss of sight.
Whole heartedly agree.
I am perfectly aware of all the pitfalls.. but just as aware of lifes limitations.
It has got to be a personal choice..
/QUOTE]
Indeed. I had a choice with the original detachment. Go blind in that eye or take surgery with a risk of going blind. No brainer really.
The when the re-detachment occurred (complicated situation and time) it was an immediate operation to "save the eye for cosmetic purposes. sight outcome not relevant but maybe/hopefully something". Again a no brainer decision.
The same is sort of true for cataract surgery. The vision in the affected eye(s) will decrease to the point where the potential benefits outweigh the possible total loss of sight because you were going that way anyway if nothing were done. The only real decision then is timing and never two eyes at once.