Cataracts - Anyone Help Please
Discussion
WestYorkie said:
mybrainhurts said:
RupertTheFridge said:
Cataracts - Anyone Help Please
You need a canoe....
subtle 
I remember alot of years ago Blue Peter did the 'ol save milk bottle tops (or some such like) and they'd make enough money for Cateracts operations in African Villages.
As each Op cost 99p or suchlike They'd be able to save numerous amounts of people.
968 this isn't a dig at you whatsoever but could they have done those Operations so cheap?
This was the late 80's BTW
Edited by WestYorkie on Friday 9th January 01:19
F i F said:
Sorry 968 another question.
Re local vs general and nerves etc.
When on local do you ever give patients a sedative? Similar sort of thing that is given sometimes when a gastroscopy is done say? Just wondering if this is an option or if it isn't due to complications.
To be honest, I don't like giving a sedation, because the patient can often fall asleep then suddenly wake with a start, during the operation, which could cause a disaster. Remember, the area I operate within is approximately 3-4mm in depth, so any sudden movements can be a real disaster. Some people do give sedation, but I feel either give a local or a general, simple as. Re local vs general and nerves etc.
When on local do you ever give patients a sedative? Similar sort of thing that is given sometimes when a gastroscopy is done say? Just wondering if this is an option or if it isn't due to complications.
Local isn't bad at all, and lasts only a few minutes.
968 said:
A cataract operation for 99p is a barbaric operation that results in the lens being removed from the eye, often very traumatically, with no replacement lens being inserted in it's place. I've worked in the third world, doing cataract operations for charity organisations, and believe me, you can thank god that you have them done here. The intraocular lens alone costs a hundred odd quid, the machine to remove the cataract atraumatically costs about £70-100k, the other instruments cost a few hundred quid too.
Cheers for that 
I've thought that it must have been quite an invasive Op to be done so cheaply.
WestYorkie said:
968 said:
A cataract operation for 99p is a barbaric operation that results in the lens being removed from the eye, often very traumatically, with no replacement lens being inserted in it's place. I've worked in the third world, doing cataract operations for charity organisations, and believe me, you can thank god that you have them done here. The intraocular lens alone costs a hundred odd quid, the machine to remove the cataract atraumatically costs about £70-100k, the other instruments cost a few hundred quid too.
Cheers for that I've thought that it must have been quite an invasive Op to be done so cheaply.
I got the chance to go into theatre to see a phacoemulsification procedure. It was really quite cool. They had the patient's eye shown on a large monitor and I could it all in detail. It was going fine until the surgeon spoke to the patient and I realised she was concious. I felt a little sick at the thought of being concious while someone sticks needles in my eyes. The patient didn't seem bothered though. If the surgeon hadn't asked her how she was doing I'd never have known she wasn't out for the count.
Sorry - late to the 'party' but another 'don't worry about it' to the OP. I had both eyes done when I was 41, and it's the best thing I ever did. I was incredibly short sighted about -8, and the surgeon agreed as he was doing both eyes (6 weeks apart) to make the replacement lenses correct my vision rather than specs. Now can see without specs, buy fashion sunglasses and enjoy life. Did uses reading glasses initially, but now rarely bother, I've adapted. Only 'problem' is I'm a bit light sensitive so use sunglasses a bit more than I did before - a minor prioe to pay.
I did have generals due to having ridiculaously high anxiety levels and severe clinical depression, I must confess.
I also had the laser treatment last year as my vision was going a bit foggy, and was petrified by that - took my OH for the first to hold my hand and make sure I went - don't know what everyone made all the fuss about!! Just sat in front of the face brace thing they used as for eye exams and it was just like anything else they do - if you hadn't been told it was lasers you'd not have known - the only odd thing was you could hear the ping in your ear as it hit the eye!! For the second eye, I drove myself there - on my own! - went in on my own, had it done and drove home again!! Piece of p1ss!!
HTH
I did have generals due to having ridiculaously high anxiety levels and severe clinical depression, I must confess.
I also had the laser treatment last year as my vision was going a bit foggy, and was petrified by that - took my OH for the first to hold my hand and make sure I went - don't know what everyone made all the fuss about!! Just sat in front of the face brace thing they used as for eye exams and it was just like anything else they do - if you hadn't been told it was lasers you'd not have known - the only odd thing was you could hear the ping in your ear as it hit the eye!! For the second eye, I drove myself there - on my own! - went in on my own, had it done and drove home again!! Piece of p1ss!!
HTH
croyde said:
Out of interest, you had the laser correction after the cat op? Maybe 968 can explain as I thought that if the old lens is replace with a new prescription, all well and good but how do you focus as the lens is now rigid.
Cheers.
Different sort of laser. The laser she's talking about is aimed at the rear surface of the new plastic lens that's put in the eye and it's done to push a membrane out of the way of the way, so that light can get thru unincumbered, a bit like parting some curtains. However, you can have LASIK after cataract surgery, if the prescription post op isn't correct. The lens inside the eye is indeed fixed focus (in most cases, there are new lenses which allegedly have a range of focus, but I don't think they work well).Cheers.
968 said:
RupertTheFridge said:
Finally had my pre-op appointment, going to be done under full anaesthetic, removal of lens in both eyes and replacement lens fitted.
First eye being done hopefully around June/July.
Good luck with it all. First eye being done hopefully around June/July.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Not exactly. Got another couple of years in manc, extended by the fact that I'm about to start another part tie research job for the royal college. After 2012 I'll beina position to look for a Consultants job.....if there are any of those left, given the govts propensity to downgrade the role of drs Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff