UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Seeing the Opthalmologist a week today about my cataracts and am now getting nervous in case he says there is no point doing anything yet. Stupid I know but thats the way my brain works.

I just dont know how bad they need to be to get done.

Signed Neurotic Myopic Nellie.

All the very best for your appointment next week, Anna and I hope you hear what you want to hear! Let us know how you get on.
Anne

Hi Anna,

Good luck for next week.

Anna,

There is no such thing as cataracts needing to be a certain level of "badness" to be done. For example, people can have cataract type operations simply to exchange their own natural lens for an IOL of a different power so that they can see without glasses.

However, if there are risks due to other conditions being present, then having them done is a balancing act between what vision you get currently with them and the risks of having the op done. If there are no real risks, then it is down to how much your current vision affects you. In some cases, the consutlant may feel you might not get much benefit from having them done but you do need to explain any and all difficulties you have with your vision. Always wise to take someone else in with you as well if you tend to get a bit nervous.

Lynn

Thank you for that I will write a list of questions and of issues I have - he will need to say if my perceived issues are KC or Cataract or Contact lens and I thought I would take my best friend in - Pinot Grigio joking of course.

Hi Anna,

You do need to mention all issues and even you might not be totally clear which is influencing which, as there will certainly be some cross over between causes of symptoms. Do not assume that he will automatically know about any of them - you just have to tell it as it is. Without that knowledge, no professional can begin to help. Also, you gradually begin to adapt to problems or assume you have to put up with them. This is an entirely normal human response to adversity which allows us to get through each day successfully, but this also does make it difficult for you to keep recognising you have a problem.

Afterwards, you can share the experience with Pinot Grigiot!

Lynn

Thank you very much Lynn. Today I am going to write some lists one of stuff about eyesight and one about questions to ask, Take pity on the poor man I love my lists.