Now why does everybody think they know more than me!

[guardpig]

Good old care in the community!

Understand it is supposed to offer the patient more choice and more control but ...........................

I didn't want a choice I wanted a referral to my local eye hospital.  However I got a choice of 2 private hospitals and a drop in clinic. ARGHHHHHHHHHH!

I have a cataract. According to two people who should know better it is standard, routine and nothing to worry about.  Oh yea.  There is nothing standard or routine about my eyes, ever.  You just go along, have an assessment(with a Doc) and then get an appointment with the consultant for the Op. Oh yea? Men!!!

The only thing I was really worried about was the possibility that operating would not even be considered, which concern was rubbished.

Went along today to have my version of reality confirmed.  Been passed upstairs to the consultant for assessment(to see if he'll even consider surgery) which was about what I was expecting. All I wanted to do was discuss the possibilities, options and complications before deciding(and a bit of fast talking) - but I don't need to discuss them with a cataract expert which is where the Doc is getting confused.  Stark choice: Do nothing and go blind eventually, have the operation and risk losing all or more sight in the eye now.

This saga will run, just wanted it off my chest.

[learning2me]

Guardpig I understand your frustrations.

However just wanted to say that mu Mum who is 96 has had two cataract operations with absolutely no problems. I aaalso have a neighbour who has had cataracts removed from both eyes and no longer needs to wear glasses at all.

Good luck.

[millielilac]

Its always difficult as all surgery does present some risks ...only you yourself can decide if you want to take it . The consultant should have outlined the possibilities to you and with cataracts the risk is at the lower end of the scale.

My mother had cataracts on both eyes ( and has very limited sight in one eye ) and was faced with the same decision . She took the risk and it paid off. She has worn glasses for as many years as I can remember but can now get away with reading glasses only ...

For her the downside was that she can now see herself clearly in the mirror ...and was shocked by her wrinkles ...BLESS...

[ed_blackadder_1]

My parents the same mum had no problems at all and now doesnt have to wear glasses except for reading she wore them all the time before. Dad had a problem with one eye it was a bit slow to heal and the other was fine. He doesn't need glasses either.

Admits to not liking the thought of having eyes done but needs must.

[chickengrandma-2008]

My dad had them done when he was in his 80s.  It's only a day job, in fact he was only there a couple of hours in total, and that included having a cup of tea and a biscuit afterwards!

[guardpig]

Thank you all.  

Haven't seen the consultant. Main problem is it is the wrong consultant(bit like being sent to ENT with a bunion). The GP specialist who does the assessment came close to asking me why I was stupid enough to want the operation done!LOL.  I am unfortunately a very high risk when it comes to the list of possible outcomes - well on paper. 

What I need is a nice long chat with an invitreo specialist to discuss where my eye is at, where it is maybe going and how it will likely react to surgery not a going over of the risks of cataract surgery and I want it NOW.  I know at some time in the future I will have to talk them into the op - it's more info to decide the when  that I need.

Problem is I don't have an eye condition so i don't need to see a consultant regularly, I just have a potential disaster zone!

Second problem is nobody is listening to ME!.

YET!!!

[bhgardeners]

And now my blooming Doc is on holiday.  Just wanted a word as getting to Docs carless(assuming the appointment time suits and the Doc and bus is on time) is going to take 21/2hours including walking to the bus stop and the bus only runs once an hour and,yes I do live in the middle of a City but the area the Doc is in is a transport black hole!  Whoops, and I need a blood test form for son as well.

[chickengrandma-2008]

Sounds like you'd be better all round to get another doctor!

[bhgardeners]

Doc is actually quite good, just a bit young.  He is going by the book and has referred me to the BEST.  It's just the wrong best!

Thing is he has never examined my eyes.  None of them have. No reason for them too.  Optician said get cataract sorted so he very efficiently has done so. I did try to tell him but they don't listen well.

We chose not to change Doc when we moved 20odd years ago because the receptionists are absolutely brilliant.  Loads of good Docs around but not many brilliant receptionists. Long term if I cannot drive then we will have to change docs to local dragon run health centre where appointments are weeks in advance or ring again tomorrow.LOL

[guardpig]

Ah well (((private hospitals))) Being squeezed in for a chat to see if I am suitable to go on the waiting list. Well not quite because I need to be convinced he is the right man for the job as well.

Anyway who mentioned a waiting list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Negotiations are going to be interesting and this is only the preliminaries(need the practise)

Wonders if I could entice him back to the NHS for one last op - then we can get the invitreo guy standing by with his glue gun.

[bhgardeners]

Well the chap has a sense of humour and appears to know what he is doing(well he is the best locally so he should do).  Does not seem prepared to take un-necessary risks and listens to what is said(and not said - often more important).. He doesn't mince words!  Any consultant who allows you time to put your contact lens back in before talking over the siruation is much better than the ones who expect you to talk to a faceless blur(even if everything was rather blurred form the eye drops) - he understands what my world looks like.  So we is getting booked in, I think. 

[stroppy*cow]

Hope that all goes well for you and that you don't have to wait for long

[bhgardeners]

Thanks Stroppy.  No good choice here but it has to be risked sooner or later.

Was rather impressed with the NHS - he offered to do both eyes, which rather surprised me with nhs cutbacks..  Turned him down as really do not want to go back to the days of migraines every time the sun shines.

[guardpig]

Ah well one must admit this system is efficient once we have decided what is happening.  Just had a date in mid/late November for the op. That'll be 3 months done and dusted.  Talking to others locally it took a lot longer than that!. 

[chickengrandma-2008]

Are you at more risk than most then guardpig?  They say any operation has risks, even though they might be very small.

At least you haven't long to wait, have you?  Best of luck.

[guardpig]

Could say that CG. When you have a look at the spelt out risks with figures, rather than the "this may happen occasionally" leaflets they send out. I am high risk for most complications. Needs doing and the longer I leave it the higher the risks.  

Biggest risk for me is retinal detachment but various specialists have been saying "when " for it detaching for the last 40 years and it is still hanging on in there. My floaters are all happily floating which helps. My optician says it'll be OK.  Consultant says it should be OK and he's the best I can get(and we do pretty well for bests).

I am just panicking slightly, only slightly, only only slightly which is why I keep waffling on here - OH is worrying quite enough about me.  So hope no-one minds too much.  Hand holding in November please.

[bhgardeners]

Well PANIC has set in.  If I could see well enough to find it(messy bedroom) i'd borrow son's rescue remedy.

Sight began deteriorating rapidly in the last couple of days(gone from being able to read a number plate across the drive to wondering where the number plate is in about a week) so I was about to ring the optician to get him to take a look when the phone went(mind readers) and I am now booked in for Tuesday evening, thanks to a cancellation.  One suspects that the lens they put in is going to be nowhere near strong enough but reckon that could well be the case anyway as the lens has to be ordered in specially(according to the doc) because my prescription is rather high so there would always be deterioration time built in. 

Going to be fun as with 3 weeks to go I had plenty of time to organise a few days off whilst vision recovered.  Was intending to write instructions as to "where to find" and "what to do if" but Sproglet is on her way and is staying until Tuesday lunchtime so he'll just have to cope. Hopefully only for a day or so. 

Wish me luck please.  

[stroppy*cow]

Hope that all goes well for you, and that you are soon enjoying much improved vision.

[ed_blackadder_1]

All the best, you wont be able to use the excuse you can't see the dust soon, so better get a new feather duster.

Big hugs,

[bhgardeners]

Thanks.  My fingers and toes are staying crossed until weds, my stomach is already in knots.

Dust Ed?  Question is will the op improve my mind reading skills.  Sproglet loves feather dusters ((((99p shop)))) and the dustpan and brush.  she hid the latter a couple of weeks ago and I still haven't spotted it.  It is lurid pink with rainbow stripes.