I thought it might be useful to jot down my experience here as a kind of diary.
surgery today! Left eye first.
Very very nervous, sick feeling. Just hoping for it to be over, wish I could get both done at same time! Worried about outcome, will it be what I hoped? Have I made a terrible decision? My surgery is elective, I don’t have cataracts and am young (in relative terms). I’ve put my faith in this, it’s an expensive procedure for me and I saved for it. I have read all the info I can get and know on balance it’s the right decision. I will have to deal with the circumstances if it doesn’t work out. That’s scary.
It was intense in surgery, no speaking, high concentration. 10 mins in total. I had to keep trying to breathe normally. ‘Went well’ surgeon said.
Post surgery. Feel ok, eye feels like it’s flickering behind the eye shield and it’s taped down. Have to take tape off in 2 hrs and start eye drop regime. Wondering about pain once the numbing block wears off.
2hrs later: no pain yet. took tape off eye, shocked when I saw my eye. Couldn’t properly see it as my eyesight in my R eye is poor. Had to ask my husband if it was ok. He said it was, but I was just in shock and actually fainted. Thank goodness I warned him just before and he caught me! I was out for maybe 30 seconds. So advice is to ensure you have someone with you at this stage to help you through it and administer the 1st eye drop.
seeing with the L eye; seems cloudy and a bit tilted. hoping this is normal.
I wish you luck with your recovery. I expect I will be in a very similar situation a week from now at this time. I have a cataract, and I can't say that I am stressed. Having waited about 18 months for this surgery I feel mainly relieved to be this close to finally getting it done.
Good luck with your recovery and the next eye. It should not be as traumatic next time around.
Each clinic seems to have their own protocols and procedures. My eye was not covered after the surgery but I had to wait in the clinic for an hour before leaving so they could check my pulse rate. Picked up prescription drops on the way home and self administered without problems. I had watched so many videos on the procedure prior to my operation that my anxiety level was very low. The procedure is easier than getting my teeth cleaned with the high-pressure water cleaner.
Initial stabilization of the eye will occur within 24 hours, and you should be going back to the clinic for a checkup within a day or two. They will discuss any issues at that time. Then it will be at least another 6 weeks to 3 months before the eye is at the optimal point.
The first full day.
Still no pain but eye felt a bit gritty last night, took a co codamol before bed just in case. Woke up this morn with my eye stuck together, used gauze and sterile water to unstick, still a bit crusty. The amazing thing is that I woke in the middle of the night and needed to use the bathroom. I was able to see my way there without needing my glasses. Wow. Clinic is phoning me today and my R eye appointment is in 4 days. Have to wear the eye shield all day today again, it’ll be easier from tomorrow when I remove that, il use my glasses with the L lens removed. eye seems 'jittery' at times. not concerned about this.
good luck Ronaka, long time coming for you. Chris, i watched no surgery prior to mine, i think anxiety would have been worse!
Interesting you need to wear eye shield during the day. I was advised to wear it at night for first week. I have 2 EDOF lenses (Symfony). I developed cataracts at 53 bad enough that I needed the surgery. What made you decide yo do this having no cataracts?
Sue An eye shield is off now, now same as you only at night for 7 nights.
I am 46, very short-sighted since i was 6 years old. -10 ish in both eyes with astigmatism in one. My glasses are heavy, they get sore on my face, even with having the width of the lens reduced as much as i can.. I was getting to the point where wearing contacts daily was making my eyes tired and I was faced with wearing glasses all the time. Hence why.
Day 2
Eye shield off, quite incredible that I can see out of my L eye. With my glasses to assist my R eye (L lens popped out) it’s quite disorientating, drunk eyes, I def couldn’t drive! also a definite blue tinge, i quite like it.
Thankfully I’m not back to work until a week after my R eye surgery. My work demands quite long drives and computer work so hopefully I will be ok for that.
I too took a week off after my cataract surgeries that were 6 weeks apart and managed by popping lens out of glasses on operated side. often that operated eye took over and managed without glasses - much like i am doing now as I have been diagnosed with epiretinal membrane (left eye).
With there being s big difference between your eyes you may find near vision improves once 2nd op is done.
day 6. R IOL this morn. went well, harder as i was more aware of the ptocess.
1st drop in, rverything is tilted again. hard to type as i think you can see.
optometrist did sight test on L eye, at the moment + 0.25 .
Just to note and out of interest i live in Northern Ireland and the surgeon was Proff Moore.
Hi Sam, so how's it going? Interested to know how the two compare, differences, similarities? Though of course it's not all down to the lens, but interesting nontheless.
Wishing you well.. Speedy recovery..
I think having both IOL will take some getting used to.
Right eye Toric LISA better for distance than the LARA, feels clearer.
Feels flickery in the periphery of vision when i move my eye but no flashes or anything i think id be worried about.
toric LISA has helped with reading closer, but not as close as im used to: i may need reading glasses. middle distance is improved with toric LISA too.
drove earlier in day time and felt safe, probably next week for night driving.
not sure about glare, some halos, no floaters.
all in all, at this stage i'm happy.