cataract surgery and warfarin

Eye care
1

Hi has anyone had cataract surgery whilst taking warfarin?

2

Hubby was on Plavix and aspirin (plus a whole bunch more). While not the same meds, probably the same reasons and effects. At any rate, absolutely no issues.

3

My wife was taking warfarin at the time of her cataract surgery 3 years back. She was not asked to stop taking at the time of the surgery.

4

Same here. Hubby on Eliquis. 

5

Yes, me. On 2 July 2018. I am on warfarin.

6

Thanks for replying.How are you now?  Was everything straightforward. I am feeling scared. x

7

Did u have to stop the warfarin for surgery?

8

Thanks.

9

Thanks for your reply.x

10

Thanks for your reply its much appreciated.

11

The "Instructions" handed to us before the surgery, spelled out  "NOTHING TO EAT or DRINK after midnight the night before surgery and on the morning of the surgery (NOT even WATER)." One exception: "Take all high blood pressure and heart medications as ordered on day of surgery with only sips of water."

On the day of surgery, we brought along all my husband's usual medications, just in case, as we did not know how long he would be in the hospital.

You may want to confirm this with your own eye-surgeon's clinic, some ophthalmologists prefer you to stop taking the blood thinners to prevent any bruising that may occur when using local anesthesia. smile

 

12

A little fear is normal, but don't be scared. It really is a very quick procedure. While nothing can be guaranteed in life, ask questions, do a little net searching, etc, until you're comfortable about what's going to happen. It truly is amazing what can be done nowadays.

Good luck and keep us informed about how it goes for you.

13

Hi,

I did not have to stop warfarin at all. Unless you are told otherwise by consultant it's medications as usual.

There is nothing to fear, trust me 😊.

Unless otherwise told it will be done under local anesthesic. I was done about mid-day and home by 3.30pm. Two weeks of doing nothing (follow instructions they give you - exactly - ). I was back at work driving a bus in 25 days. The improvement in eyesight is immediate and I found I could read the moving banners on TV news better with no glasses than with them. I have my major eyesight test on 6 September from which I will be prescribed new glasses.

Hope all goes well. Don't worry, you'll be fine.

14

Hi Thanks for your reply and reassuring words. May I ask you how long you had to wait to be operated on, how long were you on the waiting list for? Was it done under the NHS? are u in UK? x

15

Thank you. How long is the op?

16

Yes, I am in UK - in Cornwall. Yes, it was done under NHS.

Here is the timeline ………. Sept 2017 diagnosed with cataract and referred to GP. He without fuss referred me on to a Consultant. In Jan 2018 I had an eye examination by a consultant. On 16 March 2018 I had my pre op assessment …………. then it all died and I heard nothing. I made repeated enquiries by phone and got the run around. In the end I made a formal complaint to my MP accusing the local NHS Hospital Trust of age discrimination toward a person over 70 who was still in the work force driving buses and needed a clean medical for my bus licence to be renewed. Well that did it. Within weeks I had the date of 2nd July 2018...… something like 10 months after first diagnosis, and 4 months after the pre op assessment.

My surgery was about 20 to 30 minutes.

Sometimes you just gotta kick ass !

John

17

Hi John Thanks for your reply, I am in the same position re age. I feel as though I have been written off but intend to kick ass as u say. I am not prepared to lose my sight just because NHS is in a mess. Take care. xx