i need cataract surgery very badly in both eyes. I don’t feel safe when driving and my job consists of staring at a computer screen all day and I basically have to put my nose to the screen to see it. I am a diabetic and my blood sugar is uncontrolled and I have no intention or desire of changing anything about my lifestyle that would change that. Because of this my doctor won’t clear me for cataract surgery and the eye surgeon is hesitant as well just because she wants to protect herself from a lawsuit etc, even though the risk is minimal/non existent. A retina specialist has examined both of my eyes and cleared me for the surgery. So I guess my doctor and the eye surgeon are just ok with the cataracts getting progressively worse until I am blind. Any suggestions? Please don’t suggest I get my blood sugar under control, that’s not going to happen, I’m not going to give up the foods I love. I am ok with my life span being shortened b/c of the diabetes, but I want to see clearly during the remaining years I have left!
Seems like the only choices you have are to try to control your blood sugar level (which you don't want to do) or try another doctor who is more sympathetic to your desires.
By the way, even if you don't want to give up on foods to control your blood sugar, there are other ways to reduce it by insulin, drugs, exercise etc. That may be something you should do that any way, even if you don't have cataracts.
I do take insulin and metformin, but they only minimize the issue because of my diet. I hate exercise, I won’t do it. Thanks for the response.
When doctors who's job it is to operate and that's the way they make money refuse to operate on someone, you can bet it's for a good reason. Cataract surgery is not the simple out-patient procedure with no possibility of disastrous results as most of us are lead to believe. Read thru the posting on this site and you will see, not all ends well, your eyesight can disintegrate after surgery and you might very well end up not being able to view your computer screen or drive and glasses won't offer you a solution. Be grateful you have good doctors with ethics.
Hi chris84301 - there isn’t much I can add to what at201 has said. Not sure where you live but I am sure privately you can have cataract surgery done. Most are pretty willing to do what you want so if this one won’t do the surgery make an appointment to see another.
Not going to convince you otherwise as it appears you’ve made up your mind on living life the way you want but coming from a recent funeral from my friend’s mom that suffered from diabetes - and she lived a long life till 84 however quality of life wasn’t so enjoyable. Last year she had a leg amputated due to her diabetes and suffered through many health issues. It wasn’t easy for my friend who had spent the better part of 10 years looking after her mom.
I too felt I was going blind - and reading computer screen at work was difficult. I couldn’t read license plates on car ahead of me nor road signs. It was 7 months from diagnosis till first surgery so I lived with cataracts awhile.
I would encourage you to read up on the surgery itself and think about which distance you’d prefer to see well at as there are compromises to make no matter which lens you choose. Life is full of compromises and even if we think we don’t care about losing a year or two off our lives. Personally it is quality of life I focus more on.
All the best to you in finding a surgeon.
In which country are you and your "doctors" located, Chris?
Good luck to you!
Ed
Chris, what country are you in? I guess you aren't in the UK because if your eyesight is as bad as you say, then you wouldn't be allowed to drive.
In the UK, with the conditions you have, you would see an Ophthalmologist who specialises in patients with diabetes as well as other eye problems.
What age are you? To me, it sounds as though you need more support than you are getting
Chris, I have to be honest and say that your posting scares the hell out of me.
You want the doctors to ignore your health, yet you expect them to restore your eyesight. I'm sure you are very familiar with the strong connection of diabetes and your eyesight. Why would you expect them to operate when they can't trust you to follow their advice? There are a lot of instructions you MUST follow after surgery (granted, they're not tough), yet you've already demonstrated that you won't follow potentially life saving advice. What do you expect them to do?
I know you already are boiling right now at my words and I promise you that that's not my intention. I've been where you are, probably not as militant, but I've always struggled with my weight and I always will. I'll never be svelte. I had to take fitness tests for 20 years while I was in the military and I absolutely despised them. Of course, a Krispy Kreme donut tastes better than a bowl of leaves and berries, but do you want to wallow in a chair and listen to the TV (because you won't be able to see it after diabetes renders you blind) or do you want to get your clear vision back and see what you've been missing? I'm not telling you to eat dirt and rocks for the rest of your life, but any ETHICAL doctor is going to refuse to operate until you take care of yourself. Unfortunately, our society today expects a pill or surgery to fix what we won't do ourselves. Like I said, been there, done that, got the t-shirt, so I'm not preaching at you; I'm just telling you that I've been on both sides of the fence.
If you've seen my previous postings about the surgery, you'll know that my doc wouldn't operate until I had some retinal "support" work done (can't fix). I would give anything to be in your shoes where the problem is correctable and within my hands. You can change things; I can't. You can ensure your eyes will always be healthy; I can't. While my vision now is better than 20/20 (100%) for all ranges, there's no guarantee that will last (bad retinas). Please have a re-think about your attitude towards yourself and your eyes. If you don't do something now, you won't have a second chance.
I wish you absolutely nothing but the best.
USA
USA , I am 41
If chris is located in the USA the procedure here is you must get a medical clearance from your primary care physician, if you don't have a primary then you have to get clearance from a doctor not associated with the surgeon or their practice. These are the requirements for all surgeries in the USA. I believe it probably has to with the doctor's malpractice insurance, but no surgeon will touch you without that clearance.
Many thanks, Chris.
A public health agency might be able to refer you to other doctors so that you could get another medical opinion.
Again, I hope that all goes well for you!
Regards,
Ed
It is the same here in British Columbia. 
Prior to each cataract surgery, our family doctor gave us a thorough physical exam and sent us to the lab for blood and urine tests. The results were later forwarded to the eye-surgeon's office, who would then schedule a date.
Diabetic eye disease can lead to severe vision impairment or blindness. I don't know anything about "Diabetic Retinopathy", but I can believe that both your doctor and eye-surgeon have your interests at heart.
source: internet
Diabetic retinopathy, also known as diabetic eye disease, is when damage occurs to the retina due to diabetes. It can eventually lead to blindness.1. Diabetic eye disease comprises a group of eye conditions that affect people with diabetes. These conditions include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema (DME), cataract, and glaucoma.
2. All forms of diabetic eye disease have the potential to cause severe vision loss and blindness.
3. Diabetic retinopathy involves changes to retinal blood vessels that can cause them to bleed or leak fluid, distorting vision.
4. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and a leading cause of blindness among working-age adults.
5. DME is a consequence of diabetic retinopathy that causes swelling in the area of the retina called the macula.
6. Controlling diabetes—by taking medications as prescribed, staying physically active, and maintaining a healthy diet—can prevent or delay vision loss.
7. Because diabetic retinopathy often goes unnoticed until vision loss occurs, people with diabetes should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year.
8. Early detection, timely treatment, and appropriate follow-up care of diabetic eye disease can protect against vision loss.
9. Diabetic retinopathy can be treated with several therapies, used alone or in combination.
So different here on east coast of Canada- family doctor didn’t even know I went through cataract surgery - and mine was covered under Medicare. No physical necessary here.
Diabetes is nothing to take lightly. My husband had diabetes - hadn’t developed cataracts yet though. But has had heart issues.
Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear that. Perhaps you can give us some tips on healthy menus. I have joined a Facebook group on Vegan, not that I am one but occasionally it is healthy to go vegetarian.
Have a number of friends that are either doing keto or vegan but neither my husband or find that it is sustainable for us. We try though to eat healthier carbs.
Thanks for sharing that britkennels - this post too worried me. It isn’t unusual for doctors to refuse to help those that won’t do something to assist themselves. They also won’t do transplants on smokers, etc. they aren’t motivated by being cruel - just so few resources that they have to pick and choose.