Originally Posted by Bella Boffin:
“Dear Gemo
I have been following the conversation about your eyesight. I thought it might be helpful if I spoke about my experience in the matter. But first, I know lots of old people...lots....and lots. Almost everyone has had cataract surgery and the overwhelming experience has been little short of miraculous. It is one of those areas of medicine that can be swiftly and easily life-changing. Eyes are an emotive issue, more than any other part of the body, and it is absolutely normal. My own eyesight has been terrible all my life. Like you, it has cost me a fortune in spectacles, trying to get glasses that work and don't look awful. Opticians struggled and I was referred to see Someone at a London hospital. The problem was that it was almost impossible to get me 'legal' to drive. (My sister once commented as I drove through a narrow gap, 'Only a blind person would have the courage to do that.') This was four years ago. The eye man that I saw said, 'We can do something about this.' I did not have cataracts but the subsequent surgery was very similar. I believe my experience is much like that of a cataract operation. I was warned that there was a significant risk, this was new-ish surgery, but he said that it was rare for him to say this but basically I had no choice. Everything moved very quickly. I had no time to think. Which was good. Day surgery, with the option to stay in if I liked, which I did not. One eye at a time with a four week gap between. I was conscious throughout and the surgeon and I chatted. The time between the two operations was difficult. There was no pain at all but the disparity between the two eyes was really awkward. Because nothing appeared to be where I thought it was I bumped into everything (I cut my leg rather badly) and felt a right clutz. And then the second op. Equally straightforward - I am told that if you are fit, not fat, and generally in good health ALL operations are likely to have a better outcome - and then the next day.....well, Gemo, it was like a firework party. THE COLOUR. THE SIGHT. I had been aware that over the years my colour had virtually gone. Suddenly a grey world was all sorts of sparkling colours. Blue. I hadn't seen blue for years. Even beige, the colour of the buildings here, was magical. And to actually SEE. Suddenly lorries looked very big! For some weeks after the op I had to rest in the afternoon simply because it was all so wonderful. Brain overload. Later the surgeon said my results exceeded his best expectations. I suspect that what the patient expects will in some way define the extent of the outcome. I now have 'perfect' eyesight, no glasses at all, and I have not lost the wonderment that I felt after the op. I should say I had to pay privately for this particular surgery, it not being available on the NHS (which is shortsighted - umm - because I was a carer then and it would have had financial implications otherwise...) Whilst not quite the same as the cataract op it is similar in so many ways I hope this is helpful. Like me, you have no choice, be comforted by the thought that time passes very quickly and soon you will simply be enjoying a small miracle. p.s. men say I have lovely eyes, I leave this to you to decide if this is a benefit.
Love
Lesley Brain”
Thank you so much, Lesley, for a very reassuring post. I only have useable vision in my left eye because my right eye has
keratoconus. When I had my appointment last week I thought my left eye would be fixed and I could start looking into getting the right eye fixed (corneal transplant). The cataract was a bit of a shock but I have since heard so many people say how little trouble and how beneficial the procedure is that I’m no longer concerned. I think if and when I have my right eye fixed I will be bumping into things because it is about twenty years since I have had binocular vision. My depth perception is useless which only causes a problem when going down steps with no handrail but Mr G and my daughter are so used to it that the automatically take my arm when it’s time to descend. My son doesn’t because he has the same problem as me – monocular vision.
I am sorry to hear your sight has been bad. Terrible for anyone, but for you it must be a hundred times worse. 
I knew a woman who used to change hers in the dark, safety pins and all! 
I didnt know whether to be impressed or horrified.”
and a new lens implanted as a replacement in each eye. This sounds much better than not having a replacement..
