Well…. in one eye at least!
This isn’t a book review but I suppose it has a connection to reading. I just have to share my joy. I can see again!
In the second half of last year I noticed that I was losing focus when I was reading. I usually get through books very quickly but these disappearing words were slowing me down. I already knew from a previous eye examination that there were signs of early cataract in both eyes but they were so small as to make little or no difference to my sight.
I was pretty sure that this was no longer the case so I booked an eye test which showed that the cataract was the cause of my problem and was prescribed new glasses. Unfortunately the new glasses didn’t help so in February my optician wrote a referral to the hospital. I live in the UK and the eye test and hospital referral are covered by the NHS (in my case NHS Scotland) but I expected it might be a while before I would get an appointment.
However I got a letter giving me a pre-assessment appointment in April and the next day I got a letter confirming I would be offered cataract surgery within 12 weeks. Lo and behold I got the appointment letter last Saturday and I had the surgery on Friday – just two months after my initial hospital visit.
Arrived at the hospital for 9 am and was out before 11 am. There was a moment when I almost didn’t go through with it. Just before my turn the surgeon called my name and took me into a room to speak to me. He just wanted to confirm that I understood that because of an issue with my corneas (that I was unaware of) I was at greater risk of permanent damage to the cornea during the cataract surgery and I could lose the sight in that eye. I was shocked to say the least. I am pretty sure I would have remembered if someone had told me that at the pre-assessment! It certainly wasn’t something I wanted to hear just before going into surgery. Anyway he went off to deal with his next patient on the list and I had a serious think and when he came back said I had decided to go ahead.
The actual procedure didn’t take long. I don’t think it was any longer than 15 minutes and possibly less – and it was painless. More importantly, it had gone to plan. A clear plastic shield was taped over my eye, I was taken round to another area and given a cup of coffee and biscuits. A nurse spoke to me about aftercare, gave me two bottles of eye drops with instructions on how often to use them and I was free to go. I was glad that part was over.
By the time I got downstairs, even with the eye shield, I already felt things were brighter and clearer but I was to keep the shield on until the next morning then start using the drops.
The effect the next morning was amazing. It was as if everything was in high definition and so much brighter. I could read the number plates of the cars in the car park, the wooded areas around my house now have depth. I hadn’t realised how much better my eyesight could be. I was ecstatic. I couldn’t quite believe it. I kept looking out of the window. I couldn’t stop smiling. Remember this was just 24 hours after the surgery. At the back of my mind I know there could still be complications over the next few weeks but today, Sunday, things are wonderful. I’m still smiling.
The National Health Service gets a lot a criticism but I am just so grateful to NHS Scotland and the Golden Jubilee National Hospital. I understand in the USA basic cataract surgery can cost $3000 – $3500 (although hopefully medical insurance pays for some of this). Paying privately in the UK is not cheap either. In Scotland however we get this free at the point of delivery. Thank you NHS Scotland.
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