Curbing Cataracts

In the operating theatre last week Alison held my hand. I’d never met Alison before but I was glad to hold her hand. She told me if I was uncomfortable or needed the surgeon to stop I should squeeze her hand. I didn’t need to squeeze, but it was comforting to know I could. This reminded me of my Advance Care Plan where I have requested to have someone with me to hold my hand when I am dying.

When I had my previous cataract operation (privately at Christchurch Eye Surgery) I was sedated. This time (at St George’s Hospital under a public CDHB contract) I had just a local anaesthetic and I was conscious and aware of what was going on in the theatre. I heard a sound like a dentist’s drill and knew they were cutting into my eye, but didn’t feel anything. Every now and then a disembodied voice would say “irrigation on” and I was aware of liquid movement. I knew this was a machine talking, perhaps a form of Artificial Intelligence.

I hope I don’t need more operations because the allied health workers are working to rule, and sometimes going on strike. I’ve been in an operating theatre twice in recent weeks and each time they put plastic booties over my shoes. I very much doubt that these get washed and re-used. So much waste!

The next day I went for a follow-up consultation and the surgeon said my new lens was not working in the expected way. Apparently my distance sight has improved, but not my short sight which was the intention. He suggested this effect may reverse in a few days. I wondered whether he might suggest my coming back sooner for a re-test, but no. My next appointment is for four weeks time.

My eye shield

I went home with an eye shield and instructions to leave it on overnight, then wear it in bed for five nights. I did this for the first two nights, but found it kept slipping so haven’t bothered after that. As before, I was given drops to be put regularly into my eye. Last time this was 4X daily for four weeks. This time it’s 4X daily for two weeks, then 2X daily for another fortnight. Last time I was told I needed to lie still for two minutes after each drop. This time I was told to just close my eye for a moment, which is so much easier!

At the follow-up appointment the nurse said I must avoid anything strenuous such as lifting heavy washing baskets. I told her she was too late as I’d already hung out the washing that morning. However I did avoid doing my usual daily exercises for four days.

My eye is still red and the eyelid inclined to droop. It’s hard to focus on the jigsaw I enjoy doing during The Panel each afternoon, but reading is fine – probably I’m using only one eye for this.

I’m waiting for my improved vision
now I’ve had cataract incision