I have worn eye glasses since my late teens to assist my long distance view.
With minor corrections over the years my eyesight has remained stable until late last year when I noticed differences which caused me to have my eyesight re-tested again by my optician in respect of my long distance view and the new experience needing reading glasses for minor correction. The optician confirmed that my cataracts had grown since the last test twelve months ago although not causing alarm for an immidiate operation.
Tests revealed any further correction to my glasses did not help as the problem was lack of light in my eyes as a result of the cateracts.
I followed the recommendation to have an examination by a specialist which in my case it had to be thought the public health system (Brisbane, Queensland).
Placed on the waiting list, seven month later I had my appointment, basic eye test by a nursing sister and later with the consultant.
This was an experience, the no doubt able and experienced consultant asked what was my age (75), did I still drive, (yes), what was my problem, kept reading his notes, interupted shortly after I started to speak, told me to put my chin there, looked in the one eye then next and explained you don't need an operation on your cateracts, told me hold your chin here again looking at each eye with his magnifying piece and explained here is a note come back in three months time for an examination to find out what is going on (his words).
I was processed and spat out like a sausage all in about seven minutes leaving me wondering what it was all about.
30th July 2007
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5 comments:
Hennie; My specialist told me that I would be needing cataract operation on my right eye before long in a few months.
I asked 'why wait a few months do it now?' He agreed. A month later I also did the other eye, even though I could have waited another 5 months before he reckoned it would need doing.I don't regret it.
The result is that I have thrown away my old glasses and can see for miles without them. I only need ordinary magnifying spectacles of 2.5, which are cheap at the chemist, to help reading. He said that very often the patient can throw away his old glasses except for reading help.
The operation I would recommend to everyone. It is painless and takes about ten minutes; you are awake but the anaesthetic relaxes you completely into a semi-dream state.
you are wheeled out and relax in a comfortable chair and they bring you coffee and biscuits.After half an hour a friend can drive you home. that night the eye is a bit sore and watering, but the next day the soreness gradually goes.
One last thing; It has also reduced the pressure in my eyes.
Go for it!
john
Hennie, I see now that you say you went to your optician. Maybe this is your mistake. You should go to a opthalmologist, a medically qualified eye specialist. An optician is well qualified but he is not a doctor.
john
Hi John
Thank you for your helpfull comments which I appreciated.
Unfortunately I have to rely on the public hospital system, rather than the private option. I have another appointment to review the situation in three months time.
I had my 76 year medical eye review with my GP for my drivers licence and this time the test revealed that my eyesight was as good if not better than some years ago. Sure some minor degree of eye sight deteriation has continued to occur over the years but way short of needing an operation but I await the review.
I will post further information in due course.
Hennie,
Bit of a time lapse, but the eye inspection by your GP for your driving licence, is in no way comparable with an eye inspection by an opthalmologist, who does a thorough internal eye inspection plus 'Field Test' for peripheral vision, plus pressure tests for Glaucoma.Mine cost about $130. Part paid by Medicare. A specialist's fee is a small cost indeed and beats the hell out of the possibility of going blind.
At your age and onwards it is well worth paying for full hospital cover. I've had, since I was 77,(now 83) five operations with stays in hospital---and not paid a cent. My hospital insurance (Mutual Community)costs me, with Government tax rebate, about $900 a year. The cost of a packet of cigarettes a week.
Your health is to precious to be parsimonious about it, mate.
Hi John
I did have the field,the in and behind the eye tests and other tests by the qualified optician I referred to who send all the tests to the Specialist (Opthalmogist) at the PA Hospital were I was since retested by him about a month ago.
He found that my eye sight had changed again and for the better in several respects and elected to review the position in November next. I now find that often I have better medium and longer distant viewing by removing my eye glasses.
The outcome in November will be interesting. I'm happy with the depth of experience of the people involved.
Hennie
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