Cataract surgery on Medicare?

[cat_mioux]

Last time I had my eyes tested I was told I have cataracts in both eyes. I can't afford to pay for the surgery so I'll have to go on the waiting list.

How do I get on the waiting list?

Can OPSM give me a referral or do I need to see my GP?

How long is the waiting list? Will they do both eyes at the same time?

[just_me_karen]

I've never heard of anyone getting both eyes done at once. Usually they do one at a time, just in case it doesn't work.

Quite a few city people head west for cataract ops, because of Fred Hollows setting up regular eye surgery sessions. Very small waiting list and expert services, but not suitable for those who daren't risk leaving the city.

[buzzlightyearsgirlfriend]

---

@j*oono wrote:

That is a real shame.  I have never heard of anyone being less than delighted with cataract surgery.

---

Welllll.......

My grandmother had it done when she was in her 90's. Prior to the surgery she was mentally fine. After the surgery she had advanced dementia. Died 6 months later. I think the anaesthesia did a number on her elderly brain. 

[purple_haize]

I am beggining to think I will give it a miss........didnt know all these things could go wrong

[debra9275]

Buzz. a few of my Mum @ Dad's friends have been affected by anaesthetic, not for eye surgery though, shoulder and hip things, and I mean mentally affected. One even thought it was a conspiracy to get rid of elderly people

PH and yet my MIL had it done and was fine, but it was Laser surgery is that the same as what you'd be having?

[the_great_she_elephant]

---

@buzzlightyearsgirlfriend wrote:

---

@j*oono wrote:

That is a real shame.  I have never heard of anyone being less than delighted with cataract surgery.

---

Welllll.......

My grandmother had it done when she was in her 90's. Prior to the surgery she was mentally fine. After the surgery she had advanced dementia. Died 6 months later. I think the anaesthesia did a number on her elderly brain. 

---

How long ago was that, Buzz? An old friend of ours, in his 80s, had both his done - a few weeks apart - last year. They were both done using only a local anaesthetic and he had no problems at all.

[*crikey*mate*]

---

@j*oono wrote:

That is a real shame.  I have never heard of anyone being less than delighted with cataract surgery.

---

me neither till then, my mum had it on one eye, and now she doesn't even need glasses and she's pretty old, so for her it was great

[imastawka]

My SIL wore coke bottle glasses for her whole life.  Had cataracts removed in

her 60's and doesn't need glasses at all anymore.  I didn't even recognise her

in the street without her trademark glasses

[cat_mioux]

Purple don't let the stirrers and doom and gloomers scare you off having the surgery. You'll be fine. Millions of people have cataract surgery around the world and they are fine.

Both eyes are NOT done at the same time just incase something does go wrong. So that tells me the story is BS right there.

[jean2579]

Purple, ignore the negatives. It is true that I had a problem with macula bleeding after my first surgery, but two injections fixed that and I have brilliant sight in that eye. The doc said that the odds of this happening were about 3,000 to 1. Mine was prob caused by very high blood pressure that I get. I am still happy to take the chance with number 2 next week.

[*crikey*mate*]

---

@cat_mioux wrote:

Purple don't let the stirrers and doom and gloomers scare you off having the surgery. You'll be fine. Millions of people have cataract surgery around the world and they are fine.

Both eyes are NOT done at the same time just incase something does go wrong. So that tells me the story is BS right there.

---

did I say she had them done at the same time?