I learnt something new today (1 Viewer)

[rosalan]

Reaching the upper end of the age bracket, I hear many of my contemporaries telling of their medical fixes. I've been reassured that when cataracts become necessary, the operation is quick and painless and so many similar tales to allay future fears.
About two weeks ago my hearing in one ear demanded attention. Firked with fingers to no avail and resorted to much exploration with cotton wool buds, finally buying a patent ear cleaner that seemed guaranteed to work, without much success. As my wife is a nurse, she syringed the retched organ that still played no audible tune.
Visited my doctors surgery at 0800 to get an appointment with their nurse in two weeks time, TWO WEEKS!!! Something drastic was called for and my neighbour produced a leaflet telling of specialists who have equipment designed purely for bringing life back to my bunged up lugs. In my case I phoned Angliear in Cambridge who truly are specialists in all things earlike. He put a very fine probe into my ear, attached to a mobile phone and recorded my good ear drum for me to see, it was fine. Then my problem ear, which although I had flushed it for more than ten days and done everything I could think of to clear it, it looked for all the world as if I had been deliberately tamping the gunge to block out sound. Then he took a miniature vacuum and within seconds had my ear completely clear.
What I learnt today was to never, ever use an earbud to clean my ear, it did just the opposite.

 

[davejen]

Was it d....EAR??
Cheers, Dave

 

[MannClan]

pardon ?

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[Kingham]

I've always been told, nothing in your ear that's smaller than a finger

However, I can't resist using cotton buds on mine

 

[dryad]

i was always told that the only thing safe to put in your ear was your elbow..

 

[buttons]

I've always been told, nothing in your ear that's smaller than a finger

However, I can't resist using cotton buds on mine

I think it goes nothing in your ear smaller than your elbow not your finger....

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[eleanor rigby]

I am an Audiologist and would agree---never ever use cotton buds. Every week i see patients with ear canals with compacted wax, bits of cotton wool stuck in, ear drums perforated. The ear canal is tapered and trying to fish wax out with a cotton bud generaly just makes things a whole lot worse, and can cause permanent damage in some cases.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

I have a cataract starting in my left eye and corrected at the moment by stronger glasses, but it will get worse and I will need it to be done. However I am told that the operation is being dropped by the NHS here, unless it is truly life affecting. The money is being diverted by NICE to pay for an anti HIV prophylactic for the at risk groups, meant to let them avoid getting Aids. I will have to pay for it to be done, which I will of course, but not before making a right fuss if the information is true.

 

[rosalan]

I am shocked to hear this, for as I understood it, your optician can state that an operation is required if the cataract reaches the line on the chart indicating you cannot drive. As I have been advised that I have the early stages of cataracts, I am worried.

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[lute]

After being told by my optician that my new specs would cost 1500 euros i looked for and found a eye clinic to replace my lens (same as cataract op) for 500 euros more. One eye operated on one week, next the following week, ive never looked back, I have slightly different strength lens in each eye, one for near the other for far sight after a week or so the two work together, i can read labels in supermarkets and use the computer reellly eeezi and driving offers no problems, we must have a medical when we renew the driving licence here in spain, which includes an eye test and so far so good. I've had them for 5 years

 

[GWAYGWAY]

I use Tesco/Specsavers and get a pair for £36 each but have had three pairs this last 12 months.

 

[Hils and Glenns]

I have a cataract starting in my left eye and corrected at the moment by stronger glasses, but it will get worse and I will need it to be done. However I am told that the operation is being dropped by the NHS here, unless it is truly life affecting. The money is being diverted by NICE to pay for an anti HIV prophylactic for the at risk groups, meant to let them avoid getting Aids. I will have to pay for it to be done, which I will of course, but not before making a right fuss if the information is true.

Glenn had a cataract starting and I was sick of glasses so we had lens replacement in Prague. Much cheaper than here and better lenses. Its worth considering if you decide to go ahead and have it done privately.

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[aldhp21]

I am shocked to hear this, for as I understood it, your optician can state that an operation is required if the cataract reaches the line on the chart indicating you cannot drive. As I have been advised that I have the early stages of cataracts, I am worried.

I had a cataract operation on my left eye 2 weeks ago. I was pooing myself before the op. The actual op itself only took about 7 mins. No pain. Afterwards the eye has been a but uncomfortable, bit gritty and it itches but the colours I can now see!! I now see true white in the left eye but a dull yellowy cream in my right. I have a lesser cataract in the right eye.

I was lucky to have health insurance so I'm now going to get the right eye done. I'm told if I didn't have health insurance it would have cost about £2k private. I was also told NHS wouldn't do it as I had what was considered by them to be perfectly good vision in my right eye.

 

[BobtheBass]

I went to an opticians for a test. He took me outside and looked up at the sky. Can you see the sun?, he asked. Of course said I. That's 93 million miles away, he said. How much further do you want to see?

 

[pappajohn]

Glenn had a cataract starting and I was sick of glasses so we had lens replacement in Prague. Much cheaper than here and better lenses. Its worth considering if you decide to go ahead and have it done privately.

Long way to go for any warranty work though.

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[pappajohn]

I wanted some prescription sunglasses so went to speccy's on Sunday for an eye test.
As they have the usual 2 for 1 offer I also ordered some new specs, single vision, no special coatings....same as the sunny's, basic goggles.

Eleven bloody days delivery time.
Summer will be over by then.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

Glenn had a cataract starting and I was sick of glasses so we had lens replacement in Prague. Much cheaper than here and better lenses. Its worth considering if you decide to go ahead and have it done privately.

I would be interested to know what it cost to have done there or other places in Europe. Going private here seems to carry a BIG profit margin.

 

[Hils and Glenns]

I would be interested to know what it cost to have done there or other places in Europe. Going private here seems to carry a BIG profit margin.

This is the quote we got. We went for the op by laser which is more expensive. I'm much too squeamish to go for the scalpel.
Informative quote - Multifocal lens exchange/Cataract surgery with multifocal lens
The total price includes all medical costs (apart from the General Health Examination). Acrysof yellow lens are included in the base price.

Book Treatment Only

Treatment details

EUR

GBP

Eye Pre-operative Examination:

€ 80



Multifocal lens - right eye:

€ 1140



Multifocal lens - left eye:

€ 1140



Initial visit to the clinic with our assistant:

FREE



Our help during your whole stay:

FREE



Price of Treatment only*

€ 2360

£ 2031

* Price in GBP is just informative. General Health Examination not included (we recommend to obtain approval to surgery from your GP). Or it can be done in Prague for 110 EUR the same day as the eye examination.

Less expensive monofocal lens (EUR 765 for one eye), the premium trifocal lens (EUR 1300 for one eye) or combination with toric lens for people with astigmatism are also available.

If you do not want to use reading glasses after the surgery I really recommend the trifocal lens. We have the high quality lens from Alcon and ZEISS Companies.

As one the first providers in Europe we can offer intraocular surgery also by means of the latest technique - femtosecond LenSx laser. If you are interested in laser-assisted procedure, please let me know. I will be happy to send you more information in my next email.

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[gus-lopez]

I would be interested to know what it cost to have done there or other places in Europe. Going private here seems to carry a BIG profit margin.

One cataract cost my father £1500 & that was well over 20 years ago.

 

[pyro]

My other half was lucky. Referred directly to the hospital by the optician, one eye had mild cataract. the other just the first signs. As both eyes were officially affected, it was covered by NHS. Both done within 4 weeks, now she has x-ray vision and doesn't need her glasses even for reading. Well done NHS

On the ear issue, same problems as the OP. The drs gave up trying to clear one of her ears, so over to a private clinic in London. Two days notice for the appointment, cleared in minutes using electronic microscope and suction, cost £60, job's a good 'un

 

[rosalan]

On the ear issue, same problems as the OP. The drs gave up trying to clear one of her ears, so over to a private clinic in London. Two days notice for the appointment, cleared in minutes using electronic microscope and suction, cost £60, job's a good 'un

My treatment for ear wax removal cost £50, but a Google search can find cheaper and also more expensive. I cannot praise the treatment I received enough. Job done in seconds and totally without discomfort. I got my appointment 4 hours after phoning.

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[GWAYGWAY]

I feel the NHS is being cut back badly and refusal of treatment is becoming evident. To me cataracts are more important than the politically correct, prophylactic aids treatment for Gay men. I will need to pay for my eyes. More importantly I may have to pay for an Angioplasty in the near future as They are cutting the criteria for those to be done. Age and severity go down the list, just drug treatment until the inevitable clot happens and then it is too late, saves the cost of a pension there. If I have to pay it will take my financial reserves and pour them into the private practice of some company.

 

[pyro]

Sorry to hear of your concerns

Technically speaking they are not allowed to use your age in any decisions regarding treatment, unless you are on a "terminal pathway".

What they often do is take into account occupational issues. They often use this as a way of getting around any accusations of "ageism". So if they can put you down as "retired" then there is no hurry. If you say that you are a volunteer driver for some group or other, and your eyesight is essential, that is the sort of thing that gives you some priority.

You also have the right to choose the place of treatment. https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...k-what-choices-are-available-to-me-in-the-nhs

Also may be worth having a look at this: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/plannedtreatment/Pages/Introduction.aspx

 

[rosalan]

Regarding operations, I believe that you can now "Choose and Book" where you are treated. How far this goes in reality or timing I do not know.

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[GWAYGWAY]

It probably means choose to have or not, and then get what we give you when we book you in.
After an episode that was deemed urgent, I was put on an urgent list, then had consultant changed as I got to the top of the pile, and went straight to the bottom of the other mans pile, 18 weeks for an URGENT test ???? Had I gone to a local French hospital when I was over there I would have been seen tested and treated and done.
I know what would have happened had I known when I was ill, instead of struggling to get back home with all the difficulty I had getting back.