herecomesaregular
We're in the pipe, 5 by 5
I had detached retinas in both eyes in my early 20s. Lost a contact lens the day before I was due to go to Alton Towers, went to the optician in the morning who sent me to the GP who said maybe I should go to Brighton Eye Hospital A&E tomorrow instead of Alton Towers (not much urgency insisted which was absolutely incorrect). Wandered into the Eye Hospital rather caszh, had an examination, then surprisingly asked me when I last ate.... and had emergency surgery that afternoon. A very, very lucky boy (with no noticeable symptoms to warn me). Alton Towers would have been a disaster, likely blinding me if I had gone. Forever grateful (although not to the lad who kicked me repeatedly in the head which was a likely causative factor).
30 years later, had to have cataracts removed in both eyes last year (detached retina op increases likelihood of cataracts.. and cataract op increases likelihood of a detached retina. The eye does not like to be mucked about with). Was referred to Optegra in Hollingbury. Must say I did find the op rather uncomfortable but that's on me and my nerves. Seems to have gone ok. I was -8.5 with -2.25 astigmatsim, so v short sighted. Now I'm -1.5 and -1.75 astigmatism. I wasn't offered any option re lens (as it was NHS). V professional and smooth process. Worth noting that the NHS lens cannot correct for astigmatism so I will always need glasses (although my astigmatism has naturally reduced a bit post op, a bonus).
The negatives for me are that it has left me suffering a bit on and off with dry eye and my eyes will no longer tolerate contact lenses. I was a bit saddened by this as I was hoping to go back to them to unveil my startling good looks behind the glasses (think Jane out of Neighbours).
edit - oh yeah and for 4 months with firstly one eye done but not the other (had to wear an eye patch on my glasses to cope) was v discombobulating and then even worse with both done but no new glasses for ages due to a delayed check up/all clear - often bumbling around bumping into things (I wore off shelf readers but they have no astigmatism correction). Was v glad when I was able to get new glasses!
30 years later, had to have cataracts removed in both eyes last year (detached retina op increases likelihood of cataracts.. and cataract op increases likelihood of a detached retina. The eye does not like to be mucked about with). Was referred to Optegra in Hollingbury. Must say I did find the op rather uncomfortable but that's on me and my nerves. Seems to have gone ok. I was -8.5 with -2.25 astigmatsim, so v short sighted. Now I'm -1.5 and -1.75 astigmatism. I wasn't offered any option re lens (as it was NHS). V professional and smooth process. Worth noting that the NHS lens cannot correct for astigmatism so I will always need glasses (although my astigmatism has naturally reduced a bit post op, a bonus).
The negatives for me are that it has left me suffering a bit on and off with dry eye and my eyes will no longer tolerate contact lenses. I was a bit saddened by this as I was hoping to go back to them to unveil my startling good looks behind the glasses (think Jane out of Neighbours).
edit - oh yeah and for 4 months with firstly one eye done but not the other (had to wear an eye patch on my glasses to cope) was v discombobulating and then even worse with both done but no new glasses for ages due to a delayed check up/all clear - often bumbling around bumping into things (I wore off shelf readers but they have no astigmatism correction). Was v glad when I was able to get new glasses!
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