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Cataract
Surgery Information
The cataract specialists
at Eye Institute, Auckland are
acknowledged
leaders
in cataract treatments. Our
advanced
cataract surgery
techniques and state-of-the-art
day-stay eye
surgery facilities means you'll
enjoy a quicker recovery.
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If you’ve been diagnosed as having
a cataract, there is no need to worry.
Cataracts are nothing unusual. They frequently
occur as part of the eye’s ageing
process. But with cataracts it is possible
to turn the
clock back. The latest advances in microsurgery
are remarkably successful, giving improved
visual results and dramatically shortened
recovery time. There is no need for any
time in hospital.
The care, expertise and technology available
to you at Eye Institute let you recapture
something of that youthful outlook you
thought you’d
never lose. We’re proud to provide
a level of excellence without equal in
New Zealand eye care. In fact at Eye Institute
we pioneered no-stitch cataract surgery
and
we’re continually refining our techniques.
Not all cataracts need surgery, but when
deteriorating vision begins to interfere
with your work or lifestyle it’s
time you gave it serious consideration.
We’ll do all
we can to help you achieve your best decision.
What are cataracts?
 The
lens of the human eye is similar in operation
to the lens of a camera. Located
near the front of the eye, the lens focuses
light on to the retina at the back of the
eye. Light passes through it to produce
a sharp
image on the retina. When the lens of the
eye becomes cloudy or opaque, light is
unable to pass through it and your vision
is blurred. This condition is known as
a cataract. There are many misconceptions
about cataracts. For instance, a cataract
is not a film visible on the outside of
the eye. It is not caused from the over-use
of the eyes, and using the eyes does not
make it worse.
Cataracts usually develop over a period
of many months. They can occur as early
as age 40. Occasionally they may occur
in infants or children as a congenital
defect.
How do cataracts affect you?
Depending on the size and location of the
cloudy areas in a lens, you may not even
be aware that a cataract is developing.
As the cataract progresses, you will notice
a deterioration of your distance and reading
vision. You may experience hazy, fuzzy
and blurred vision. Double vision may also
occur when a cataract is beginning to form.
Your
eyes may also be more sensitive to light
and glare, making night driving difficult.
There
may be a need to change eyeglass prescriptions
in the early stages, which may help temporarily.
As the cataract develops you’ll find
stronger glasses no longer improve your
sight.
Revolutionary no-stitch cataract surgery
At Eye Institute we use phaco-emulsification
which is the state-of-the-art advanced
technique that allows the cataract to be
removed through a very small, secure opening
about 3mm in length.
This type of surgery means that your recovery
period is dramatically shortened. Normal
activities such as driving, walking, sports
etc. can usually be commenced within a
few days. Note that cataracts are not removed
by laser. However, occasionally laser surgery
is used to remove any thickening of the
membrane behind the lens implant, which
sometimes occurs months or years after
surgery.
Refractive - Cataract Surgery
Although you may have always needed to
wear glasses, you may be surprised to know
that you may not be as reliant on glasses
after surgery. For this reason, we now
call this surgery “refractive-cataract
surgery”.
Before your surgery, your surgeon will
discuss with you your requirements and
what refractive outcome would be best for
you. Just as there are bifocal and progressive
spectacles, so there are different types
of lenses that we can put in your eye during
refractive-cataract surgery to give you
the vision that best meets your requirements.
Eye Institute uses the latest technology,
including the “Zeiss
IOL Master” and the “Nidek
OPD scan” to
ensure that the lens we select is correct
for you.
These include:
- Wavefront-corrected single-focus
lenses.
These can give you your very best
distance vision, and can correct about
all of the short or long sightedness
that you have. You will usually need
glasses
for closer vision.
- Dual-Focus lenses.
These lenses, of which there are a
few different varieties can give
you both
a distance focus and a near focus,
so that 80% of people find that they
don’t
need to wear glasses for either reading
or looking in the distance. Because
of the way they work, there is a
small reduction
in clarity compared to single-focus lenses.
- Astigmatism
correcting lenses.
Many people have a natural focusing
problem called astigmatism, which
is normally not
corrected with single-focus lenses.
Toric lenses, however, can correct
varying degrees of astigmatism.
It is obviously
important that, together with your
surgeon, you identify what your
visual requirements
are so that we can give you the vision
that best suits your needs.
Convenient day-stay surgery
Eye Institute offers state-of-the-art facilities
for day stay eye surgery. You’ll
enjoy quicker recovery and less disruption
to your everyday activities.
Cataract Surgery Procedure:
- Drops will be
put into your eye to dilate the pupil.
- When
you arrive in the operating suite you
will be given a mild sedative if you
wish.
- A
painless anaesthetic will be administered.
You’ve
the choice of anaesthetic jelly or
a local anaesthetic injection. More
and more people
are now choosing cataract surgery using
anaesthetic jelly alone.
- The skin around
the eye will be cleaned. Sterile
drapes will be placed around your head
and face.
You will be aware of voices during
the procedure but for the most part you
will
be drowsy, due to medication. An anaesthetist
or nurse will be with you continuously
to ensure your safety and comfort during
the procedure.
- There is minimal discomfort
throughout the procedure and afterwards.
After surgery you rest awhile in a
lazy-boy chair
with tea or coffee. Most patients are
able to return home within an hour.
To make
an appointment, or to find out more
information, fill out our enquiry
form, or contact Eye
Institute's friendly team on free phone
0800 393 527.
Affiliated provider benefit to Cataract Patients
- no need for prior approval
- no money up front for surgery
- Southern Cross pays us directly
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