Cataract

1. Before arrival you will be given instruction with regards to fasting (no food or drink prior the procedure), you will also be advised about not applying lotions, make-up etc. and if you have any underlying medical conditions, specific instructions with regards medication will be addressed.
2. The cataract procedure takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes, and much of that time is preparing the eye for the procedure. Numbing drops will be administered, and the skin surrounding your eyes will be cleaned,
3. The cataract is removed and the new lens is inserted seamlessly. 
4. After the cataract procedure, you’ll be able to rest in comfort and enjoy a tea or coffee.  However, please remember that you are not able to drive immediately after the procedure and you will need someone to accompany you home.

Just as there are different types of glasses, there are also different types of intraocular lens (IOL) that can be fitted during your cataract operation. It may even be possible to improve your eyesight to such an extent that you no longer have to rely on glasses at all.

Lenses used in a cataract operation can be:

• Single focus intraocular lenses – to allow either near or distance vision but not both
• Dual focus intraocular lenses – to correct both near and distance vision without glasses in the majority of patients
• Toric intraocular lenses - to correct astigmatism, a refractive error that only some people have

When should a person with cataracts have surgery?

Surgery is normally considered when loss of vision begins to interfere with your day-to-day activities or it is affecting your overall quality of life. 

Is the surgery permanent?

Yes. It’s not possible to get another cataract once it has been removed. However, approximately 10% of patients may become aware of a gradual blurring of vision some months to even years after the surgery as a result of the thickening of the lens capsule that supports your artificial lens. If this happens then clear vision is often simply restored by laser treatment, called a capsulotomy, which can be done very easily during a short visit to the clinic.

Will I need glasses after my surgery?

Most people will still need glasses for fine visual tasks although some patients can get by without them.

What if I have other eye problems?

There are diseases that can affect and limit your eye's visual improvement following cataract surgery. These can be diagnosed well before the operation and your specialist will discuss the impact of any such problems with you beforehand.

Does the procedure hurt?

No. An anaesthetic is applied before your surgery so that there is no pain, but some people experience slight discomfort after the surgery. 

How long does it take to recover? 

Recovery is very quick. You will want to take it easy for the first two or three days after surgery. 

What problems can happen after surgery?

Cataract surgery is very safe and has high success rates. However, it is important to understand that complications can always occur during or after any surgery. Your surgeon can talk you through any possible problems.