Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is a safe and proven procedure with a high rate of success and it is highly likely that you will see better after your procedure.
About the procedure
- Cataract surgery is a day procedure and your time at the centre will be between 2-3 hours with only between 30-40 minutes of this being in theatre. You will not stay overnight and return home after your procedure to rest and recover in comfort.
- Cataract surgery is performed under local anaesthesia.
- A specialist anaesthetist numbs the eye locally and you may also have a mild twilight anaesthetic to help you relax. However, you will likely be able to talk and answer questions throughout the procedure.
- Only one eye is operated on at a time and usually the most affected eye is treated first. The second eye may undergo treatment at a later date depending on your and your surgeon’s preference.
- The rate of recovery varies for each person but, generally, vision improves over a 24 to 72 hour period.
- Our eye surgeons use the latest technology and lenses to perform the cataract surgery.
- During the surgical process, a phacoemulsification (ultrasonic) probe is used to break the old lens into small particles which are then removed through a small incision with no stitch.
- The old lens of the eye is then replaced with a new artificial lens called an Intraocular Lens (IOL).
- Our eye surgeons offer a range of the latest IOL’s available and will advise during your consultation process which is the best suited to your eye health and your unique visual goals. Please see below more detail on the various types of IOL’s.
- It is important to remember that cataract surgery will not correct poor vision caused by other eye problems such as Macular Degeneration (aging of the back of the eye), Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy.
What is a cataract?
Instructions for Cataract Surgery
Intraocular Lenses
Intraocular lenses implanted during cataract surgery are a fundamental requirement for successful cataract surgery.
These lenses are designed to provide the eye with a focal point determined as part of the pre-operative assessment.
Improvements in Intraocular Lens design have made it possible to provide distance, intermediate, and near vision correction without glasses.
The type and style of lens used will be advised by your eye doctor in consultation with your visual goals.
In general terms there are three classes of Intraocular Lens:
Monofocal Lenses
These are the most commonly used lens and they provide a high quality of vision. They have a single focal point which is generally set for distance but can be set for near. Usually both eyes are set for distance but in some people one eye is set for distance and the other for near, a term called monovision.
Extended Depth of Focus (EDoF) or EROV (Extended Range of Vision Intraocular) Lenses
These lenses extend the range of focus from distance to approximately 60-80cms, depending on the technology used giving greater range and good middle vision, but they do not generally give good near vision so reading glasses may still be required.
Multifocal lenses
These lenses provide a near focus of 40cm, an intermediate focus from 60-80cm and a distance focal point by splitting the light entering the eye. Whilst they have many good characteristics, they can be associated with trade-offs being glare and halos at nighttime. It is hard to predict before surgery how they will impact you.
Toric IOLS
Toric IOLs are designed to correct astigmatism in addition to providing vision correction after cataract surgery as they have specific designs that help address the abnormal shape of the cornea.