Cataract Surgery

What does this involve?

Cataract removal surgery does not normally require a hospital stay as it involves a short operation of around twenty to thirty minutes, usually carried out under local anaesthetic, which ensures the operation is painless. 

Firstly your eye is treated with eye drops to dilate your pupil and then anaesthetic is administered through a tiny tube under the eye, without the need for any sharp needles.  Although you may see some light and movement, you will not be able to see the surgery while it is happening, and you will not have to worry about keeping your eye open or closed.

The cataract will be removed and replaced with an artificial lens implant.  This will be done by using ultrasound to break the cataract into pieces and then removing it through a small cut in your eye. The cut is so small it does not even need stitches.  Your new lens is then implanted into the same place that the natural lens occupied and is held in place by the original lens membrane. 

Once the operation is complete your eye will normally be covered by a clear plastic shield and you can rest for a while before your departure.

When will I recover?

You should be able to go home a few hours after the surgery and you will need to use the prescribed eye drops and be careful not to rub or press on your eye.  Your normal daily life can be resumed although you should avoid strenuous exercise for a couple of weeks.

Your vision should improve over the first 24 - 48 hours and we will normally see you again within the first week after the operation to check on your progress and provide any advice and support you need.

You should see your Optician four to five weeks after surgery to check your requirement for glasses - this delay allows your eye to fully settle before being assessed.  The operation is designed to ensure you have good unaided distance vision though it can mean that reading glasses may be needed depending upon your normal quality of vision. 

What risks should I know about?

Cataract removal is a regularly performed operation worldwide and is considered to be quite safe.  Most patients do not suffer any complications or side effects but we should mention those complications that can occur, even though it is in less than 0.1% of occasions.

• Bleeding at the back of your eye which can disturb vision.
• Some pain after the operation which can be helped by over the counter pain medication.
• Infection inside the eye
• Tearing of the very delicate lens membrane that holds the new lens.
• Retinal detachment

Although these conditions are potentially treatable, they could, in some very extreme cases, result in loss of vision in the affected eye.