Cataract Surgery

You might be wondering what causes eye cataracts? As you develop cataracts your eye lens becomes cloudy and a yellowish/brownish colour caused by a build-up and clumping together of protein cells in your lens.

Some factors can increase your likelihood of developing cataracts such as: diabetes, smoking, UV exposure, eye injury, some medications, eye surgery and, very short sightedness.

You might be wondering what causes cataracts? As you develop cataracts your eye lens becomes cloudy and a yellowish/brownish colour caused by a build-up and clumping together of protein cells in your lens.

Some factors can increase your likelihood of developing cataracts such as: diabetes, smoking, UV exposure, eye injury, some medications, eye surgery and, very short sightedness.

Cataract symptoms may not be apparent at first.  As a cataract progresses you may notice signs including:

• Things seem blurry or cloudy.
• Poor night vision that makes driving at night more difficult and a need for more light when reading.
• Sensitivity to glare of bright sunlight or car headlamps.
• Halos around light sources.
• More frequent need for stronger prescription glasses or contacts.
• Colours start to look more faded, washed out and yellow tinted.
• Double vision, where you can see two or more images of a single object, in one of your eyes.
• Clean glasses feel dirty or like they need cleaning.

You should see an optometrist or ophthalmologist if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. They can perform an assessment, diagnose your eye condition and, recommend the best course of treatment for you that will allow you to see more clearly again. Advanced cataracts carry more risk of complications during their surgical removal and they may even lead to blindness.

Cataracts will never go on their own. Surgery is the only treatment for cataracts. Cataract surgery is a very common and straightforward day case procedure that aims to give you improved eyesight. Following your cataract operation, you should be able to: see things in focus, differentiate colours and, look into bright lights without too much glare.

One of the greatest benefits of cataract surgery is an increased quality of life. With better vision you have many lifestyle benefits such as reading, working, driving, socialising and, playing sport as well as greater independence, safety and reduced likelihood of falling. This in turn can also improve your self-confidence and mental health.

A cataract operation is a quick and straightforward day case procedure. It is usually performed under local anaesthetic and takes up to 45 minutes.

Your ophthalmology surgeon will remove your cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one, known as an intraocular lens (IOL). 

If you have cataracts in both eyes, you will need a cataract operation for each eye, with the second procedure performed a few weeks after the first.

Full recovery from cataract surgery can take anything from 2 to 8 weeks but typically patients are seeing much better from the following day after cataract surgery.

You will be prescribed antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection and some anti-inflammatory drops to help with irritation and red eye and light sensitivity which are the commonest eye symptoms post cataract surgery.

Following cataract surgery, during the recovery period it is advisable to avoid heavy exercise lifting heavy weight from the floor or excessive bending. Also avoid swimming or any activities that may get things in the eye in the first month after surgery.

Most patients get a foreign body sensation or irritation in the eye after surgery. This typically last from 2-4 weeks but the eye drops prescribed by your surgeon post-operatively help with this.

It is possible to drive the following day after surgery providing you can see the number plate at the required distance for DVLA standards. If you are unsure about your specific situation please ask your surgeon for advice.

There are no limitations to when you can fly after cataract surgery. You will have to take your post-operative eye drops with you and administer them as instructed by the surgeon and on the plane if you take a long haul flight.

Cataract surgery has a high success rate and the risk of serious complications developing is very low. However, as with any operation, there is a risk of complications including:

• Eye infection or swelling
• Bleeding
• Retinal detachment 
• Damage to other structures of the eye
• Incomplete removal of the cataract or part of it falling into the back of your eye
• Incorrect strength of lens inserted
• Loosening of new implant
• Fluid build-up in your eye

Most complications can be treated with medicines or further surgery.

Surgery on the second eye can occur at anytime after the first eye. Typically, patients prefer to wait for the first eye to heal before embarking on surgery to the second eye. However, there are exceptions when the two eyes are operated quite close together as this provides better balance for the patient and stops them getting double vision. Your surgeon will discuss with you specifically the best way forward with regards to your personal situation.

Cataract surgery usually lasts forever.

In some patients up to 30% they can develop a clouding of the vision at a later stage typically many months and years after the original surgery due to the development of clouding of the capsule supporting the lens implant.

This can be rectified easily with a simple laser procedure (yag laser capsulotomy) done in outpatients.

Cataract surgery may be covered by your medical insurance policy. We advise you to check directly with your insurance provider and get written confirmation before commencing treatment.

If you decide to pay for your cataract treatment, it is easier than you think to access private hospital treatment. At Ramsay Health Care, we offer a range of ways to fund treatment, giving you the flexibility to choose which option best suits you and your finances. You can also spread the cost of your treatment with finance options available.

The standard lens usually inserted during cataract surgery, is a Monofocal Lens which corrects your distance vision but does not correct any astigmatism or allow you to see up close without the requirement for glasses.

It is possible for your surgeon to insert a lens which corrects your astigmatism and allows you to see up close without the need for spectacles.

The different types of lenses are outlined below:

• Standard Lens: Toric distance corrected lens, correct your distance vision for good driving and watching TV but you may still need glasses for near work
• Corrective Lens: These are multifocal lenses which focus for near, computer and distance vision without the need for spectacles.

Multifocal Toric lenses which correct the astigmatism, as well as providing better vision at all distances and allows patients to be more independent of glasses.

There is usually an additional premium cost to the 'corrective lenses' which are not routinely used, if an insured or self-funding patient wants to explore this option. Your surgeon can discuss the options which are available to you, and which is the most appropriate lens to be implanted in your specific situation.

If you are experiencing any cataract symptoms you should book an appointment with an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Early treatment can help improve your vision and lead to a better quality of life.

At Ramsay, we have highly skilled and experienced consultant ophthalmologists who can offer fast and convenient appointments for cataract surgery at a Ramsay Hospital near you.