Cataract Surgery
When is cataract surgery advised?
Cataract surgery is usually recommended when the level of vision due to the cataract is interfering with a persons' life. This may be that their vision has dropped below the legal driving limit; they are finding reading or watching TV more difficult; or not able to enjoy their usual hobbies.
What does cataract surgery involve?
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed operations in the world, and has an excellent success rate and safety record.
The operation is usually carried out as a day-case procedure, under local anaesthesia using eye drops or a small injection around the eye, with the whole operation taking about 20-30 minutes to complete.
Small incisions are made in the cornea, allowing a special ultrasound probe to enter the eye, which breaks up the lens into small pieces and then removes them from the eye. This process is known as Phacoemulsification.
A clear, plastic lens implant is then placed into the eye, replacing the cloudy lens. This lens implant will typically last a lifetime.
Stitches are rarely required these days and patients are usually sent home within an hour, and asked to use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops for about 4 weeks after the surgery.
Patients are normally reviewed again in the clinic from 2-4 weeks after their operation.
After surgery patients usually do not have their eye patched. They can resume their usual lifestyle and normal activities soon after the procedure is performed.
Am I able to get rid of my glasses?
Short sightedness, far sightedness and astigmatism can be corrected at the time of cataract surgery. Pre-operative measurements are carried out with precision to determine the correct power of the artificial lens you need. A routine approach aims to provide patients with clear distance vision without glasses but with the need for reading glasses for near vision.
Recent developments in intraocular lenses, such as extended depth of focus or multifocal lenses, may allow patients to avoid wearing glasses entirely. These premium lenses can improve quality of life if selected for the right patients. Mr Agrawal will determine if you are a candidate for this type of procedure and will discuss the various options with you.
What are the risks of cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is a very successful and safe procedure. However, any operation inside the eye will always carry a certain risk. There is a 0.1% risk of a serious complication that cause severe and permanent loss of vision. There is a 2% risk of further surgery should the operation become complicated. My personal complication rate is significantly lower than the national average.
Why is my vision is starting to mist over following cataract surgery?
When we perform cataract surgery, the new plastic lens is inserted into the natural capsule of the eye. In some patients, this capsule can mist over and scar a few months or a few years following cataract surgery. This is known as Posterior Capsular Opacification. A simple outpatient painless YAG capsulotomy laser procedure can effectively treat this condition. It rapidly restores the vision to its previous state.
My experience of cataract surgery
I am highly trained in keyhole microscopic stitch-free cataract surgery. I have performed several thousand cataract operation with a complication rate significantly lower than the national average.
For further information on this surgery please click on this patient information sheet.