Cataract Surgery

What is Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is a medical procedure to treat cataracts, which are the clouding of the natural lens in the eye. The eye's lens plays a crucial role in focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye, allowing us to see clearly. When the lens becomes clouded due to cataract, it can lead to blurred vision, reduced colour perception, and difficulty seeing in low-light conditions.

Benefits of Cataract Surgery

Improved Vision: The primary benefit of cataract surgery is improved vision. Removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) can restore clear vision, allowing individuals to see more clearly and perform daily activities without the hindrance of cataract-related vision problems.
Enhanced Quality of Life: Cataracts can significantly impact a person's quality of life by causing difficulties in reading, driving, recognising faces, and enjoying hobbies. Cataract surgery can restore independence and improve overall well-being.
Better Colour Perception: Cataracts can lead to reduced colour perception and yellowing or fading of colours. After surgery, many patients notice improved colour vision.
Correction of Refractive Errors: Depending on the type of intraocular lens used, cataract surgery can correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, reducing the need for glasses or contact lenses.
Reducing the need for Glasses: Premium intraocular lens options, such as multifocal or extended depth of field IOLs, can reduce dependence on glasses for distance and near vision. Your doctor will discuss your suitability for these.
Quick Recovery: Cataract surgery is typically a day procedure, and most patients experience a relatively quick recovery. Many people can resume their normal activities within a few days to a week after surgery.

Cataract Surgery Procedure

Anaesthetic: The procedure is completed under local anaesthetic with intravenous sedation.
Preparation: You'll be prepared for surgery by cleansing the area around your eye.
Incision: A small incision is made in the cornea to access the cataract-affected lens.
Cataract Removal: Using phacoemulsification, the cloudy lens is broken into small fragments and removed from the eye. An artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is then implanted in its place.
IOL Placement: The IOL is carefully positioned inside the lens capsule, where the natural lens used to be. The IOL can correct refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness, reducing the need for glasses.
Closing Incision: The incision is usually self-sealing and does not require sutures. It will heal on its own.