Cataract surgery
Small-incision day-case surgery, with a full range of lens implant options tailored to your visual goals. For background on cataracts themselves, see the cataract condition page.
The procedure
Cataract surgery is usually a day case under local anaesthetic — drops or an injection to numb the eye — though sedation or general anaesthesia is available for anxious patients, agreed with the anaesthetist looking after you. You'll have dilating drops for an hour beforehand, then lie down for the procedure under an operating microscope, with a drape over the other eye.
Most patients need no stitches. A clear plastic shield is placed over the eye afterwards to reduce the risk of accidentally rubbing it.
Lens implant choices
The natural lens is replaced with an artificial lens implant (IOL). Options range from a standard single-focus lens (clear distance vision, reading glasses for near) to toric lenses correcting astigmatism, to multifocal lenses aiming to reduce spectacle dependence for both distance and near. Rahila will talk through which option suits your eyes and your daily life.
What happens next
At your appointment, Rahila takes a full medical history and examines both the front and back of your eyes with dilating drops. You'll have pre-operative measurements (biometry) and corneal topography to select the right lens power — usually done the same day. Special-order lenses typically take a few days to arrive; next-day delivery can be arranged if needed. In most cases you can choose which hospital you'd like for your surgery.
Aftercare
- Use your drops as prescribed — arrange help if needed.
- Cleanse the eye gently with boiled, cooled water; avoid rubbing it.
- Wear the eye shield at night for the first few nights.
- Don't drive for the first few days after surgery.
- Contact the team promptly for increasing pain, redness, or worsening vision.