Cataract Surgery London

Cataract surgery is a world-renowned lens replacement surgery, where your natural lens is replaced with an intraocular, artificial lens. It is carried out when the original lens has become cloudy white or yellowish in colour, due to opacification, causing a frosted glass-like effect. This will usually be the result of an ageing process or an injury.

If cataracts impair your vision severely and interfere with your lifestyle, making it hard to complete even the simplest tasks, bringing feelings of anxiety and frustration and ultimately affecting your mental health, it is necessary to undergo the surgery. However, if your vision is still good, you may not need cataract surgery immediately and many patients can wait for years before having the procedure. Your doctor can give you a clearer picture of what to expect.

Before going ahead with the surgery, it’s important to make sure all of your questions have been answered and you are 100% ready to go ahead. To make sure you cover everything, here is a list of questions you should ask your surgeon before cataract surgery.

Before Cataract Surgery

Before the surgery, your doctor will use an ultrasound device to measure the size and shape of your eye. This will allow the surgeon to identify the best artificial lens to use. There are a few different lenses available that may be suitable for you:

• Monofocal IOL
• Multifocal IOL
• Toric IOL

Your doctor will discuss the options and benefits of each before your surgery.

During Cataract Surgery

The surgery will begin with a nurse using eye drops to numb your eye and dilate the pupil. You may also be offered a sedative to help you relax during surgery.

There are two techniques that are mainly used in the UK and other developed countries to perform cataract surgery:

• Phacoemulsification: involves the use of the machine with an ultrasonic handpiece, vibrating at a frequency of 40.000 Hz. It emulsifies the cataract lens. Another small instrument ("cracker" or "chopper") is used to fragment the nucleus into smaller pieces. It’s then removed by another system, called I-A. A foldable lens is inserted. A small incision, about 2-3mm is used to perform this technique and it doesn’t require stitches.

• Extracapsular Cataract extraction: is used when the lens needs to be removed in one piece. A larger incision of around 10-12mm is required. And stitches will be needed, which may prolong the recovery. This technique will be performed if the cataract is too hard and phacoemulsification isn’t possible.

As the surgeon operates, you may feel some very light sensations, but you shouldn’t feel any pain or discomfort, as anaesthetising eye drops are used prior to and throughout the procedure.

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure, and you will be discharged on the same day. The surgery will usually take approximately 10 to 20 minutes. You will then be kept for observation for at least an hour until your doctor is satisfied that the surgery has gone well. Your surgical team will provide you with all necessary instructions, drops and oral medications for the best recovery outcome.

Once the surgery is completed, your doctor will usually give you protective glasses to wear to help your eyes to heal.

Your surgical team will provide you with all necessary instructions, drops and oral medications for the best recovery outcome. The overall cataract surgery recovery time will take around a week, and during this time, you should follow your doctor’s instructions on how to promote a healthy recovery. You should talk to your doctor about when it is safe to start driving or return to work. This should be around a week post-surgery.

Some of the things you should do during recovery to help your eyes heal include:

• Use the eyedrops provided per your doctor’s instructions
• Rest
• Use the protective glasses provided while you sleep and wash your hair
• Take over-the-counter pain medication if needed

Some of the things you should avoid during recovery include:

• Swimming
• Driving
• Strenuous activity
• Touching your eyes
• Getting water in your eyes
• Using hot tubs or saunas
• Wearing eye makeup
• Contact with dust

For more information, please read our article on the dos and don’ts after cataract surgery.

With any surgery, there is a risk of complications, so it is important to be informed and understand what to look for. Most cataract surgery complications are rare, provided proper after-surgery care is taken. Some of the more common complications that can be treated at home include:

• Pain – a common complication best treated using painkillers. Swelling – this should usually resolve on its own, but medication can be prescribed to help.
• Dry eyes – this can be alleviated using eye drops recommended by your doctor.
• Floaters – these are a common eye occurrence, but you should talk to your doctor to ensure they are not a sign of something more serious.

Issues that require more immediate and professional medical intervention can include:

• Infection – this is rare but can be effectively treated using antibiotics.
• Bleeding – a rare complication that can impact those with diabetes or high blood pressure. Contact your doctor urgently if you notice any bleeding, particularly if it will not stop.
• Detached retina – a complication requiring urgent medical attention. It can appear with some vision loss, flashes of light or floaters.
• Vision loss – in some very rare cases, some or all vision may be lost as a result of the surgery.

Any surgery has side effects, and you may experience some, all or none of them. Most are not cause for concern, but if you are worried, it is always best to discuss what you are experiencing with your doctor. Some of the common side effects of cataract surgery include:

• Dry eyes
• Itchiness
• Grittiness
• Bloodshot eyes
• Blurred or double vision

These side effects should usually resolve on their own within a few weeks. If they are causing you pain or discomfort, discuss your options for treating side effects with your doctor.

Cataract surgery is a highly effective procedure that can give those with cataracts their vision back. This can allow you to continue living your life as usual, working and enjoying your family life without the worry of vision loss. Other benefits of cataract surgery include:

• Speedy recovery
• Quick outpatient procedure
• Better eye health
• Improved vision

The success rate is high for cataract surgery, and it is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the UK. The chance of an unsuccessful procedure is minuscule.

Our highly accomplished refractive surgeon, Mr Samer Hamada, with 0% posterior capsule tear and the lowest complication rate in the world, is proud that all his patients achieve maximum visual potential with 100% perfect centration of intraocular lens implants (IOL).

If you want to learn more about the benefits of cataracts and get the best care available from the brightest surgical mind in the country, contact Eye Clinic London today for a consultation.