CATARACT
WHAT IS A CATARACT?
The lens in the eye focuses an image similar to the lens in a camera. The eye lens is behind the pupil and is normally clear, but it can become cloudy, this condition is known as a cataract.
WHAT CAUSES CATARACTS?
Cataracts are associated with the ageing process. Cataracts are evident to some degree in more than half of people over the age of 65. Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, previous ocular injury, eye inflammation or prolonged cortisone therapy may also result in cataracts.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON SYMPTOMS?
Cataracts develop slowly over time and may develop without a person realising it. Common symptoms include:
Blurry or cloudy vision.
Changes in colour vision such as yellowing or fading.
Sensitivity to light and glare especially when driving at night.
Frequent changes in prescription glasses or glasses that no longer seem to help.
CAN IT BE TREATED?
The treatment for cataracts is surgical. It is usually performed as a day procedure under local anaesthetic with only one eye being treated at a time. A microscope is used to remove the natural cloudy lens and it is replaced with an artificial Intra Ocular Lens (IOL). The wound is very small and generally seals itself so that a suture is seldom needed.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will both my eyes be treated at the same time?
No. The surgery for each eye will be scheduled a week apart. The eye that is most severely affected will be treated first.
WILL I BE ASLEEP FOR THE PROCEDURE?
No. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and a mild sedative which means you will be awake for the procedure but your eye will be numb.
IS IT PAINFUL?
You will have a local anaesthetic which will numb your eye. Most people experience no pain. Some people have some irritation and only rarely do a few have some pain.
HOW LONG WILL THE PROCEDURE TAKE?
The procedure will take approximately 15 minutes.
HOW LONG WILL I BE IN HOSPITAL?
You will need to spend a few hours at the hospital but patients are usually discharged the same day.
WILL I NEED TO TAKE TIME OFF WORK?
Usually only the day of the surgery. After that, you can return to work right away if you wish.
IS IT SAFE? WHAT ARE THE RISKS INVOLVED?
Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful surgeries performed today however as with all surgery, complications can occur. Therefore the decision to operate is never taken lightly and only when cataracts interfere with your vision, so that you can no longer perform daily tasks with ease or your quality of life is affected, then a cataract procedure may be recommended. Ask your doctor to discuss this with you in more detail.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CATARACT REMOVAL?
After the operation, you should be able to read more easily. With your improved vision you are less likely to fall or to be involved in a car accident. You may find yourself becoming more social again as your quality of life improves.
HOW WILL I SEE AFTER THE CATARACT REMOVAL?
As long as your eyes are otherwise healthy your vision should be restored back to normal. Even if there are other problems, most people gain improvement. You may however still need reading or distance corrective glasses.
CAN MY CATARACT COME BACK?
No. Cataract surgery is permanent. The artificial lens stays in your eye and doesn’t need maintenance, which means the surgery doesn’t need to be repeated.