Cataract surgery
A cataract is an opacification of the natural lens. The purpose of your lens is to bend (refract) light rays that enter the eye towards your retina at the back of your eye, which then transmits the images to the visual part of the brain. To do this effectively, your lens needs to be clear. However, when you develop a cataract, your lens can become cloudy. This can lead to various symptoms such as glare, or foggy, blurry, hazy and less colourful vision. The only way to treat cataracts is with surgery.
Keep reading to find out what cataract surgery is, what to expect from the procedure and which consultants at AOA体育平台 Eye Centre specialise in this surgery.
Quick facts
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What is it for?
To effectively treat cataracts
Preparing for Cataract Surgery
Your surgeon will provide clear instructions to help you prepare for your cataract surgery. This may include guidance on whether you need to stop eating or drinking before the procedure, which is usually not required, and advice about any medications you may need to pause. You鈥檒l also receive detailed written information about the surgery to review before signing the consent form. If you have any additional questions, your surgeon will be happy to address them on the day of your procedure.
During Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is a straightforward day-case procedure, typically taking around 20 minutes. A local anaesthetic will numb your eye, and mild sedation may be offered to help you feel at ease. During the surgery, your surgeon will make a small incision in your cornea, break up the cloudy lens, and replace it with a custom intraocular lens (IOL). In certain cases, adjustments to the technique may be needed, but most patients can go home the same day.
Recovery and Aftercare
You鈥檒l need someone to take you home after surgery, as you won鈥檛 be able to drive. Some redness, mild discomfort, or blurring is normal in the first few days and should improve quickly. Your surgeon will prescribe antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to aid healing and prevent infection. While your vision often improves within a few days, complete recovery typically takes up to six weeks. Follow-up appointments will monitor your progress, and your optician can check your glasses prescription after healing is complete.
What's included in your package?
Choosing AOA体育平台 Eye Centre means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so that you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- your pre-admission assessment
- your treatment, with our care team at your fingertips
- personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That is why we also offer optional services, such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us.
Get in touch
You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally.
Alternatively, you can pay for yourself (self-pay). If you are paying for yourself, we have finance options available with .
Find out more about paying for your treatment here.
To book an appointment, call us today on: 0203 553 3670
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Your surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions well in advance to help you prepare. These may include:
- Whether you need to stop eating or drinking before surgery (usually not required).
- Guidance on pausing certain medications, which your surgeon will specify.
- Written information about the surgery to help you understand the procedure and confidently sign the consent form.
You will also have the chance to ask any remaining questions on the day of the surgery.
Your surgeon will discuss the best intraocular lens (IOL) options for your needs based on your lifestyle and visual requirements. Lens types include:
- Mono-focal IOLs: Provide clear vision at a single distance (e.g., far or near).
- Extended-depth IOLs: Enhance focus across a broader range of distances.
- Multifocal IOLs: Offer vision correction at near, intermediate, and far distances.
- Toric IOLs: Correct astigmatism for clearer vision.
Our surgeons have extensive experience in fitting these lenses and will guide you through the decision-making process.
Cataract surgery is a day-case procedure, meaning you can usually go home the same day. While the surgery itself takes about 20 minutes, you may be at the hospital for a few hours. During the procedure:
- A local anaesthetic will numb your eye, and you may receive a mild sedative to help you relax.
- Your surgeon will make a small incision in the cornea and use a probe to break up and remove the cloudy lens.
- A custom intraocular lens (IOL) will replace the removed lens.
In cases of very dense cataracts, the surgical technique may be adjusted, potentially extending the procedure, but most surgeries remain straightforward.
You can go home on the same day, but you鈥檒l need someone to drive you. Here鈥檚 what to expect during recovery:
- First few days: You may experience mild discomfort, redness, or blurred vision, which typically improves within days.
- Eye protection: Your eye will be covered with a clear shield or dressing until the anaesthetic wears off.
- Medications: You鈥檒l be given antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to prevent infection and aid healing.
- Vision improvement: Your vision should start improving within days, but full recovery may take up to six weeks.
Normal activities can be resumed within a few days, with no major lifestyle restrictions. Follow-up appointments with your surgeon will monitor your healing, and an updated glasses prescription can be provided by your optician after 4鈥�6 weeks.
Although cataract surgery is very safe, like all surgical procedures, it carries some risks. Potential complications include:
- Eye discomfort or dry eye symptoms
- Ptosis (drooping eyelid)
- Stronger-than-anticipated glasses prescription
- Visual disturbances
- Infection or inflammation
- Elevated eye pressure or potential glaucoma
- Displacement of the artificial lens
- Loss of vision
- Retinal detachment
- Opacification of the posterior capsule (鈥渟econdary cataract鈥�)
The overall risk of complications is higher if you have other medical or eye conditions. Your surgeon will discuss any specific risks relevant to your situation in detail.
Our expert and experienced surgeons are here to help. In some cases, complications such as a tilted lens, a lens dropping into the vitreous cavity, or the need for a special lens due to an eye injury may occur. In these situations, vitreoretinal surgery may be required to address the issue, and our surgeons are highly skilled in managing these circumstances.
If you are seeking a second opinion after cataract surgery performed elsewhere, you can book an appointment with one of our expert vitreoretinal surgeons.
At AOA体育平台 Eye Centre, cataract surgery costs from 拢2,910, including the hospital-only price and your consultant鈥檚 and anaesthetist鈥檚 price (with one follow-up). Price depends on the lens used.
You can choose to use private medical insurance to pay for your procedure or pay for it yourself (self-pay). If you decide to pay for your treatment yourself, we offer funding options that will allow you to spread the cost and make it more affordable.
Ways to pay
You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally.
Alternatively, you can pay for yourself (self-pay). If you are paying for yourself, we have finance options available with .
Find out more about paying for your treatment here.
To book an appointment, call us today on: 0203 553 3670