Understanding cataracts
A cataract develops when the natural lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. Cataracts commonly develop in both eyes, although one eye may be affected sooner or more severely. Age-related changes are the most common cause. Diabetes, previous eye injury or surgery, inflammation within the eye and some medicines can also contribute.
Common symptoms include blurred or misty vision, glare from sunlight or headlights, difficulty driving at night, duller colours and needing more light to read.
Do I need surgery?
If you don’t have symptoms, treatment may not be needed. Surgery removes the cataract and replaces the cloudy lens with a clear artificial lens. Mr Rabie will consider your symptoms, the effect on your daily life and the health of your eyes when discussing whether surgery is right for you.
Your assessment and preparation
At your assessment, we check your vision and examine your eyes. Biometry measures your eye to calculate the power of the artificial lens. Other tests may be needed, depending on your eye health.
Tell us about previous eye surgery or laser vision correction, contact lens use, dry eye, allergies and regular medicines, including blood thinners. Let us know if you have diabetes, have difficulty lying flat or need extra support. Arrange transport home after surgery.
Choosing your lens
Mr Rabie will discuss how you use your vision for everyday activities and explain which lenses suit your eyes.
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Monofocal lenses focus at one distance. If set for distance, glasses are generally needed for computer work, reading and sometimes in distance vision if Astigmatism is not corrected.
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Enhanced monofocal lenses may give some extra intermediate range. Reading glasses will still be needed.
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Extended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses extend the range from distance towards intermediate. Glasses may still be needed for fine near tasks.
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Multifocal or trifocal lenses can provide a wider range of focus. They suit selected eyes and may cause halos, glare or reduced contrast.
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Toric correction can be added to different lens types to reduce corneal astigmatism. Suitability depends on your eye measurements and the available lens designs.
What happens during surgery?
Cataract surgery is usually a day-case procedure under local anaesthetic, often given as eye drops. Mr Rabie makes very tiny incisions, breaks up and removes the cloudy lens, then inserts the new lens. Most incisions seal on their own. You are usually awake and may notice bright lights, colours or movement.
Recovery and aftercare
Your vision may be blurred or unusually bright at first. Follow your individual discharge instructions, including how to use your prescribed drops and when to restart activities.
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Wash your hands before using eye drops. Keep the bottle tip away from your eye, eyelashes and skin.
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Wear the protective shield at night for the time advised. Attend your follow-up appointments.
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Read, watch TV or use screens as comfortable. Gentle walking and light activities are usually fine.
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Avoid rubbing or pressing the eye. Keep soap, shampoo and direct sprays of water away from it.
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Wait for advice before swimming, using a hot tub, applying eye make-up, lifting heavy objects or exercising strenuously.
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Only resume driving once your vision meets the legal driving standard and you feel it is safe to drive.
Your glasses prescription may change. Wait for your eye to settle before ordering final glasses. If your vision clouds again months or years later, the capsule behind the implant may have clouded. This is called posterior capsule opacification and can usually be treated with YAG laser.
Risks of cataract surgery
Most patients see an improvement in vision. Possible complications include inflammation, eye pressure changes, swelling of the cornea or macula, lens capsule or positioning problems, and a remaining need for glasses. Infection, bleeding, retinal tears or retinal detachment can also occur. Further treatment or surgery is sometimes needed. Mr Rabie will discuss your individual risks before surgery.
When to seek urgent advice after surgery
Seek urgent advice if you notice any of the following. Contact your surgical team using the details in your discharge instructions.
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A significant or sudden reduction in vision.
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Severe or increasing eye pain, or increasing redness.
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New flashes or a sudden increase in floaters.
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A dark curtain or shadow across your vision.
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Significant discharge from the eye.
Related patient guides
Astigmatism and toric lenses (PDF)