Small-incision day surgery
The cloudy lens is removed through a small incision and replaced with an artificial lens. Your surgeon will explain the anaesthetic plan, expected recovery and the risks relevant to your eye.
OVERVIEW
What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens. It is usually part of ageing and can develop slowly, so you may notice that everyday tasks such as reading, driving at night or recognising faces take more effort.
Cataract surgery removes the cloudy natural lens through a small incision and replaces it with an intraocular lens (the artificial lens that stays inside your eye). It is commonly performed as day surgery using phacoemulsification, a technique that uses ultrasound energy to break up the cloudy lens. We plan the operation around your eye health, daily activities and preferences.
SYMPTOMS
Signs to look out for
Symptoms can overlap across conditions. An eye examination is needed to identify the cause.
- Blurred or misty vision
- Glare or halos around lights
- Colours that appear faded or yellowed
- Difficulty seeing while driving at night
- Frequent changes to your glasses prescription
TREATMENT
Treatment and monitoring options
Your plan depends on the cause, stage of disease, wider eye health and what matters in daily life.
Monofocal lenses
A monofocal lens is set for clear focus at one main distance. Many people still use glasses for some activities, and we will discuss the focus that best fits your needs.
Toric lenses
A toric lens can reduce blur caused by astigmatism. Suitability depends on careful measurements and the health of your eye.
Extended-depth-of-focus lenses
These lenses are designed to extend the range of useful focus. They involve trade-offs, including possible night-vision effects, which we will discuss with you.
Multifocal lenses
Multifocal lenses divide light between more than one focus. They are not right for every eye, and no lens can promise freedom from glasses. We will compare the possible benefits and compromises together.