LaserVision

Treatment at a glance

10 mins per eye

Numbing drops/sedative. GA available

1 day

Lifetime

Safe & Effective

What is Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery involves the removal of the cloudy natural lens of the eye (the cataract) and replacing it with a carefully selected intraocular lens (IOL).

There are several designs of intraocular lenses (IOLs) available, each having their own strengths in performance. The choice of lens has a major influence on the outcome of cataract extraction surgery and whether glasses would be required afterwards. Whilst the NHS offers an excellent service for cataract surgery, there is rarely an option for choosing your intraocular lens, meaning that glasses will almost certainly be required. 

Leading Cataract Surgeons

All our UK cataract surgeons specialise in cataract surgery and have all performed several thousand cataract procedures on adults in the UK, particularly for patients with high spectacle corrections, complex cataracts and following other types of refractive surgery.

Today, thanks to advances in technology, most patients experience little or no pain and return to their normal activities the day after eye surgery

The decision to undergo cataract surgery offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to insert the best lens for you. 

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With modern surgical techniques it is possible for an eye surgeon to operate on a cataract at a relatively early stage, contrary to the misconception of the cataract needing to be mature or ‘ripe’.

There is no specific level of vision at which cataract removal surgery is indicated; but it is usually recommended if your quality of life is significantly impacted. Surgery is also indicated if you wish to drive and your vision no longer meets the necessary DVLA legal standard.

With modern surgical techniques it is possible for an eye surgeon to operate on a cataract at a relatively early stage, contrary to the misconception of the cataract needing to be mature or ‘ripe’.

There is no specific level of vision at which cataract removal surgery is indicated; but it is usually recommended if your quality of life is significantly impacted. Surgery is also indicated if you wish to drive and your vision no longer meets the necessary DVLA legal standard.

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Treatment Benefits Benefits

What are the benefits of Cataract Surgery?

  • Short-waiting list
  • Quick, painless procedure
  • Implanted lens lasts a lifetime
  • Access to premium intraocular lenses
  • Self-paying and insured options

How is it performed?

  • 1.Local anaesthetic eye drops are applied to both eyes
  • 2.The area around your eye will be washed and cleansed and a sterile drape will be applied
  • 3.An instrument is gently positioned to hold your eyelids open
  • 4.Your eye doctor will use ultrasound energy to liquefy the lens which can then be aspirated
  • 5.A new lens will be inserted using an injection system
  • 6.The lens is unfolded and positioned within the eye
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LaserVision-FAQ-Main

Led by your personally assigned cataract doctor , our clinical team will perform a thorough evaluation of your cataract. This will include a comprehensive eye examination which includes biometry, corneal topography, endothelial cell count, macula OCT and intraocular pressure.

An optometrist will assess your vision and spectacle prescription in order to determine the type of postoperative vision that will suit you

Our focus with cataract surgery is to achieve complete satisfaction. All of our patients are treated until discharge, remaining in our care upon leaving the hospital.

Aftercare plans include a complimentary follow-up assessment with your consultant ophthalmologist and optometrist, and patients are positively encouraged to get in touch should problems arise. Our success has been dependent on personalised patient care and we believe this is paramount. All patients will see their cataract surgeon at each visit, as they are personally responsible for your care, so you can feel safe in the knowledge that you are receiving the best possible standard of care.

Your cataract surgical procedure will be performed by the same consultant ophthalmologist who assessed your eyes at the initial consultation. A team of nurses will also be present to assist and provide any support that you require. Following the admission process, you will be taken to theatre, where you will be given a comfy chair. The team will then perform their routine safety checks, confirming a few specific details.

Once the team has signed off the necessary checklist, the chair will be reclined into the correct position for surgery and we will ensure you are comfortable. The area around your eye will then be washed and cleansed and a sterile cover (“drape”) will be placed over your eye and face to create a sterile environment. The cover will be lifted off your mouth so you can breathe and talk easily.

The operation is painless and lasts less than 10 minutes in most cases. The technology used is called phaco-emulsification and employs ultrasound energy to liquefy the lens which can then be aspirated. A new lens is then inserted using an injection system and is unfolded and positioned within the eye. We typically do not use stitches during surgery which allows for a faster recovery. 

You will see little of what is happening during surgery, but we will explain what we are doing as the operation goes along should you wish to know. The theatre staff will make sure you are comfortable and will help you relax. Someone will be there to hold your hand if you wish.

To make this a painless procedure, anaesthetic eye drops are used in conjunction with a mild sedative if required. Some patients, however, may experience a gentle pressure during surgery.

After the operation you will be taken to the recovery room, and then back to your private room. Whilst resting after the operation, you will be offered refreshments. You will need to allow 3-4 hours for your hospital stay so that we can run through your treatment and aftercare with you.

You will need someone to collect you or we can arrange transport. You may leave the hospital when you feel ready. After the anaesthetic wears off, about one to two hours after the operation, the eye may water and may feel a little gritty. This is nothing to worry about and your normal headache tablets should settle any discomfort. By the next day the eye will feel much better.

As the pupil is dilated during surgery, it may take up to 48 hours to return to its normal size. It is not uncommon for patients to experience some unusual light phenomena early on but these often settle within a short period of time. If the light glare is not too bright, you can start reading and watching TV immediately.

Most patients recognise a significant visual improvement immediately after surgery and although over 95% of patients will be legal to drive the next day, we would only advise this if they feel comfortable and are able to read a number plate from 25 yards away. The eyesight vision continues to improve for about one week. If you want or need glasses they can be prescribed anytime after the first or second week.

You will be given a set of eye drops that vastly reduce the risk of infection and inflammation. These generally last for the first 4 weeks but some patients may require lubrication drops for the first few months. A follow-up appointment with your consultant and optometrist will be scheduled for a week after your surgery.

It might be a few weeks before you can start to use cosmetics around your eyes again, and you may have to wait several weeks before resuming strenuous contact sports or swimming. Driving can be resumed as soon as you feel comfortable and confident. It is considered safe for you to do so as long as you can read a standard car number plate in daylight from 20 metres away (about three car lengths).

Your return to work very much depends upon the nature of your job. If you are office-based, then you should be comfortable enough to return to work within a few days. If you work in a dirty or dusty environment, then it may be longer before you can safely return.

Although complications are rare, it should be noted that cataract surgery is a surgical procedure, and no procedure is risk-free. However steps are taken throughout the process to keep any risks to a minimum.

Approximately 340,000 cataract eye surgeries are performed in the UK each year and as many as 10 million worldwide. Naturally, with that many procedures there will be reports of almost every possible complication.

Our data shows a complication rate lower than 0.5% with 99.5% patients having an excellent postoperative course and an excellent visual result. Infection occurs in less than 1 in 5000 cases and retinal detachment occurs in less than 1 in 3000 cases. Other complications include corneal decompensation, persistent macular oedema, implant instability, power calculation errors, and glaucoma. All of these problematic cases add up to less than one half percent. In almost all of these cases further surgery, additional medications, or additional time results in recovery and a net improvement in vision.

It is extremely rare for patients to end up worse than they started.

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Am I suitable for Cataract Surgery?

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Cataract Surgery Success Rates

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Choosing the right vision correction clinic for your surgery is paramount. This is a life changing procedure for adults after all, and you need to have complete trust in your surgeon and care team of professionals.

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