Cataract surgery.
Cataracts affect more than an eye test. We consider how your vision affects daily life, the health of your eyes and what you hope to achieve.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is clouding of the natural lens inside the eye. It can cause blurred vision, glare, faded colours and difficulty with night driving or reading. Glasses may help in the early stages.
Surgery becomes an option when symptoms interfere with activities that matter to you. The decision is individual; a cataract does not have to reach a particular stage before you discuss treatment.
What happens during surgery?
The cloudy lens is removed through a small incision and replaced with a clear artificial lens, called an intraocular lens or IOL. Treatment is usually a day procedure. Your surgeon and anaesthetist will explain the anaesthetic plan.
Measurements before surgery guide lens selection. We also assess the retina and other eye conditions that may influence the result.
Compare IOL options ↗Your cataract care, step by step.
The usual pathway. Your team will explain any changes for your circumstances.
- 01
Assess & measure
Examination and eye measurements guide the lens choice and planned focus. Discuss benefits, risks and costs.
- 02
Prepare for surgery
Follow your individual instructions. The team checks the correct eye, lens and anaesthetic plan.
- 03
Replace the lens
The cloudy natural lens is removed and an intraocular lens is placed inside the eye, usually as a day procedure.
- 04
Recover & review
Arrange transport home. Follow your drop schedule and attend review; vision may change as the eye settles.
Planning around your vision
Discuss distance vision, reading, computer work, night driving and your preferences about glasses. Monofocal, enhanced monofocal, extended depth-of-focus and multifocal lenses offer different benefits and compromises. Toric options can address astigmatism caused by an uneven curve of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye.
If you also have a retinal condition, surgery may be staged or combined. The plan depends on your examination and the expected benefit of each procedure.
Recovery & realistic expectations
You will receive individual instructions about drops, eye protection, activities, driving and follow-up. Arrange transport home. Vision usually changes as the eye settles; glasses may still be needed.
Risks include infection, inflammation, swelling of the macula, retinal detachment, a remaining focusing error that may need glasses or further correction and, rarely, permanent loss of vision. Other eye disease can limit improvement. Your surgeon will discuss the risks relevant to you.
Common questions about cataract surgery.
Will I still need glasses?＋
Possibly. Lens choice and the planned focus affect which tasks may need glasses. No lens guarantees complete independence from glasses.
Can both eyes be treated together?＋
The timing of each eye is planned individually. Your surgeon will discuss the safest approach for your circumstances.
Can cataracts come back?＋
The cataract itself does not return. The capsule, the thin membrane supporting the implant, can become cloudy later; a YAG laser capsulotomy (laser treatment to make an opening in the cloudy capsule) may be appropriate after assessment.
Arrange a cataract assessment
Our team can help arrange a consultation and confirm the clinic location, referral requirements and fees. Bring your current glasses and tell us which visual tasks you find difficult.