Cataract Surgery (Phacoemulsification)
This webpage will give you information about cataract surgery.
If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other relevant
health professional.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is clouding of the natural lens in your eye usually
caused by ageing. A cataract causes blurred vision or changes the
focus of your eye.
What are the benefits of surgery?
If the operation is successful, your vision should improve.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
New glasses may improve your vision to some extent. However, if
the cataract is too advanced, surgery is the only option to restore
your vision.
What does the operation involve?
Cataract surgery is usually performed under a local anaesthetic.
However, a variety of anaesthetic techniques are possible.
Surgery involves removing the cataract and replacing it with an
artificial lens implant (see figure1).
Figure 1 - A cataract causes the lens to become cloudy,
preventing light from reaching the back of the eye.
Your surgeon will usually break the cataract into small pieces
using ultrasound (sound waves) and then remove it from your eye
through a small cut.
They will then insert the lens implant behind the iris in the
same bag (or capsule) that held the natural lens in place.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications of any operation
2 Specific complications of this operation
- Tear in the bag which holds the lens in place
- Severe bleeding
- Clouding of the bag
- Retinal detachment
- Inflammation in the other eye
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home a few hours after the
operation.
You should go to your optometrist (optician) for an eye test
three to six weeks after your operation as you will usually need
new glasses. Most people make a good recovery with improved
vision.
Summary
A cataract is a common problem where the natural lens of your
eye becomes cloudy. Cataract surgery should improve your
vision.
Acknowledgements
Author: Dr Brian Fleck MD FRCSEd FRCOph
Illustrations: LifeART image copyright 2006 Lippincott Williams
& Wilkins. All rights reserved.
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on
this website is produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by
Ramsay Health Care UK.
The intellectual property rights to the
information belong exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited.
You may not copy, print out, download or
otherwise reproduce any of the information other than for your
personal, non-commercial use.
The information should not replace advice that
your relevant health professional would give you.
Hospitals offering this treatment
- Ashtead, Surrey, Ashtead Hospital
- Bingley, Yorkshire Clinic
- Bodmin, Bodmin NHS Treatment Centre
- Boston, Boston Treatment Centre
- Caterham, North Downs Hospital
- Chelmsford, Springfield Hospital
- Chorley, Euxton Hall Hospital
- Colchester, Oaks Hospital
- Doncaster, Park Hill Hospital
- Gainsborough, Gainsborough Treatment Centre
- Gloucester, Winfield Hospital
- Halesowen, West Midlands Hospital
- Hitchin, Pinehill Hospital
- Kettering, Woodand Hospital
- Milton Keynes, Blakelands Treatment Centre
- Nottinghamshire, Nottingham Hospital
- Ormskirk, Renacres Hospital
- Orpington, Bromley Private Patient Unit
- Peterborough, Fitzwilliam Hospital
- Preston, Fulwood hospital
- Salford, Oaklands Hospital
- Salisbury, New Hall Hospital
- Sawbridgeworth, Rivers Hospital
- Stafford, Rowley Hospital
- Torquay, Mount Stuart Hospital
- Truro, Duchy Hospital