Cataract Surgery


What is Cataract Surgery?

Surgery is the only treatment for cataracts and is recommended based on the severity of the disease and the impact it has on the daily activities of the patient. It is performed one eye at a time with a couple weeks gap in between the two operations.


Cataract surgery is performed at day surgery, under local anaesthesia. You can expect to be at the day surgery for a few hours.


Cataract Surgery involves removing the cloudy lens (cataract) and replacing it with a clear artificial lens. The artificial lens (called an intraocular lens or lens implant), is positioned in the same place as your natural lens. It remains a permanent part of your eye and does not need replacing.


Over 98% of Cataract surgeries are successful and it is one of the most successful operations in the world.


The cataract can not come back again after surgery. However the lens capsule (which is a transparent membrane) remains behind to support the new lens implant. This capsule can start to turn hazy after surgery, often years later, known as Posterior Capsule Opacification. This can cause blurred vision and can be treated by a laser procedure in the office.


Types Of Intraocular Lens Implants

There are many different types of lens implants available for cataract patients.


Monofocal Intraocular Lens

The traditional lens implant is a monofocal intraocular lens, which can be used to correct a single range of vision (usually the distance vision for driving).


Extended Depth of Focus Lens (EDOF)

These lens implants correct a wider range of vision than the monofocal lenses, without achieving the range of the multifocal lenses. Typically they extend the range of focus to include both

  • distance
  • intermediate (computer)


Multifocal Lens

These lens implants may correct multiple portions of your vision, which include:

  • Distance,
  • Intermediate (computer) and
  • Near (reading) vision.


These implants may help to reduce the need for spectacles after Cataract Surgery, however, they are not suitable for all individuals. They are more likely to cause glare and halos around lights than the other types of lenses.


Toric Lens

Toric lens implants can be used to correct Astigmatism either in monofocal, EDOF or multifocal lenses. This decreases the strength of the glasses prescription required after surgery, and can help to reduce dependency on spectacles. 


Your ophthalmologist will help you to choose the most suitable lens implant based on your needs and lifestyle. It is essential to appreciate that spectacles may still be required to provide the sharpest focus in certain conditions despite the most suitable implants chosen.


Preparing For Cataract Surgery

Before Cataract Surgery is performed, you may be required to

  • Stop taking certain medications after checking with your doctor
  • Fast for six hours before the procedure


Procedure for Cataract Surgery

The procedure is pain-free and performed in a day surgery. Patients will spend approximately three hours at a day surgery. Cataract surgery comprises of:


Five Stages of Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgery is performed in five stages and usually takes less than 30 minutes.

  1. The operated eye will be anaesthetised by an anaesthetic specialist.
  2. A small incision (approximately 2.4mm) on the cornea is made to allow access.
  3. The cataract will be broken into small pieces with an ultrasound probe (phacoemulsification) and removed via suction. Phacoemulsification uses ultrasound vibrations to emulsify or break up the cataract.
  4. After the cataract is removed, a plastic foldable intraocular lens is then implanted into the eye.There are usually no stitches involved.
  5. Finally, the eye will be patched and you may return home.


Post Cataract Procedure

Patients usually do not report any discomfort during or after surgery.


You will not be able to drive after the procedure, so you should have someone ready to take you home. You need someone with you for the first night due to the anaesthetic sedation.


Cataract Surgery Recovery

Post-operative eye care and wound-healing are important factors in your Cataract Surgery success.


Your ophthalmologist will check your eye on the following day after surgery.

  • You will be instructed to use eye drops for one month.
  • Depending on the severity of your cataract, your vision will clear in a couple of days or may take a few weeks.
  • It is essential to understand that even if visual recovery is slower, the final visual outcome will usually still be the same.


Risks With Cataract Surgery

Some complications during surgery can include damage to structures within the eye such as iris prolapse and posterior capsular tear. These complications can usually be managed during the operation. Rarely, a second operation could be required.


Some postoperative complications can include

  • Corneal swelling
  • Persistent Ocular Inflammation
  • Ocular Hypertension - changes in eye pressure 
  • Macular Oedema -  swelling of the retina at the back of the eye (cystoid macular oedema)
  • Retinal Detachment


Rare complications such as infection (endophthalmitis) can also arise.


Although these complications are uncommon, some have the potential to lead to significant vision loss. Thus, close follow-up is required after surgery.

Treatment Process

Preparation for Cataract Surgery

  • Provide a complete list of your medications so you can be advised which to stop prior to surgery,
  • Treat any tooth, gum, bladder or bowel problems before surgery to reduce the risk of infection
  • Stop or cut down smoking to reduce your surgery risks and improve your recovery
  • Consider losing weight (if overweight) before surgery

Day of Surgery

  • Report any infections prior to surgery as the procedure cannot be performed until all infections have cleared up
  • Do not consume alcohol - 24 hours prior to treatment
  • Do not eat or drink anything including water, for 6 hours before surgery, apart from some specified medications. You will be instructed which ones to take with a sip of water.


During Surgery

  • Administration of sedation and local anesthesia
  • Procedure is performed and you are then taken to the recovery room for observation
  • Your operated eye will remain covered with an eye shield for one day or as instructed.

After Surgery

  • Do not consume large amounts of alcohol after surgery
  • Avoid vigorous physical activity or exercise until advised
  • Follow the Post Surgery Treatment Plan prescribed by the surgeon
  • Any questions or complications should be communicated directly to the surgeon

Common Questions

If you have a specific question about your treatment, we recommend contacting the practice.

  • How Long do I Need to Wear the Eye Shield for?

    You can wear the eye shield for 1 week.

  • When Can I Drive?

    In most cases, two days after surgery, depending on your glasses requirements Ask your doctor at your postoperative check.

  • When Can I Change to a New Pair of Glasses?

    Typically, you should wait until after the final post-operative check, one month after surgery has been completed. Your doctor will confirm if you are ready to change to a new pair of glasses. If you change too early, the glasses prescription might still be adjusting.

  • How Do I Look After My Eye After Surgery?

    Please insert a downloadable copy of our “Postoperative instructions” word document here.