Procedures

Cataract Surgery/Clear Lensectomy

While some people have cataracts at birth or develop them early in life, the majority of cataract diagnoses occur in patients who are in their 60s or 70s. Around half of Australians aged between over 65 to 74 have cataracts.

Someone with an advanced stage of cataract sees the world as if looking through a dirty or foggy window. Glare becomes a serious problem. Reading, driving, computer work and hobbies become difficult and eventually impossible due to diminishing vision.

Goals of Cataract Surgery

• Provide a full range of vision
• Minimise dependence on glasses including reading glasses and bifocals
• Improve lifestyle activities

Cataract surgery involves removing the natural lens which has become discoloured and hard, and replacing it with an intra-ocular lens (IOL).

The Surgery

• Cataract surgery is usually done in a day surgery environment and takes approximately half an hour.
• Your eye will be treated with anaesthetic prior to the procedure so you'll feel little, if any, discomfort.
• Tiny incision is made to allow a small instrument (about the size of a pen tip) to break up or wash away the cloudy cataract.
• IOL inserted through same tiny incision.
• IOL is unfolded and set into its permanent position.
• Rest for about one hour before going home.
• Prescription eye drops are administered to guard against infection.
• Most patients resume normal activities next day.

More Information

• What are cataracts?