Cataract Surgery & Laser Treatment

Cataract laser surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the world and an effective, well-established cataract treatment. If cloudy or blurred vision is affecting your daily life, personalEYES offers both conventional and laser-assisted cataract surgery across NSW and the ACT.

What Are Cataracts?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which is normally clear and focuses light onto the retina. As a cataract develops, vision can look cloudy, blurry, faded or less detailed. Cataracts usually develop slowly and are most common with age.

For full detail on symptoms, causes and types, see our Cataracts condition page.

Different Types of Cataracts

Cataracts can form in different parts of the lens - nuclear sclerotic, cortical, posterior subcapsular, congenital/childhood and traumatic cataracts - and the type can influence your symptoms and treatment.

Read more about cataract types.

Cataracts Causes

Ageing is the most common cause, along with UV exposure, diabetes, smoking, long-term corticosteroid use, eye injury, previous eye surgery, radiation and family history.

More on cataract causes.

When Is Cataract Surgery Needed?

Not every cataract needs surgery as soon as it is diagnosed. Surgery is usually considered when cataract-related vision changes begin to interfere with everyday activities such as reading, driving, working, recognising faces or enjoying hobbies. The right time is individual - your ophthalmologist can explain whether the cataract is the main reason for your reduced vision and whether other conditions (macular degeneration, glaucoma or corneal disease) may affect the expected result.

What Is Involved in Cataract Lens Surgery?

Cataract surgery removes the cloudy natural lens and replaces it with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL). It is commonly performed as day surgery under sedation. The surgeon usually makes a small incision and breaks up the cloudy lens using ultrasound energy (phacoemulsification) or a laser; the lens material is removed and the IOL is placed inside the eye. The incision is usually small enough to heal without stitches, although techniques vary.

Types of Cataract IOL Lenses

The IOL remains inside the eye after surgery and is selected to suit your eye measurements and visual goals. No single lens is best for everyone.

• Monofocal - clear vision at one main distance (usually distance); reading glasses generally still needed.
• Toric - corrects astigmatism at the same time, reducing dependence on distance glasses.
• Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) - a broader range covering distance and intermediate (screens, dashboards); reading glasses may still be needed for small print.
• Multifocal / Trifocal - near + intermediate + distance to reduce glasses dependence; some patients notice halos or glare at night and it may not suit every eye or lifestyle.

Your surgeon will discuss the advantages, limitations and trade-offs and recommend an option appropriate for you.

Laser Cataract Surgery: The Benefits

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery can improve the precision of some surgical steps and reduce ultrasound energy in selected cases. Current evidence generally finds similar longer-term visual acuity, complication rates and patient-reported outcomes compared with conventional phacoemulsification - so laser assistance is not automatically better for every eye.

Traditional (phacoemulsification) - key benefits: very well established and extensively studied; excellent safety and visual outcomes; usually more affordable; short surgical and recovery time; suitable for most patients; supports monofocal, toric, EDOF and multifocal lenses.

Laser-assisted - potential benefits: highly precise capsulotomy; consistent, reproducible incisions; precise lens fragmentation; potentially less ultrasound energy; can assist with some astigmatism; may help optimise IOL positioning.

Advanced Laser Technology for Cataracts

personalEYES offers femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery using the Alcon LenSx® laser. Laser assistance can provide a high degree of precision for specific steps, but both conventional and laser-assisted surgery can deliver excellent results, and routine laser assistance has not been shown to produce superior visual outcomes for every patient. Your surgeon will recommend the approach most appropriate for your eyes and goals.

Lens Surgery for Cataracts Step-by-Step

1. Assessment and measurements - your eyes are examined and measured to plan the IOL power and surgical approach.
2. Preparing the eye - anaesthetic drops or local anaesthetic, with sedation where appropriate.
3. Removing the cataract - the cloudy lens is broken up and removed through a small incision; a femtosecond laser may assist selected steps.
4. Placing the IOL - the selected artificial lens is inserted and positioned.
5. Going home - usually day surgery; follow your surgeon's instructions and arrange transport home.

What to expect after cataracts surgery

Vision often begins to improve within the first few days, though recovery varies and vision may fluctuate while the eye heals. Your surgeon will prescribe eye drops and explain how to protect the eye. General aftercare may include using drops as directed, wearing an eye shield if advised, avoiding rubbing the eye, following advice on exercise, swimming, lifting, work and driving, and attending follow-up appointments. Seek urgent advice for increasing pain, marked redness, discharge, a sudden drop in vision or new flashes/floaters.

Are There Risks With Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is commonly performed and serious complications are uncommon, but no operation is risk-free. Possible complications include infection, inflammation, swelling, changes in eye pressure, retinal problems, problems with lens position, or posterior capsular opacification (PCO). Some people may still need glasses or further treatment. Your surgeon will discuss the risks most relevant to your eyes.

A cataract cannot grow back once removed, but the capsule holding the IOL can become cloudy months or years later. This posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is quick and painlessly treated in clinic with a YAG laser capsulotomy.

How Much Does Cataract Surgery Cost?

Cataract surgery costs vary with your surgeon, hospital or day-surgery and anaesthetist fees, the IOL selected, whether laser assistance is used, Medicare rebates and your private health insurance. Always ask for a written estimate of expected out-of-pocket costs.