Your procedure

What to expect

You will be in the day surgery for a few hours and can go home straight after the procedure that day. The operated eye will be covered by a patch following the surgery.

Intravenous sedation will be administered by a qualified anaesthetist, ensuring that you are comfortable and relaxed during the procedure.

The cataract is removed using a modern, safe procedure called phacoemulsification, and the surgery is performed through a tiny incision of less than 3mm. This incision is also used to insert the intra-ocular lens. Usually, no stitches are necessary as the wound is very small and watertight.

The eye will feel a little gritty, scratchy and often a little watery that night. By the time you are reviewed the next day, most of the discomfort will have disappeared.

An eye patch is only necessary for the first night after the operation. Drops are then used for the next four weeks to prevent infection as well as to reduce any inflammation.

Often, the second eye can be operated on a short time after the first⁠—possibly within a week or two. This is done to prevent an imbalance between the two eyes which can occur especially if you are very long or short sighted.

After surgery

Your eye may still be slightly gritty and scratchy for a few days after surgery but there will be minimal pain. You may be able to wear your old glasses until the second eye has had the cataract removed.

Often sunglasses are necessary as glare can be present in the early post-operative phase. This will settle down. Most patients have functional vision very soon after surgery.

Four weeks after surgery, you will see your referring optometrist for a final check and new glasses can then be prescribed, if necessary.

Even though the cataracts have been removed, it is still important to have regular eye check-ups for conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. These appointments should be made with your referring optometrist.