A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens in the eye. When cataracts begin to develop, common symptoms include: blurred vision; glare; difficulty with night driving; trouble reading road signs or subtitles on the TV (and sometimes trouble seeing where the golf ball has landed!).
Cataracts will often be diagnosed by an optometrist who is no longer able to improve a person’s vision with new glasses.
Cataract Surgery is the most common surgical procedure we perform, and involves removing the lens and replacing it with an artificial one. People who also have glaucoma, may be able to have stents placed at the time of surgery to reduce their dependence on eyedrops.
Each person requires the specific type of replacement Intraocular lens suitable for their circumstances. See below:
Lens solutions
Monofocal Intraocular Lenses
This is the most common lens, and gives clear vision for distance and good night vision for driving; but people still require glasses to read. Occasionally people who are short sighted prefer to remain so and will opt for near vision lenses, and will wear glasses to drive.
Lens solutions
Monofocal Intraocular Lenses
This is the most common lens, and gives clear vision for distance and good night vision for driving; but people still require glasses to read. Occasionally people who are short sighted prefer to remain so and will opt for near vision lenses, and will wear glasses to drive.
It is important to remember with cataract surgery that, although we do our best to achieve the above outcomes for our patients, we are working within the limits of the measuring devices, calculations, and surgical techniques currently available. Some people will still require glasses to fine-tune their vision despite our best efforts.
It is important to remember with cataract surgery that, although we do our best to achieve the above outcomes for our patients, we are working within the limits of the measuring devices, calculations, and surgical techniques currently available. Some people will still require glasses to fine-tune their vision despite our best efforts.
Complex Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery can become complex for a variety of reasons. The person may have had trauma in the past; they may have other eye problems; or an implanted lens from the past may have dislocated into the vitreous (gel) of the eye.
In some cases, cataract surgery will be combined with vitrectomy surgery to manage these specific problems. These cases will be managed in hospital, mostly as a day surgery.
Complex Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery can become complex for a variety of reasons. The person may have had trauma in the past; they may have other eye problems; or an implanted lens from the past may have dislocated into the vitreous (gel) of the eye.
In some cases, cataract surgery will be combined with vitrectomy surgery to manage these specific problems. These cases will be managed in hospital, mostly as a day surgery.
Yag Capsulotomy
After cataract surgery an opacity may develop behind the implanted lens, causing blurred vision. This is a common occurrence and requires a laser capsulotomy, where the capsule is cut with a laser to clear the vision again.
YAG laser capsulotomy is a painless procedure and is undertaken in the clinic rooms. No hospital admission is required. Usually the person’s vision is restored by the next day.
Yag Capsulotomy
After cataract surgery an opacity may develop behind the implanted lens, causing blurred vision. This is a common occurrence and requires a laser capsulotomy, where the capsule is cut with a laser to clear the vision again.
YAG laser capsulotomy is a painless procedure and is undertaken in the clinic rooms. No hospital admission is required. Usually the person’s vision is restored by the next day.
Affiliated Health Organisations
