Cataract Surgery

This is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in the world. The surgery involves:

1. Administering a local anaesthetic to the eye

2. Making a tiny 2 mm incision in the outermost layer of the eye (the cornea)                                                                                       

3. Making an evenly round incision in the ‘bag’ (capsule) containing the affected lens

   1. Breaking up the affected lens into smaller pieces with an ultrasound

4. Removing these pieces with a vacuum and flushing the lens capsule to clean it

5. Inserting and accurately positioning a clear artificial replacement lens (known as an intraocular lens or IOL).

The new lens can’t be felt once placed inside the eye. When a lens is replaced, it is not possible to develop another cataract.

The operation itself takes less than 30 minutes and can be performed in a day surgery or in hospital.