What is Cataract Surgery?
Common and Safe Procedure
Cataract surgery is a common and safe procedure used to treat cataracts by removing the cloudy lens of the eye and replacing it with a clear artificial lens (called an intraocular lens). It is usually done under local anaesthetic, so the patient is awake but the eye is numbed. The surgeon makes a very small incision in the eye, breaks up and removes the cloudy lens, and then inserts the new lens in its place. The procedure typically takes 15–30 minutes, and most people can go home the same day. Vision often improves within a few days, with full recovery over several weeks.
Cataract Surgery Facts
- The most common surgery in the UK
- Usually takes 15-30 minutes
- Can be done under local anaesthetic
- Most people go home the same day
- Cataracts do not come back after surgery
Cataract Surgery Pathway
1. Referral
Referrals can be made by medical practitioners such as optometrists and GPs. Patients can also self refer. The forms for referral are available on the website. Following the submission of the referral form, an email will be sent confirming the referral with an ID. We then contact the patient to confirm the appointment.
2. Initial Consultation
Your initial consultation will involve a review of your previous medical history, an assessment of your vision, and an examination of your eye with a slit lamp. It is most likely you will also need to have scans of your eyes. Ms Lane will then discuss the benefits and risks, outline the different lens options available, and answer any questions you may have before agreeing on the next steps. The appointment will last 1-2 hours and your eyes will need to be dilated so you will not be able to drive yourself home from the appointment.
3. Theatre Visit
At the theatre visit for cataract surgery, you will usually arrive at the clinic or hospital a few hours before the procedure, where staff will confirm your details, check your eye measurements, and give you eye drops to dilate and numb the eye. A nurse will go through final safety questions and explain what will happen during the operation. The procedure itself is typically done under local anaesthetic and takes about 20–30 minutes, with you awake but comfortable. After surgery, a protective shield is placed over your eye, you’ll be given aftercare instructions and medication drops, and you can normally go home the same day.
4. Follow Up
At the theatre follow-up appointment after cataract surgery, your vision will be checked and the eye examined to make sure it is healing properly. The clinician will look for any signs of inflammation, infection, or raised eye pressure and confirm that the new lens implant is positioned correctly. You’ll be asked about any discomfort or changes in vision, and your eye drops will be reviewed, with adjustments made if needed. The team will also advise you on when you can resume normal activities and arrange any further follow-up appointments if required.
Cataract Surgery With Ms Tara Lane
A cornea specialist ophthalmologist, like Ms Lane, focuses on the front of the eye, where cataract surgery is performed. This includes the cornea, natural lens, and implanted intraocular lens. This specialist expertise allows for accurate assessment, careful surgical planning, and optimal vision following cataract surgery.
Ms Lane has performed thousands of cataract surgeries. She routinely and expertly assesses the measurements, completes the lens calculations, and performs the surgery.
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