At Regency Eye, we offer the best treatments cataract surgery has to offer.
A consultation will tell you everything you need to know about safe cataract surgery. At Regency Eye, we leave plenty of time for each patient so you can ask any questions you may have to get peace of mind about your procedure.
As with most eye conditions, treatments for cataracts is better sooner than later. Surgeries carried out on less-advanced cataracts are simpler, safer and have a smoother recovery.
Not only is it better to carry out the procedure as soon as possible, but treating cataracts early means you don’t have to wait to start enjoying improved vision. This limits the risk and discomfort of living with poor eyesight.
Your first visit to our hospital may take up to three hours, while the procedure itself only lasts 20 minutes. When you arrive, our team will welcome you at reception. We'll do our best to help you feel at ease.
A nurse will go through a simple examination to confirm you are ready for surgery. They will then apply a local anaesthetic using eye drops. This may cause irritation for a few moments, but shortly afterwards there will be no sensation.
Your Regency Eye surgeon will come to meet you to go through the consent form that confirms you are happy to go ahead and ask any questions about the surgery.
You will be taken through to the operating theatre where your surgeon and the theatre team will meet you. You’ll be asked to recline on your back on a specially designed operating table and to get as comfortable as possible. Then, a sterile drape will be placed over you with a small area removed to expose your eye.
Your surgeon will place a bright light and microscope above your eye to carry out the procedure. During the surgery you will have to lie as still as possible for up to 20 minutes – you will not be able to see the instrument because of the eye drops. You don’t need to worry about blinking because a small clip is used to keep the eyelid in place.
Your vision is likely to be very blurry due to the eye drops used during the procedure. This usually lasts for between 24 and 48 hours. If a transparent shield is provided to protect your eye following surgery – we advise that you wear it for at least the first 24 hours and wear it overnight for the first week. This will limit your chances of coming into contact with irritants that may affect your recovery.
We will also provide eye drops for you to take at home. Your surgeon will explain how often to apply them and for how long. You will be given a contact number which you can phone at any time if you have any concerns about your treatment. One of our clinical team will always be available. You will also receive a call from the clinical team one day after the procedure to see how you’re recovering.
We advise that our patients do not drive home after their surgery. Aside from the blurry vision and light sensitivity caused by the eye drops, your vision is still be adjusting which may cause your depth perception to be flawed. Your vision will usually adjust within a few days, though if it takes slightly longer this is not a cause for concern. We recommend avoiding driving for approximately 72 hours following surgery. Most importantly, you shouldn’t drive until you feel confident in your ability to see clearly and perceive depth correctly.
A few side effects are common after cataract surgery. In the great majority of cases these are mild and not a cause for concern. Patients often experience sensitivity to light, grittiness, watering and blurry or double vision. Rare symptoms include vision loss, pain that is resistant to medication, flashes or multiple spots in your vision, nausea and vomiting. If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact Regency Eye Hospital and we can make sure any complications are dealt with promptly.
It’s natural to wonder what sort of activities are safe after you’ve had cataract surgery. Here is some general advice about what you can do safely after the procedure. Avoid activities that may increase pressure in the eyes. For example, lifting heavy objects. Bending below the waist and reaching high can also create pressure in the eyes and should be avoided when possible for 2 weeks.
Taking a proactive, conscious approach to your recovery can make a big difference to the success of your surgery outcome. We encourage our patients in the weeks before surgery to make notes of activities they should avoid while in recovery. Taking care of tasks beforehand is also recommended – for example, preparing a meal to have after surgery. We also suggest that our patients aim to return to a clean and vacuumed house. Things like dust, dirt and pet hair can all be irritating to a recovering eye and should be avoided as much as possible.
Maintaining proper hygiene after your surgery will minimise your risk of infection and exposure of your eyes to irritants. Eye rubbing is a common culprit – while tempting, touching and rubbing your eyes may expose them to bacteria and viruses. Maintaining hygiene in your environment is also important – keep commonly touched areas in the house disinfected to reduce the risk of coming into contact with bacteria and viruses.
Cataracts usually develop in both eyes. To treat both cataracts, two different surgeries are required. We can carry out both procedures sequentially so that one eye is operated on immediately after the first. This means only one hospital visit is required. It has the added advantage of allowing both eyes to adjust to their new lenses at the same time.
Alternatively, we can schedule each treatment one or two weeks apart. If you opt to have a gap between surgeries, vision in one eye will be corrected while the other remains impaired and this can be a little disorientating. If you wear glasses, we can organise for one of your lenses to be removed. After both surgeries, your vision will be reassessed, and new prescription glasses may be recommended.
For a positive outcome to your surgery, we recommend following a home aftercare routine to assist your recovery. After cataract surgery, your eyes need to be rested and protected from harmful particles. We recommend taking time off work for the days following surgery and not scheduling any social engagements or trips.
Getting plenty of rest after your surgery will give your eyes time to recover. Avoid activities that may strain your eyes too much. Try to limit screen time and avoid reading in low light. Protect your eyes, not only through hygiene but by wearing sunglasses when necessary.
Coughing, sneezing and vomiting can also increase pressure in the eyes and should be avoided as much as possible. While the days following the surgery may seem frustrating, they are an important part of how you can achieve clear vision for years to come.
For many of our patients at Regency Eye Hospital, this surgery provides sight that they haven’t experienced in years alongside freedom from long-term worries about vision loss.
