CATARACT SURGERY MELBOURNE

HAWTHORN EYE CLINIC

Safe and effective treatment, with the aim to restore clear vision.

CATARACT SURGERY MELBOURNE

A PATIENT’S GUIDE

Our ophthalmologists take the time to explain each diagnosis in clear, simple terms and discuss all available treatment options. We encourage questions, so you can make educated decisions about your eye care treatment with confidence.

All the specialists use cutting edge, proven technology and strive to provide you with high quality care.

HAWTHORN EYE CLINIC
Learn more about cataracts and how they are diagnosed and treated:

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit our frequently asked questions section to find answers to common questions about cataract surgery including:

  • Do I need cataract surgery?

  • How long does cataract surgery take?

  • Is cataract surgery painful?

  • How much does cataract surgery cost?

  • Can cataracts return?

  • Are there risks with cataract surgery?

  • How long until I can drive after the surgery?

  • How long until I can undertake everyday activities after surgery?

What is a cataract?

Inside the eye behind the pupil there is a natural lens that is meant to be clear. When the lens becomes cloudy, or dark, it is called a cataract. The clouding usually develops over time and interferes with light entering your eye affecting the ability to see clearly.

eye cataracts
What causes cataracts?

Cataracts occur when proteins in the eye’s lens break down and clump together, clouding the eyes lens. As the lens becomes cloudy, less light reaches the retina, causing blurred vision and, over time, loss of sight.

Am I at risk of getting cataracts?

You may have a higher risk of developing cataracts if you are over 50, have a family history of cataracts, are diabetic, smoke, undergone certain medical treatments, or have experienced long-term UV exposure.

How do cataracts affect vision?

As cataracts develop the following affects may occur:

  • Gradual deterioration in vision

  • Glare and sensitivity to bright lights

  • Progressively blurred, hazy and foggy vision.

  • Haloes around bright lights (especially noticeable at night)

  • Colours may become duller and darker

  • Overtime, loss of sight.

How are cataracts diagnosed?

Ophthalmologists diagnose cataracts through a comprehensive eye examination that may include:

Diagnostic test Description
Orthoptic Examination: Assessment of visual acuity, stereo-vision, double-vision, ocular motility and size of eye-turn.
Slit Lamp Exam: A microscope examination to assess the general health of the eye and retina.
Cycloplegic Retinoscopy: Usually for children, cyclopentolate eye drops temporarily dilate the pupil and relax the eye’s focusing muscles, allowing a more accurate refraction measurement.
Additional Testing: Using the IOL Master to accurately measure the length of the eye in cases of short-sightedness..
cataract diagnosis

Together, these tests help the ophthalmologist determine if a cataract is present, how advanced it is, and whether it’s affecting vision enough to consider cataract surgery.

Cataract Surgery Melbourne

If you have any questions about cataract surgery, appointment bookings, location or opening hours, visit:

How are cataracts treated?

Cataract Treatment

Cataracts cannot be treated or prevented with medication, exercise or alternative therapy. Once cataracts have developed, surgical removal is the only treatment.

Cataract Surgery

The decision to proceed with cataract surgery will depend upon the degree to which the cataract is impairing vision and effecting your safety and lifestyle.

Cataract surgery

Cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens of your eye and replaces it with a clear, artificial lens. Your ophthalmologist will help you choose the type of intraocular lens (IOL) best suited for your vision needs.

The most common types of cataract surgery are:

Phacoemulsification (standard cataract surgery): A tiny probe is inserted through a small cut in the eye. The probe breaks the cloudy lens into small pieces, which are then gently removed. A folded artificial lens is placed inside the eye and unfolded into position.

Laser-assisted cataract surgery (LACS): A laser is used to make the incisions and soften the lens before breaking it into pieces, which are then gently removed.

A folded artificial lens is placed inside the eye and unfolded into position.

Cataract surgery useful facts

Outpatient/day procedure – Cataract surgery is a day procedure. Patients usually stay at the surgery centre for approximately 3 hours.

How long does the surgery take? – The surgery itself takes approximately 15 minutes. However there is around 1 hour of preparation and ½ hour of recovery.

Anaesthesia & pain management – The team will aim to make the procedure pain free. Numbing eye drops and local anaesthetic are used before and during the operation so you won’t feel the surgery, and you may be given intravenous sedation to help you relax. Most people experience little to no discomfort and may not remember the operation.

You’ll be awake during the surgery – You won’t see or feel any of the surgical procedure in your eye. Intravenous sedation will keep you relaxed.

After the surgery/eye protection – To prevent minor trauma, your doctor will recommend wearing an eye shield or patch after the procedure.

What happens after your cataract surgery?

Immediately after surgery:

  • Your surgeon and the eye care team will monitor you for 15 to 30 minutes
  • You will have your eye covered with a protective shield or patch after surgery
  • Do not rub or touch your eye after the surgery
  • Your home eye care plan will be discussed with you in detail, as well as follow up appointment to check on your progress
  • Temporary side effects may include watery, gritty and/or red or bloodshot eyes.

1-2 weeks after surgery:

  • Use your prescribed eye drops exactly as directed
  • Keep your protective eye shield on at night to avoid rubbing the eye in your sleep
  • Avoid bending over, lifting heavy objects, or straining
  • Don’t rub or press on your eye
  • Showers are fine, but keep water, soap, and shampoo out of your eye
  • Most people notice vision starting to improve within a few days.

Week 3-4 weeks after surgery:

  • Use your prescribed eye drops exactly as directed
  • Vision often continues to sharpen during this period
  • Continue to protect your eye from injury or rubbing
  • The eye should be more comfortable, with less redness and irritation
  • Your doctor may monitor your need for glasses
  • You can usually return to light daily activities such as walking and light household tasks
  • Still avoid swimming, dusty environments, and vigorous exercise.

If both eyes are affected by cataracts, surgery on the second eye will be performed on a different day, usually after the first eye heals. In some cases, pre-existing medical or ocular problems may prevent full visual improvement.

Frequently asked questions about cataract surgery?

The decision to have cataract surgery is ultimately between you, your family and your ophthalmologist.

Factors to consider will be based on your individual diagnosis and the extent your cataracts are inhibiting your vision. Impaired vision may affect your ability to drive, read and increase your risks of falls and injuries as well as inhibiting your social life and other daily activities.

In some patients the blurriness of vision happens so slowly, that they become accustomed to it and will be unaware of it.

Fees will depend on the following factors:

  • Privately insured patients – Please check with your health fund whether your are covered for cataract surgery (item 42702)
  • Hospital costs – Please check with your health insurance fund
  • Out-of-pocket costs – We will provide you with a written estimate for the surgeon
  • Anaesthetic costs – Anaesthetists charge different fees, we provide you with the contact details of the Anaesthetist, so you can confirm fees in advance.

You should not feel any pain during the surgery. With the sedation in your vein you will be in a twilight sleep and with the anaesthetics around the eye, the eye will be numb. You will feel the surgeon touching your temple or forehead, but you should not feel pain.

If you feel pain we can top up your anaesthetics. Some patients do not even remember the surgery, due to the sedation.

Cataract surgery usually takes 10 – 15 minutes. With preparation and recovery added in, your appointment may be take a number of hours.

Ask your ophthalmologist the timeframe.

No, cataracts can’t return. Once the natural lens has been removed a cataract cannot come back.

In some patients there can be a clouding of the original lens capsule which sits behind the intraocular lens. This clouding may take months or sometimes years to develop and is easily treated.

As with any surgery, cataract surgery comes with risks. Your ophthalmologist will discuss the risks with you in relation to your unique diagnosis.

Cataract surgery success rate – Cataract surgery has a very high success rate of about 98%. Most complications can be treated successfully.

The risk of losing vision or losing the eye from cataract surgery is less than 1 in 1000.

This will vary from person to person and is best assessed by your ophthalmologist.

This will vary from person to person and is best assessed by your ophthalmologist to when you can undertake specific activities such as:

  • Driving
  • Exercising – Swimming, lifting objects
  • Wearing eye makeup
  • Bending over
  • Return to work or other activities.

The standard option is to insert single-focus intraocular lenses, to provide clear distance vision without glasses, but glasses are usually required for computer work, reading and other close work. Some patients ask for good near vision without glasses, but would then need glasses for distance activities like driving or watching TV.

Other options include:
1) Multifocal intraocular lenses – Offer vision for both near and far without glasses, but may cause halos around lights when driving in the evening and reduced contrast. Best for patients who prefer not to wear glasses at all and happy to accept a slight compromise in the vision.

2) Monovision – One eye is set for distance, the other for near. This doesn’t suit everyone, so a trial with contact lenses is sometimes recommended before surgery.

3) Extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular lenses – Provide for distance and intermediate vision. It has less nocturnal symptoms and better contrast sensitivity compared to multifocals intraocular lenses. Glasses are generally required for close work.

Cataract Surgery Melbourne

If you have any questions about cataract surgery, appointment bookings, location or opening hours, visit:

Proud member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

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