Published on 08 April 2025
Are you looking to have private cataract surgery and want to know more about our range of advanced lenses? We explain the types of special lenses.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is where the lens of your eye, which helps to focus images onto the back of the eye, grows cloudy. This affects our sight and limits our ability to carry out daily activities. A cataract can form as part of the natural aging process or if you’ve had an injury, a health condition like diabetes or eye inflammation. It can also result from certain medications.
Cataract removal surgery
At Benenden Hospital we carry out thousands of cataract operations each year* in our clean, infection-free Eye Unit.
During surgery, the cloudy, natural lens is removed and replaced by a permanent, artificial lens (implant). After this procedure, a patient’s vision should be clearer and brighter. You can choose which new lens you’d like to have implanted. We give patients the choice of a monofocal lens, or several types of special lens.
*Private Healthcare Information Network, 2024
All about cataract surgery
Ms Sarit Lesnik-Oberstein, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, discusses cataracts, their causes and symptoms. She also discusses cataract surgery at Benenden Hospital, including the standard and special lens types on offer.
What are cataracts?
Cataract is actually when the lens inside the eye goes cloudy. Now, the lens inside the eye is shaped like a Smartie, like a chocolate sweetie, and it hangs in the eye in a little bag that's suspended by thousands of little hairs. And, as we all age, that lens, that Smartie gets grubby. It basically starts getting blurry and it can change colour.
And what happens is that you can't see colours as well. And you might start seeing dazzly lights at night, or your vision gets blurry as you're trying to read or do close-up work.
When it becomes an impediment to the enjoyment of your day-to-day life, that's when we call this a cataract.
What are the symptoms of cataracts?
The symptoms of cataracts tend to be cloudy vision, mistiness, dazzle and glare at night and problems with reading, which can't be corrected with glasses.
What causes cataracts?
Cataracts can be caused by multiple things. You can be born with cataract, you can develop them due to medication, you can get them more quickly because of diabetes or certain illnesses. But the most common cause of cataract is actually just aging, where the lens - as it gets older - gets stiffer, changes colour, and becomes cloudier.
What is cataract surgery?
So, cataract surgery is when we actually replace the cloudy lens that is naturally in the eye with a replacement lens made of a plastic-like material.
This could be either silicone or acrylic material that stays in the same position where your natural lens was, and does the job of the natural lens, but it's completely clear and it is sized to you so that you can see either in the distance or near, depending on the discussion you have with your surgeon at the time.
What are my lens replacement surgery options?
Lens replacements. These are the lenses that will replace that natural lens that you have, are made to do the job that your natural lens did, which is to make you see sharply in the distance, usually. But there are various options. One is to have standard distance vision, which means that you will see in the distance, but you will need reading glasses. Very occasionally people decide that they want reading vision so that they can read without glasses but then they will still need distance glasses for driving and watching telly. And then we do have lenses which are premium lenses where you get multiple benefits from one lens where you can see both closeup and in the distance.
Do I need to bring anything with me when I have cataract surgery?
There is about an hour's wait whilst the eye is ready for surgery. We need to dilate the pupil, we need to admit you. So, if you want to bring a book to read, or if you want to bring an iPad or some music to listen to, that is absolutely fine. But there's nothing you have to bring with you.
Will I feel pain during cataract surgery?
So, cataract surgery is painless. It is not an uncomfortable or unpleasant surgery. When we do the procedure, we will clean around the eye and then we will cover you with a small bit of paper which means you won't see any of the operation.
You'll have a small clip between the eyelids, which stops you blinking. And when we put that in place, it can feel a little awkward or stretchy - but not painful.
Then you'll see a very bright light. And after that the most significant thing you'll feel is water running and pressure on the eye occasionally, but it is not a painful experience.
How long does cataract surgery take?
Cataract surgery takes as long as it's necessary for it to be safe. Usually, an operation is done within 15 to 20 minutes. It can be quicker. 95% of all cataracts are done within 20 minutes.
What are the types of special lenses?
Monofocal toric lens
If you have significant astigmatism (where your eye isn’t completely round but is shaped more like a rugby ball, which can distort the image you see) then a Toric lens may be suitable for you. A Monofocal Toric Lens is designed to correct your astigmatism and reduce your need for glasses for far distance vision, so that you may only need reading (near vision) glasses.
Multifocal lens
This lens is designed to enable to you focus on objects in the far distance, at intermediate distance (approx. 60 cm e.g. a car dashboard or a computer) and at near (approx. 30cm e.g. reading a book). This should mean that your need for glasses should be reduced significantly, and you may not need them at all.
Multifocal toric lens
This lens combines the advantages of the Multifocal and Toric Lens. It is designed to correct both your astigmatism and your focus for far distance, intermediate distance and near vision, so that your vision should be improved and your need for glasses should be reduced or eliminated.
Extended depth of focus (EDOF) lens
This lens is designed to give you a better range of focus (when compared to a standard monofocal lens) from the far distance to intermediate distance vision (approx. 60cm e.g. a car dashboard or a computer). Although it is not designed to give you near vision (approx. 30cm e.g. reading a book), and you should expect to use reading (near vision) glasses for this, many patients do find that they can read larger print at near without reading glasses, when they have EDOF lenses implanted.
Toric extended depth of focus (EDOF) lens
This lens combines the advantages of the EDOF and Toric Lens. It is designed to correct both your astigmatism and your focus for far distance and intermediate distance (approx. 60 cm e.g. a car dashboard or a computer), so that your vision should be improved and your need for glasses should be reduced. Although it is not designed to give you near vision (approx. 30cm e.g. reading a book), and you should expect to use reading (near vision) glasses for this, many patients do find that they can read larger print at near without reading glasses, when they have Toric EDOF Lenses implanted.
Our expert Ophthalmic Consultants now use Callisto Eye®, our new ultra-modern microscope to achieve perfect alignment of your toric lenses. This technology allows for faster and more accurate treatment due to less manual functions and reduces the risk of focusing errors and residual astigmatism.
Who is suitable for special lenses?
The following factors affect your decision:
- Do you wish to minimise your use of glasses?
- What sort of hobbies do you participate in?
- What is your financial situation?
- What options does your surgeon recommend?
Your consultant will work with you to make the best possible decision for your eye health.
How do I prepare for the surgery?
Before cataract surgery and having the special lens implanted, we recommend patients buy micropore tape, sunglasses and lint-free pads (similar to those used to remove make up). On the day of your operation, you can eat and drink normally, and take your usual medications. We would ask that you don't wear any eye make-up.
Is there anything I shouldn’t do after the first week of surgery?
After your surgery, it’s important that you don’t:
- Rub or knock your eye
- Drive; after one week, you may resume driving if you can see with both eyes together a car number plate at the legal distance as documented in the DVLA Highway Code. Don't forget to check with your insurer
- Bend to pick up/carry any heavy objects
- Immerse your face in water
- Wear makeup (other than lipstick) in the four weeks post-surgery
Less than 5% of patients who have a special lens implant may need further adjustment following the operation? This is carried out as a simple outpatient procedure with a local anaesthetic.
Book your cataract surgery consultation
Start your journey to clearer vision. Book your initial consultation online or by calling our Private Patient team on 01580 363158.