A cataract is a very common condition which causes cloudiness in the lens of your eye and reduces your ability to see. Cataracts get worse over time and with age, so your vision progressively deteriorates. 

Cataracts can occur for a number of reasons, including:

• Getting older (age-related cataracts)
• Long-term steroid medication
• A family history of cataracts
• Diabetes (blood sugar levels above a safe range can cause changes that result in cataracts)
• Eye injury

Cataracts usually develop slowly and although symptoms vary from patient to patient, there are common symptoms that most people will experience.

Most patients eventually develop a cataract in both eyes but not necessarily at the same time. When a cataract starts to develop, you may begin to feel your sight isn't quite right. If you wear glasses, the lenses may seem dirty, even when they're clean. Gradually, you’ll find your sight becoming cloudier, making it harder to see.

For many people, bright lights appear to glare, and car headlights become more dazzling than they used to be. There may also be a slight change in your colour vision, with objects appearing more yellow than before and colours may look different when looked at with one eye as opposed to both eyes.

If a cataract is ignored, your sight will become increasingly cloudy, resulting in a deterioration of your vision. Most people choose to have their cataracts removed when the change in their vision starts to impact on everyday life.

The cornea and lens of your eye are composed of cells that are specially arranged to form clear tissue, allowing light to pass through and focus on the retina.

However, when a cataract develops, it disrupts this arrangement of cells in the lens. This causes the lens to become cloudy instead of clear, which reduces the amount of light passing through and consequently diminishes the quality of your vision

Cataract surgery is a small operation to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial plastic lens (an intraocular implant), giving you clearer eyesight again. It’s one of the most commonly performed operations in the UK.

When your vision affects your quality of life and prevents you doing things you love, your GP or Optician may recommend cataract removal surgery. You can also choose to have corrective lens replacement surgery.

You’ll be treated in our safe, comfortable and modern Eye Unit. The cataract removal is carried out as day surgery, so you’ll be able to return home on the day of the operation, although you won’t be able to drive yourself.

The operation takes around 30 minutes and will be carried out under a local anaesthetic, so you’ll be awake, but you won’t be able to feel any pain. After the local anaesthetic has taken effect, your surgeon will make tiny cuts on the surface of your eye in order to remove the cloudy lens. The lens will usually be broken up using ultrasound waves, before it’s removed. The capsule the lens sat in is left behind and the new artificial lens will be placed in this capsule, where it will remain permanently.

After cataract surgery, your eye is usually left without stitches, allowing it to heal naturally

The cataract operation itself takes about 15-20 minutes, though you may be in the department between two and four hours.

Cataract surgery isn’t painful; although some patients report pressure or discomfort. Numbing agents such as a local anaesthetic will be used to ensure your procedure is as comfortable as possible.

You can choose from a range of advanced lenses, which will correct your eyesight at the same time as removing your cataract. Your Consultant will help you decide which lens replacement surgery would best suit your lifestyle.

Standard lenses

The standard artificial lens is monofocal. This provides one focal point, so you can choose to have either clear distance vision or the near vision needed for reading, using a mobile phone, looking at a watch or choosing from a menu. If you opt for this lens, you'll need reading glasses or distance glasses after your cataract surgery.

We'll also check your eyes for astigmatism; if these are present (and significant) you may need to continue to wear glasses at all times after cataract surgery, unless you opt for the Toric lens option.

Multifocal lenses

If you’d like to be assessed for multifocal lenses as part of your cataract treatment, you’ll need to attend a special lens clinic with an Optometrist and a Consultant, who’ll perform a few tests to determine your suitability.

These lenses provide clear vision plus a full range of vision - distance, intermediate and near. You’re less likely to need glasses after this cataract treatment, if at all. There are some compromises with these lenses, which will be discussed at your consultation.

Toric lens for astigmatism

Toric lenses correct astigmatism and are available as a monofocal or multifocal lens. 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 treatment due to less manual functions and reduces the risk of refractive errors and residual astigmatism.

Find out more about your lens replacement options from our cataract surgery brochure (PDF).

If you’re attending for cataract removal, you don’t need to bring anything with you, though you may like to wear sunglasses after your surgery. 

Most people notice their discomfort easing a couple of days post-surgery. However, the healing process can take between four and six weeks.

You might experience some mild discomfort after your operation, so you may want to take regular analgesia if necessary, e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen.

If the symptoms get worse, please contact us via the Eye Unit or the ‘Out of hours’ numbers on your post-operative leaflet.

You’ll need to wear the shield until the morning after your operation. You can then remove it during the day and start your eye drops. However, you’ll need to wear the shield for three nights to protect your eye while you sleep.

Your vision should be back to normal within a day of your cataract surgery, but it’s not uncommon for some people to experience blurriness for a couple of weeks. Your eye drops will help, as will not touching your eye.

• Avoid excessive bending down or bending over, heavy lifting and strenuous activity as this can increase blood pressure in the eyes
• Avoid rubbing your eyes for the first week
• Do use any medication that’s prescribed to you, and take painkillers if you experience discomfort
• Do continue to use your eyes; read a book if you’re able to

Your Consultant will be able to advise, depending on the activity. For example, we’d advise that you don’t start swimming again until four to six weeks after your surgery.

Our advice is to refrain from driving for one week following surgery.

Our advice is to refrain from wearing makeup for four to six weeks after surgery.

Although the discomfort can last only a few days, some patients notice that they feel fatigued for a few days after the operation and may need to take some time off work if you feel more tired than usual.

It’s important that your eye is protected for the weeks following cataract surgery in order to let it heal. You should avoid:

• Rubbing or touching your eye
• Getting soap, shampoo or grit in your eye
• Violent coughing or sneezing
• Strenuous activity or exercise, especially swimming, for four to six weeks
• Wearing eye make-up for four weeks
• Flying or driving, unless your Consultant approves this

You should avoid bending over i.e. putting your head below your waist for 48 hours after your cataract surgery as this can increase pressure on your eye.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) you should avoid flying for 24 hours after a straightforward cataract operation. However, your circumstances may vary so we would recommend waiting until after your post-operative appointment, during which you should ask your Consultant for their advice.

We’d also recommend you check your travel insurance policy in case there are any restrictions around flying after cataract surgery – as flying too soon after an operation may void your policy.