Understanding The Essence And Benefits Of Cataract Surgery

Understanding Cataracts

Cataracts, a common condition in older adults, occur when the lens develops cloudy patches. Over time these patches usually become bigger causing blurry, misty vision and eventually blindness. When we're young, our lenses are usually like clear glass, allowing us to see through them. As we get older, they start to become frosted, like bathroom glass, and begin to limit our vision. 95% of cataracts in the UK can be found in people older than fifty, and it is estimated that 30% of people 65 years or older have a visually impairing cataract in one or both eyes.

There are several different types of cataract, categorised based on their location within the eye or the cause of their development. Some of these are: age-related cataracts (which usually affect people over the age of 50), secondary cataracts (which develop as a result of medical conditions or treatments), and cataracts by location (which develop in different corners of the lens).

Cataract is a leading cause of blindness in the world’s developing countries, and it is also the second leading cause of visual impairment worldwide next to refractive errors. According to a 2022 report, out of 36 million blind people worldwide, 12 million cases have been caused by cataract.

The Need for Cataract Surgery

Cataract can be treated only with a surgical treatment, a highly effective procedure where the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).

Cataract surgery is a procedure that involves several key steps. It begins with the administration of local anaesthesia to numb the eye. A small incision is made in the cornea, allowing the surgeon to remove the cloudy natural lens affected by the cataract using ultrasound or laser technology. An artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is then implanted to replace the removed lens. The incision is closed, and most patients experience improved vision within a day or two, making the surgery a minimally invasive and highly effective solution for cataracts.

In the UK, nearly 500,000 cataract surgeries are performed each year, and 10% of people over the age of 65 have already had cataract surgery. It is also the most common surgery performed by the NHS.

Benefits of Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery involves removing your eye's natural, clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial one. If you need to wear glasses, a new lens with the correct focusing power is implanted so that glasses may not be required. This includes improvement in both reading and distance vision when a multifocal lens is used.

This surgery not only restores clear vision but can also correct other refractive errors, potentially reducing the need for glasses. Modern IOLs can address presbyopia, providing a broader range of vision without the need for reading glasses.

A successful cataract removal procedure should leave you with the ability to see things clearly and in focus. You should also be able to differentiate between colours and not see as much glare when looking into bright lights.

It is generally seen as a safe procedure, and according to the Royal College of Opthalmologists , the risk of serious complications arising from cataract treatment is low. The risk of vision loss occurs in 1 out of 500 patients.

How Optimax Expertly Handles Cataract Surgery

There are many types of lenses which suit different people, depending on your lifestyle and prescription. At Optimax, we offer a range of monofocal, multifocal or trifocal lenses. These allow you to have sharp vision for multiple distances, eliminating the need for reading glasses while removing your cataracts at the same time. During your consultation, the best lenses and your options are explained to you. 

Surgery with us is painless, as we will apply anaesthetic eyedrops prior to your procedure. Your surgery will be carried out using ultrasound, rather than a laser. Soundwaves break up the cataract, which is then removed from your eye.

Cataract surgery is permanent, although we do offer laser top up treatment and piggyback lenses at an additional cost if your vision requires any fine tuning. We aim to ensure our patients become as glasses-free as possible, although some people with monofocal lenses may still need spectacles for reading. 95% of people who come to Optimax for cataracts treatment achieve the minimum driving standard or better.

At Optimax, we pride ourselves on taking excellent care of our patients, which is why you’ll have a number of appointments after the procedure until you are discharged with satisfactory results. A day or two after your cataract surgery, you will be seen at your consultation clinic, with another visit to follow a week or so later. We’ll also schedule in a third meeting around 4-6 weeks on from the operation, with a fourth to take place 3-6 months post-surgery, where you’ll be discharged if the results have proven satisfactory.

As far as surgery costs go, our prices are fixed, there are no hidden costs or extra payments, and we have interest-free as well as interest-bearing credit available for up to 48 months. Learn more about our prices and finance options here.

If you have any questions regarding cataract surgery at Optimax, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We are more than happy to discuss queries with you over the phone (0800 093 1110) or email (enquiry@optimax.co.uk).