This information has been designed to help you and your family or carers understand the operation and to help answer any questions you may have.
Having a cataract removed should not disrupt your life greatly, but some extra care is required for approximately six weeks after your discharge from hospital. I suggest if possible, that you arrange for someone to help you at home during the first night after surgery.
What is a cataract?
The human eye is like a camera and one of the essential parts is the lens. The lens is a clear tissue found behind the coloured part of the eye (the iris). The lens helps to focus light on the back of the eye (the retina) forming an image. Usually the lens of the eye is clear so that light passes through it easily.
If any cloudiness develops in the lens then it starts to block the light passing through and this causes blurring of your vision. This clouding of the lens is called a cataract.
Cataracts can develop as you get older and can occur because of diabetes or an eye injury. They can also occur in younger people for a number of reasons. Your sight will gradually become misty and you may be bothered by glare in bright light. If symptoms of the cataract affect your day-to-day activities, it is better to have the cloudy lens removed.
How will the cataract be removed?
You will need to have an operation to remove the cataract and, usually, a replacement lens (implant) is put in its place. This will take up to 30 minutes.
What is an implant?
When the cataract lens has been removed, it is replaced with a man- made focusing lens. This is implanted into the space that has been occupied by your own natural lens. The replacement lens is permanently fixed inside your eye. Implants, like glasses, come in different strengths.
Each patient needs to have their eye measured by an ultra sound scan (A-scan) or a laser (IOL Master) machine to find the strength of the implant most suitable to them.
I will usually try to implant a lens which is intended to give you good distance vision (for driving, cinema, TV, sport etc.). This may not always be perfect and you may still need to wear distance glasses.
If you prefer, we can aim to implant a lens that will enable you to do close work without reading glasses but you will then need glasses for distance.
If you have age-related macular degeneration or conditions, such as diabetes or glaucoma, the improvement in vision may be limited, depending on the extent of the condition.
There are newer lenses available that are approved by NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence). These are called multifocal or accommodating lenses. These allow your vision to be corrected in the distance, and depending on the type of lens used, also your intermediate and near vision.
For details on my recommended (FDA approved) choice of lens, visit: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7870151-abbott-intraocular-lenses/ This is the Tecnis Symphony intraocular lens.
Consent
You will be asked to sign a consent form for the operation. It is important that you understand the procedure, what the risks and benefits are to you and what the treatment involves. Please feel free to ask me any questions that you may have before signing the consent form.
What are the benefits?
- greater clarity of vision
- improved colour vision
What are the risks?
All operations and anaesthetics carry some risk.
The potential risks associated with cataract surgery are as follows:
- blindness
- haemorrhage
- infection
- glaucoma
- retinal detachment
- capsular tear and vitreous loss
- wound dehiscence and iris prolapse
- cystoid macular oedema
- deterioration in diabetic retinopathy
- intraocular lens power miscalculation
- further surgery (some patients may require an additional operation following cataract surgery)
You may wish to ask Mr Litwin if you do not understand these medical terms. Using modern methods, cataract surgery is very safe; in the majority of cases the vision is improved. This does not occur immediately after the operation and the time it takes can vary widely between patients.
Possible risks during the operation
- tearing of the back part of the lens capsule with disturbance inside the eye that may sometimes result in reduced vision
- loss of all or part of the cataract, into the back of the eye, requiring a further operation
- bleeding inside the eye
Possible risks after the operation
- bruising of the eye or eyelids
- high pressure inside the eye
- infection in the eye
- allergy to the medication used
- clouding of the cornea
- swelling of the retina
- detached retina, which can lead to loss of sight (this is very rare)
Patients rarely develop problems during eye surgery or shortly afterwards that can impair the results.
Minor complications occur more commonly but do not always affect the final results; Mr Litwin will discuss these with you. In order to reduce the risks I only operate on one eye initially, and if you need or want the second eye done, when you have recovered this will be arranged.
Will I feel any pain during the procedure?
Most cataract operations are carried out under a local anaesthetic. With this method only the eye is made numb and you will be awake. You will not see what is going on and you will not feel anything. The anaesthetic is given either by anaesthetic eye drops and / or an injection around your eye before the operation. Like any injection, this may be uncomfortable for a few seconds.
If a general anaesthetic is required, you will be given further relevant information.
Day case surgery
Cataract surgery is usually a day case procedure, which means that you will go home on the day of your operation.
Remember to arrange for someone to:
- stay overnight with you on the day of operation
- put in your eye drops after the operation, if you are unable to do this yourself
On the day of operation
- please arrive on time and go to the ward
- follow advice given on eating and drinking
- bring all your medications with you
- remove all make-up and nail varnish
- do not wear any jewellery other than a wedding ring
- wear loose comfortable clothing, as you may be asked to put on an operating gown
The procedure
A nurse will help you to prepare for your operation and drops will be put in your eye to enlarge the pupil.
You will be taken into the anaesthetic room where you will lie down for up to half an hour. After which you will be taken to the operating room, transferred onto the theatre bed and you will be asked to lie down flat, keep still and not talk during the operation. Your other eye will be covered and all you will see is bright light. During the procedure you may hear some noise from the machine that powers the ultra-sound probe. You may also see lots of different colours. You may feel water on your skin; it is normal and linked to the procedure. Mr Litwin may explain to you what is happening as the operation goes along.
A small incision (cut) is made in the eye. A hole is made in the lens capsule covering the front surface of the cataract. The cataract is broken into very small pieces, which are then sucked out of the eye. Once the cloudy lens is removed, a small plastic lens is inserted into the eye through the small incision, to replace the cloudy lens. The plastic lens is folded and inserted inside the lens capsule through the cut in the front of the eye.
After your surgery, your eye will be covered with an eye pad or shield, which may be removed the following day as appropriate. Further instructions will be given to you concerning your eye drops and aftercare.
Some frequently asked questions
When is my first clinic appointment after surgery?
Mr Litwin will advise you of this. It could be anywhere between 1 and 6 weeks from the surgery. Please bring all your eye drops and medications to the clinic with you. Please do not drive yourself for this visit as you will have drops put in your eyes which will blur your vision. It is important that you keep your appointments, please inform Mr Litwin as soon as possible if you are unable to attend and need to rearrange the date.
Will I need new glasses?
Possibly, but you will be advised as to when to see an optician. The eye is a delicate structure and it takes time to settle down. You must wait at least four weeks before new glasses can even be considered.
Could a cataract return?
No, a cataract cannot return because all or part of the lens has been removed. However in less than 10% of eyes, the capsule can become cloudy a few months or years later and causes the same problems as a cataract. This is easily treated by a Yag laser, which makes a small opening through which you will be able to see. It is a very short procedure and is performed sitting at a machine.
What will I do when I go home?
Eye drops
You will be given eye drops to take home along with information about how and when to use them. It is important that the drops are used correctly.
Drops should be put in four times daily, reducing by one drop weekly for one month i.e. first week = four drops, second week = three drops etc.
Hair care – for one week after the operation
Backwash only, this will avoid getting any shampoo in the eye. Do not use hairspray, perms or tints as this could cause irritation and inflammation. Avoid hood dryers.
Housework or gardening
No heavy lifting/digging, for the first six weeks after your operation, as this could cause a rise of pressure within the eye and could limit the success of your operation. Sprays and dusty environments could inflame the eye and increase the risk of infection.
When can I go back to work and when can I drive?
Mr Litwin will advise you.
Important points to remember after you are discharged
- use your eye drops as instructed
- use your eye shield at night
- avoid constipation
- ask Mr Litwin for advice if you want to fly
- wear sunglasses in sunny weather
- keep out of the wind
- wear watertight goggles when swimming, keeping your face well above the surface of the water
Things you must avoid:
- rubbing your eye
- a smoky or dusty environment
- heavy lifting
- contact sports (ask for advice before recommencing sport)
- swimming without advice from the surgeon
- sexual relations (may be resumed gently after two weeks)
Storage of eye drops and ointments
- never share your eye drops with anyone else
- store drops and ointments in a cool place out of reach of children (only store drops in the fridge if requested to do so)
- dispose of all opened eye drops and ointments after one month
How to apply your eye-drops or ointment
- Wash your hands to prevent infection, tilt your head back and support it on the back of a chair, or a pillow for comfort and safety.
- Look up at the ceiling and gently pull down the lower lid to create a pocket for ease of access.
- Squeeze a drop or a half-inch ribbon of ointment into the pocket of the lower lid.
- Close your eyes for a timed five minutes
- Remove any excess ointment gently with a clean tissue and wash your hands again.
Further questions
I hope this information is sufficient to help you decide whether to go ahead with the surgery. Please write down any questions not covered here and ask Mr Litwin when you come to the hospital for your appointment.
Should you have any further questions please contact me.