The term cataract is used to describe the clouding of the natural lens of the eye. This prevents the lens from properly focusing light on the retina at the back of the eye, resulting in a loss of vision.

Common symptoms of a cataract:

Painless blurring of vision
Glare or light sensitivity
Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription
Poor night vision
Needing a brighter light to read
Double vision in one eye
Fading colours

Common misconceptions cleared:

Cataract is not a film over the surface of the eye
It is not caused by overusing the eyes
Not infectious (will not spread from one eye to the other, nor a cancer)
Not a cause of irreversible blindness

The most common type is related to aging and referred to as a senile cataract.

Other common causes are:

   Family history
   Medical problems, such as diabetes
   Long-term use of medications, such as steroids
   Injury to the eye
   Congenital
   Previous eye surgery
   Long-term unprotected exposure to sunlight

A thorough eye examination by an ophthalmologist detects the presence and the extent of a cataract. Other conditions that could additionally compromise vision can also be detected, particularly problems involving the cornea, retina or the optic nerve.

Cataract development varies among individuals and may even vary between the two eyes. Most cataracts associated with the aging process develop over years. Cataracts in younger patients and in those with diabetes may develop rapidly.

Surgery is the only way a cataract can be removed. No dietary supplements, medications, exercises or optical devices have been proven to prevent or cure cataract. However, if the symptoms of cataract are mild, a change of spectacle prescription is all that is needed.

Surgery should be considered when the cataract causes visual disturbance enough to interfere with daily activities. Based on these needs and the examination findings, the patient and the ophthalmologist should decide together when surgery is appropriate.

Cataracts need not to be mature ('ripe') before removal. Today cataract surgery has the means to remove an immature cataract and a mature ('ripe') cataract.

Cataract surgery is a microscopic surgery usually performed under local anaesthesia. The cloudy lens is removed leaving its capsule behind, within which a permanent intraocular lens is implanted. The refractive power of the implanted lens is calculated so that there is a minimal need for post-operative spectacle prescription. However, glasses will be required for near work.

After cataract surgery, one may return almost immediately to all but the most strenuous activities. Medication must be administered as per the instructions of the surgeon. Your surgeon will tell you when you may return to work.

Conventional cataract surgery, which involves removal of the lens in one piece, results in an incision size of 10-12 mm and closure of this large incision with multiple stitches. This has been replaced with the modern technique of cataract removal [phacoemulsification].

The entire surgical experience at our centres has been designed to help patients and their families be as comfortable and relaxed as possible. This "patient first, family-friendly" approach is at the heart of the surgical experience. An important part of our centres' low-stress approach to cataract surgery is the maintenance of familiar routines i.e. meals or medications. The surgery is shown on a television screen in a lounge.

Phacoemulsification is a micro-incision technique of cataract surgery wherein an ultrasound probe breaks the cataract into tiny pieces and sucks them out. If a foldable implant is inserted the incision size is smaller (2.8 - 3.0 mm) as compared to an approximately 5 mm incision to accommodate a non-foldable lens. Both incisions are self-sealing and need no stitches. We will help you decide as to which lens should suit you best.