If you’re in doubt, it’s best to arrange a consultation, particularly if you have risk factors such as diabetes and a family history of cataracts.

Do I need cataract surgery?

Cataracts are usually noticed after the ages of 60.  You can be alerted to them by symptoms such as hazy or cloudy vision, difficulty driving at night, sensitivity to glare and light, and frequent changes to the prescription of your current glasses. You may also notice deterioration in your distance vision at far, near or both distances.

The benefits of cataract surgery

Cataract surgery will improve your outlook on life – literally – because cataracts are located in the lens through which we view the world.  A cataract is the clouding of the lens of the eye. This should be clear but if the clouding is dense enough your vision will be affected, and the clarity and brightness of objects around you will decrease. A cataract operation will restore this.  It is the most commonly performed eye procedure in Australia and all over the world.

While cataract surgery dates back centuries, the methodology has evolved to deploy the use of Laser to augment the precision and safety profile of  the surgery.

Our highly-experienced team is led by George Street Eye Centre’s Medical Director, Dr. Con Moshegov, a specialist in Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

He is the elite group of surgeons, who has finessed the technique of simultaneous removal of cataracts, and vision restoration, for both distance and near acuity!  In short, most of his patients can wave goodbye to their glasses after the surgery.

What does the cataract surgery procedure involve?

Cataract procedure is performed by Dr Con Moshegov at a fully accredited day facility or a private hospital, with local anaesthesia and intravenous ‘Twilight’ sedation.

A new lens

The procedure for cataract surgery is pain-free and only takes about 20 minutes. It requires the removal and replacement of the cloudy lens.

The operation involves a micro-incision at the side of the cornea where your surgeon will remove the cataract. This incision heals on its own overnight.

Once the lens is removed, an artificial lens is inserted to restore your vision. The new lens is called an Intraocular lens or IOL. We’ll guide you through the choice of IOLs – these include monofocal, multifocal and extended depth of focus lenses.

You’ll spend 2.5 to 3 hours at the facility on the day and will require someone to pick you up. As part of our thorough process, our nurses will assess you and once they are happy with your recovery, you will be given a detailed set of instructions and discharged from the hospital. You will have a follow up the next day and will be examined at the clinic.

Cataract surgery recovery

In most cases, recovery from cataract surgery is short with our patients experiencing much clearer vision the next day. In other cases, vision is restored within a few days. With our specialised and expert approach, we treat each case individually and go through the process and recovery with you to ensure your peace of mind.

Many questions arise about what to expect after surgery. First and foremost, you will need to use eye drops over four weeks after the operation to prevent infection, inflammation  and facilitate healing.

In terms of your glasses, the immediate results will be a much better sight at a distance of your choosing and your old glasses will no longer work after the operation.

As the implanted IOLs are so clear, albeit these have in-built UV protection, we still recommend our patients to wear sunglasses when outdoors for comfort and to maximise UV protection.

At home, you should be able to do activities like light housework and watching TV within a day. However, it’s best to avoid water in the eyes for one week, and swimming for two weeks to avoid any germs that could cause an eye infection.

Find out more about Cataract Surgery

At George Street Eye Centre, our expert team have improved the vision of hundreds of Sydney residents using cataract eye surgery. If you would like more information, please call us on (02) 9230 0010, or contact us online.. We’re located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, at Level 11, 501 George Street, Sydney.

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In addition to key guidelines such as ensuring your hands have been sanitised before touching your face, here are a few basic tips for eye makeup safety:

1. Eye infections such as conjunctivitis can be caused by bacteria so it’s important not to share eye makeup. Products such as mascara and eyeliner have a short shelf-life. Note when you opened your products and then allow three months for mascara and up to four months for liquid eyeliner. Pencil products such as brow liner and eyeliner can last up to a year. Keep an eye on your eye-shadow, it lasts 3-6 months.
2. The safe use of eye makeup applies to both contact lenses and glasses. Make sure you put your contact lenses in before applying makeup to prevent the lenses getting dirty. The process is reversed when you’re removing your makeup so as not to get makeup on your lenses. If you wear glasses, remove them when applying makeup and use a small mirror if you need clearer vision.
3. Don’t sleep on it! As with all types of makeup, eye makeup should be removed before going to bed. Cleansing oil is an option to remove waterproof eye makeup but the key is to be gentle with your eyes to avoid damage to the cornea. If your skin is sensitive, it’s wise to invest in a makeup remover specifically for sensitive skin, which you can simply apply with a cotton pad.
4. Storage is an important factor when it comes to eye makeup safety. Avoid keeping products in damp places like the bathroom. Leaving them in the glovebox is a no-no – as a rule they should be kept out of direct sunlight. If they’re tucked away in your handbag, remember to wash your hands with soap and water before handling them.
5. To minimise touching your eyes, take advantage of the myriad of eyeshadow brushes on the market, from natural to synthetic. The choice is yours but you should clean them at least once a week. A fuss-free way to clean brushes is with liquid brush cleaners.
6. Finally, if you do get an eye infection stop wearing eye makeup and use glasses instead of contact lenses until it clears up. But as with any eye issue, it’s best to consult a professional.

While everyone is taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it’s important to check out any concerns you have about your eyes. At George Street Eye Centre, we have stringent measures in place and your safety is paramount.  Send us a message via our online form or call us on (02) 9230 0010 to book an appointment with one of our eye specialists. Telehealth is also available. We’re located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, at Level 11, 501 George Street, Sydney.

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An ophthalmologist Sydney eye examination is vital not only for an ageing population, but for anyone who does not have 20/20 vision.

Ophthalmologists are highly trained physicians who specialise in treating eye diseases, preserving vision, and helping patients maintain overall ocular health. They are qualified to carry out eye exams, diagnose degenerative eye diseases, and perform eye surgery. Finding the right ophthalmologist in Sydney can be confusing, especially if you aren’t sure what factors to consider.

Ophthalmologists – Why You Need One

Regular eye checkups are essential. Even if you have never worn glasses or used corrective lenses, your eyes will change with age. Failing to attend regular checkups may result in vision loss or blindness due to an undetected eye condition such as glaucoma that didn’t present noticeable symptoms until the damage was done.

Ophthalmologists can also address and correct vision difficulties such as cataracts, floaters, presbyopia, myopia, and astigmatism by performing specialised eye surgery. Procedures such as Lasik eye surgery may be performed to restore vision and clarity.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Ophthalmologist

When choosing an ophthalmologist, begin by considering your surgeon’s qualifications and medical experience. Your ophthalmologist Sydney eye surgeon should be a member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

Once you feel comfortable with your eye surgeon’s qualifications, you need to consider your eye health to discover prospective issues. A regular checkup is the first step to determining whether or not any corrective actions are necessary. Even if you don’t have a history of eye problems, your eye doctor can assess your ocular health during an examination and can prescribe a course of action to maintain your vision.

Ophthalmologists typically specialise in certain areas. For example, some are neuro-ophthalmologists while others focus on macular degeneration. You should choose the right eye specialist for your particular issues. Your optometrist or GP will refer you to a eye specialist such as Dr. Moshgov if an underlying eye condition is suspected.

Should I Visit an Optician Prior to Booking?

Opticians play a vital role in vision enhancement (glasses, contact lenses etc) and initial diagnosis, but they are not trained eye surgeons. If you have your vision checked on a fairly regular basis by an optometrist, you may still require the care of a more specialised eye doctor. The optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist Sydney eye specialist when they suspect your condition indicates a potential underlying problem.

A person who is suffering from correctable vision loss may not even realise how much of their vision has actually degenerated. Procedures such as cataract removal or laser eye surgery can make a huge difference in people’s day-to-day lives. And it is always better to diagnose an issue earlier rather than later.

How to Find a Sydney Ophthalmologist

If your optometrist or another doctor has not referred you to an ophthalmologist, then simply call Dr. Moshegov at the George Street Eye Laser Centre to book a no-obligation consultation on 02 9230 0011.

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If you’re considering laser eye surgery, you may have done the following:

• Looked up the pros and cons online
• Asked the advice of a health professional (or two)
• Investigated popular clinics close to you to get a ballpark idea of procedure fees

After all, taking the plunge into such life-changing surgery is not a decision to be taken lightly.

However, most people are startled when they realise that procedure fees vary widely, and rightly so; we tend to naturally assume that a particular medical procedure costs a fixed amount, no matter the provider. Thus, many find it difficult to understand why there can be such a wide discrepancy between clinics.

To help explain why there can be such a difference in prices for the same procedure, here are the three most important things you must investigate before deciding upon a surgeon – and centre – for your treatment:

1. Does your health insurance contribute?

It may astonish some to realise that laser eye surgery is not automatically covered by one’s health insurance, even if the plan includes vision insurance. This is because the government classifies it as an elective procedure, hence the reason why Medicare rebates are not available for it either (unless you also qualify for cataract surgery).

Sometimes, a clinic may quote a lower price that reflects the total “out-of-pocket” expenses, which includes a projected reimbursement on behalf of your health insurance provider. In this case, it is wise to read the fine print at each clinic so that you have a clear understanding of how much they charge for the treatment, and what the cost covers.

2. Which equipment will be used?

Consider yourself warned: some clinics advertise extraordinarily large discounts for laser eye surgery. Although their offers appear attractive, not many of them will provide exactly the same procedure. In fact, there are several different methods and types of equipment that can be used in order to carry out the same treatment. To cut down on the cost for consumers, there are clinics that may use slightly older equipment or only partially use a laser when performing the surgery. Check to make sure that your surgeon, and your clinic, is planning to use the most modern techniques and technology to complete your treatment.

3. What about pre-operative, or post-operative care?

The total price of laser eye surgery often includes the cost of pre-operative consultations and post-operative appointments. However some clinics may purposely reduce the number and frequency of these additional meetings in order to provide a lower cost. Or, they may charge you for every visit afterwards. Finally, they may charge extra for any further attention required. Make sure you investigate the amount of ongoing care included with the procedure. As with any surgery, you must ensure that you have the full support of the clinic and its staff, whenever you need it.

4. Surgeon’s Expertise

Needless to say, a fresh clinic or newly qualified surgeon may well need to charge less to boost numbers in a freshly established practice. You should ask if the surgeon specializes in refractive surgery or just performs procedures occasionally in an otherwise busy general eye practice.

Click here for more information on Eye Laser Surgery Sydney or Lasik Surgery Sydney.

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If you regularly use contact lenses or other visual aids, you’ve probably considered taking the leap to get laser eye surgery performed instead. There are many who do. Who hasn’t dreamt of tossing away their contact lenses once and for all? At the very least, having laser eye surgery would mean not having to rush to the late-night chemist to pick up a bottle of contact lens solution after running out unexpectedly. And one would never again having to fumble around under a restaurant table for a lens that came out without warning. Usually on a first date!

What the Medical Research Says

Laser eye surgery can seem a daunting procedure to undertake. But before committing, let’s see if laser eye surgery is actually the right treatment for someone who wears contact lenses. After all, there are those who say that laser eye surgery is risky, or that there may still be some long-term deterioration of one’s vision after the operation. Contact lenses on the other hand, are often considered to be the “safer route” to correct one’s vision impairments, as they don’t require any invasive procedures.

Yet the actual truth of the debate is quite astonishing.

In 2006, U.S.-based ophthalmologist, William Mathers, MD, and his research team conducted an analysis of the data collected from several previous, large studies. They discovered that those who wear contact lenses have a far greater potential risk of damaging their long-term vision than those who do not.

Mathers found that, on average, 1 in 2,000 contact lens wearers ends up with long-term vision difficulties or damage from consistent use.

But how does that compare with those who have had laser eye surgery?

As it turns out, it compares very poorly. Because for those who chose to have laser eye surgery carried out, the incidence rate of long-term vision difficulties, according to Dr. Mathers’ study, dropped sharply to just 1 in 10,000.

This can come as quite a shock, as the eye laser surgery neigh-sayers persistently cling to the belief that contact lenses are safer than laser eye surgery. Yet the results of Dr. Mather’s study proved this hypothesis to be inaccurate.

It’s always worth keeping in mind that contact lenses only manage to reduce the symptoms of vision impairment, whereas laser eye surgery actually stops the downward slide into vision loss, and improves vision on a long-term scale. LASIK eye surgery in particular has allowed 90.8% of patients to achieve 20/20 vision, and 99.5% to attain 20/40 vision[1]. Which is nothing short of remarkable.

Laser Eye Surgery is the Perfect Choice for Improving Your Vision

Laser eye surgery, and LASIK in particular, has been performed on more than 10 million eyes worldwide. Adopted into practice way back in 1989, the technique and the technology supporting it have continued to evolve in the last decade and a half. And today the procedure is not only totally safe, but surprisingly simple and non-invasive.

To book your obligation free appointment with Australia’s leading ophthalmologist, Dr. Con Moshegov, simply call the Macquarie Street surgery on: 02 9230 0010.

Click here for more Laser Eye Surgery Sydney information.

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