Laser Cataract Surgery
George Street Eye Laser Centre is Sydney’s preeminent cataract surgery Sydney specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of cataracts. Call (02) 9230 0010 today for a no obligation consultation.
What are Cataracts?
A cataract is the clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. When dense enough, it affects vision. Cataracts worsen as people get older but even young patients can present with cataract. Most people over the age of 60 years have some cataract in their eyes. Cataracts are a little like a foggy lens in a camera. This foggy lens will obstruct the vision and decrease the clarity and brightness of objects that surround you. This can be very simply restored with a cataract operation.
What Causes a Cataract?
Cataracts usually develop as people get older and they are usually noticed around the age of 50-60 years. There are some risk factors that can increase the risk of developing cataracts. These include:
- Diabetes.
- An injury to the eye.
- Exposure to UV from sunlight.
- Long term use of steroid medications.
- Smoking.
- Family history of cataracts.
Symptoms of Cataracts:
The following symptoms include but not limited to:
- Deterioration in your vision. This may occur at far, near or both distances.
- Hazy or cloudy vision.
- Difficulty driving at night.
- Sensitivity to glare and light.
- Frequent changes to your current glasses.
How to Treat Cataracts
Cataract surgery is one of the most common procedures that people undertake in their lifetime. The procedure involves a micro incision at the side of the cornea where your surgeon will remove the cataract. Once this is removed, an artificial lens is inserted to restore your vision. This is performed by Eye Laser Surgery Sydney in an accredited and sterile day theatre with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. The procedure takes approximately 20 minutes but you will spend about 2-3 hours at the surgery on the day. Once the nurses are happy with your recovery you will be given a set of instructions and discharged from the surgery. You will be examined the next day by the clinic.
Do I Have to Wear Glasses After My Cataract Surgery?
After you have had your cataract procedure you will see much better at distance. Unless specified otherwise to you, you will most likely need only a pair of reading glasses to help you read.
There are special ‘Premium’ lenses that can give you complete spectacle independence. Not all patients are suitable for these lenses. There is an additional fee associated with Premium intraocular lenses but they allow patients to see in the distance as well as up close without the need for glasses.
Will I Need to Use Eye Drops?
Yes. You will be asked to start using eye drops in preparation for your cataract surgery a few days beforehand. They are continued for 4 weeks post operatively. These eye drops help ensure that you don’t get an eye infection and facilitate healing. Prescriptions will be given to you prior to your surgery. A nurse will be in contact with you in preparation for your procedure.
In the majority of cases the recovery period after cataract surgery is short, and your vision will be much clearer the next day. In some patients it may take a few days for the vision to be restored. If you have any more questions about cataract surgery or any other procedures such as iLasik please call us on (02) 9230 0010 or click here for more information.
Laser eye surgery can be used to facilitate cataract surgery. A cataract is a clouded lens which affects your ability to see clearly. Cataract symptoms include hazy vision and sensitivity to light. During cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist uses a special laser to remove the clouded lens and then replaces it with an artificial lens.
Laser cataract surgery is also called femtosecond laser cataract surgery, and laser-assisted cataract surgery. To prepare you for the surgery, we apply anaesthetic eye drops to numb your eye. A special laser beam in the form of ultrasound energy is carefully directed into your eye.
Your ophthalmologist will determine the best method of cataract treatment for you. He might use the laser to make a tiny incision on the cornea, to cut through the capsule surrounding the affected lens, or to break the affected lens into pieces for removal. As well as cataract removal, the laser can also be used to correct refractive errors and astigmatism which will help greatly improve or correct your vision, leading to greatly improved quality of life for the patient.
The new lens that is inserted into your eye is called an Intraocular lens or IOL. Various different IOLs are available, including multifocal, trifocal, and monofocal. Our ophthalmologist will be able to advise you on the best one for you during your consultation, ensuring the best possible results for your treatment.
Laser cataract surgery allows an ophthalmologist to achieve a higher level of accuracy than if he or she performed the procedure manually, leading to better outcomes for the patient.
The cost of your laser cataract surgery at our surgery in Sydney will depend on various factors, including your decision on which replacement lenses are best for you. Medicare in conjunction with your private health fund may be able to cover up to 100% of the cost of surgery, pending on patient eligibility.
We aim for full transparency across all of our services, and this includes pricing. If you have any questions about costs for your specific set of treatments, don’t hesitate to contact us on 9230 0010.
Laser eye surgery and laser cataract surgery should not be painful. We apply anaesthetic drops to your eye before treatment begins so that your eye is numb, and you will be put under Twilight IV sedation, making for a far more comfortable experience for you. The laser cataract procedure lasts around 20 minutes, so disruption to your day and to your life, is minimal.
Afterwards, you will be given eye drops to help your eyes
heal, and our specialists will give you advice on aftercare measures and other steps to take to ensure the best possible outcomes going forward. It is important that you follow the instructions that we give you to avoid damaging your eye or causing infection or to avoid reducing the positive effects of the treatment.