Top 5 FAQ on Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is one of the most common procedures performed worldwide. Each year, over 9.5 million cataract surgeries are performed across the world.

Despite its popularity, it is still important for you to be fully informed before surgery. Here are five important decisions you should make before having cataract surgery.

1. When to have it?

A cataract should be removed once it starts to interfere with your daily activities. This could mean once the cataract starts to affect your ability to read signs at night or once it causes hazy or cloudy vision, difficulty driving, sensitivity to glare and frequent glasses changes.

It is important to note that simply because a cataract is present, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to remove your cataracts straight away. Many people have cataracts that don’t interfere with their daily lives in any way or prevent them from doing things they want to do.

However, it is best not to leave the cataract to develop for too long. Early removal of the cataract makes the procedure safer and the recovery of vision shorter.

2. What type of lenses to use

There are many types of artificial intraocular lenses that can be used to replace your cloudy cataract lens. These include monofocal lenses, multifocal lenses and toric lenses. Depending on your selection of the lens type, you may be completely free from the need to wear glasses.

The decision of what lens to use is an extremely important consideration before having your cataract surgery, as it determines your vision after surgery. This decision is made in conjunction with your specialised refractive surgeon, who will consider your individual eye health, visual preference and lifestyle factors.

3. Who will perform the surgery?

It is important that your cataract surgery is performed by a fully trained, licensed refractive surgeon with specialised qualifications and extensive experience.

Ensure your surgeon is registered with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO). Additionally, consider the level of experience and skill set of your surgeon. How many surgeries have they performed, and what is their success rate?

Our principal refractive surgeon, Dr Con Moshegov, has been a Fellow RANZCO since 1996 and has been successfully performing cataract surgeries for over 25 years. Find out more about his qualifications here.

4. Recovery

Although the recovery from cataract surgery is relatively simple and quick, it is important to be informed about the recovery process so that you can organise your life post-procedure. On the day of the procedure, you must have someone drive you home. You will be prescribed eye drops to use multiple times a day for several weeks. We also recommend that you avoid rubbing your eyes, eye makeup, and strenuous activities for up to two weeks.

Click here for more information on the do’s and don’ts after cataract surgery.

5. Cost

The cost of cataract surgery varies depending on multiple factors, including the type of lenses that you and your surgeon decide to use. For example, multifocal lenses, which can reduce your need for reading glasses, and toric lenses, which can correct astigmatism, may be more expensive than other lenses.

Fortunately, most private health funds cover the cost of the lenses and the facility fee for the hospital. This may require a call to your private health fund to find out your level of coverage under your health fund.

It is important to be fully informed of all the out of pocket costs associated with cataract surgery before the surgery is booked. On the day of your consultation, the George St Eye Centre team will provide you with Informed Financial Consent to explain all the costs involved with cataract surgery.

Ultimately, it is your decision whether to undergo cataract surgery. Our highly specialised team at George St Eye Centre will provide you with all the necessary knowledge to make an independent and well-informed decision regarding cataract treatment.

Book a consultation now to discuss your cataract surgery options.