Cataract Surgeon London

When patients are told (usually by their optometrists) that they have a beginning of a cataract, they can start to feel very worried that they are losing their vision. Cataracts are a common condition where cloudiness develops in the lens of the eye. The lens sits behind the coloured part of your eye called the iris and is normally clear.

As the lens continues to age, it loses the ability to focus your sight for distance and cataracts usually start to develop after the age of 50 in most sufferers. The cloudiness of the lens continues to become worse over time and can affect people in different ways with noticeable changes in their vision.

Common Cataract Symptoms

Some people are not aware of any obvious symptoms as changes can be so gradual, that they don’t notice. However, some people find even the smallest of change in their lens noticeable. Symptoms can include:

  • Blurred or foggy vision
  • Glare from car headlights while driving and glare from bright sunlight
  • Improvements in near sight
  • Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription
  • Double or even multiple images or vision
  • The inability to see well in dim light
  • Changes in the way you see colours

If you notice any of these subtle changes in your vision it would be wise to get an eye test if you haven’t had one for a while. Tell your optician about your vision change and they can check for cataract development.

Getting your cataracts treated

While a majority of people undergo successful cataract surgery on the NHS, there are advantages in choosing to have private cataract surgery.

You won’t need to go on a waiting list to be seen and again for your surgery. Your treatment can be arranged directly with your surgeon without having to wait long. Your surgery can be scheduled for a convenient time in advance, so you will be able to better prepare yourself.

By going private you will get a dedicated cataract surgeon in London that will be with you from day one right through your treatment and for care after surgery. Your surgeon will also be a fully-trained and knowledgeable specialist with decades of experience rather than the chance of having a trainee surgeon doing your cataract. You can also discuss and choose special/premium lenses e.g. Toric and multifocal lenses that are not routinely available on the NHS.

Why we treat one eye at a time

Cataract surgery is commonly performed one eye at a time. The reason for this is to allow the treated eye to recover, understand the outcome of the refractive error after surgery and reduce the risk of having infection in both eyes, although this is extremely rare.

Recovery time from surgery can vary from person to person. You will have a follow up to monitor your recovery and Mr Goyal will tell you when it will be OK to go ahead with cataract surgery to your other eye.

Depending on your recovery we usually wait about 2 weeks for surgery to the other eye.

In certain situations, both eyes simultaneous cataract surgery can be considered in the current times where we may want to avoid repeated contact with the health care setting. There are certain requirements, precautions and prerequisites for this to happen and you can discuss this option if you are interested.

See our Cataract surgery FAQs for more answers to your questions.