Cataracts & Cataract Surgery

What is a Cataract?

A cataract forms when the natural lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. This cloudiness can sometimes initially be corrected by glasses but as it progresses, the only way to improve your vision is to have the cataract removed.

How are they treated?

Removal of cataracts requires an operation as a day procedure. This is normally performed with you heavily sedated and eye anaesthetized or “numbed”. The natural lens in your eye is removed through tiny incisions less than 2mm wide. These are generally so small they don’t even need stitches. A new clear artificial intraocular lens (called an IOL) will be inserted to replace the cataract. The procedure takes around 30 minutes. The surgery is not simple, but it is routine for an experienced ophthalmologist.

I want to be asleep for my surgery!

Nobody wants to be awake when they are having a cataract operation.  You will be under heavy twilight sedation. You will be sleeping soundly throughout your operation.  Ideally you will only remember meeting the anaesthetist and then waking up in recovery.  You should have no recollection of your operation whatsoever.  

The process?

Before your appointment we will send you a video to watch about cataract surgery and lens choices. This video covers everything you need to know about the operation. Feel free to watch or share this with friends and family. When you arrive for your consultation we will given you a detailed brochure re-covering this information - this is handy to take home as a reference guide. After you have gone through our rigorous, meticulous and detailed assessment process, we will have scanned every part of your eye in detail. We do multiple scans of the cornea, lens, nerves, macula and retina. After that you will meet Dr Cronin for your consultation. When it comes to surgery - that the easy part for you!! You simply have to turn up, you will fall fast asleep and wake up with your cataract operation finished - you won’t remember anything! Patients are amazed at how seamless it is!

Why has this happened to me?

The development of a cataract is a natural part of aging. It certainly doesn’t mean you are old, some people develop cataracts when they are quite young. They can also be associated with trauma or diabetes. By 60 years of age 50% of people will have some degree of cataract, even if they perfectly healthy eyes.

Are there any other options?

A large amount or research has been focused on reducing the effects of cataracts with vitamins and anti-oxidant tablets. These have been shown not to help cataracts but they may be beneficial in some other conditions such as macular degeneration.

The artificial lens or premium IOL

The artificial lens that is inserted in to your eye is made from an acrylic material. It should last thousands of years! Before your operation, Dr Cronin will perform highly accurate and detailed measurements of your eye. Taking repeated and highly detailed measurements of your eyes with the latest technology makes the refractive outcome of your surgery more accurate. These measurements are used to determine the optimum strength of lens to put into your eye. There are many different options for how this lens will correct your vision, but with the most advanced premium intraocular lenses it can be possible to incorporate the script in your glasses into the lens that is inserted in the eye. These lenses include monofocal lenses, toric lenses, extended depth of focus “EDOF” lenses, Multifocal lenses “MFIOL”, pinhole lenses and secondary lenses. Dr Cronin is regularly involved in global trails of new lens technology. Dr Cronin will discuss the various options for IOL selection with you at your consultation. The video below explains some of the options but a few days before your appointment Dr Cronin’s team will email you a detailed video about all aspects of cataract surgery including lenses. When you come for your consultation you will be given a detailed professionally printed brochure repeating all of the information in the video. We know that cataract surgery can be confusing so we will give you ample time and opportunity to understand the procedure and lens choices.

Costs for uninsured patients

If you are uninsured, Dr Cronin’s team will be able to provide you with an exact quote based on the type of lens you choose to have implanted and the type of surgery you need. The surgery will be performed at the South Brisbane Day Hospital.  

In addition to the explanatory video below, Dr Cronin has some youtube videos demonstrating cataract surgery - Cataract Surgery - Toric intraocular lenses. If you are looking for premium lens replacement surgery with multifocal lenses then it is best to visit Dr Cronin at Focus Vision.