Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgery in India - Procedure, Lens Options and Recovery

A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside your eye, which can make your vision blurry. This short explains how cataract surgery can help to restore clear vision by replacing the cloudy lens with an artificial one.

What a cataract is

• Cloudy vision. A cataract is when the natural lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. This can make your sight blurry, hazy or less colourful.
• Common causes. Most cataracts develop slowly with age. They can also be caused by eye injuries, certain medical conditions, or long-term use of some medications.
• Symptoms. Besides blurry vision, you may notice glare from lights, difficulty seeing at night, or frequent changes in your glasses prescription.

How cataract surgery is performed

The procedure is usually performed as a day case, meaning you do not need to stay in hospital overnight.

• Local anaesthetic. Your eye is numbed with drops or an injection, so you do not feel pain during the operation. You will be awake during the surgery.
• Removing the lens. The surgeon makes a tiny cut in your eye to remove the cloudy lens. This is usually done using ultrasound to break the lens into small pieces.
• A new lens. An artificial plastic lens, called an intraocular lens or IOL, is then put in its place. This new lens is permanent and does not need care.
• No stitches. The small cut is often self-sealing and does not usually require stitches.

What to expect after surgery

• Going home. You can usually go home the same day, but you will need someone to take you. Your eye will be covered with a protective shield.
• Eye drops. You will be given eye drops to use for a few weeks. These help to prevent infection and reduce inflammation.
• Vision improvement. Your vision may be blurry at first but should start to improve within a few days. Full recovery can take four to six weeks.
• Follow-up. You will have follow-up appointments to check on your progress and to see if you need new glasses for reading or distance vision.

The suitability of cataract surgery, including the type of intraocular lens used, depends on your individual case. A final decision can only be made after an eye surgeon has reviewed your medical history and recent eye examination results.