What Are Cataracts?

A cataract occurs when the natural lens inside the eye becomes cloudy. This clouding can develop gradually over time, causing vision to become less clear and making everyday activities such as reading, driving and recognising faces more difficult.

Cataracts are a normal part of ageing and affect many people as they get older.

    • Blurred or cloudy vision

    • Increased glare from sunlight or headlights

    • Difficulty driving at night

    • Colours appearing faded or less vibrant

    • Frequent changes in glasses prescription

    • Double vision in one eye

    • Difficulty reading or performing close work

    • If cataracts begin to interfere with your daily activities, an assessment with an ophthalmologist may be recommended.

  • Treatment options for cataracts depend on how much they are affecting your vision and daily life. In the early stages, changes to your glasses prescription may help improve your vision. As cataracts progress, surgery may be recommended to remove the cloudy natural lens and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens. A range of modern lens options are available, and Dr Peter Heydon will discuss which option may best suit your eyes, lifestyle and visual needs.

Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is usually considered when vision changes begin to affect your quality of life.

A pre-operative assessment of your eyes is made with imaging scans and to examine for any other eye conditions. 

Most cataract surgery is performed as a day procedure in a day hospital, under local anaesthetic. The procedure is not painful as the eye is numb. The aim of cataract surgery is remove the cloudy, native intraocular lens (cataract) and to replace it with an artificial lens.

The procedure can take anywhere from 15-45 minutes.

You will be discharged home with a pad on your eye soon after the procedure. 

Follow-up for your surgery will be performed the next day and then again, a few weeks later. Eye drops are generally required for 4 weeks after surgery.

Surgery on the second eye can be performed as early as 1-2 weeks after the first eye.