cataract

The lens of the eye is generally transparent but if a cloudy area develops within the lens, this is called a cataract. Cataracts are a normal part of aging and by the age of 60, most adults have at least some mild cataract formation. Cataracts can result in poor vision, as when light passes through the lens it is obstructed and images are not focused properly on the retina in the back of the eye. This can lead to increasingly reduced vision.

As cataracts worsen overtime, surgery can be required to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one. There are several different methods for removing a cataract.

1.       Phacoemulsification (small-incision surgery)

This involves making a small incision in the eye (about 3mm) and using a small, vibrating probe to break up the cloudy lens. These pieces are then suctioned away to remove them and the artificial lens is inserted in its place.  The incision is usually so small that stitches are not required but sometimes, one or two stitches will be placed.

2.       Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS)

This procedure is sometimes performed prior to small-incision surgery and involves a computer-guided system being attached to the eye to hold it still. Then, short pulses of laser energy are used to partially divide the cataract.

3.       Large-incision surgery

There are some cases where small-incision surgery is unsuitable and a large-incision is used instead. This is uncommon, however if needed still offers good results but with a significantly slower recovery time.

If you do require cataract surgery, our skilled ophthalmologists perform this at a wide array of hospitals and day surgeries across the Sydney metropolitan area. You will require a pre-operative consultation at Strathfield Retina Clinic to discuss the surgery, any possible risks and to have a scan done to determine which artificial lens should be placed in the eye.