Ophthalmology Department

Allies Day Procedure Unit

Cromer & District Hospital
Direct Tel. 01603 646247

Cataract Surgery Information for Patients

This leaflet gives you information that will help you decide whether to have cataract
surgery. You might want to discuss it with a relative or carer. Before you have the
operation, you will be asked to sign a consent form and so it is important that you
understand the contents of this leaflet before you decide to have surgery.

If you have any questions, you might want to write them down so that you can ask a
member of the ophthalmology team.

The cataract

Your Consultant has recommended cataract surgery because the lens in your eye has
become cloudy which may have made it difficult for you to see well enough to carry out
your usual daily activities.

If the cataract is not removed, your vision may stay the same, or it may get worse. If you
choose to wait this may not make the operation more difficult unless your eyesight is so
poor that all you can see with the eye is light and dark.

Benefits and risks of cataract surgery

The most obvious benefits are improved colour vision and greater clarity of vision. Normally
the lens implant used will give you clear distance vision, which means that you will still
require reading glasses after surgery. The risks of cataract surgery will be discussed with
you prior to you signing your consent form.

The need for glasses following cataract surgery

The vast majority of patients have improved eyesight following cataract surgery. However
we cannot guarantee that you will not need distance spectacles following surgery. It is
expected that nearly all patients will need to wear reading glasses.

In people with a high level of astigmatism it is highly likely that glasses will be needed for
both distance and reading. Toric intraocular lenses are available to correct astigmatism
although NHS availability is limited.

Multifocal lenses that provide improved vision for distance and close work are not generally
available via the NHS.

Please ask your eye doctor if you are concerned about these issues.

Patient Information leaflet for: Cataract Surgery Author/s: Dawn Romanos Author/s title: Deputy Sister Ophthalmology
Approved by: PIF Date approved: 07/11/2018 Review date: 07/11/2021
Available via Trust Docs Trust Docs ID9730 Page 1 of 4
 Previous laser treatment (Lasix or Lasek)

If you have had laser surgery to reduce your need to wear spectacles you must let us know

as soon as possible. Additional measurements of your eyes will be required to assist us in

selecting the most appropriate lens implant for your cataract surgery. (This does not apply
to any laser treatment you have had in our hospital).

Cataract Surgery in Short-Sighted Eyes (Myopia)

Cataract surgery gives the opportunity to correct short-sightedness at the same time as
removing the cataract. This is because the power of the implant lens can be adjusted with
the aim of giving good distance vision without glasses. It would then be necessary to wear
glasses more for reading than for distance. If you are short-sighted and do not wish the
short-sightedness to be corrected (e.g. If you wish to be able to read without glasses and
use glasses for distance as before) please let your surgeon know when you are seen
before the operation.

The operation

Consultants or highly experienced ophthalmic surgeons perform all cataract operations at

Cromer Hospital. The purpose of the operation is to replace the cloudy lens (cataract) with
a plastic lens (implant) inside your eye.

The operation is performed under local anaesthetic; this will consist simply of eye drops.
You will be awake during the operation, which normally takes 15-20 minutes, but may take
up to 45 minutes. You will not be able to see what is happening, but you will be aware of a
bright light from the microscope.

During the operation you should keep your head still and lie as flat as possible. You will
be accompanied to and from the theatre and your hand will be held by a nurse during
the operation, this is not just for comfort but as a line of communication between you and
the doctor. At the end of the operation a shield may be put over your eye to protect it, you
will be advised when this can be removed.

Possible complications during the operation

 Tearing of the back part of the lens capsule with disturbance of the gel inside the
eye that may sometimes result in reduced vision.
 Loss of all or part of the cataract into the back of the eye requiring a further
operation under general anaesthetic.
 Bleeding
 inside the eye.

Patient Information leaflet for: Cataract Surgery Author/s: Dawn Romanos Author/s title: Deputy Sister Ophthalmology
Approved by: PIF Date approved: 07/11/2018 Review date: 07/11/2021
Available via Trust Docs Trust Docs ID9730 Page 2 of 4
 Possible complications after the operation
 Bruising of the eye or eyelids
 High pressure inside the eye
 Clouding of the cornea (front part of the eye)
 Incorrect strength or dislocation of the implant
 Swelling of the retina - macular oedema (inside, the back of the eye)
 Increased awareness of floaters (usually temporary)
 Allergy to the medication used
 Glare from the intra-ocular implant
 Detached retina which can lead to loss of sight
 Endophthalmitis - infection in the eye - which can lead to loss of sight
or even the eye
 Reports of loss of vision in both eyes or death following cataract surgery are
extremely rare.

When these complications occur, they can in most cases be treated effectively. In a
small proportion of cases further surgery may be needed. Very rarely some
complications can result in blindness. However, the vast majority of patients have improved
eyesight following cataract surgery.

After the operation

You may read or watch TV almost straight away but your vision may be blurred. The
healing eye needs time to adjust so that it can focus properly with the other eye,
especially if the other eye has a cataract. Please note that if you have another
condition such as diabetes, glaucoma or age related macular degeneration, your
quality of vision may still be limited after surgery.

If you have discomfort we suggest that you take a mild analgesia e.g. Paracetamol
(painkiller). However, please do not take Aspirin 300mg as pain relief as this may cause
bleeding in the eye. This does not apply to a low dose Aspirin 75mg daily prescribed by
your GP, which you should continue to use as directed.

You will be given eye drops to reduce inflammation and help the eye heal. The hospital
staff will explain how and when to use them. If you currently use eye drops for the
treatment of glaucoma you should continue to use these following your operation, unless
your surgeon specifically asks you to stop them. Normal daily activities may be resumed
after surgery unless otherwise stated.

If you currently use eye drops to treat glaucoma you will be advised individually about your
drops prior to discharge.

Patient Information leaflet for: Cataract Surgery Author/s: Dawn Romanos Author/s title: Deputy Sister Ophthalmology
Approved by: PIF Date approved: 07/11/2018 Review date: 07/11/2021
Available via Trust Docs Trust Docs ID9730 Page 3 of 4
 It is important not to touch or rub your eye, wear eye make-up and (if advised) to wear the
eye shield at night for the first 2 weeks. In most cases, healing will take about four to six
weeks after which your optician can prescribe new glasses.

Slight discomfort following the surgery is not unusual and the vision will gradually improve.
However, if you suffer with any of the following symptoms, especially within the first 2 or 3
days, you should contact the hospital immediately;
 Excessive pain
 Loss of vision
 Increasing redness of the eye
 Discharg
e
 Swelling of the eyelids

These symptoms can be indicative of infection. This is extremely rare but is treated as an
ophthalmic emergency.

If you have any problems following your operation, and up to six weeks afterwards,
the staff in the ophthalmic department will be happy to take your call.

Occasionally following your operation you may experience a gradual reduction in vision,
occurring months or even years after surgery. This is called 'posterior capsular
opacification'. To correct this, your ophthalmologist will be able to undertake a simple
laser treatment in the eye clinic.

We hope this information will help you decide whether to go ahead with surgery. Please
write down any further questions to ask the doctor or nurse when you come to the hospital
for your assessment appointment and operation.

Patient Information leaflet for: Cataract Surgery Author/s: Dawn Romanos Author/s title: Deputy Sister Ophthalmology
Approved by: PIF Date approved: 07/11/2018 Review date: 07/11/2021
Available via Trust Docs Trust Docs ID9730 Page 4 of 4