A cataract is the clouding of the natural lens of the eye. Occasionally, people can be born with cataracts or develop them due to eye injury, however most commonly they develop due to advancing age. Cataract growth is accelerated by increased lifetime exposure to UV light from sunlight as well as diet and lifestyle factors. Some general health and other eye conditions can also promote cataract development.

The lens is suspended inside the eye on fine “strings” called zonules and surrounded by a clear “skin” called the capsule. In typical cataract surgery, we would use “keyhole” microincision techniques to make an opening in the capsule, remove the cloudy lens using fine ultrasound and implant a new plastic lens inside the capsule. The procedure takes around 20 minutes and the vision is restored. 

Occasionally, in some rarer cases of cataract, in advanced cases or in complicated scenarios involving eyes with other problems, a different tailored approach may be required. It is important to have a comprehensive assessment and discussion with your surgeon regarding your options.

Sometimes, it is not possible to use the standard technique to implant a new lens or a previously implanted lens may have moved or become dislocated. In these cases, a lens removal or exchange may be needed. We are happy to consult with you on these problems and find the best solution for each individual patient. We offer a number of secondary lens implant options, including anterior chamber lenses, iris-fixated Artisan lenses and scleral sutured implants.

We also offer Yag laser capsulotomy treatment for patients who have developed posterior capsular opacity following cataract surgery.