Cataracts

Cataract surgery is extremely satisfying, because my patients observe immediate results. For ophthalmologists, cataracts are considered to be fairly straight forward, however, for the people who we treat, it can be literally life changing.

In my early career, I saw the difference that a cataract procedure could make on an entire family – entire communities – in small isolated villages in South Africa, where people who thought they were blind for life were suddenly given the gift of sight. It was immensely rewarding that we could do this, and this is often why cataract surgery is a favourite of eye surgeons, particularly those who have worked in third world countries.

What is a cataract?

The clear lens of your eye helps to focus light or images onto your retina. When the light passes through the lens to the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye, a signal is sent to the brain to ‘view’ an image.

However, the lens needs to be clear for the retina to receive a sharp image. Cararacts are the clouding of the lens. It’s usually aged related, and and happens because, over the years, proteins clump together, gradually clouding vision.

Diagnosing a cataract

Because a cataract grows gradually, it is often not noticed at first. Over time, one’s vision may become dull, colours mightn’t be as bright and one’s sight becomes blurry.

Sometimes, you can see a cataract – the lens becomes a yellow or brown colour. However, a visit to an eyecare specialist is the only certain way to detect a cataract – they will do it through a series of tests.

Treatment

Surgery is the only way to restore the vision of someone with cataracts.  In fact, cataract surgery is the most common procedure performed in the developed world.

My patients are happy that the procedure is performed in a dedicated day surgery. The procedure is painless, and vision returns within a few hours.

We do one eye at a time, with 2-3 weeks between the two.

Intraocular lenses

I use the newest toric and multi-focal lenses, to try to ensure that my patients have as crisp vision as possible.

Improved reading vision

What surprises and delights most of my patients is that, once they’ve had cataract surgery, they are much less reliant on glasses, and are able to see their loved ones clearer. They often tell me that they feel they have a new lease on life!