Interviewed by Gurminder for Doctify
Finding out that you need any kind of surgery can be scary and may leave you feeling worried. If you or a family member are thinking about having cataracts surgery, let me try to reassure you: the operation is usually carried out under local anaesthetic and can be done within 20 minutes. This means you can be treated as a day patient without the need for an overnight hospital stay. If you need cataract treatment for both eyes this is usually done on separate visits.
Who is affected by cataracts?
Cataracts is a condition that is more common for older patients, they can also appear as early as forty although it can be many years before they actually affect your vision. Cataracts that are left untreated can lead to blindness.
The surgery
Cataract surgery is in fact the most common form of surgery in the UK. It is the only way of treating cataracts. The operation can be performed on the NHS when your cataracts are affecting your daily life but many people choose to go private. This option means you can avoid a lengthy wait for NHS treatment so is a good option for anyone who doesn’t want to wait until the problem has a significant impact on their lives.
Risk of complications
It is a common and safe operation, but as with any surgery it does bear some risks. There is only a very small risk of any serious complication, however patients with other medical issues may be at higher risk.
