Cataract surgery
We provide a private cataract surgery treatment using the most advanced intraocular lens implant (IOL) technology available. Our team of world-class consultants and ophthalmic nurses are passionate about your health, offering you a more connected, compassionate kind of care.
Quick facts
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What is it for?
Cataract removal and correction of eye conditions
Treatment overview
Cataract surgery involves the removal of the cloudy lens in your eye and replacing it with an artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens implant (IOL) so that your vision becomes clearer.
Your consultant ophthalmologist may recommend cataract surgery if you have cloudy or blurred vision, sensitivity to bright lights or problems that interfere with your daily activities such as reading.
They may also recommend cataract surgery if it’s interfering with other eye issues, such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy.
So why wait? Contact us today to start your treatment journey and enjoy better vision tomorrow.
Once your eyesight has been fully assessed your consultant will recommend a new artificial lens that’s suited to you and your lifestyle.
As a centre of excellence, we offer a range of artificial intraocular lens implants (IOL) that may not be available elsewhere.
The IOLs we offer can also correct eye conditions like short-sightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
Our world-renowned eye specialists and ophthalmologist-trained nurses will work with you every step of the way, from pre-admission right through to aftercare and follow up.
Why choose The London Clinic
Excellence in one place
We operate as teams of experts with world-class resources dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of medical care. You are surrounded by the latest treatments and advice with everything you need to get back to your best health.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our nurses, clinicians and support teams are dedicated to the care of a very small number of patients, so have more time for you. They’ll be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care around you and giving the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through each step of your experience, with complexities unravelled and answers readily to hand. Your personal treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
What's included in your package?
Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us.
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you’re paying for yourself, we have finance options available with Chrysalis
FAQs
Cataract surgery, also known as small incision cataract surgery (SICS), works by removing the cloudy lens in your eye and replacing it with a new artificial one.
Your ophthalmologist does this by making a tiny cut in your cornea, the part of the eye which sits in front of the lens.
They then insert a probe through the incision to break up the cloudy lens using ultrasound. This is a process called phacoemulsification.
After removing the lens pieces from the capsule surrounding it, your ophthalmologist inserts your new artificial lens.
We assess everyone individually to make sure you’re getting the right treatment. Phacoemulsification and SICS surgery might not be the right option for you, particularly if the cataract is quite advanced.
If so, your ophthalmologist may suggest extracapsular surgery. This is where a slightly bigger incision is made in your cornea and the entire lens removed in one piece. This type of cataract surgery is less common than SICS.
Intracapsular surgery, the complete removal of the lens and capsule, may be necessary for some patients but is rare.
Cataract lens replacement surgery requires a local anaesthetic (eye drops) and takes about 20-30 minutes to complete.
Although you’re awake and can see light and some movement, you won’t be able to see what the ophthalmologist is doing.
Cataract surgery is a relatively straightforward and safe procedure that can be performed without the need to stay overnight.
Post-surgery your vision should be much clearer with better focus and the ability to tolerate bright lights. The colours in your vision should appear brighter.
Depending on the replacement lens implanted you may find you no longer need to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses and conditions like astigmatism are corrected.
If you have any other eye conditions such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, you may still have limited vision even if your cataract surgery was successful.
How long it takes to recover from cataract surgery depends on how fit and healthy you are before your surgery. Cataract surgery is a quick and painless procedure.
You should be able to go home on the same day you have the surgery. After cataract surgery, your eye will be covered, and the dressing is normally removed a day or two after your procedure while at home. For a few weeks after surgery, you may experience a gritty feeling in the affected eye, with watering, eye redness or blurred vision for a few days.
Your aftercare plan may include medications like antibiotic eye drops to avoid an infection. Your care team can give you tips on certain exercises to strengthen the eye or diet and lifestyle tips to improve your general eye health.
Our team of experts including your ophthalmologist and ophthalmic-trained nurse will help you get the most from your treatment. They’ll give you advice before, during and after your surgery to help support your recovery every step of the way.
The most common side effects of cataract surgery are a feeling of grittiness in the eye, redness and blurring of vision post-surgery.
Grittiness
It’s very common for the affected eye to feel slightly gritty for several weeks after surgery. This is because the surface of the eye has been disrupted and some of the corneal nerves have been cut.
Redness
On the day after your surgery, your eye will be quite red which is completely normal. The redness should disappear after a few days.
Blurred Vision
You’re also likely to experience blurred vision which should improve throughout the day and be even better the following day.
Depending on the kind of work you do, you should be able to return to work a few days after surgery.
Light exercises like walking, stretching and yoga should be fine a week or two after surgery.
More strenuous exercise like running, lifting weights and intense cycling should be delayed for several weeks until your symptoms have improved.
If you’re unsure, speak to your care team for advice.
Based on your biometric test results taken at our specialist eye clinic, your ophthalmologist will discuss the best lens options for you and your individual needs.
You’ll be given a local anaesthetic in the form of eye drops during the procedure which should wear off within a few hours.
Throughout your time with us, you’ll have your own dedicated care team who’ll help you get back safely on your feet.
Cataract removal is a same-day procedure, so you won’t need to stay overnight.
Once home, your care nurse will be in touch to advise you about your eye shield dressing, medications or other concerns you may have.
A follow-up appointment with your consultant will be arranged a week or two after your surgery.