A senior man playing tennis.

Is it possible to be glasses free after cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery is a very common procedure that helps to restore vision by replacing the natural cloudy lens in the eye with a clear artificial implant. The treatment can bring more clarity and colour to your daily life. But what if you would like to get even more benefit from it? If you are asking yourself ‘Will I need glasses after cataract surgery?’, this is the article for you.

What is premium cataract surgery?

Premium cataract surgery can help to achieve the best possible outcome for you while correcting any short-sightedness (myopia)/ long-sightedness (hyperopia), and associated astigmatism as part of the same procedure. This is achieved by using a more advanced lens implant that both treats your cataract and also corrects your eye prescription, giving you similar results to vision correction procedures such as laser eye surgery. 

This means your cataract surgeon can provide vision correction at the same time as your cataract surgery, and you receive premium service at every step of your treatment to ensure maximum precision for the best results. 

Preparing your eyes for this procedure may include pre-operative treatment of your eye surface to address dry eye – a condition that, just like cataract, often occurs with age. It can be asymptomatic in some people and has a potential to affect your eye prescription and your refractive measurements. A healthy inflammation-free eye surface is essential for highly accurate pre-operative measurements to achieve the desired vision correction results.

Laser-guided cataract surgery

Your surgeon can suggest to you femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) where advanced technology guides and supports surgical manipulations. The procedure involves creating a 3D map of your eye structures for your individualised treatment plan and linking them to computer-guided femtosecond lasers to ensure high precision in every step of the surgery. This includes making corneal incisions and creating an opening in the lens capsule that holds the cataract, to the exact intended size, shape and location, and then using lasers to soften and fragment the hard cataract for its smooth removal. 

The accuracy of these steps helps with the correct positioning of the replacement lens, especially important for premium lenses that require a higher precision, which in turn, is crucial for achieving the desired visual outcome.

What are multi-focal lenses for cataract?

Multifocal intraocular implants are a type of premium replacement lenses that can be used in cataract surgery, and they can help to achieve distance, intermediate and near vision reducing the need for glasses. For many suitable patients this is a ‘game changer’ and patients often say they feel younger enjoying the improved vision with these implants. 

Personalised cataract treatment

Based on your eye health and vision needs, your consultant may recommend you a combination of different type of lens implants that works best for you. This is usually discussed at your initial consultation.

Throughout your treatment and at your follow up appointment you will be seen by the same consultant of your choice who will make sure you gain maximum benefit from your cataract treatment.

Khan, Sharmina

Written in association with

Sharmina Khan

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

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