Cataract2023-06-05T10:34:50+01:00

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens, which can cause reduced vision and difficulty seeing at night

We can easily correct this condition with cataract surgery

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens which can cause reduced vision and difficulty seeing at night

We can easily correct this condition with cataract surgery

Reverse cataracts and enjoy clear vision

Quickly discover more about this condition and how we treat it
Cataracts incidence / prevalence
  • As we age, the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy. This is called a cataract.
    • The risk of cataracts increases with age. By age 75, half of white Caucasians have cataracts. By age 80, 70% of white Caucasians have cataracts compared with 53% of Black and 61% of Hispanic Americans.
    • A cataract is more likely to occur among women. In 2010, 61% of Americans with cataracts were women; 39% were men.
    • By 2050, the number of people in the U.S. with cataracts are expected to double from 24.4 million to about 50 million.
  • Cataracts eventually occur in everyone. The majority of cataract patients are in their 60’s and 70’s, but we can perform surgery sooner or later than this.
  • Cataracts produce changes in the vision, which patients perceive as the following common symptoms:
    • Blurred or foggy vision
    • Difficulty seeing the writing on television or the action in a sporting fixture
    • Difficulty reading, or needing brighter lights to read
    • Shadowing or ghosting of the vision
    • Glare or dazzle from lights, such as when driving at night
    • Difficulty recognising people’s faces
    • Double vision, or multiple images, from one eye
  • Early cataracts may not disturb vision.
  • A cataract is a progressive clouding of the eye’s natural lens. It interferes with light passing through the eye to the retina.
  • Ageing and other factors cause proteins in the eye’s lens to clump together, forming these cloudy areas.
  • People with advanced cataracts often say they feel as if they’re looking through a waterfall or a piece of wax paper. Activities such as driving at night, reading fine print, sewing and threading a needle and even watching t.v. become difficult.
  • Common causes and risk factors:
    • Age
    • Eye trauma
    • Heredity
    • Diabetes
    • Certain medications, including long-term use of oral steroids
    • Ultraviolet radiation
    • Smoking
    • Glaucoma
    • Certain metabolic conditions.
  • We can diagnose cataracts by conducting a comprehensive eye exam. We conduct several tests, including
    • Visual acuity test
    • Slit lamp examination
    • Retinal exam.
  • Currently, there is no medical treatment to reverse or prevent the development of cataracts. Once they form, the only way to see clearly again is to remove and replace them with an artificial lens implant.
  • Standard (or Basic) cataract surgery – With Traditional cataract surgery, we remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a monofocal lens with one focus point. You will need glasses to see clearly at other distances.
  • Premium (or Lifestyle) cataract surgery – With Lifestyle cataract surgery, we remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a multifocal lens to reduce or eliminate your need for glasses for a range of distances.

Is my cataract ready to be removed?

  • A cataract does not need to be ‘ripe’ for removal. Cataract surgery can be an appropriate treatment when the symptoms are sufficiently troublesome for you, and when you are willing to consider ways to improve your vision.

Will I have to wear glasses after my cataract is removed?

  • Not necessarily. This depends on the type of lens implant you choose to receive.
  • With a monofocal lens, you will need glasses for reading.
  • With a multifocal lens implant you will have a greater degree of freedom from glasses, including a greater ability to read without glasses.

I’ve always been near-sighted/short-sighted and able to read without glasses. Will this still be the case after my cataract surgery?

  • Not if you have a monofocal lens implanted to give you distance vision. A monofocal lens cannot focus the vision at different points in front of your eyes, so you will need to wear glasses after the surgery.
  • However, a multifocal lens can provide distance and near vision without the need for glasses, and so maintains the advantage of near-sight/short-sight while also providing good distance vision at the same time.

I’ve had laser vision correction in the past. Does this cause any difficulties when I have my cataract treated, and how can these be addressed?

  • No. We perform the surgery in the same way.
  • However, the preoperative calculations to select the correct strength of the lens implant are slightly different and require the assessment of corneal topography and tomography. Patients will previous history of laser vision correction will be asked about any available information about their prescription before the laser surgery or measurements of their cornea from the laser clinic, before and after surgery. The more data is available the highest is the precision for the lens implant calculation.

Discover if you can be free from cataracts and glasses

The best way to find out if lifestyle cataract surgery is right for you is to have a free assessment. We’ll examine your eyes and you’ll get a clear answer from our experts on your suitability and lens options.

You don’t need to live with poor vision

We’ll help you get the vision you need in 3 steps

Get in touch

Waiting for treatment is frustrating. I can help you avoid the long waiting lists and start living with better vision today. The first step is to give our friendly team a call on 07943 872888 or book a free assessment online now.

We’ll meet

At your appointment, I’ll answer your questions and give you a personalised recommendation based on your needs and lifestyle.

REGAIN YOUR FREEDOM

I’ll be with you every step of the way as you move forward with your life with better vision.

What our patients say…

We’ve helped thousands of happy patients in Surrey and Kent gain freedom with eye surgery

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“I would like to thank you all for looking after me so well. This was the first time I had ever had any treatment to my eye and whilst somewhat tense about the procedure I can honestly say that it went like clockwork.”

Mr J.OP

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“Thank you and your team very much indeed for looking after me during my initial visit and the day of cataract surgery.
I didn’t know what to expect, you put me at ease and everyone was very professional-excellent job!”

J, Tunbridge Wells

We have replaced the images of real patients who provided these testimonials to protect their privacy.

We answer your questions about cataract surgery

Get a quick overview of everything you need to know about restoring your vision

Is cataract surgery covered by private health insurance?

Considering cataract surgery but unsure about insurance coverage? Our latest blog dives into whether cataract surgery is covered by private health insurance, guiding you through what to expect. From policy exclusions to out-of-pocket costs, we've got you covered. Ready to demystify your insurance questions and take a step towards clear vision?

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How long after cataract surgery can you drive?

Are you eager to get back behind the wheel after cataract surgery? Knowing when it's safe to drive again is crucial for regaining your independence while ensuring your safety and that of others. Our latest blog post sheds light on what to expect during your recovery period, including when you might be able to resume driving. Read here today #CataractSurgery #DrivingAfterSurgery #EyeHealth

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Discover the number one mistake patients make when choosing cataract surgery

Most people have surgery to fix their cataracts without knowing all their options. Unfortunately, too many only find this out after they have surgery. The information in my free cataract surgery guide could save you frustration and regret. Click the button below to give us your email and we’ll send you this life-changing guide.

Academic resources on cataracts

Learn more about cataracts from authoritative sources. These links will take you off our website.

Learn about cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens, and its impact on vision. This National Eye Institute resource covers causes, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options for cataracts. Click here to learn more.

Discover the common symptoms of cataracts, such as blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty seeing at night. This article provides valuable insights into identifying cataract symptoms. Click here to learn more.

Affiliations and memberships

We are proud to be a part of these professional bodies

Hello, I’m Lucia Pelosini MD, your eye surgeon in Surrey & Kent

My vision is to provide my patients with warm and personalised guidance through their cataract surgery journey from start to finish. I run a highly individualized service to treat discerning patients with presbyopia (aging eyes) and cataracts who want the best treatment and technology available.

Ms. Lucia Pelosini

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon,
MD, MRCSEd, FRCOphth, CertLRS

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