Diagnosis and treatment

This is the Moorfields cataract information video.

What is a cataract?

Everyone has a lens, much like a camera lens inside their eye. Its job is to focus light so you can see clearly. When this lens becomes cloudy and starts to affect your vision, we call this a cataract.

You may not enjoy day to day activities as much because of your vision being blurred, colours appearing dimmer, or you may notice glare, particularly when driving at night. When your life becomes impacted by your cataract, we can remove it through a 15 to 30 minute operation, replacing the cataract with a clear plastic artificial lens implant.

We can use this opportunity to build in your glasses prescription with the lens implant, which will allow you to see more clearly when looking into the distance, but still need glasses for near work. Personalised options can be discussed with your surgeon.

The day of your surgery.

Before the surgery, your eye will be numbed with some anaesthetic drops or small injection, so you won't feel any pain. You can also have some sedation for the procedure if you feel at all nervous. Your anaesthetist will discuss with you what options you would prefer.

During the surgery.

We'll use a sterile drape that creates a tent over your eye to keep it clean. It does not cover your nose or mouth, so you are able to breathe normally. A small clip is used to keep your eye open during the operation. Once we have you positioned and only when you are comfortable, we begin the operation. You may feel some cold water, pressure, or see colourful lights or shadows. This is all normal.

What are the risks?

There is a 1 in 10 risk of debris building up on your new lens in the future. We can perform a quick laser procedure to remove this and clear up the vision.

There is a 1 in 20 risk of a minor complication occurring, which we can fix on the day. It just means your operation may take longer than the standard 30 minutes.

There is a 1 in 100 chance of a complication occurring, which means you may need further surgeries to correct this.

he most important but rarest risk is a 1 in 1000 chance of your vision either becoming worse, or going blind from a major complication. Of course, every precaution is taken to reduce this risk.

After your surgery.

Your eye may feel slightly scratchy and sensitive to light over the first 7 to 10 days. It should feel normal again after two weeks, and it takes six weeks to fully heal.

We recommend that you get your eyes checked by the optician at this point, in case you need to update your glasses.

You can have both your eye surgeries done on the same day. If your case is suitable, the ophthalmologist will discuss this option with you.

Before you come in for your cataract surgery you will need to administer some special eye drops. These drops are very important, as they will help to enlarge your pupil so that your doctor can see into the back of your eye during your surgery.

You will be given two different types of single dose eye drops to put in. To give the drops enough time to work you will need to start using them one hour before your appointment time on the day of your operation.

Start by putting one of the drops in the eye to be operated on, then wait for one minute before using the second type of eye drop. 

You will need to repeat this process every 15 minutes until you have used all eight drops. The last drops you can administer upon arrival at the hospital.

Please remember to wash your hands before and after you put in your drops. Once you have put these eye drops in you will not be able to drive afterwards, so you will need to arrange travel to get to the hospital. 

If you have any problems putting in your eye drops please call our pharmacy team
for advice. 

When you arrive at Moorfields a nurse will check your eye to make sure you're ready for surgery and may give you some more drops.

For more information and advice about your Moorfields medicines please call our pharmacy medicines helpline on 0207 566 2361.

Please arrive promptly at the hospital for your surgery, but no more than 15 minutes early. You will need to check in at the reception desk. When you arrive a nurse or technician will welcome you and check your details. They will also ensure your eyes are sufficiently dilated; additional drops may be given if needed.

Observations

Tou will have some basic observations taken including your temperature, blood pressure and pulse. You may also have your blood sugar checked if you are
Diabetic.

Diabetes

A nurse will confirm which eye or eyes are being operated on and will mark your forehead with an arrow using a special disposable pen. One of the surgeons from your surgical team may also briefly meet with you.

Safety

You will be asked to put your belongings in a labelled bag for safe keeping whilst you are having your surgery. You will be taken to the anaesthetic room where you will be looked after by the theatre team. They will help you onto a trolley where you will be lying flat, and will put monitoring equipment on you to check your vital signs during surgery.

Anaesthetic

The skin around your eyes will be sterilised with iodine swabs. Your eye, or eyes, will be anesthetised so you won't feel anything during the operation. This may be using drops an injection or both.

Surgery

You will be taken into the theatre on the trolley, and the theatre team will prepare you for surgery. The cataract procedure will be performed by the surgeon. You may hear machine noises during your surgery, and may feel some water on your face. This is all perfectly normal. The surgeon will tell you when your operation is finished, which will be approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Discharge

Your eye will then be dressed with a protective shield, you will be helped off the trolley and staff will take you to the discharge lounge. The nurse in the discharge lounge will take your observations again and check you are feeling well enough to leave. You will be provided with eye drops to use after your operation to help your
eye to heal, and instructions on how to look after your eye when you are at home.
Once you are happy with the discharge instructions you can go home.  

Following your surgery you will also be sent an appointment for post-operative review. This will either take place over the telephone or face-to-face in the hospital.