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👁️ Understanding Cataract

Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful eye procedures worldwide. At our clinics in Greater London and Surrey, Mr V.K. Wagh, Consultant Eye Surgeon, offers advanced lens replacement surgery with a personalised approach to help restore clear vision and reduce dependence on glasses.

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🌫️ What Is a Cataract?

A cataract is the clouding of your eye’s natural lens, located behind the iris and pupil. It causes blurred vision, glare, and difficulty reading or driving. Cataracts can develop gradually with age or due to other health conditions such as diabetes or eye trauma.

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What Does Cataract Surgery Involve?

Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear intraocular lens (IOL). It is a day-case procedure performed under local anaesthetic—most patients are awake but feel no pain.

  • Duration: Approximately 15–30 minutes

  • Anaesthesia: Usually numbing eye drops; sometimes local injection or sedation/general anaesthetic if preferred

  • Location: Performed at approved hospitals in Greater London and Surrey

 

Lens Options

Before surgery, precise eye measurements (biometry) are taken to select the right lens strength. The most commonly used lenses are:

  • Monofocal lenses – for distance vision, with reading glasses required

  • Other lens options may be discussed if appropriate, but we do not offer cosmetic multifocal or premium refractive lens surgery.

Note for contact lens wearers:
Stop wearing soft lenses 1 week and hard lenses 2 weeks before biometry for accurate measurements.

 

What Are the Risks?

Cataract surgery is highly successful—over 95% of patients experience improved vision if no other eye disease is present. However, all surgeries carry some risk.

During Surgery:

  • Internal bleeding

  • Incomplete removal of cataract

  • Injury to the lens capsule

  • Cataract fragment falling into the back of the eye
    (Rarely, a second surgery or specialist referral may be needed)

After Surgery:

  • Infection (very rare)

  • Retinal swelling or detachment

  • Incorrect lens power

  • Cloudy membrane behind the lens (Posterior Capsular Opacification)

  • Very rare risk (<0.1%) of permanent vision loss

If the membrane behind the lens becomes cloudy (1 in 10 cases), a quick laser procedure (YAG capsulotomy) can restore clear vision.

 

Do I Need Surgery Now?

Not necessarily. Surgery is recommended when cataracts begin to affect your daily life—such as driving, reading, or recognising faces. You may choose to delay if your vision is still manageable.

Ask your optician whether an updated glasses prescription can temporarily improve your vision. However, waiting too long may make the cataract more dense and surgery more complex.

 

Book a Consultation

If you are looking for a private cataract surgeon in Greater London, Sutton, Ashtead, or Croydon, Mr. Wagh offers expert, honest advice and high-precision surgery in CQC-registered hospitals.

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