## Clear advice, careful surgery and care centred on you
Cataract Surgery in Dublin
A cataract can make everyday life gradually more difficult. Reading may take more effort, night driving may feel uncomfortable and colours can appear less bright. The change is often slow, so it is not always easy to know when to seek treatment.
Professor Billy Power provides private cataract assessment and surgery at Blackrock Clinic in Dublin. He takes time to understand how your sight is affecting you, examine the health of your eyes and explain your options clearly.
If surgery is appropriate, your treatment and replacement lens will be planned for your eyes and the way you use your vision. If it is not yet the right time for surgery, you will receive honest advice about what to do next.
What are the symptoms of a cataract?
Cataracts do not affect everyone in the same way. You may notice:
- Blurred, misty or dim vision
- Glare from sunlight or oncoming headlights
- Halos around lights
- Greater difficulty driving at night
- Colours appearing faded or yellowed
- A frequent need to change your glasses
- Double vision in one eye
- More difficulty reading, watching television or recognising faces
Other eye conditions can also cause these symptoms. A full eye examination is important before assuming that a cataract is the only reason for a change in sight.
What are the symptoms of a cataract?
Cataracts do not affect everyone in the same way. You may notice:
- Blurred, misty or dim vision
- Glare from sunlight or oncoming headlights
- Halos around lights
- Greater difficulty driving at night
- Colours appearing faded or yellowed
- A frequent need to change your glasses
- Double vision in one eye
- More difficulty reading, watching television or recognising faces
Other eye conditions can also cause these symptoms. A full eye examination is important before assuming that a cataract is the only reason for a change in sight.
When should I consider cataract surgery?
There is no single vision score or age at which every cataract should be treated. The right time depends on how much the cataract affects your daily life and whether the likely improvement justifies surgery in your individual case.
It may be time to seek advice if your sight is making it harder to:
- Drive safely, particularly after dark
- Read or use a screen comfortably
- Work, enjoy hobbies or play sport
- Move around confidently
- Recognise people clearly
- Live as independently as you would like
You do not have to wait until a cataract is “ripe.” Equally, a cataract that is not troubling you may only need monitoring. Prof Power will explain the likely benefits of treatment, the risks of surgery and what may happen if you choose to wait.
Your cataract consultation
Your first appointment is designed to answer two important questions: is the cataract the main cause of your visual difficulty, and what treatment plan best suits your eyes and your life?
Your assessment may include:
- A review of your symptoms, general health and medication
- Measurement of your vision and glasses prescription
- Examination of the cataract and the overall health of the eye
- Detailed measurements to calculate the power of your replacement lens
- Imaging of the retina or other tests where appropriate
- A discussion about driving, reading, work and your preferred level of dependence on glasses
Please mention any previous laser eye surgery, eye injury or eye condition, as these can affect surgical planning and the predictability of the lens calculation.
Prof Billy Power will talk you through the findings, suitable lens options and your individual risks. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and time to make an informed decision.
Your cataract consultation
The replacement lens is an important part of cataract surgery. There is no single “best” lens for every patient. The right option depends on the health of your eyes, whether you have astigmatism, the activities that matter to you and how you feel about wearing glasses after surgery.
Monofocal lenses
A monofocal lens is designed to give clear focus at one main distance, most often far away. It can provide high-quality vision, but you will usually need glasses for reading and may need them for some other tasks.
Some suitable patients choose a different focus plan, such as mild blended vision. Prof Power will explain the advantages and compromises before recommending this approach.
Toric lenses
A toric lens can reduce corneal astigmatism as well as replace the cloudy lens. It may improve distance vision without glasses for suitable patients, although glasses can still be required.
Careful measurements are needed to determine whether a toric lens is likely to benefit you.
Multifocal or extended-range lenses
These lenses are designed to provide useful vision at more than one distance and may reduce dependence on glasses. They are not suitable for every eye or every lifestyle.
Some patients notice glare, halos around lights or reduced contrast, particularly at night. Reading glasses may still be needed for small print or certain tasks. Prof Power will discuss these trade-offs and recommend this type of lens only when it is appropriate for your eyes and visual priorities.
What happens during cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is normally carried out as a day-case procedure, so an overnight hospital stay is not usually required.
The eye is numbed with local anaesthetic. Through a very small opening, the cloudy lens is gently removed and the selected replacement lens is placed inside the eye. You should not drive yourself home, so please arrange for someone to accompany you.
Treatment is personalised, including the order and timing of surgery if both eyes have cataracts. Your team will explain what to expect on the day and give you instructions specific to your care.
Recovery after cataract surgery
Vision is often blurred at first and then improves as the eye settles. The speed of recovery varies, and the final result also depends on the health of the cornea, retina and optic nerve.
You will be given eye drops and clear aftercare instructions. You may need to avoid swimming, eye make-up and rubbing the eye for a period. Advice about work, exercise and driving will be tailored to your recovery and the vision in your other eye.
It is important to attend your follow-up appointments and use your drops as directed. Contact the clinic promptly if you have increasing pain, redness, a marked drop in vision, new flashes or a sudden increase in floaters.
Do not rely on a general online recovery timetable in place of the instructions provided by your clinical team.
Benefits and limitations of cataract surgery
For a suitable patient, cataract surgery can:
- Restore clearer, brighter vision
- Reduce glare caused by the cataract
- Improve confidence with daily activities
- Correct some short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism
- Reduce dependence on glasses, depending on the lens plan
However, surgery cannot restore vision lost because of another eye condition. Glasses may still be needed after treatment, and no surgeon can guarantee a particular visual result or complete freedom from spectacles.
Your assessment is therefore about more than diagnosing a cataract. It is also about identifying any other condition that may limit the improvement you can reasonably expect.
Is cataract surgery safe?
Cataract surgery is a commonly performed operation with a strong record of success, but all eye surgery carries risk.
Possible complications include infection, inflammation, bleeding, raised eye pressure, swelling of the cornea or retina, a tear in the lens capsule, retinal detachment, movement of the lens implant and a result that differs from the intended prescription. Some complications require further treatment and, rarely, sight can be permanently reduced.
Months or years after surgery, the thin membrane behind the implant can become cloudy. This is called posterior capsule opacification, sometimes known as an “after-cataract.” It can often be treated with a short YAG laser procedure when appropriate.
Your personal level of risk depends on your eye health, prescription, medical history and the complexity of the cataract. Prof Power will explain the risks relevant to you before you decide whether to proceed.
Cataract surgery costs and health insurance
Cover for cataract surgery varies between health insurers and individual policies. Your insurer can confirm the hospital, consultant and lens costs covered under your plan.
Some enhanced lens options may involve an additional charge. The clinic team can explain the current fees relevant to your recommended treatment before you make a decision.
If you plan to self-fund your treatment, please contact the office for current pricing.