Standard cataract surgery removes your cataracts so you can resume life with glasses
Remove your cataracts and enjoy life with unclouded vision
“I have cataracts and am happy wearing glasses”
After standard cataract surgery in Brisbane, we will have removed your cataracts, and you should be able to resume life with unclouded vision.
Our patients are often amazed at how much brighter and vibrant the world appears and are able to enjoy life’s pleasures with the people they love.
Restore your vision so you can continue enjoying life with your favourite pair of glasses
Discover everything you need to know about standard cataract surgery
What is standard cataract surgery?
Standard cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries in the world. It is safe and effective when treating cataracts1 Davis, G., 2021. The Evolution of Cataract Surgery. [online] PubMed Central (PMC). Available at: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6139750/> .
How do I know if I’m suitable?
To ensure that you are suitable for standard cataract surgery in Brisbane, we will need to examine your eyes in your initial consultation prior to arranging surgery.
How does standard cataract surgery work?
Standard cataract surgery involves restoring the clarity of the vision.
The primary goal with this type of surgery is on achieving a high level of distance vision. We do this by removing the cataract lens and replacing it with an intraocular lens (IOL) that provides a single focus. You will likely need glasses for mid-range (using a computer) and near vision activities such as reading and sewing.
Take the first step to address your cataracts
Book a consultation, and one of our Brisbane eye experts will guide you towards the right treatment for your eyes and lifestyle so you can get more confidence and clarity from your vision
Advantages and disadvantages of Standard Cataract Surgery
Advantages
- Unlike lifestyle and laser cataract surgery, standard cataract surgery does not require an adjustment period to get used to your new lenses. Once we have removed your cataracts, your vision will be much like it was before you developed cataracts. Importantly, there’s typically no out-of-pocket costs.
Disadvantages
- Unlike lifestyle and laser cataract surgery, with standard cataract surgery you will need to resume the use of glasses to achieve your best possible visual acuity.
Different types of cataract surgery for different needs
Together, we’ll assess your candidacy and recommend the best solution to suit your needs and lifestyle
| Standard Cataract Surgery | Lifestyle Cataract Surgery | Laser Cataract Surgery | |
|---|---|---|---|
| We’ll remove your cataract and you’ll be able to see as you did before you developed cataracts | |||
| If you’re a glasses-wearer, you will be happy wearing glasses after surgery | |||
| If you’re a glasses-wearer, you’ll have reduced dependency on glasses for certain activities (distance and mid-range tasks) after surgery | |||
| If you’re a glasses-wearer, you’ll enjoy significantly reduced dependency on glasses for all activities (including reading, mid-range and distance vision) after surgery |
What are the risks of standard cataract surgery
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner
What are the risks of standard cataract surgery?
There is a 98 – 99% likelihood of undergoing cataract surgery without complications that may permanently affect your best possible vision2VisionAware. 2021. What Are the Risks of Cataract Surgery? – VisionAware. [online] Available at: <https://visionaware.org/your-eye-condition/cataracts/risks-of-cataract-surgery/>.
The risks of not having cataract surgery
If you do not get it treated, you’ll eventually lose sight in your eye (until you remove the cataract). Untreated cataracts can become “hyper-mature” — a condition that makes them more difficult to remove and more likely to cause cataract complications3All About Vision. 2021. What happens if cataracts are left untreated?. [online] Available at: <https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/faq-cataract-left-untreated.htm> .
In certain people, the growth of a cataract can make them prone to primary angle-closure glaucoma4Healthline. 2021. Glaucoma vs. Cataracts: Symptoms, Treatment, Impact on Vision. [online] Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/health/glaucoma-vs-cataracts>. This is where the drainage channel in the front of the eye (trabecular meshwork) is gradually narrowed by the increasing size of the crystalline lens. Eventually, the drainage channel can become completely blocked, resulting in a rapid increase in the pressure within the eyeball and a painful red eye. Long-sighted patients are more likely to be at risk of angle-closure glaucoma5Glaucoma Research Foundation. 2021. Are You an Angle-Closure Glaucoma Suspect?. [online] Available at: <https://www.glaucoma.org/glaucoma/are-you-an-angle-closure-suspect.php#:~:text=other%20risk%20factors.-,Risk%20Factors,gets%20more%20crowded%20with%20age.&text=Smaller%20eyes%20are%20often%20%E2%80%9Cfar,likely%20to%20get%20angle%2Dclosure.>. Your eye specialist will be able to assess if you are at risk of primary angle-closure glaucoma and whether you would benefit from cataract extraction or another treatment to prevent this serious condition.
Standard cataract surgery steps
Get the expert eye treatment you need in 3 easy steps
Step 1 – Removing the cataract
We use local anaesthesia in the form of eye drops and light (twilight) sedation. Once the eye is completely numb, we make a small (2-2.5mm) self-sealing incision on the side of the cornea, the clear membrane on the surface of the eye. We then insert a fine ultrasound (phaco) probe. Vibrations from the tip of the probe fragment and emulsify the cataract into a pulp. We then carefully remove these fragments of cataract under microscopic guidance.
Step 2 – Inserting the new lens
Next, we replace your natural lens with a biocompatible monofocal lens, specifically preselected for your eye. The implant is rolled up in a special lens injector and gently guided into place by your surgeon. In the majority of cases, the IOL will sit within the natural bag that originally held the crystalline lens (the capsule), and sutures are not usually required to position the IOL.
Step 3 – Return home and relax
Once the surgery is complete, we place a clear shield over the eye, which stays on for four hours post-surgery and reduces the risk of infection. We will ask you to commence the use of postoperative drops which consist of an antibiotic drop and two anti-inflammatory drops.
The total time at the hospital is approximately three hours.
Most patients can return to many routine daily activities, including driving within two or three days of their surgery.
Take the first step to address your cataracts
Book a consultation, and one of our Brisbane eye experts will guide you towards the right treatment for your eyes and lifestyle so you can get more confidence and clarity from your vision
Standard cataract surgery results
Enjoy more clarity and colour
When will you start to see standard cataract surgery results?
After standard cataract surgery in Brisbane, we will have removed your cataracts and your potential for good vision should be back to its former level within four to six weeks.
If you needed glasses before cataract surgery, you will need glasses after cataract surgery to achieve your best possible distance vision.
How long will standard cataract surgery results last?
Standard cataract surgery is permanent, and the results should last a lifetime6Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center. 2021. 23 Answers to Common Cataract Surgery Questions. [online] Available at: <https://www.goodeyes.com/cataract/cataract-surgery-questions/>. You may need further treatment (i.e. YAG laser treatment) should you develop a post-operative condition known as PCO some time after cataract surgery.
When can you get back to normal life after standard cataract surgery?
Your vision improves typically within a few days7 All About Vision. 2021. 8 Ways to Minimize Cataract Surgery Recovery Time. [online] Available at: <https://www.allaboutvision.com/en-gb/conditions/cataract-surgery-recovery/>. However, the recovery can take longer if you have a pre-existing eye condition. You should be able to gradually resume your normal, active lifestyle after some days of rest.
Frequently asked questions
about standard cataract surgery
Now you know your options, get your questions answered
- This includes follow-up for 6 weeks
Note: There may be an excess to pay attached to your health insurance.
Consultation fees
Private health insurance does not contribute to consultations.
Medicare rebate on consultation fee with a current referral from your Optometrist or GP.
Find out more here
Discover the number one mistake patients make when choosing cataract surgery
Most people have cataract surgery without knowing about all the options they actually have surrounding cataract surgery. Unfortunately, most people only find this out after having cataract surgery. The information in this Brisbane Cataract Guide could save you frustration and worry. Simply click the button below to give us your email and we’ll send you this life changing guide:
Take the first step to restore your vision
Make 2021 the year you transformed cloudy to clear vision with cataract surgery in Brisbane
Dr Matthew Russell, MBChB, FRANZCO
Brisbane Eye Surgeon
We hope you’ve enjoyed this guide and that you have started to understand your options surrounding cataract surgery and the life-changing results it can achieve.
Remember, the timing of cataract surgery is a personal choice. Cataract surgery is one of the most successful and life-enhancing interventions in modern medicine, with a fast recovery and significant improvement in the quality of life8National Library of Medicine. 2021. The impact of cataract surgery on quality of life. [online] Available at: <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21088580/>.
The additional satisfaction that then comes with multifocal lenses is particularly high. Patients can see far away and read without glasses for the first time in many years or, in some cases, for the first time in a lifetime.
Book a consultation to explore your options
What’s next? Take the first step towards understanding your cataract treatment options. Book a consultation online or call us on 07 3063 8914. We can discuss your unique situation and answer any questions you may have.
We look forward to greeting you warmly and meeting in person at the clinic.