What is standard cataract surgery and how does standard cataract surgery work?
In this post, Dr Matthew Russell discusses how standard cataract surgery works and how you will see the world clearer than you ever have before.
The only way to treat a cataract is to surgically remove it and implant an artificial lens in its place. Cataract surgery is the most performed surgery in Australia. The procedure takes less than an hour and does not need an overnight stay. We perform cataract surgery in a day, using local anaesthetic eye drops and light sedation.
We make a tiny incision in the cornea (the clear membrane on the surface of the eye) and then insert a fine ultrasound instrument. We use ultrasound energy to emulsify the lens gently. We then carefully remove it under microscopic guidance. Once I’ve removed it completely, I implant the artificial lens (intraocular lens, or IOL) using a special lens injector. In most cases, the IOL will sit within the natural ‘bag’ that holds the original crystalline lens. You won’t usually need sutures.
The surgery takes less than an hour. Generally, the total time at the hospital is approximately three hours. Once the operation is complete, I will place a clear shield over your eye for four hours post-surgery. After this, you will need to start taking postoperative eye drops.
I treat each eye separately on different days. With standard cataract surgery, we implant monofocal lenses which have a single point of focus. This means the lens will be fixed for either near or distance vision, but not both. You will need to resume wearing your normal prescription glasses after the surgery.
You can usually update your prescription glasses 4 to 6 weeks after surgery once I give you clearance to do so.
The lens implants are permanent. We don’t need to replace them. They’re so stable that they’ll outlast you.
If you’d like to know more about the services we offer to cataract patients in Brisbane, give us a call. If you’d like to see if we can help you, book a consultation.
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"Very friendly and professional staff. Dr Russell is extremely informative and has a really positive presence. The doctor and all of the staff ensured all my questions were answered fully. I left the surgery feeling as if I’d been really well cared for."
Suzanne Cooper"The staff are all friendly and helpful."
Alana Jenkins"Dr Russell and the entire team should be commended for their genuine care and personal attention. They made every possible effort to explain and clarify the treatment required and made sure I was comfortable through the consultation treatment."
Xerxes Meher"Dr Russell is my hubby’s specialist for years. We love him. Such a kind person and always spends time to explain everything."
Zita Farczadi Kershaw"Many thanks for your care and skill and a big thanks to all your staff for their friendly care and professionalism shown each time I have visited."
Henry Ellison"My wife came to see Dr Russell today and we wanted to say thank you to all the staff for the kind and professional service. We are also extremely grateful for Dr Russell’s generosity when it came to us paying for the consultation. We wanted to reach out and say thank you so much!"
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About Brisbane’s Eye Specialist
A specialist ophthalmic micro surgeon, internationally trained retinal surgeon, medical retinal diseases specialist and cataract surgeon
Dr Matthew Russell, MBChB, FRANZCO
Brisbane Eye Surgeon
With a career that spans over 15 years, I have mastered the ability to achieve results that help patients regain their confidence and youthful energy.
When it comes to restoring the eye’s function, there is a world of choice available that most people miss. It is my responsibility as a specialist ophthalmic surgeon, to help you avoid the agonising anxiety and regret that comes with not knowing all your options.
I believe your lifestyle should dictate your vision, not the other way around. It’s my personal goal to align your vision with your lifestyle so that you can conquer life’s challenges and remain the version of yourself you most want to be.
Let me help you get your life back.
