Cataract FAQ

Yes you can. Some patients choose this option for convenience and rapid visual rehabilitation. Most, but not all patients are suitable for this. Mr Bhermi will be happy to discuss these options with you.

If you have drops only anaesthesia (the most common type) you will be able to see immediately after the operation. However as you pupil is dilated for surgery, your vision will be blurred and slowly improves. Most commonly the best improvement in vision is noted the day after surgery and continues to improve further over the following few weeks.

After cataract surgery, you can usually continue most routine daily tasks without significant limitation.
You will need to refrain from vigiorous exercise, swimming and use eye drops for a few weeks. You will be provided with detailed written instructions about how to look after your eye at the time of surgery.

In short – NO. There are many drops which are marketed as being able to reduce or “dissolve” cataracts, however currently there is no scientific proof that these improve vision. Cataract surgery remains the mainstream treatment.

Visual requirements for driving vary in different countries. This link details the requirements in the UK:

Can I drive after cataract surgery.

This depends on your vision before surgery and your expected vision after surgery. Each patient will have various individual factors to consider before we can confirm whether you are legal to drive in the UK. Mr Bhermi will be able to advise you during your consultation. As a generalisation, if you were driving without any issues before surgery, then you should be able to continue after the operation.

How long do lens implants last? Will they need to be replaced.

Most implants are made from a specialist plastic which will last longer than your entire lifetime. It is extremely unlikely that they will ever need to be replaced.

Do cataract come back. Will I need to have cataract surgery again.

Once the cataract has been removed, it does not come back. However, in approximately 10% of  patients, the pouch (capsular bag) into which the lens implant is inserted undergoes a healing process, making the pouch, and your vision, hazy. The healing process is commonly know as Posterior Capsular Opacification (PCO) and can take up to 2 years to manifest. If this occurs, the patient notices blurred vision and glare from bright lights (eg car headlights) – symptoms similar to full cataract. This is why patients sometimes think their cataract has come back.

The Posterior Capsular Opacification can be easily treated with an outpatient laser procedure. The laser treatment takes only a few minutes to perform. Mr Bhermi uses the laser to make a hole in the pouch which clears the centre of the visual axis, and sharpens the vision to the same level it was immediately after cataract surgery. Some patients comment that this is like opening a dirty window (or removing the window completely) to provide a clear view of the outside.

Most implants are made from a specialist plastic which will last longer than your entire lifetime. It is extremely unlikely that they will ever need to be replaced.

Once the cataract has been removed, it does not come back. However, in approximately 10% of  patients, the pouch (capsular bag) into which the lens implant is inserted undergoes a healing process, making the pouch, and your vision, hazy. The healing process is commonly know as Posterior Capsular Opacification (PCO) and can take up to 2 years to manifest. If this occurs, the patient notices blurred vision and glare from bright lights (eg car headlights) – symptoms similar to full cataract. This is why patients sometimes think their cataract has come back.

The Posterior Capsular Opacification can be easily treated with an outpatient laser procedure. The laser treatment takes only a few minutes to perform. Mr Bhermi uses the laser to make a hole in the pouch which clears the centre of the visual axis, and sharpens the vision to the same level it was immediately after cataract surgery. Some patients comment that this is like opening a dirty window (or removing the window completely) to provide a clear view of the outside.