Cataract Surgery

What is a Cataract?

You are born with a clear lens within your eye which progressively turns yellow/brown with age. This is called a Cataract. These changes reduce vision typically shifting the focus of your eye requiring stronger glasses until such a point as glasses no longer help and surgery is required.

What are the benefits of Cataract Surgery?

Thankfully, Cataract surgery is extraordinarily safe and effective. It is one of the most cost-effective and commonly performed surgeries in the world. The benefits of cataract surgery extend well beyond improving your vision. The scientific literature has demonstrated many benefits that patients may not be aware of such as:

• Improved vision including central vision, side vision and colour vision

• Reduced falls risk, improved sleep and increased mobility such as walking and driving

• Improved mental health and cognitive function

How safe is Cataract Surgery?

Dr English performs cataract surgery with the latest modern techniques and technology, leveraging the latest important developments in the surgical literature. Cataract surgery is safe, effective and routine in most cases. Complications, thankfully, are extremely rare and these risks will be discussed with you in full at your consultation. 

Will I be awake during surgery?

Dr English is aware that the thought of eye surgery can be extremely unsettling for patients. That's why patients are administered heavy sedation through a drip prior to/during the operation such that patients comfortably remain asleep for the operation or have little experience of the operation actually happening. Your concerns and preferences around this are important to Dr English and he welcomes your input on this.

What happens to my glasses after surgery?

This is best discussed in person as circumstances are different based on patients' anatomy, prescription and refractive target of surgery (amongst many others). In general, if glasses are required after surgery, 4 weeks after both eyes have been completed has been shown to be an appropriate time.

What is an IOL (Intra Ocular Lens Implant)?

The cataract refers to when the normally clear human lens which bends light to allow you to see, becomes cloudy. Hence, once the cataract is gone, what is left to focus the light so you can see well? The answer is a plastic prosthetic lens that is inserted into your eye to accomplish not only what your previously healthy lens could do but to bundle your glasses prescription and put it inside the eye. This is standard and routine for all cataract surgery.

The IOL prosthesis is miniature and is smaller than the tip of a child’s smallest finger. Dr English will discuss IOL options with you.

Does surgery take place on both eyes on the same day?

Cataract surgery takes place on different days for each eye as this is the safest approach for you. Dr English is flexible in the approach to suit patients' schedules and needs, especially his regional patients who fly from other areas of Queensland.

How much does Cataract Surgery cost?

Surgery costs vary based on insurance cover, hospital fees, surgeon and anaesthetic fees. A full written disclosure of costs will be provided and discussed at the time of your consultation. 

My parent or loved one has dementia - is Cataract Surgery appropriate?

This is a common scenario and an individualised assessment is required. Cataract surgery is very safe for our elderly patients with dementia and the surgery delivers significant benefits such as improved quality of life, falls prevention, improvement in cognitive function as well as potentially improved vision. Regardless of the degree of dementia, surgery can, in almost all cases, be performed safely.

I’m from up North or out West, can I arrange Cataract Surgery?

Dr English welcomes rural and regional patients and can arrange a tailored approach to your surgeries. Do make note to the Brisbane North Eye Centre staff of your wishes and Dr English can work with you to ensure your needs are met. 

I’m not insured: can I still have surgery with Dr English?

Dr English is delighted to look after patients who do not have insurance and this is a common occurrence. All patients will be provided with full written financial disclosure prior to proceeding.

Does Dr English perform Refractive Lens Exchange (Clear Lens Extraction)?

Yes, for the right patient, Dr English performs Refractive Lens Extraction which is essentially cataract surgery and lens implantation where the lens is clear, not cataractous and it is performed to address substantial refractive errors in patients. Dr English can guide you as to which refractive option would be best suited to you.

Where does Dr English operate?

Dr English operates exclusively at Queensland’s premier day surgery, Eye-Tech Day Surgery, Spring Hill (opposite St Andrew’s Hospital). Eye-Tech was created and designed by eye surgeons for eye surgery and has a fantastic patient experience and flow.