Cataracts are a common eye condition. Cataracts are formed when the clear lens inside your eye becomes cloudy or misty - this is a natural process that usually happens as we get older. The lens sits behind the iris within the eye. Normally the lens is clear and helps to focus the light entering your eye giving you a sharp image. As a cataract develops, it will cause your sight to become cloudy or blurred, or lead you to experience symptoms of glare. Cataracts usually affects both eyes, but can often affect one eye more than the other. The only proven treatment for a cataract is surgery.
Cataracts normally develop slowly with age, so you will not experience any symptoms at first. As the cataract gets worse you may experience the following symptoms:
- Your sight feels misty and cloudy
- You experience glare in low light or bright light
- Colours do not seem as bright
- You may even feel like your glasses need cleaned more often - that the lens feels dirty or smudged
If your cataract gets to the stage where it affects your sight, your optometrist will refer you to a hospital to be assessed for surgery to remove the cataract/s.
There are various types of cataracts which include, but are not limited to, the following.
Nuclear cataracts are those that affect the centre of your lens. Whilst they at first may lead to near sightedness, they in time turn more dense and yellow, clouding the vision. In their advanced stages, your vision can deteriorate further as you lose the ability to distinguish between colours.
Cortical cataracts are those affecting the edges of your lens. These cortical cataracts start as white coloured, wedge-shaped streaks. As they develop, these cataracts extend into the centre of the lens and begin to interfere with light’s ability to pass through.
Posterior subscapular cataracts are those which affect the back of your lens. These cataracts begin as small opaque areas within the vicinity of the back of the lens which is in the light’s path. These cataracts are particularly notorious for interfering with your vision with regards to reading, seeing clearly in bright light, and glare at night. Posterior subscapular cataracts are recognised as a fast progressing variant relative to others.
Lastly, congenital cataracts are cataracts you are born with, or develop early in your childhood. These cataracts are often linked to genetics; however, other causes have been linked to intrauterine infections, trauma and conditions such as rubella.
Cataracts develop as we age, most commonly in people over 60. However, cataracts can begin to develop in people as young as those in their 40’s and 50’s.
Some younger people can develop cataracts, known as congenital cataracts, which have been there since birth or developed in early childhood.
There are factors which will increase the risk of developing cataracts in adults:
- Diabetes
- Medications - long term steroid use
- Eye injuries
- Previous eye surgery – retinal detachment surgery will lead to development of cataracts
- Eye disease - glaucoma, uveitis, retinitis pigmentosa
- Smoking
- Increased UV light exposure
Whilst you cannot prevent cataracts from developing, you can protect the health of your eyes by wearing sunglasses with a UV filter.
Furthermore, it is recommended that you attend your appointment with your Optometrist at least once every 2 years for an eye test.
Cataracts are removed with surgery. During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced by an artificial lens. This artificial lens is called an intraocular implant - often referred to as an IOL.
Cataract surgery carried out using phacoemulsification – a means of removing cataracts with an instrument which uses sound waves to break up the lens in your eye. Most cataract surgery is performed under local anaesthetic, meaning you will be awake during the operation without feeling any pain. This local anaesthetic can be delivered through eye drops, an injection, or a combination of both.
When having cataract surgery, there are a range of IOL options which you can choose from to have implanted. These lens options will be explained to you by your cataract specialist, and the choice will be dependent on numerous factors including prescription and lifestyle. These lens options are as follows:
Standard Lens
A standard lens (standard IOL) is used in cataract surgery to replace the lens removed from the eye. The standard lens is used to improve distance vision, but cannot correct astigmatism, near, or intermediate vision. Therefore, those with any of these will still require glasses after their surgery.
Toric Lens
A toric lens (toric IOL) is used in cataract surgery to replace the lens removed from the eye when you have astigmatism. Astigmatism is when there is either an abnormal curvature of the cornea or lens. Essentially, the eye’s shape resembles more of a rugby ball than a football; more oval-like. Toric lenses are monofocal, and hence have a set range which is either close, medium, or far. As such, you may still need reading glasses if seeing up close becomes difficult.
Multifocal Lens
A multifocal lens (multifocal IOL) is used in cataract surgery to replace the lens removed from the eye when you are either near-sighted (myopia) or far-sighted (hyperopia). Multifocal lenses are used to correct multiple distances simultaneously – near, medium, and far – through the use of one lens. Therefore, those with myopia and hyperopia are suitable for multifocal lenses, with those who have trouble reading up close benefitting from these lenses in particular. This is an ideal option for patients wishing to reduce spectacle dependence.
At your initial consultation with us at Eye Care Scotland Aberdeen, our cataract specialist will discuss with you the diagnostic tests and scans that we will carry out. These include:
- Biometry scan (for lens calculation)
- OCT scan
After these tests and scans are complete, our cataract specialist will then outline a personalised patient pathway plan for you, discussing your options regarding cataract treatment and lens options. Each option will be presented and explained in depth in coming to the most appropriate cataract treatment plan for you.
Recovery times after cataract treatment vary depending on the patient. Whilst our cataract specialist will be able to outline this in more detail at your consultation, the general guide is that you may encounter potential blurring and light sensitivity in your eye post-surgery for around 48 hours as it adjusts to the new lens. You will also be provided with the appropriate medication to be taken post-operatively as part of your recovery from your cataract surgery.
If you have cataracts in both eyes, the standard treatment plan is to leave 7 days (a week) between the two surgeries. This will allow the first eye an ample amount of time to fully recover before cataract surgery on the other, meaning your vision will not be fully impaired at any point.
The cataract surgery cost* is dependent on the type of lens used. Guide prices are as follows:
- Standard Lens - £2,500
- Toric Lens - £3,195
- Clareon Lens - £3,195
- Multifocal Lens - £3,600
- Vivity Lens - £3,900
We also offer flexible finance through our dedicated finance provider, Chrysalis Finance. Patients have the ability to spread the cost of their treatment over up to 5 years. If patients choose to spread the cost over 10 months, then these payments will be interest free. Should patients choose to pay over a period of 12 - 60 months, 14.9% APR will apply. To find out more about our flexible finance, please visit here.
*All prices are per eye and are based on treatment under local anaesthetic. These are just guide prices and will differ from person to person because our treatment packages are all personalised. For more information, give us a call.
Delivering a full hospital-based care programme at Albyn Hospital, the clinic brings together an experienced team of Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons who are supported by a highly skilled multidisciplinary team.
Our private eye clinic at Eye Care Scotland Aberdeen offers diagnosis, treatment and aftercare for various eye conditions including:
- Cataract Surgery
- Corneal Surgery
- Glaucoma (iStent Inject (micro-invasive surgery) and SLT)
- Medical Retina (ARMD and Vascular Disease)
- Oculoplastics (Watery Eye, Lumps/Bumps and Skin Tags, Turned-Out/Turned-In Eyelid)
- Vitreoretinal (Retinal Detachment Surgery, Macular Hole & Diabetic Eye Disease)
- Strabismus (Squint Surgery)
Patient care is at the heart of our ethos, ensuring individuals will receive the highest-quality personalised care where their wellbeing, safety and comfort are always our top priority. Throughout every stage of the treatment journey, patients are seen by the same consultant.
