Cataract surgery in Birmingham

Your eye’s lens focuses the light that enters your eye onto your retina, allowing you to see clearly. This lens is located behind your pupil (the black opening in the centre of your eye, which allows light to pass into your retina).

Ageing and certain conditions can affect the structure of the protein that forms your eye lens. As a result, cloudy patches can develop on your lens, which can negatively affect your vision. This clouding of your lens is known as a cataracts. It can impact one or both eyes.  

What causes cataracts?

Ageing plays a part in the development of cataracts. But you can also develop cataracts following the use of steroid medication, eye injury, radiation exposure, or due to chronic diabetes.

What are the different types of cataracts?

There are three primary types of cataracts: a nuclear cataract, subcapsular cataract and cortical cataract. A nuclear cataract can develop in the middle of your lens, causing blurred vision and myopia (shortsightedness).

A subcapsular cataract can form in the back of your lens. It can also lead to blurred vision and often affects people with diabetes, or those taking oral steroid medication.

A a cortical cataract can cause cloudy patches on the edges of your lens, which can eventually spread towards its centre. It can impact both your near and distant vision.

At The Priory Hospital in Birmingham, our dedicated team of eye specialists can diagnose and treat your vision problems.

If you are diagnosed with cataracts and would like to consider cataract removal surgery, your Ophthalmologist will explain what this will involve, including the risks, benefits and what to expect during your procedure. 

The cost of having private cataract removal treatment at The Priory Hospital in Birmingham will vary depending on your diagnosis. 

At The Priory, cataract removal surgery with a lens implant starts from £2,494*.

At The Priory Hospital in Birmingham, the cost of your cataract removal treatment can be paid using private medical insurance or through our flexible payment plans. For further information, please visit our payment options page.

*The price listed above includes the cost of your initial consultation, treatment and post-discharge care at our hospital. However, these prices are only an estimate, and the final cost of your treatment will be confirmed in writing after your consultation. Further terms and conditions apply.

As the largest private hospital in Birmingham, we deliver exceptional standards of care for our patients based in Birmingham and its surrounding areas.

With a network of dedicated Consultants across a breadth of different specialties and access to the latest medical equipment and technologies, there are several benefits to receiving treatment at The Priory Hospital in Birmingham, including:   

• Hospital rooms that offer you privacy and comfort; 
• Fast access to personalised Consultant-led care;
• Free car parking for all our patients and convenient hospital access via public transport, and  
• Exceptional patient satisfaction rates, with 98.4% of patients likely to recommend The Priory Hospital in Birmingham to their loved ones.  

If you would like to learn more about having cataract removal surgery at The Priory Hospital in Birmingham, please speak to a member of our team by calling us on 0121 4402323 or booking your appointment online today. 

Your Ophthalmologist will recommend cataract removal surgery if your condition is affecting your vision and the treatment option is of interest to you. The symptoms of cataracts include: 

• Poor or blurred vision: As your cataract worsens, the cloudy patches in your lens can expand, causing blurred or misty vision in your eye(s); 
• Double vision in one eye: Double vision, also known as diplopia, can cause you to see two images when looking at a single object; 
• Seeing halos around bright lights: For example, streetlights, and
• Faded colour: You might find that colours appear faded.  

Why might you be advised to have cataract removal treatment?

During the early stages of your cataract symptoms, a new pair of glasses or contact lenses can be prescribed to correct your vision. At present, there are no eye drops or medication that can improve cataracts.

Prior to your cataract removal treatment at The Priory Hospital in Birmingham, you may need to attend a pre-operative assessment. This will be performed by a Nurse. During this assessment, you will be asked about your medical history and any medication you are taking. This will also be an opportunity for you to share any concerns and ask any questions. 

During your initial consultation, your Ophthalmologist or Optometrist will examine your eyes and take measurements of your eyes and vision. These measurements will be used to determine the required strength of your lens implant, which will be placed into your eye after your cataract has been removed.

Your cataract removal surgery takes around 20 minutes to perform. You should be able to return home from our hospital in Birmingham the same day.  

Choosing your lens implant

At The Priory Hospital in Birmingham, you can choose between a multifocal or accommodating lens. A multifocal lens is fixed to provide you with near or distant vision. This means you will be able to focus on objects that are either nearby, or at a distance, but not both. This type of lens is used to help correct any near or distant vision symptoms that have previously required you to wear glasses. 

Alternatively, an accommodating lens allows your eye to focus on objects that are close-up and at a distance. You might still need glasses after your cataract removal treatment to support you with certain tasks, such as reading.

You can discuss with your Consultant the lens options that are available for you before surgery. 

A cataract removal operation in both eyes

If you are diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes, the affected lens in each eye can be removed and replaced with an artificial lens implant on the same day. This procedure is known as immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS).

After your cataract removal surgery at The Priory Hospital in Birmingham, you will be taken to a recovery room, where you will be able to rest and receive refreshments from one of our Nurses.

If you are in any pain or discomfort following your treatment, you should inform your Nurse or Consultant, who can offer you pain relief medication to alleviate symptoms.

You might notice an improvement in your vision within the first couple of days after your cataract removal surgery. However, you might experience blurred vision and watery or bloodshot eyes for around six to four weeks after treatment.

Before you are discharged from The Priory Hospital in Birmingham, you will be provided with eye drops to prevent any infection. You will be shown how to apply these and informed how often you will need to use them.

At around one to six weeks after your cataract removal operation, you will be invited for a follow-up consultation with your Ophthalmologist. They will assess the progress of your recovery and inform you when to stop using your drops. 

It is important that you do not drive until you have reached the legal eyesight standard for driving. Your Ophthalmologist will explain when you can drive again after cataract removal surgery. 

The do’s and don'ts after cataract removal surgery

The do’s:

• Wear your eye shield at night and when showering; 
• Apply your eye drops unless told otherwise by your Consultant; 
• Take pain relief if you are in any discomfort or pain, and  
• Avoid going swimming for up to six weeks.

The don’ts: 

• Do not allow soap or shampoo to enter your operated eye;
• Do not wear any make-up on your eyes for at least four weeks, and 
• Avoid rubbing the treated area.

As with any operation, there are complications that can occur following cataract removal surgery. These include:  

Infection: You will be given antibiotic drops to prevent infections.  

Bruising: Although this only affects some patients, you could experience bruising around your eyelid following cataract removal surgery. This will usually resolve naturally.

Elevated eye pressure: After cataract removal treatment, some patients experience a rise in eye pressure and might need additional eye drops or injections to treat this.

A detached retina: If your retina (the layer at the back of your eye) becomes loose, you could require further treatment to repair your retina.

Cystoid macular oedema: This refers to swelling in your retina. It can impact around one to five percent of patients that have undergone cataract removal surgery. But anti-inflammatory drops or a steroid injection can be used to treat the swelling in your retina. 

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in November 2021. Next review due November 2024.