Lens and Cataract Surgery

It is expected that immediately after surgery you will notice a significant improvement in vision. This is just the beginning.

It is normal that patients with multifocal IOLs go through an adaptation phase, continuing to improve in the weeks following the procedure. It could take several weeks to realise the full extent of visual correction.

Multifocal IOLs project multiple images on the retina, which your brain uses for viewing objects at different distances. The brain must learn to select the visual information it needs to form an image of near, distant or intermediate objects.This adjustment time will vary for each patient.

With all multifocal IOLs, it is normal after surgery to experience some common visual disturbances. These may be more evident under poor light conditions, such as driving at night. Rings of light, commonly called ‘halos’, may appear around street lights or oncoming car headlights. As the brain adapts, these effects will diminish and become less bothersome. A positive attitude and the awareness that your vision will improve will help you adapt much faster.

If you have cataracts in both eyes, your doctor will typically schedule a second surgery in the near future. You will adjust better to your multifocal intraocular lenses when they are placed in both eyes.

For most patients, the desire for a life without glasses becomes a reality. However, even with an optimal surgical outcome, it may be necessary to use glasses for some activities such as reading or computer work, some of the time. This is a possible trade-off for the increased independence from glasses you can expect; and for many patients, the possibility of freedom from glasses that will last a lifetime.

No, but you can develop a thickening or clouding of the posterior capsule membrane behind your new lens implant in the months or years following your surgery.

This occurs in approximately one in 10 cataract surgery patients and is called posterior capsular opacification and causes blurring of vision.

This can be treated with an outpatient laser procedure, known as YAG laser capsulotomy. It is usually very effective, painless and quick. The risks of YAG laser treatment are much smaller than the risks of the original cataract procedure and will be detailed at your consultation.