How Much Does Cataract Surgery Improve Vision?

While the development of cataracts is a completely normal part of the eye’s ageing process, it can have a detrimental effect on our vision. As such, Cataract Surgery is often necessary to prevent substantial vision loss and even blindness. But how much does Cataract Surgery really improve vision?

What are Cataracts?

Cataracts are blurry obstructions that form in the lens of the eye as we get older. They form when the proteins in the lens begin to break down and clump together over time. This causes the lens to become increasingly clouded, affecting the way light enters the eye.

They can take years to mature; however, as cataracts worsen, they can soon begin to significantly affect your vision and quality of life. The only way to regain clear vision and prevent further vision loss is with Cataract Surgery.

What is Cataract Surgery?

Cataract Surgery is a routine procedure that is performed to remove cataracts. It is now a routine procedure with an extremely high success rate. In fact, it is the most commonly performed procedure in the UK and many other countries around the world.

So, how exactly does it work and how can it improve your vision?

Cataract Surgery involves removing the lens that is affected by the cataract and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). In order to do this, the surgeon will make a small incision in the surface of your eye using either a surgical blade or a high-precision laser.

This incision allows the surgeon to insert an ultrasonic probe that breaks up the cataract, which can then be extracted from the eye.

Next, a clear artificial lens is implanted to replace the clouded natural lens. The type of intraocular lens (IOL) used will depend on whether you receive Cataract Surgery through the NHS or a private clinic. NHS Cataract Surgery is performed exclusively with monofocal IOLs.

How Does Cataract Surgery Improve Vision?

The removal of the cataract-obstructed lens in Cataract Surgery allows light to effectively enter the eye once again. This is essential for clear vision.

By removing the natural cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial one, the obstruction causing vision impairment in the affected eye is removed. The implanted IOL is able to perform as a natural lens; however, depending on the type of lens used, you may still require external visual aids for optimum visual acuity across all fields of vision (near, distance, and reading).

Standard vs Premium IOLs

While Cataract Surgery is covered by the NHS, many patients find that private treatment is a better option for them. One of the most common reasons for this is that the NHS exclusively uses monofocal IOLs.

Monofocal lenses have a single focus and are usually planned to correct the distance vision. This means that patients will still require glasses for near vision, such as for reading.

In contrast, when opting for Cataract Surgery at a private clinic, you may be offered premium IOLs, including multifocal and toric lenses. These types of lenses have multiple fields of focus and can also correct common refractive errors such as hyperopia (long-sightedness), myopia (short-sightedness), and astigmatism.

At London Vision Clinic, we are able to offer the full range of commercially available IOLs. This not only helps us to ensure a perfect fit but also that each and every patient achieve the best possible improvement in vision following Cataract Surgery.

For more information about Cataract Surgery at London Vision Clinic or to Book a Consultation, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our clinic coordinators today.