Summary
While the main focus of my practice is oculoplastic, lacrimal and orbital surgery, I trained extensively in general ophthalmology and continue to offer cataract surgery and general eye assessment to established patients.
This page is intended as a quiet acknowledgement of that, rather than a major part of the practice.
What the procedure involves
Modern cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective operations performed in the UK. It involves removing the cloudy natural lens from inside the eye and replacing it with a clear plastic intra-ocular lens, typically through a small incision under local anaesthetic, in around 20 minutes.
Most patients notice a dramatic improvement in vision within days. Routine post-operative care is delivered through a simple drop regime over 4 weeks.
What I will and will not do
I am happy to:
- assess and discuss whether cataract surgery is right for you,
- perform straightforward cataract surgery,
- assess general eye complaints in patients I am seeing for oculoplastic problems,
- refer you to the right colleague if your problem is outside my scope.
I would refer to a sub-specialist colleague for:
- glaucoma management,
- medical retina (macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease),
- vitreoretinal surgery,
- corneal transplantation,
- laser refractive surgery.
Recovery and what to expect
After cataract surgery:
- Vision is often noticeably clearer the following day.
- Drops are used for 4 weeks.
- Final vision typically settles by 4 to 6 weeks.
- Updated glasses are arranged 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
Risks and alternatives
The risk of a sight-threatening complication from cataract surgery is around 1 in 1,000. Common, lower-grade risks include posterior capsule opacification (which can be treated with a quick laser procedure later), dry eye, and refractive surprise (where the predicted glasses prescription is slightly different from expected).