Cataracts

About the service

We offer cataract surgery privately at the Western Eye Hospital in London. Our quick and effective solutions can help protect and restore your vision if you have cataracts. This page gives an overview of cataract surgery and what you can expect from the procedure.

What are cataracts?

Cataracts are when the lens in your eye becomes cloudy. They can cause blurred vision and glare and affect your day-to-day life. It can also make driving difficult, especially at night. You can have cataracts in one eye or both, and it can lead to other eye problems without treatment. Cataract surgery is usually the best way to help restore your vision.

What is cataract surgery and how does it work?

Cataract surgery is a common procedure with a high success rate. It is far less invasive than before and involves replacing the cloudy eye lens with a high-quality plastic lens. At the Western Eye Hospital, we create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs using the latest surgical technology and expert care.

This usually involves a precise technique called phacoemulsification under local anaesthesia. For straightforward cataracts, the surgery is quick, usually taking only a few minutes per eye. Most people experience minimal side effects and can quickly return to their daily routine.

What can I expect from cataract surgery?

After cataract surgery, many people notice a vast improvement in their eyesight. You may even feel the benefits in as little as a day, but it usually takes a few weeks after surgery for your vision to fully stabilise.

You can expect the following steps when having cataract surgery with us:

Consultation: You will meet with one of our expert ophthalmologists, who will discuss your eye condition, explain the surgery, and show you how to prepare for it. They will also go over the benefits and, although rare, any possible risks of the procedure. The consultant will also guide you on which lens type will best fit your needs. Several options include high-quality distance lenses, astigmatism-correcting lenses, and multifocal lenses.

Preparation: We will measure your eye to ensure your new lens fits correctly. You may also receive antibiotic eye drops to help prevent infection and support healing.

Procedure: We will use anaesthetic eye drops to numb your eye and make sure you are comfortable. The exact type of surgery method may vary depending on the severity of your cataracts. Afterwards, you might need to help protect your eye by wearing an eye shield.

Aftercare: As your eye heals, you may experience slight discomfort or blurry vision, but these side effects usually go away quickly. During recovery, it is important to protect your eye and follow your doctor's advice for the best results.

Why choose us for cataract surgery?

Effective surgical options

If surgery is the right way to proceed, then we will offer you a bespoke and personalised treatment plan for your cataract problem, supported by the latest surgical technology and clinical expertise.

We offer a highly technical and precise technique called phacoemulsification to the majority of our patients. This painless procedure is usually carried out under local anaesthetic. During surgery we will remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a high quality plastic lens implant, restoring your vision quickly.

A choice of lens that’s right for you

Choosing the right lens is very important. You will have access to all types of replacement lens implants to ensure the best chance of regaining your vision, including high quality distance implants, astigmatism correcting implants and multifocal lenses.

For patients who would like to be less dependent on spectacles for their hobbies, reading and computer work, our experienced team can discuss the latest technology in multifocal implants to see if you may be suitable for this type of implant.

Your surgeon will have an expert understanding of the choices available and will be able to make recommendations on the best option for you.

Solutions for complex eye problems

If you have other eye conditions alongside cataracts, we can provide advanced treatment options tailored to your needs.

For patients with both glaucoma and cataracts, we offer the latest combined procedures, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). This includes the iStent procedure, which can be performed at the end of cataract surgery.

Glaucoma is often caused by high eye pressure. The iStent is a tiny medical device that helps lower this pressure by improving the eye’s natural drainage. The procedure is quick, usually adding just five to ten minutes to cataract surgery, and is carried out under local anaesthetic. This approach can significantly reduce the need for glaucoma eye drops and, in some cases, eliminate them altogether.

If iStent surgery isn’t suitable, we also offer alternatives including the insertion of the MINIject device and advanced surgical laser procedures such as the ECP (endo-cyclo photocoagulation) laser and the Micropulse Diode laser.

If you have retinal problems, diabetes, or have previously undergone LASIK or other laser vision correction, you may require more than a standard cataract operation. At Imperial College Healthcare Private Care, we offer access to highly respected cataract surgeons who also treat retinal and corneal conditions, ensuring you receive the right expertise for your eyes. Our glaucoma and cataract specialists are leaders in their field, recognised nationally and internationally for their expertise in these advanced procedures.

Expert consultant team

All our cataract surgeons have undergone rigorous selection to become a consultant at the renowned Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and are highly experienced in all grades of cataract surgery – from the routine to the highly complex.

If you require a general anaesthetic, we work in close collaboration with our highly experienced anaesthetic consultant colleagues, so you will be in safe hands throughout any procedure.

Excellent outcomes

We publish our NHS cataract outcomes by contributing to The Royal College of Ophthalmologists national database with full transparency of the excellent and safe surgery we offer.

Each consultant cataract surgeon can share their individual outcome data with you. Please be assured that all Imperial College Healthcare Private Care cataract surgeons have been vetted to the highest standard and are appraised annually.

With our exceptional eye care and experience in cataract surgery, you will receive the forefront of cataract treatment and dedicated attention from experienced professionals who understand your needs.

Find out more about cataract surgery

If you have any questions about cataract surgery or would like to schedule a consultation to find out more, please contact us:

• Call: +44 (0) 20 3311 7700
• Email: imperial.private.healthcare@nhs.net