When undergoing cataract surgery your surgeon will effectively remove a cloudy lens in your eye (cataract) and replace it with a clear lens to help you see more clearly.
The term ‘cataract’ is used to describe an eye lens that has become cloudy and that impairs your vision. Having cataract surgery will give your sight back by replacing your natural ‘milky’ lens in your eye with an artificial one, usually made from either silicone or plastic.
Because cataracts can slowly develop over time, most people don’t notice the small, subtle changes to their vision for many years. Eventually, a person’s vision can become so bad that it limits their everyday activities and makes things like driving, reading or watching TV much more difficult.
Getting cataract treatment early
You don’t need to wait until your vision is really bad before having your cataracts surgically removed. If you notice your vision quality has deteriorated and you start to find driving more difficult, then don’t delay seeing your optician and being examined for cataracts.
If your optician thinks you need eye surgery for your cataracts they will refer you to a specialist eye doctor called an ophthalmologist, which is a doctor that specialises in eye surgery and eye health, such as Mr Goyal who is a Consultant Eye Surgeon based at St. Thomas’ Hospital, London.
However, with NHS waiting lists for routine surgeries getting longer, it can help you greatly to choose to go private and have your cataract surgery done much sooner with Mr Goyal. By doing so, you can benefit from being treated by an in-demand UK specialist eye surgeon and get your vision back much earlier than waiting for a year or more on a waiting list.
Swift, convenient eye surgery
By going private with Mr Goyal, you can also have your surgery booked for a convenient time to suit you, which will enable you to properly prepare for it. You will also benefit from seeing the same dedicated medical team from start to finish, who will get to know you and be there for your aftercare support.
You will have the whole procedure explained to you and if you have any questions or worries, your care team will be able to answer your questions and put your mind at ease.
When undergoing surgery, Mr Goyal will numb your eye with anaesthetic eye drops, so you won’t feel a thing! Cataract surgery is quite a straightforward procedure and will usually only take around 15 to 30 minutes and you will remain awake throughout the surgery, but it will be completely pain-free.
Even though the surgical procedure only takes a few minutes, you should prepare to wait at the hospital for the day to enable your medical team to monitor your eye and make sure you are responding well to the surgery.
In most cases, you will have your cataract surgery and then be able to go home on the same day. If you need to have both eyes treated for cataracts, you will have one eye done at a time to allow time for you to recover your vision before undergoing treatment on your other eye.
Cataract surgery aftercare
After your surgery, your eye may look a bit red and feel a little uncomfortable, but this soon dissipates over a couple of days. You will notice your vision improving over a day or two, but you still need to look after your eyes as it can take a while for them to properly heal following surgery.
You can take over the counter painkillers if you need to until any soreness goes away. Try not to rub your eyes, avoid swimming and keep shampoo and soap out of your eyes for a few weeks. Dr Goyal and his team will monitor your recovery with regular check-up appointments and will let you know when it is safe for you to drive again.
Private consultations are available with Mr Goyal at the BMI Blackheath Hospital, Kent and St. Thomas’ Hospital, London. Do not hesitate to contact Mr Goyal and his dedicated team to discuss your needs.
