Having a cataract can be very debilitating, in fact many people suffer greatly for some time before deciding that the next step is to have surgery to regain normal, clear vision. Is now the time for you to think a little more about the advantages of cataract surgery? If your thought process is still unsure then maybe it’s time to get some facts on the popular surgery before you go any further.

So just what are cataracts? Essentially they are cloudy patches in the lens, which is the transparent structure at the front of your eye. They can make your vision blurred or misty and can develop in one or both eyes, and often one eye can often be more affected than the other.

They can appear when you are in your 40’s or 50’s, and usually start to affect your sight when you are in your 60’s, in fact cataracts are generally age-related. But they can also appear if you’ve had radiation treatments, diabetes, corticosteroid medications or any type of eye trauma.

Optilase is Ireland’s leading private eye surgery clinic, and as one of the first private clinics to be established in the country, is renowned for providing exceptional eye surgery in Ireland. With almost twenty years experience, and the country’s leading Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons, Laser Optometrists and Medical Staff working on the Optilase team, there’s no better place to find out a little bit more about cataracts and make an assessment on the next step for your sight.

Beginning your journey
First things first - do you think you might have a cataract or are you unsure? There are many simple signs and signals to tell you that you may have a cataract. To start with you might be experiencing subtle changes to your vision, such as loss of contrast sensitivity or a loss of colour perception. This basically means that you may notice that colours are beginning to look faded and dull, and also that you have trouble seeing in low-contrast situations, for example at night.

If these are early signs that you recognise, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with an eye clinic like Optilase, who will assess your symptoms at a free consultation. They will also assess your sight overall and will discuss the possibility of surgical removal of your cataract with you. There’s no commitment, and it’s a great way to have a professional assessment on your sight, and give you some options to remedy whatever might be having an effect on your vision. Remember it’s never too early or late to have your cataract removed, so there really is no time like the present.

Cataracts are quite common, generally affect those over 40 and are the leading cause of impaired vision throughout the world. It is estimated that over half of all people over 65 have some cataract development in one or both eyes. So know you’re not alone, millions of people across the World have cataract surgery every year. In fact, cataract surgery is one of the most common and quickest forms of surgery. And most people are able to return to their usual daily routine 24 hours after having the operation, let’s find out a little bit more.

Debating surgery
Whether you’ve just had the onset of symptoms, or have been experiencing the signs and signals of cataract for a while there’s really no time like the present to find out more about surgery that really could alter the everyday quality of your life.

Phillip McGlade, CEO with Optilase would encourage anyone experiencing signs of cataract to make an appointment to learn more, ‘We’ve treated thousands of patients with cataract, and post surgery most patients say that the thing they love the most is that they can return with ease to their everyday routines. In the past, people with cataracts were encouraged to wait until the condition was so bad that they could hardly see. But that's not the case anymore, now surgery to remove a cataract can be done at any stage of development. So don’t waste any more time suffering with bad vision. You’ll never regret making a call today to learn a little bit more about how you can restore your sight, and your quality of life.’

The procedure to remove a cataract usually lasts 30-45 minutes, and vision is improved almost immediately. Stronger glasses don’t improve your vision

Phillip says that a common question the team in Optilase get all the time is whether or not the surgery is painful, ‘No, the good news is that it is not at all painful. Most patients describe a mild sensation of pressure around the eye. Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear synthetic implant called an intraocular lens (IOL). The focusing power of the IOL is chosen by your surgeon to reduce dependence on glasses after surgery.’

Life after surgery
There’s no doubt about it, life after surgery will look a lot different for you. Free of blurred vision, difficulty reading at night, and colour changes, you should regain great sight.

There are some practical things to consider after surgery, we asked the team in Optilase to fill in the blanks for us.

First up was some great advice to take it easy for the first two or three days after the surgery, like any operation you’ll need time for your eye to heal and to rest. Try not to rub or touch your eye in the days after surgery, it might seem like obvious advice but it’s important.

Next up, driving. Most patients can drive within 48 hours after the operation – the general advice is that you can start driving when you feel comfortable doing so. It is a good idea to avoid driving long distances in the first week, as your eye will probably feel strained after the surgery. The team in Optilase recommend wearing sunglasses to minimise the effect of sensitivity to bright lights and sunlight in the first few weeks after surgery.

Heavy gym workouts are also generally not recommended for the first week. There is no issue with gentle treadmill use or walking. So that’s it, there are a few things off limits for the first few days and week, but trust us - it will be worth it!

Book a free consultation with Optilase today
Research before any surgery is important but speaking to a professional and talking them through all the questions, hopes and fears you may have about the procedure before and after is priceless, and the key to getting the best result for you and your sight.

The team in Optilase run a free consultation service for all prospective patients interested in having their sight assessed and wanting to find out more about cataract surgery, and they are ready and waiting to help you on your cataract removal journey.

Wondering what happens at the free consultation? Here you can find out more about your sight, the solutions and surgery the team are recommending, how to finance the surgery and why 99% of Optilase’s patients would recommend them to a friend or family member. Make the call today to set up your free consultation, there’s no commitment on your part to go ahead with anything other than meet the team.

Ready to talk about cataract surgery? Call the best Eye Clinic in Ireland today
As Ireland’s leading Private Eye Clinic, Optilase offers the very highest level of patient care including a lifetime care guarantee, the safest and most precise technology, at the most affordable prices.

As a proud, family-owned Irish business, team Optilase are focused on providing the very best cataract surgery available, using the latest and most sophisticated technology.

Optilase is Ireland’s largest Eye Clinic with locations all over the Island of Ireland, including in Northern Ireland.

For more information on cataract surgery, and on starting your path to great vision, call Optilase to book your free consultation on +353 1 223 8821 now, and we promise - you’ll soon see the difference!