Cataract Surgery at Visionare: What to Expect from Consultation to Recovery

If you’ve been told you need cataract surgery, you’re probably feeling a mixture of emotions. Relief that there’s a solution to your cloudy vision, perhaps, but also some understandable anxiety. The thought of eye surgery can be daunting. We get it, we’ve had hundreds of conversations with patients sitting exactly where you are now, worried about what’s ahead.

Let us walk you through what actually happens, from your first consultation right through to recovery. Our hope is that understanding the process will ease some of those concerns.

Your First Consultation

When you come to see us at Visionare, we start with a thorough examination to confirm that cataracts are indeed the problem (sometimes other issues can cause similar symptoms), and assess how much they’re affecting your vision.

We’ll chat about what you’re experiencing in your daily life. Are you struggling with night driving? Finding it hard to read even with your glasses? Bothered by glare from oncoming headlights? These real-world impacts matter more than any number on a chart.

We’ll examine your eyes carefully, measuring not just your vision but also taking detailed scans of your eye’s structure. These measurements are crucial because they help us calculate the power of the artificial lens we’ll implant during surgery.

This is your opportunity to ask questions. And we mean any questions; there’s no such thing as a silly concern when it comes to your eyes. Some patients come with a written list, which is brilliant. Don’t hold back.

Understanding What Cataracts Actually Are

Before we talk about surgery, it helps to understand what we’re dealing with. Inside your eye, there’s a natural lens that helps focus light. When you’re young, this lens is crystal clear. Over time, though, proteins in the lens start to clump together, creating cloudy areas. That’s a cataract.

It’s a completely normal part of ageing. If we all lived long enough, we’d all eventually get cataracts. They’re not caused by using your eyes too much, reading in poor light, or staring at screens.

The only real treatment for cataracts is surgery. Eye drops, vitamins, and glasses can’t clear them away. The good news? Cataract surgery is one of the most successful operations we perform, with excellent outcomes for the vast majority of patients.

Deciding When It’s Time

There’s no magic point where you must have cataract surgery. It’s not like appendicitis, where delay could be dangerous. Instead, the right time is when the cataracts are bothering you enough that you want them fixed.

Some people come to us barely able to see, having struggled for years because they didn’t want surgery. Others book in as soon as they notice any decline in their vision. Both approaches are valid; it’s about what works for you and your life.

That said, we do encourage patients not to wait until their vision is severely impaired. Surgery is generally easier and safer when cataracts are less advanced. Plus, why put up with poor vision longer than necessary?

What the Surgery Involves

Cataract surgery is performed as a day procedure. You’ll come in, have the surgery, and go home the same day. Most patients are in and out within a few hours, with the actual surgery taking about 15-20 minutes.

You’ll be awake during the procedure, but don’t worry, we use anaesthetic drops and sometimes a small injection around the eye to numb everything completely. Many patients also have light sedation to help them relax. You won’t feel pain, though you might be aware of some pressure or movement.

Here’s what we do: we make a tiny incision in your eye, then use ultrasound to break up the cloudy lens and remove it. This technique, called phacoemulsification, allows us to work through an opening so small it usually doesn’t even need stitches.

Once the cataract is out, we insert a new artificial lens. This intraocular lens (IOL) is crystal clear and is folded to be inserted through that tiny incision, then it unfolds into position inside your eye.

Choosing Your New Lens

Not all intraocular lenses are the same. The standard lens works brilliantly for most people, giving you clear distance vision. You’ll still need reading glasses, just as you probably did before the cataracts developed.

We also have premium lens options that can reduce your dependence on glasses. Some correct astigmatism, others provide a range of focus so you can see both near and far. These come with additional costs and aren’t right for everyone, but they’re worth discussing if reducing your reliance on glasses is important to you.

We’ll help you understand your options and make a decision that suits your lifestyle, visual needs, and budget. There’s no pressure either way; our job is to ensure you’re fully informed and comfortable with your choice.

The Day of Surgery

On surgery day, you’ll need someone to drive you home. Arrange this in advance, you won’t be able to drive yourself.

Come in comfortable clothes and don’t wear makeup or perfume. Bring your sunglasses for afterwards. We’ll give you detailed instructions beforehand, but generally, you can eat a light breakfast unless you’re having sedation.

When you arrive, we’ll prepare you for surgery with some drops to dilate your pupil. You’ll meet with me and the nursing staff. Everyone will introduce themselves and check your details carefully. We take safety very seriously, and expect to answer the same questions multiple times from different people. It might seem repetitive, but it’s an important safety protocol.

The surgery itself happens in our fully equipped theatre. You’ll lie back comfortably while I work. Some patients find it fascinating and watch (everything appears very blurry, so don’t worry about seeing anything disturbing). Others prefer to just relax. Either way is fine.

Immediately After Surgery

Right after surgery, your eye will be covered with a shield. Your vision in that eye will be blurry, a combination of the surgery itself, the drops we’ve used, and the shield. This is completely normal.

You’ll rest for a little while, have a cup of tea, and then head home. Some patients feel a bit scratchy or gritty in the eye. Others have no discomfort at all. We’ll send you home with drops and clear instructions about using them.

For the first 24 hours, take it easy. No heavy lifting, bending down with your head below your waist, or strenuous activity. You can watch TV, potter around the house, and do normal, gentle activities.

The Recovery Journey

Most people are amazed at how quickly their vision improves. When we remove the shield the next day, many patients immediately notice colours are brighter and vision is clearer. It’s quite a moment, actually and we never get tired of seeing that reaction.

Your vision will continue to stabilise over the following weeks. You’ll use eye drops for about a month to prevent infection and reduce inflammation. These are crucial, so stick with them even when your eye feels completely fine.

We’ll see you for several follow-up appointments to check everything is healing properly. The first is usually the day after surgery, then at one week, and again at about four weeks. These appointments are important, so don’t skip them.

What About the Other Eye?

Most people with cataracts in one eye will eventually develop them in the other. We typically operate on one eye at a time, waiting until the first has healed before considering the second.

There’s no rush, though. We only operate on the second eye when it needs doing. Some patients have both eyes done within a few weeks of each other. Others wait months or even years. It all depends on how the second eye is affecting you.

Living Life After Surgery

Once you’ve recovered, you can return to all your normal activities. Most patients find that their quality of life improves enormously. Reading is easier, driving is safer, and colours are vibrant again. It’s genuinely life-changing for many people.

You won’t need to baby your eyes forever. After healing, they’re robust and normal. You can swim, exercise, travel; everything you did before.

A Final Word

We understand that any surgery feels like a big deal, especially when it involves your precious eyesight. However, cataract surgery has an excellent track record. The vast majority of patients achieve better vision and are very happy with the results.

At Visionare, we’re not just performing a procedure; we’re helping restore your quality of life.

We take that responsibility seriously, and we’re with you every step of the way, from that first consultation through to your final check-up and beyond.

If you’re struggling with cataracts, don’t put up with it unnecessarily. Come and have a chat. Let’s work out what’s right for you.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your specific condition. Information current as of October 2025.