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Your treatment visit should take no longer than three hours. The cataract surgery itself takes less than 20 minutes.
Most cataract surgery is performed under local anaesthetic and this is administered by instilling some drops in your eye. Initially, slightly irritable but only for a few seconds and then the eye is numb. Your Vision Scotland surgeon will come and meet with you before your cataract surgery and go through your consent form to make sure you are happy to go ahead and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
At the end of the surgery, the surgeon will instill some more drops to guard against infection and reduce swelling and a clear eye shield will be placed over the eye area. You will then return to the lounge where the nurses will ensure you are well and you will be allowed to leave after approximately an hour.
Some patients are more nervous than others, understandably, so should you feel concerned please mention this to your surgeon who can either advise a gentle sedative via your GP or recommend general anaesthetic where appropriate. We always advise that if you can avoid a general anaesthetic this is preferable as more risks and costs are associated.
* surgery & consultation prices vary at each Vision Scotland location. Consultation prices are not included
* surgery & consultation prices vary at each Vision Scotland location. Consultation prices are not included
* surgery & consultation prices vary at each Vision Scotland location. Consultation prices are not included
We’ve broken down our surgery steps so you understand what will happen during your procedure.
Drops are used to dilate the pupil of your eye.
Anaesthetic drops (no needles!) are then used to numb your eye so you won’t feel anything. You may feel pressure and a little discomfort.
Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, your surgeon will make a tiny cut on the surface of your eye. Thanks to the anaesthetic you won’t feel this.
An ultrasound probe will gently break down and remove the cloudy lens.
Your new artificial lens is then carefully positioned into your eye.
Once your surgery is complete an antibiotic solution will protect you against infection – and then it's over. We'll take you to recover with some refreshments.