Private Cataract Surgery 

at Nuffield Health Taunton Hospital

A cataract is when the eye lens changes from being clear to being cloudy resulting in blurred vision. The word cataract is derived from the Latin term ‘cataracta’ meaning ‘waterfall’.

Cataract surgery is currently the only effective treatment for cataracts. It often occurs in both eyes, but typically only one eye is operated at a time. The operation removes the misty cataract and a clear, artificial intra-ocular lens is inserted into the eye. This is typically performed under local anaesthesia and usually takes 20-30 minutes. Patients having surgery under local anaesthesia can return home within an hour. Eye drops are required for four weeks usually to avoid infection. Due to the insertion of the new artificial lens, your spectacle prescription will be changed and efforts are made to reduce its need. You usually have to visit the optometrist 4-6 weeks after surgery to review the prescription at that stage. Patients having cataract surgery in both eyes often wait before updating their glasses.