Can I eat before surgery?
You can have a light breakfast or light lunch before surgery. However, if you are having sedation or general anaesthetic, clear instructions will be given to you regarding this.
Who can I contact if I have a question after surgery?
After surgery, you will have the ability to contact me directly 24/7 for any concerns.
Do I have to put drops after surgery ? When can I go back to my normal activities?
Usually drops are required for about 3-4 weeks after surgery. After surgery, a member of my team will give you all your drops and give you clear instructions about the precautions for the initial postoperative period.
Can I drive for the first consultation?
Please do not drive as you will have drops to dilate your pupils, which mean your vision will be affected for up to 4 hours.
I have other medical conditions (such as wheelchair bound, defibrillator implant, blood thinning tablets, severe breathing problems etc) can I still have cataract surgery?
It is very rare that you cannot have cataract surgery due to medical conditions. During the preoperative assessment I will take a full history and if necessary, I will involve an anaesthetist. I routinely successfully operate on patients with very serious medical conditions or with severe positioning problems. I have a very good theatre team who are very experienced in these cases
I also have other eye problems (glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macula degeneration), can I still have cataract surgery?
You certainly can, but clearly the outcome might not be optimal. We will be able to discuss your suitability at the preoperative visit.
I will fund the surgery myself, do you offer finance?
Indeed, you can arrange a finance agreement in both Spire Eye Centre and Midland Eye.
I have private medical insurance, will it cover my cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is fully reimbursed by all medical insurance companies. Obviously, depending on your policy, you may have to pay an excess. Also, premium lenses are usually not covered by insurance policies.
My Optician told me that I am below the standards for driving and yet I feel I can see fine !
Cataracts progress very slowly and therefore people don’t realise that their vision is becoming impaired. It is only after surgery that you will notice the difference and realise how much dust there is in your house or where that golf ball ended up!
Does the operation take long?
Usually the actual surgery takes about 15-20 minutes but the whole visit to the hospital may take longer, especially if you have sedation or general anaesthetic.