Cataract

What is cataract?

Cataract is a condition of the lens that is most commonly caused by aging; it is primarily referred to as senile cataract. This type accounts for the vast majority of cataract surgeries. Cataracts can also develop as a result of long-term use of certain medications (mainly corticosteroids) or due to other systemic or eye diseases. Other triggers for cataract include previous eye injuries, severe eye inflammation, eye tumors, and metabolic or systemic diseases.

How do I know if I have cataract?

Depending on the type and severity of the cataract, you may notice some of the following symptoms:

• Blurred vision, distorted vision, or unclear images, especially when looking at distant objects.
• Colors are not as vivid as in the other eye; they appear distorted and have different intensity and hue.
• When viewing with one eye, objects may appear doubled or tripled.

The diagnosis of cataract can only be confirmed through a comprehensive eye examination.

What do I need to bring to the pre-operative examination?

For the pre-operative examination, please bring your health insurance card, a list of medications you are currently taking, and, if you have it, a referral or report from your general ophthalmologist.

How does the pre-operative examination proceed?

After checking in at the reception of our clinic, the nurse will measure your intraocular pressure and perform measurements using an autorefractor. This is followed by a consultation with the doctor, a vision test for distance and near sight, and an examination of the anterior segment of the eye. You will then be asked to move to the waiting area, where the nurse will administer drops to dilate your pupils. Approximately 30-40 minutes later, you will have a follow-up examination with the doctor, who will inform you about the next steps and suggest the most suitable intraocular lens for your eyes.

Will I be able to see at all distances without glasses after the surgery?

Vision after cataract surgery is usually sharp at only one distance. For a patient who has worn glasses for distance vision their whole life, it is advisable to keep these glasses. Such a patient will be able to read without glasses afterward. A patient who has never worn glasses for distance vision and has only used reading glasses will need glasses for clear near vision, such as when reading.

Seeing at all distances without glasses depends on the type of intraocular lens used. Eye Centre Prague offers high-quality lenses that allow for vision at all distances without the need for glasses afterward. Whether a lens for all distances can be implanted depends on the initial examination.

How does cataract surgery proceed?

During cataract surgery, the patient's cloudy lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. Only the capsule of the original lens remains in the eye, into which the surgeon implants the artificial intraocular lens. The entire procedure is performed under local anesthesia (i.e., numbing of the eye using drops).

How long does the surgery take?

The actual procedure lasts approximately 15 minutes. Including the overall pre-operative preparation, the patient will spend about 2-3 hours at the clinic.

Can I choose the type of intraocular lens?

During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a clear lens. These lenses are available in various options. The basic type of intraocular lens is fully covered by health insurance. Additionally, there are premium types of lenses that provide better vision in low light and have a yellow filter that protects the retina. You can find more information about the features and additional costs of intraocular lenses here.

What are the types of premium intraocular lenses (multifocal lenses, bifocal lenses, accommodating lenses)?

Premium intraocular lenses allow for sharp vision at all distances, and patients no longer need to use any glasses for correction after the surgery.

What is an accommodating lens?

An accommodating lens allows for good vision at distance, intermediate distance (computer), and for larger text. For reading small text (like instruction manuals), the patient needs weak glasses. The advantage of accommodating lenses is that they do not have some of the undesirable optical phenomena associated with multifocal lenses, making them more suitable for professional drivers, for example.

Are premium lenses suitable for me?

Whether the implantation of premium lenses is suitable for you will be assessed by the doctor after the examination. In general, a suitable patient is one who wears glasses for both reading and distance vision (hypermetropic, presbyopic). The implantation of premium lenses is not suitable in the presence of certain other eye diseases. In such cases, the lens may not function properly, and the patient may not be satisfied. Therefore, at Eye Centre Prague, every patient undergoes a thorough eye examination to ensure that the premium lens will function correctly in the patient's eye.

When and where will I go for a follow-up after the surgery?

A follow-up after cataract surgery is recommended within 3 days at our Eye Centre or with your local ophthalmologist. It depends on which option suits you better and on the agreement with your eye doctor.

When will I be able to get a prescription for reading/distance glasses after the surgery?

Reading/distance glasses will be prescribed at our Eye Centre Prague or by your local ophthalmologist approximately one month after the surgery, when your vision has stabilized and the prescription no longer changes.