Cataract
Mr Saeed performs modern cataract surgery with small no stitch incision by phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. Mr Saeed’s cataract surgery record is comparable to the national cataract data set with a very low complication rate. Mr Saeed takes on routine, low risk cataract surgery cases as well as complex high risk cataract surgery cases.
Mr Saeed recommends mono-focal intraocular lenses for patients undergoing cataract surgery to provide good vision at distance. Although multifocal lenses, (which can focus for distance and near) are available, this option does not suit everyone.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is opacity of the natural lens inside the eye. This opacity can be due to a number of reasons but the most common reason is ageing change. As the lens becomes more and more opaque, the vision becomes more blurred. Some patients may get glare specially when driving at night. Most patients will notice a gradual blurring of vision. Colours may appear dull and grey. The contrast is affected and the ability to distinguish objects in different shades of light is affected.
Cataract is an opacity of the lens of the eye. The lens is made of a transparent substance with proteins and fibres. Over time and other factors which include exposure to ultraviolet light, the proteins can become denatured and the transparent proteins in the lens of the eye start becoming opaque.
This is similar to an egg white very similar to the egg white when it is in a raw state (transparent ie you can see through it). When the egg is boiled, the proteins in the egg white become denatured and the transparent egg white starts becoming opaque.
This situation leads to blurred vision and ultimately loss of sight.
Some people can develop a cataract earlier in life. The causes may be congenital, genetic (ie runs in the family), trauma, inflammation, diabetes, steroid use or other conditions which may cause the lens of the eye to displace or become opaque.
The loss of sight can be of various types
- Blurred vision
- Decreased vision at night
- Decreased contrast sensitivity
- Glare symptoms specially while driving at night
- Inability to read small print or problems with contrast
An example of how cataract can impair the vision is demonstrated by a series of photographs. These are a series of photographs taken by a phone camera on a cold London morning through a windscreen.
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What if I have a cataract ?
Cataract surgery will be discussed at your consultation with Mr Saeed if you have a cataract. If you have a very mild cataract which does not affect your vision, you may be advised not to have cataract surgery till the cataract becomes more advanced. If your cataract is significant and is affecting your vision, you may be advised to have cataract surgery. Sometimes you need to have cataract surgery to monitor the health of the back of the eye. Examples include diabetic retinopathy.
What will happen after my consultation?
Your eyes will be measured and you will be assessed for fitness for local anaesthesia. Depending upon your requirements an artificial lens(intraocular lens; IOL) will be chosen for you. If you wish to be put to sleep during your surgery, you may need to undergo an full anaesthetic assessment.
Are they risks with cataract surgery ?
As with any surgical procedure there are risks. Cataract surgery may not produce the desired level of vision if there are other conditions affecting the eye like macular degeneration, glaucoma or corneal conditions. 95% of cataract surgery proceeds without any complication or problems.
Approximately 2% of patients may have a complication or problems during surgery. This may include rupture of a membrane called posterior capsule rupture, vitreous loss (disturbance of the jelly), dropped nucleus (incomplete removal of cataract), bleeding or damage to the iris ( coloured part of the eye). Some of these problems need a further procedure to fix the problem either at the time of the surgery or further surgery at a later date.
Some patients may develop problems after cataract surgery. This may include infection called endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, raised pressure in the eye or macular odema (retinal swelling).
Most of these problems are treatable although the final outcome after surgery depends upon the type of complication and its management.
Mr Saeed avoids problems during cataract surgery by careful and meticulous planning and good surgical technique. If any complication happens, he can deal with this in a safe and effective manner to get best results.
What do Mr. Saeed’s patients say ?
I didn’t feel a thing and my vision is so much better ….. Mrs . S
I was so nervous but Mr Saeed reassured me and it went so well. The surgery took a little while and my vision is fantastic now ….. Mrs C
Why go private ?
You get consultant delivered consultation, treatment, surgery and post-operative care with the highest possible standards of medical knowledge and care.
The NHS provides good quality care but you may or may not get the surgeon you want. You may be operated by another consultant you don’t know or even by a trainee (junior doctor). By going privately you get the reassurance that you are being operated upon by the surgeon of your choice.
Private treatment is quicker. You get your treatment at the time and date you want. Your treatment can be scheduled most days of the week. NHS care usually means being at the end of a long waiting list which can be variable. An 18 week wait (on the NHS) is common these days and may become longer in the future.
Premium lenses (IOL) is another reason why people seek private medical care. The NHS usually works with a selected few lenses. The more expensive and higher quality lenses are usually not available on the NHS. The only way to get these lenses after cataract surgery is by having cataract surgery privately.