Q&A

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

Blurred or clouded eyesight. Sensitivity to daylight. Double vision. Lights at night becoming flared or haloed. Frequent changes to your prescription and glasses or contacts can’t completely fix your vision.

How do I confirm that I have them?

Your optician will be checking for things such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. Ask them explicitly to check for cataracts.

What are the risks of cataract surgery?

Risks include infection, capsule rupture, bleeding behind the eye and even loss of vision. But major complications are rare, perhaps one in a thousand. You do need to be able to lie on your back for half an hour, which you might not be able to do if you have a chronic cough, bad reflux or a crocked back.

Are there injections?

Generally, the operation is done under a local anaesthetic because it means a faster recovery time and fewer complications. Mine was done using a sub-Tenon’s block, an injection in the gap between the eye capsule and the eye itself, though occasionally people have a general or just topical eyedrops. Patients might have a general – or a sedative plus local – if they are extremely anxious or unlikely to remain still (you are not tied down).

Are there stitches?

The cuts are generally self-sealing. Most people take two lots of drops to help the healing, one for a week and one for a month. Why is there a cannula inserted into my arm?

In case things go wrong. They rarely do. Can I get it done through the public system? Perhaps, though you have to meet criteria that assess your total vision. Going private will undoubtedly be faster and offer more choice, though you – or your insurer – will have to pay.

Why is the vision with my new lens brighter and slightly bluer?

That is the colour your eyesight was when you were a child. With age, it goes more yellow.

How long will my new lens last? Longer than you are likely to. Can I see an operation in progress? You certainly can, at tinyurl.com/ CataractNZL.