Premium Cataract Surgery

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Cataracts are among the most common eye problems and are generally associated with aging. A cataract is the clouding of the lens inside the eye. Untreated, cataracts can lead to difficulty reading, driving or engaging in other day-to-day activities. In severe cases, cataracts can even lead to blindness. Cataracts account for half of worldwide cases of blindness and approximately a third of cases of vision impairment. That’s why it is important to have regular eye exams to ensure early detection.

Cataracts are a normal condition of aging, but can also develop during youth. Either way, cataracts can be identified by their symptoms. These include glare during nighttime driving, blurry vision that is not aided with glasses or contacts, and difficulty reading print. Other symptoms include:

• Clouded, dim, or blurry vision
• Difficulty seeing during night
• Sensitivity to light and glares
• "Halos" seem to appear around lights
• Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription
• Fading or yellowing of colors
• Double vision in a single eye

This is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in the world. The surgery involves:

1. Administering a local anaesthetic to the eye(s)
2. Making a tiny 2–3 mm incision in the outermost layer of the eye (the cornea)
3. Making an evenly round incision in the ‘bag’ (capsule) containing the affected lens
4. Breaking up the affected lens into smaller pieces with an ultrasound
5. Removing these pieces with a vacuum and flushing the lens capsule to clean it
6. Inserting and accurately positioning a clear artificial replacement lens (known as an intraocular lens or IOL).

The new lens can’t be felt once placed inside the eye. When a lens is replaced, it is not possible to develop another cataract. The operation itself takes less than 30 minutes and can be performed in a day surgery or in hospital. At Bahamas Vision Centre, your procedure will be performed in one of our fully equipped, accredited, state-of-the-art day surgeries.

Artificial intraocular lenses (IOLs) are made of soft, flexible plastic and are used to replace your body’s natural lens. They can also be used to correct pre-existing refractive errors, such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness and/or astigmatism (blurry vision due to an abnormally shaped cornea or lens).

There are a number of replacement lens options available – the lens you choose will influence whether you still require glasses for certain activities following surgery.

• Monofocal lenses allow clear vision at a single distance (i.e. near/reading or far). Following surgery, glasses will still be required for certain tasks.
• Bifocal/multifocal lenses allow clear focus at two distances (i.e. both near/reading and far). These do not allow clear focus at intermediate distances, which is important for tasks such as computer work. Following surgery, glasses will most likely be required for certain tasks.
• Trifocal lenses represent the latest in lens technology. These premium lenses offer clear vision at three distances – near/reading, intermediate and far. Glasses are often not required for standard day-to-day activities following surgery.

A premium lens refers to the more sophisticated lenses that offer greater flexibility and individual customisation. Trifocal lenses are a good example of a premium lens. Patients should note that bifocal and trifocal lenses involve some visual compromise, meaning that they aren’t ideal for everybody. If you are quick to notice visual imperfections or don’t mind wearing glasses, monofocal lenses are usually a better choice.

Toric lenses are used to correct astigmatism, where an abnormally shaped cornea or lens causes blurry or distorted vision.

Your ophthalmologist will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each lens type and help you select the right one for your needs. They will provide you with the full cost during your consultation, once you have chosen your preferred lens option.