Cataract Eye Surgery Explained
Cataract eye surgery can seem quite scary. This is because the operation requires you to be awake during the removal of your lens. You might also be wondering about what could go wrong if you blink mid-op.
These worries cause a lot of people to hold off their eye operation until they are half-blind.
Are you considering surgery? Rest assured that the operation has a 95% success rate, and almost all patients don’t experience discomfort or pain during their cataract surgery. It is one of the most common as well as oldest procedures performed worldwide, with the entire process taking about 15 minutes.
Cataract Facts
Cataract causes, symptoms and development rates
A cataract is a clouding of your natural lens. This condition can cause a loss of vision that will not improve with glasses, corneal refractive surgery or contact lenses.
These are just one of those conditions that accompany age. Cataracts are the main cause of visual impairment in over 40% of Australians over 55. It can also be caused by an injury and other eye conditions, but some health issues like diabetes increase your risk of getting them. You will be at a higher risk of cataracts if you are a smoker or if the condition runs in your genes.
Previously, cataract surgery was only performed when the condition caused vision loss or when the cataract was fully matured. Today however, you can have surgery for it whilst it is still in the developmental stages.
Cataracts occur when protein builds up in your eye, causing it to be cloudy and obstructing light from passing through clearly. Early warning signs include noticeable fuzzy patches, films, and glares in your line of vision. Older folk may begin to have issues with nearsightedness. It also causes colour distortion which can seriously hinder driving, especially at night.
Types of cataracts
There are 3 common types of cataracts. These are nuclear sclerotic, cortical, and posterior subcapsular. Any one of these, or a combination of the three, can develop as you get older, over time.
- A nuclear sclerotic cataract is the most common type associated with aging. ‘Nuclear’ refers to the central part of the lens, called the nucleus, where the cataract forms.
- Characteristics of a cortical cataract are white, wedge-like streaks that begin on the outside of the lens. These opacities then work their way toward the inner lens in a spoke-like fashion.
- Posterior subscapular cataracts can be found underneath the lens, hence the name, ‘subcapsular’. This type poses a higher risk for diabetics and those taking high-dose steroid medications.
Development rates for the condition vary with each patient. Age-occurring cataracts generally will not hinder your lifestyle and safety until you’re over 60. Cataracts that form as a result of injury or damage can either develop quite rapidly or over a decade.
Cataract Surgery Evolution
If the thought of cataract eye surgery was off-putting before, wait till you hear about couching. Couching is derived from the French term ‘coucher’, which translates ‘to put to bed’. Stay with me, we’re in 21st century Australia.
During this procedure, the mature cataract is not removed but dislodged away from the visual axis with a needle. It proved to have immediate success because of the absence of light restrictions. Unfortunately, vision was often short-lived and patients went blind.
Disturbingly, some developing countries in Africa and Asia still practice couching, despite the poor visual outcomes.
Types of cataract surgery
There are a couple of types of surgery for cataracts. All have similar positive outcomes. These include micro-surgery, laser surgery, and ultrasound techniques.
Waiting Time and Costs
Cataract Surgery Waiting Periods
Waiting time for each public hospital in each state differs but is somewhere between 18-24 months. If you are privately insured, waiting periods for cataract surgery are typically less than a month.
Cataract Surgery Costs
The average cost for cataract surgery with a private surgeon is $2,500 per eye. This is just an estimation. Other factors like choice of surgeon, type of lens used and individual patient circumstance will determine the final cost.
If you are privately insured and have cataract surgery covered on your policy, great. The only personal costs you have will occur if your surgeon chooses not to participate in your health fund’s gap scheme. Even if you have out-of-pockets, a general rule of thumb regarding out-of-pocket costs is that it is rarely over $500 (although this sometimes does occur).
According to a report released 2 days ago by the AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare), Australians spent over 30.6 billion dollars on health goods and services from 2017-2018.
Of that number, $6 billion were spent on dental services, $9.4 billion on pharmaceuticals, and $4 billion on specialist fees such as physiotherapists and optometrists.
The rising expenditure on specialist services may be a good indicator that private healthcare fees are moving up. If you aren’t privately insured, your out-of-pockets may sky-rocket if you need to see a specialist. Cataract surgery is usually found on a silver plus or gold Hospital cover such as this policy from nib.
Risks involved with cataract surgery
Again, cataract surgery has a 95% success rate. While risks associated with the operation are uncommon, some possible side effects include:
- Swelling
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Droopy lid
- Glaucoma
These are all treatable conditions. If you have other eye conditions like glaucoma, you may consider treating those first before you book your surgery. Any underlying damage from separate eye conditions may increase your risks.
Preparing for cataract surgery
Always get in touch with your health fund when you’re considering surgery. You can discuss out-of-pockets, preferred providers, and any queries you might have.
A few weeks before your surgery, your doctor will need to measure your eye. This is usually done via a painless ultrasound to determine the right replacement lens for you. After choosing a lens your doctor might ask you about your medical history.
On the days leading up to your operation, you will be given antibiotic eye drops to apply for a few days. Your ophthalmologist may also advise you to hold off on certain medications for a few days. These will usually be for any drugs that increase your risk of bleeding, such as prostate medication.
On the day before your surgery, your doctor will ask that you fast 12 hours before your operation.
Removal of cataracts is a day-surgery operation, meaning you won’t be there overnight.
The Day Of
Before you go into the hospital, consider how you’ll get home because driving is a big no-no.
While it is a fairly quick operation, give yourself at least 3 hours at the hospital. That way you won’t rush in or out.
Usually, you are given an antibiotic eye drop to apply. Then a small intravenous tube will be inserted into your arm. To numb the eye, you may receive an injection around your eye or eye-numbing drops.
During your operation, you can expect your ophthalmologist, anaesthesiologist, and operating-room technicians in theatre. The only thing you will feel is a slight pressure from the surgical instruments.
If you’re worried about blinking mid-op, this shouldn’t pose a problem. The drops will take away your natural blinking urges, but your eye will also be held open with a small device.
After removing your cataract, your surgeon will replace this with the artificial lens, and cover your eye with a patch.
When it’s over, you’ll be placed in a recovery room and monitored for a short time. Here you’ll also receive your prescription for the several eye drops that you’ll be using for the coming weeks. You will need a pair of sunglasses.
Expect some discomfort afterwards, but most patients do not complain about pain. If you experience significant pain, you will need to contact your ophthalmologist immediately.
After cataract surgery
You will need to refrain from bending over in the first few days. This is to ease any possible pressure off your eye. The doctor will also ask that you not read, watch TV, or look at your computer at all on your first day of surgery. The day after you are free to watch whenever you like.
At night, it is advisable to tape a shield over your eye. This is simply to prevent you from hurting your eye while you are sleeping.
You will need to refrain from any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for a couple of weeks.
Following your operation, expect to go back for a few consequent visits. Your doctor will need to check on your healing progress for a few weeks.
Everyone’s healing rates differ, however most patients report clearer sight after several hours.
Your eye will completely heal in about a month’s time.
Compare Health Insurance For Cataract Eye Surgery
Under Medicare, you don’t get to choose your own surgeon, or choose when to have an operation. Placement on the public waiting list is an indefinite period. You’ll also be limited in your choice of replacement lens.
Private health care can help you to do all these things, but how do you know which health fund is best?
Here at Health Deal, we believe that no health fund is the best. Rather, we can help you find the best policy to suit your needs.
Our team of private health insurance experts can walk you through finding a policy just right for you. With us, you can avoid the confusing world of medical terms and the hours of research into private health. All you need to do is get yourself a cuppa, get on the phone and spend a couple of minutes with one of our agents.
Already have cover with a health fund? No worries. Health Deal can help you to compare your cover. You may have concerns that you’re over-covered on your policy. Or that you find, with age or circumstance, you require additional services. Or if you simply want to see that you’re getting the best value for your money that is exactly what we are all about.
Looking for cover for your cataract surgery? Pick up the phone. Brighter days are right in front of you.
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