Ask a question: Filter by category: All FAQs Cataract Surgery Cataracts Colonoscopy Colonoscopy vs Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Eye Health Flexi-sigmoidoscopy Gastroscopy Glaucoma Health Tips Ophthalmology FAQs Patient Choice Cataracts - What is a cataract? A cataract is when the natural lens within your eyes becomes cloudy and limits your vision. Often they are there and you may not know that they are present until your optician tells you. Cataracts - Why have I developed cataracts? Often this is due to aging and nothing more. However, other causes may include: A family history of cataracts Use of medications, such as steroids Injuries to the eye Cataracts - Are my family at risk of cataracts? Yes, cataracts can run in families but unfortunately, there isn’t any treatment to prevent them from happening just yet, so we wait until they affect your sight and then remove them through an operation. Cataracts - How do I treat cataracts? The only effective treatment for cataracts is an operation. The operation is generally undertaken under local anaesthetic so you are awake. However, the operation is generally quick and fairly straightforward, although complications can occur that impair your vision life-long. Cataract Surgery - What happens at the preassessment appointment? At the preassessment, you will initially be greeted by our friendly reception staff. They will provide you with an information booklet which you can read whilst waiting for the nurse. Once the nurse calls you into their room, they will go through some medical history questions with you and measure your eyes for the lens we will use to replace your nature lens. Following dilating drops, a clinician will see you and assess your eyes again. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions at this stage before signing the consent form. Don’t worry, we are all here to help and signing a consent form does not mean you have to have the operation. It is just a record of the discussions you have had and confirmation of the eye that is having the operation. Cataract Surgery - How long do I wait for the operation? Usually, a date for surgery is provided at the time of the preassessment and is usually within 10 days. Cataract Surgery - Do I have one eye done first or both together? We pretty much always do one eye first. The eye chosen depends on the discussions with you and the preassessment clinician. Generally, it will be your worst seeing eye, but it also depends on other medical conditions that affect your eyes. Cataract Surgery - What happens after the operation? After the operation, a plastic shield covers the eye and stays in place for the first 24 hours and then at night for 2 weeks. The discharging nurse will give you a nice hot cup of tea and a biscuit while they talk you through the instructions after the operation. They will give you drops to take with appropriate instructions. Cataract Surgery - When can I drive or go on holiday after the operation? We usually say not to drive until you have passed the driving criteria according to the DVLA, generally, this is normally when you have seen your optician after 2-3 weeks. You can go on holiday after around 14 days. CHEC provides a free home-to-hospital transport service for patients in need who pass specific criteria - if you're struggling to find transport either to the hospital or back home, please speak to a member of staff on our Referral Booking Management Team to see if you qualify for our home-to-hospital transport service on 0330 100 4730. faq 1 8 1