See clearly again with laser cataract surgery in Brisbane

DISCOVER HOW LASER CATARACT SURGERY RESTORES YOUR VISION AND CAN GIVE YOU GREAT READING AND DISTANCE VISION WITHOUT GLASSES1Dick, H. B., & Schultz, T. (2017). A Review of Laser-Assisted Versus Traditional Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery. Ophthalmology and therapy, 6(1), 7–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-017-0080-z

See clearly again with laser cataract surgery in Brisbane

DISCOVER HOW LASER CATARACT SURGERY AND LENS REPLACEMENT CAN RESTORE YOUR VISION AND GIVE YOU GREAT READING AND DISTANCE VISION WITHOUT GLASSES

2Dick, H. B., & Schultz, T. (2017). A Review of Laser-Assisted Versus Traditional Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery. Ophthalmology and therapy, 6(1), 7–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-017-0080-z
WE’RE HONOURED TO BE MEMBERS OF THESE PRESTIGIOUS PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS
ENJOY GREAT READING AND DISTANCE VISION WITHOUT GLASSES

Laser cataract surgery and lens replacement can treat your cataracts and dramatically reduce your need for reading and distance glasses3https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/traditional-vs-laser-assisted-cataract-surgery

Restore your most precious sense

With laser cataract surgery and lens replacement, we aim to remove your cataracts. This will significantly reduce, if not eliminate, your dependency on glasses – particularly for reading and distance.4All About Vision. 2021. Laser Cataract Surgery. [online] Available at: <https://www.allaboutvision.com/en-gb/laser-cataract-surgery/> [Accessed 30 June 2021].

“I experienced courteous, caring and highly professional treatment from the reception staff all the way through. Dr Russell and his team go the extra mile to explain in detail everything you’re likely to experience while in their high-quality care. Would highly recommend VSON!” – ​​Martina Donaghy

Revitalise your energy

Many of our patients find that being free of their glasses revitalises their energy and gives them a lot of confidence they never knew they’d lost.5Amedo, A., Koomson, N., Pascal, T., Kumah, D., Ocansey, J. and Asare-Bediako, B., 2021. Quality of Life of Cataract Patients Before and After Surgery-Evidence From Four Rural Communities in Ghana. [online] Mathewsopenaccess.com. Available at: <https://www.mathewsopenaccess.com/full-text/quality-of-life-of-cataract-patients-before-and-after-surgery-evidence-from-four-rural-communities-in-ghana> [Accessed 30 June 2021].

You’ll no longer have to rummage around for your glasses just to read a menu or use your phone.

Revitalise your energy

Many of our patients find that being free of their glasses revitalises their energy and gives them a level of confidence they never knew they’d lost.6Amedo, A., Koomson, N., Pascal, T., Kumah, D., Ocansey, J. and Asare-Bediako, B., 2021. Quality of Life of Cataract Patients Before and After Surgery-Evidence From Four Rural Communities in Ghana. [online] Mathewsopenaccess.com. Available at: <https://www.mathewsopenaccess.com/full-text/quality-of-life-of-cataract-patients-before-and-after-surgery-evidence-from-four-rural-communities-in-ghana> [Accessed 30 June 2021].

You should no longer have to rummage around for your glasses just to read a menu or use your phone.

Reclaim your freedom

One of the best things about laser cataract surgery is how it can improve even the simplest things in an average day. You should no longer need to worry about how poor vision might interfere with your plans. Our patients report an easing sense of freedom and convenience.

Reclaim your freedom

One of the best things about laser cataract surgery and lens replacement is how it can improve even the simplest things in an average day. You will no longer need to worry about how poor vision might interfere with your plans. Our patients report an easing sense of freedom and convenience.

Revolutionise your life

Patients are often thrilled knowing that they’ll never have to miss out on life’s little pleasures. That can be the smile of a grandchild, the colours of the sunset, or simply getting stuck into a good book.

“The service here is exceptional, the staff were more than accommodating, and every step was explained, so I knew exactly what was happening.” – Alan Brown

Revolutionise your life

Patients are often thrilled knowing that they’ll never have to miss out on life’s little pleasures. That can be the smile of a grandchild, the colours of the sunset or simply getting stuck into a good book.

“The service here is exceptional, the staff were more than accommodating, and every step was explained, so I knew exactly what was happening.” – Alan Brown

HOW CATARACT SURGERY WORKS

Enjoy a life free from cataracts and glasses in 3 easy steps

Reach out

Because there are 3 types of cataract surgery, the best way to find the right one for you is to get in touch. Give us a call on 07 3063 0732 or you can click the button to use our easy online booking form:

BOOK A FREE ASSESSMENT

We’ll meet

Visit our clinic in Fortitude Valley for a free assessment that will give you a complete understanding of your cataract surgery options.

Enjoy life

After cataract surgery you’ll have crystal clear vision, and with laser cataract surgery you’ll also have the life-changing ability to read again without glasses7Kanellopoulos AJ. Topography-guided LASIK versus small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for myopia and myopic astigmatism: a randomized, prospective, contralateral eye study. J Refract Surg.2017;33:306 – 312 [online] Available at: <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28486721/> [Accessed 21 June 2021]..

DISCOVER IF YOU CAN BE FREE FROM CATARACTS AND GLASSES

The best way to find out if laser cataract surgery and lens replacement is right for you is to have an in person assessment. There are 3 types of cataract surgery, so firstly, you’ll be assessed. Then our experts will give you a clear answer on which type of cataract surgery is best for your lifestyle.

LIFE AFTER LASER CATARACT SURGERY

Dr. Matthew Russell explains what your daily life is like after laser cataract surgery in Brisbane

LASER CATARACT SURGERY EXPLAINED

Restore your vision and reduce your dependence on eyeglasses, readers and bifocals

Laser cataract surgery suitability criteria

The eye condition known as cataracts occur when you have a cloudy natural lens in each eye – they age and lose clarity. As a cataract progresses, the natural lens becomes hazy and discoloured. This causes your eyesight to worsen with symptoms such as blurred vision. In addition to blurred vision, some people may experience haloes around lights, making it difficult to see while driving at night.

  • Your vision becomes blurred and cannot be corrected with glasses
  • Reading small print becomes challenging
  • Colours fade
  • Your confidence driving at night begins to falter. This is because the cataract scatters light causing bright light and glare sensitivity.

In partnership with OKKO Eye Specialist Centre, our goal is to restore your vision with cataract surgery in Brisbane. We acheive this by using the most advanced lens technology and laser vision correction techniques in the industry.

To be sure that you are suitable for laser-assisted cataract surgery and lens replacement, we will need to examine your eyes. We do this at your initial assessment with great detail.

This will include multiple advanced diagnostic tests such as:

  • Visual acuity: to understand how far down the eye chart you can read.
    Refraction: to determine the refractive error in your eyes.
    Pachymetry: to measure the thickness of your cornea.
    Topography: to generate advanced maps of the cornea to provide a contour plan of the front surface of the cornea. This aids in the diagnosis of astigmatism and the exclusion of certain diseases.
    Biometry: to measure the axial length, curvature and chamber depths of your eye.
    Optical coherence tomography (OCT): to provide detailed images of the retina.

Up to 20% of people undergoing laser assisted cataract surgery will have low-level focusing problems following cataract surgery. This will result in a dependence on glasses. It may also interfere with their satisfaction with their vision following surgery. These people would benefit from laser assisted cataract surgery.

Laser cataract surgery uses the latest techniques in cataract surgery and laser vision correction to maximise your freedom from glasses after cataract removal.

Laser cataract surgery can be broken down into two steps:

Step 1: We use a laser to access the capsule the natural lens sits in and remove the cataract.
Step 2: We replace it with an artificial implant.

A critical part of step 1 is creating an opening of the lens capsule which contains the cataract. In standard cataract surgery, the cataract surgeon makes the incision manually. In laser cataract surgery, a laser makes the incision. This method is more precise and has higher repeatability.

8Dick, H. B., & Schultz, T. (2017). A Review of Laser-Assisted Versus Traditional Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery. Ophthalmology and therapy, 6(1), 7–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-017-0080-z[

The laser technique also enables us to use more advanced extended depth of focus (EDOF) implants. These are designed explicitly for laser cataract surgery. This improves the stability of multifocal implants. Your cataract surgeon can then position these lenses with a much higher degree of accuracy, which will result in better visual outcomes.

9Dick, H. B., & Schultz, T. (2017). A Review of Laser-Assisted Versus Traditional Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery. Ophthalmology and therapy, 6(1), 7–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-017-0080-z

The specific type of IOL lens that will best suit you depends on your vision needs and preoperative testing. At your assessment, we conduct extensive analysis to determine which lens will meet your lifestyle requirements.

Sometimes after cataract surgery, the eye needs laser vision correction to fine-tune the focus. Using LASIK and SmartSurface technology, we can refine the focus of your eye and the quality of your vision following surgery.

Our surgeons have a laser vision correction background. This gives them a specific skill set to consider your quality of vision after the removal of cataracts.

The lenses

There is no single “best” lens that would meet the needs of everyone. Intraocular lenses vary to suit varying vision and lifestyle needs. We offer a complete range of the latest lens types and laser vision correction techniques available to strive for spectacle independence and distance vision without glasses. These help you to achieve the vision that will best suit your individual lifestyle needs after laser cataract surgery.

We can use an IOL (also called an intraocular lens) to give a range of vision, from distance to close. We calculate the lens power using scans taken at your initial assessment for surgery that assess the abilities of your natural lens.

Some eye surgeons use a monofocal IOL in traditional cataract surgery. We use multifocal lenses to help you see at different distances.

At this assessment, your ophthalmologist will discuss lens options with you and the target focus for your eyes after surgery. This enables us to select the best implant and focus target for your needs. Some possibilities include:

  • Multifocal IOL lens implant combined with extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF) lenses – reduces your dependence on glasses, readers, and bifocals for most day-to-day distance tasks.
  • EDOF lens implant – reduces your dependence on glasses, readers, and bifocals for most day-to-day near and distance tasks
  • Astigmatic/Toric lenses – Some patients have a high degree of astigmatism. Fortunately, we can correct this with a toric lens, enabling you to see well without glasses or contact lenses for distance and close-up tasks.

Advantages

Disadvantages

  • Mild discomfort: After surgery, it is normal to feel mild discomfort, irritation, or a stingy sensation. If you experience these symptoms you can take paracetamol (such as Panadol, Panamax, Dymadon, or Panadeine). Mild mucous, a small amount of bloody discharge, and watering of the eye is also considered normal
  • Laser cataract surgery is more costly than Standard or Lifestyle Cataract surgery
  • Driving is not permitted for 24 hours following surgery, due to the sedation used
  • Light sensitivity: It is also quite normal to be sensitive to light after surgery. You will be given a pair of dark glasses after your procedure
  • You must avoid:
    • Rubbing your eyes
    • Engaging in strenuous activity/exercise, gardening, or heavy lifting (greater than 10kg) for two weeks
    • Wearing eye make-up for one week
    • Swimming for two weeks
    • Allowing water/shampoo to come into direct contact with the eye for two weeks

The operation to replace a clouded lens is low-risk.15Harvard Health. 2021. Considering cataract surgery? What you should know – Harvard Health. [online] Available at: <https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/considering-cataract-surgery-what-you-should-know> [Accessed 1 July 2021].

The risks of not having cataract surgery

In certain people, the growth of a cataract can make them prone to primary angle-closure glaucoma. This is where the drainage channel in the front of the eye (trabecular meshwork) is gradually narrowed by the increasing size of the crystalline lens. Eventually, the drainage channel can become completely blocked. This can result in a rapid increase in the pressure within the eyeball and a painful red eye. Long-sighted patients are more likely to be at risk of angle-closure glaucoma.16Ling JD, Bell NP. Role of Cataract Surgery in the Management of Glaucoma. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2018;58(3):87-100. doi:10.1097/IIO.0000000000000234[online] Available at: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5992498/> [Accessed 1 July 2021].

Your eye specialist will be able to assess if you are at risk of primary angle-closure glaucoma. They can also see if you would benefit from cataract extraction or another treatment to prevent this serious condition.

An alternative to laser cataract surgery in Brisbane is:

Does a non-surgical treatment exist?

The only way to treat a cataract is to surgically remove it and implant an artificial lens in its place

17Davis, G., 2021. The Evolution of Cataract Surgery. [online] PubMed Central (PMC). Available at: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6139750/> [Accessed 1 July 2021].

We perform laser cataract surgery in a 20-minute minimally invasive day surgery procedure. We perform the procedure under intravenous sedation and local anaesthesia. Because of the sedation, most patients aren’t aware of the surgery taking place. They recover from the sedation and return home usually within 40 minutes of the operation.18Verywell Health. 2021. What to Expect With Laser Cataract Surgery. [online] Available at: <https://www.verywellhealth.com/laser-cataract-surgery-3421943> [Accessed 1 July 2021].

Step one: We use local anaesthesia in the form of eye drops and light (twilight) sedation. We make a tiny incision in the cornea – the transparent membrane on the surface of the eye.

Step two: Once we have removed the cataract, we implant the selected artificial lens (intraocular lens or IOL) using a special lens injector. In the majority of cases, the intraocular lenses or IOL will sit within the natural ‘bag’ that held the original lens, and the incision heals on its own.

Step three: Once the surgery is complete, we place a clear shield over the eye. This stays on for four hours post-surgery and reduces the risk of infection. We will ask you to commence the use of postoperative drops. These consist of an antibiotic drop and two anti-inflammatory drops.

The total time at the day hospital is approximately three hours.

Most patients can return to many routine daily activities, including driving within two or three days of their surgery.

19Verywell Health. 2021. What to Expect With Laser Cataract Surgery. [online] Available at: <https://www.verywellhealth.com/laser-cataract-surgery-3421943> [Accessed 1 July 2021].

You can expect after cataract surgery to have a higher level of glasses independence. You will achieve this for both near and distance tasks.20Kanellopoulos AJ. Topography-guided LASIK versus small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for myopia and myopic astigmatism: a randomized, prospective, contralateral eye study. J Refract Surg.2017;33:306 – 312 [online] Available at: <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28486721/> [Accessed 21 June 2021].

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion. Ideally, this should be from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

THE LAZY PERSON’S WAY TO LEARN EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VISION CORRECTION

Tired of Googling your way to understanding vision correction? We’ve got you covered! This “all-in-one” guide to vision correction options in Queensland will answer every question you have. Even the ones you didn’t think to ask! Best of all, it’s only a click away.

Get it for free here
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER CATARACT SURGERY

Get a new lease of life and rediscover old hobbies

Day of surgery

  • Vision will start to improve almost immediately.
  • Following cataract surgery, there’s a period of about 30 minutes for you to recover from the twilight sedation. The nurses will do a final check before you’re able to go home with a family member or friend. The whole process itself takes about two hours.

Day after Surgery

  • You will be able to see relatively clearly, and your vision will continue to improve over the next three to five days after the surgery.

Day 7 Post Op

  • Your eyes may be sensitive to light for a few days after surgery, but this is normal. You will need to use special medicated eye drops and wear your protective shield while sleeping or napping during the first week of recovery.

Day 30 Post Op

  • Your eyes may still experience the effects of dryness – please use your lubricating drops more frequently than in the schedule to counteract this.

Day 90 Post Op

  • You will be able to view the world without obstructions.
  • There will be no limits to travelling, whether it’s skiing or snorkelling- you no longer have to wear special goggles.

1 Year Post Op

  • You will experience the freedom to go anywhere, do anything!
  • Get a new lease of life with fresh eyes and rediscover old hobbies you may have abandoned due to your ailing eyesight.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LENS SURGERY…

Educate yourself further about lens surgery

An informative guide on what lens replacement is, and what procedures are most commonly used including refractive lens exchange surgery. Click here for more information.

An article that explains why lens replacement surgery is on its way to become the most successful refractive procedure to date . As well as other essentials including the cost of lens replacement surgery. Click here for more information.

A published, scientific article that provides an overview of intraocular lenses, their safety and effectiveness. Click here for more information.

An example of an FDA approved ICL lens, what it can accomplish and how it works to improve vision. Click here for more information about Visian ICL and answers to questions such as how much does icl cost?

A cataract is clouding of the lens in parts of the eye that may affect your eyesight. Symptoms include:

  • Worsening of vision which may appear cloudy, fuzzy or misty
  • Difficult reading
  • Glares and halos from light

Click here to read more about cataract surgery in England and Wales 

The use of femtosecond lasers within cataract surgery is becoming more common. Femtosecond lasers are used to minimise the use of surgical blades and needles providing precision and micron accuracy. Click here to read more about cataract surgery in London.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Cataracts eventually occur in everyone. The majority of cataract surgeries are undertaken for patients in their 60’s and 70’s, but surgery can be performed sooner or later than this. Click here to read more about cataract surgery in Wales and Bristol.

Headshot of Dr Matthew Russel, laser eye surgery specialist at the VSON laser eye surgery clinic in Brisbane
ABOUT THE EXPERT

Dr. Matthew Russell

MBChB, FRANZCO

Cataract & laser eye surgery specialist

My combination of education, training and experience positions me to provide optimal results for patients of all ages in Brisbane. I have a passion for helping my patients enjoy the clear, high-definition vision they need to live rich and active lives. Now, I’ve hand-picked a team of professionals that share my passion and commitment to exceptional care.

More about Dr. Russell