Cataract surgeries are free and available on the NHS, but many patients would want to know if they should have their cataract surgeries privately and what will the difference be?
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts occur when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque, leading to a progressive decline in vision quality. This clouding can occur due to changes in the lens structure, such as protein clumping or disintegration of lens fibres, which interfere with the passage of light through the eye.
The symptoms of cataracts can vary depending on their severity and location within the eye. Common symptoms include blurred or hazy vision, increased sensitivity to glare, difficulty seeing at night, faded or dull colours, and frequent changes in eyeglass prescription. In advanced stages, cataracts can significantly impair vision, making it challenging to perform daily activities such as reading, driving, or recognising faces.
How are Cataract Surgeries Performed?
Cataract surgery is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure performed under local anaesthesia to ensure patient comfort and safety. During the surgery, the cloudy lens is gently fragmented and removed using a technique called phacoemulsification, which involves the use of ultrasonic energy to break down the lens material.
Once the cataract is removed, a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted in its place to restore vision.
Who are the Surgeons?
The NHS provides excellent care and outcomes. In the NHS setting, as it is a training set up, you may have a trainee or fellow performing the surgery, under the supervision of a named consultant.
In the private setting, you can choose your consultant, your suitable appointment date and time as well as surgical time. Your named consultant will see you at your pre-operative consultation, understand your condition, your profile and plan surgery accordingly. You will also see the same surgeon post-surgery as a follow up. So any issues pre and post surgery, you will have dedicated care with a named consultant who will know your case well.
Waiting Time
Depending on where you are, there may still be a long waiting list for both consultation and then surgical time. This may be as long as 4 months for consultation and then 3 months to surgery.
Privately, the waiting time is usually very quick for both consultation and surgery, in terms of weeks.
Type of Lens Used
In the NHS setting, there is only monofocal lens designed to correct distance vision. You will need reading glasses for computer work and reading. In some cases, you may be eligible for toric lenses.
Privately, you have the options of premium lenses and different types of premium lenses that may be suitable for you and your lifestyle, including:
- Enhanced monofocal lens
- Multifocal lens
- Toric multifocal lens
- Enhanced depth of field lens (EDOF)
- Enhanced depth of field toric lens (EDOF toric)
You can also have bilateral surgery at the same setting, if your surgeon says you are suitable for it.
Type of Anaesthesia
The majority of cases on the NHS are performed under local anaesthesia. Privately, you can choose your type of anaesthesia, if you feel you are more likely to be anxious, you can then consider sedation for the surgery.
Of course, there will be a cost factor if you consider surgery to be done privately. Ms Heng is recognised by the majority of insurers and is fee assured for both insurance patients and sees self-pay patients. She is a cataract surgery expert, trains national and international fellows as well as trainees on complex cataract surgery and cataracts with retina pathologies.
