Pre & Post Op
MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd (Ophth, UK), MMed (Ophth, S’pore), FRCSEd (Ophth, UK), FAMS (Ophth, S’pore)
What to Expect
Cataract surgery on 1 eye is a 30-minute day procedure performed in the hospital. Surgery for the right and left eye is performed on separate days. Having surgery done on both eyes at the same time is not recommended because of potential complications such as infections affecting both eyes.
Before Surgery
You may be instructed not to eat or drink anything 6 hours before cataract surgery. Your doctor may also advise you to temporarily stop taking any medication that could increase your risk of bleeding during the procedure. You will also need to apply eye drops before the procedure to prepare your eye. Let your doctor know if you take any medications for prostate problems, as some of these drugs can interfere with cataract surgery.
During the procedure
First, your doctor will place eyedrops in your eye to dilate your pupil. You'll receive local anaesthesia to numb the area, and you may be given a sedative to help you relax. If you're given a sedative, you may remain awake, but groggy, during surgery. During cataract surgery, the clouded lens is removed, and a clear artificial lens is usually implanted.
After the procedure
After cataract surgery, expect your vision to begin improving within a few days. Your vision may be blurry at first as your eye heals and adjusts. Colours may seem brighter after your surgery because you are looking through a new, clear lens. A cataract is usually yellow- or brown-tinted before surgery, muting the look of colours. You'll usually see your eye doctor a day or two after your surgery, the following week, and then again after about a month to monitor healing.
It's normal to feel itching and mild discomfort for a couple of days after surgery. Avoid rubbing or pushing on your eye. Your eye doctor may ask you to wear an eye shield on the day of surgery.
She may also recommend wearing the eye shield for a few days after your surgery and the protective shield when you sleep during the recovery period. Your eye doctor may prescribe eyedrops or other medication to prevent infection, reduce inflammation and control eye pressure. After a couple of days, most of the discomfort should disappear. Often, complete healing takes 4 to 6 weeks.
- Light flashes or multiple new spots (floaters) in front of your eye
- Pain that persists despite the use of over-the-counter pain medications
- Vision loss
- Increased eye redness
- Eyelid swelling
When seeking treatment at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, you can worry less about unexpected hospital bill sizes. With Price Guarantee Procedures, you get greater price transparency and bill certainty for common medical procedures.
Our Singapore Cataract Surgeon
Dr Leo Seo Wei
Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist
Dr Leo Seo Wei is a Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist in Singapore with over 20 years of experience in cataract treatment. Her career spans extensive practice and specialised training in Singapore and the United States, where she received numerous awards and valuable stints in ophthalmology.
Well recognised for her expertise in cataract, strabismus, myopia control and paediatric ophthalmology, Dr Leo has been invited to teach, speak and conduct live surgical demonstrations at international conferences and masterclasses across Asia-Pacific, Europe and the USA. She has also published numerous peer-reviewed articles, reflecting her commitment to advancing ophthalmic care and sharing knowledge worldwide.
#10-04 Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, 3 Mount Elizabeth, Singapore 228510
Tel : +65 6737 8366
Emergency hotline: +65 9668 2229
Email : info@drleoeyespecialist.com
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