Why choose Clane Hospital for private eye and cataract surgery
- Clane Hospital puts patient care and clinical excellence at the heart of everything they do.
- Clane Hospital is committed to providing healthcare excellence that is accessible and affordable to as many people as possible.
- You will always be treated by a Consultant, who is a eye specialist, so you can rest assured that you will always receive top quality treatment.
- The hospitals offer private, en-suite rooms, reducing the risk of hospital transferred infections and giving you the privacy to relax and recover in a comfortable environment.
- Their visiting times are flexible, and they will always try and accommodate your visitors, as they realise how important it is to have friends and family around during your road to recovery.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eyes causing partial or total blindness. Risk factors associated with cataract include age, smoking, high alcohol consumption, sunlight exposure, diabetes and prolonged steroid administration.
The presence of a cataract can be confirmed by a simple eye exam with a special instrument for examining the back of the eye called an ophthalmoscope. If confirmed, comprehensive eye tests (ophthalmologic tests) and medical examinations will follow.
Cataract removal is a surgical procedure performed to restore transparency and clear vision by extracting the cloudy lens from the eye; a synthetic lens is usually inserted in its place.
Cataract removal is most often indicated when cloudy, impaired vision prevents needed or desired activities such as driving, reading and other occupational activities. A disabling glare or lens-induced diseases such as phacolytic glaucoma can also be an indication for surgery.
Normally, cataract surgery is not performed on both eyes at once. The first eye is allowed to heal before the procedure to the second eye takes place.
What does cataract removal involve?
Cataract extraction is usually performed using local anaesthesia and intravenous sedation. It is normally carried out as a day case and lasts about 30 - 60 minutes. There are three extraction techniques:
- intra capsular cataract extraction, which consists of removing the cataract in one piece (now rarely performed);
- extra capsular cataract extraction, which consists of removing the hard central nucleus in one piece, then removing the soft cortex in multiple small pieces;
- phacoemulsification, which consists of dissolving the hard central nucleus within the eye by ultrasound, then removing the soft cortex in multiple small pieces. The smallest incision is used with phacoemulsification, thus enabling the fastest healing. A plastic or silicone lens is almost always implanted into the eye (intraocularly) to replace the original lens.
How should I prepare for surgery?
If you take aspirin and warfarin, you will be advised to stop your medication several days prior to the procedure (please check with your hospital policy).
Will I need post-operative care ?
It is imperative to have proper post-operative care to avoid any complications.
- You will not be able to drive after the procedure, so it's important to have transportation arrangements made prior to your surgery.
- It is advisable to avoid any strenuous activity including heavy lifting for about two to three weeks.
Make sure you have an eye shield or other form of eye protection, especially during sleep to avoid any trauma to the eye.
- On discharge, you will be given prescription for antibiotics and oral analgesia for pain. It is important that you complete your antibiotic regime as prescribed by the doctor.
If you experience any form of pain, redness or purulent (pus-related) discharges from the eye, please seek medical attention to avoid infection or other complication.
Are there any risks involved?
Cataract surgery is quite safe. However, like any other procedure, it's not 100% risk-free. Patients with pre-existing diseases such diabetes, high blood pressure and other eye diseases such as significant astigmatism would have a higher risk of developing complications. Possible complications include infection, inflammation of blood vessels, post-operative glaucoma, retinal detachment, malposition or dislocation of the implanted lens and posterior capsule opacifications, all of which can lead to vision impairment.
Does this surgery have a good success rate?
In a study being carried out in USA, "The Cataract Patient Outcome Team" found that 95.5% of cataract surgery patients without pre-existing eye problems had a near normal post-operative vision of 6/12 (the level necessary to obtain an unrestricted driving licence). In general, patients had improved vision with better colour perception when compared to pre-operative levels and most of them are able to continue leisure activities such as needlework, reading and sports.
Contact details
Clane General Hospital,
Prosperous Road, Clane,
Co. Kildare.
Telephone: 045 982300 - Fax: 045 868814
Email: contact@clanehospital.ie
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Online enquiry Website:
Clane Hospital
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