What is a cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. The lens sits behind the coloured part of the eye (the iris) and focuses light on the retina. When it becomes cloudy, light scatters and vision becomes less sharp. Cataract is a common part of ageing, but it can also develop earlier with diabetes, long-term steroid use, eye injury or other eye conditions.

Common signs include:

• Blurred, dim or “foggy” vision
• Glare from car headlights or bright lights, especially when driving at night
• Colours that look faded or yellowish
• Frequent changes in your glasses prescription

These symptoms can also come from other eye conditions, so a full eye examination is the first step.

When is cataract surgery recommended?

There is no need to wait for a cataract to become “ripe”. Modern surgery is usually recommended when the cataract starts to affect daily life, such as reading, driving or work. Your ophthalmologist bases the decision on your symptoms and examination together, not on the appearance of the lens alone.

Some eyes need extra care in planning, for example after previous laser vision correction, with corneal disease, or with a dense cataract. At Prime Vision Clinic, these cases are assessed individually.

How cataract surgery works

Assessment and measurements

Before surgery, the eye is examined in full and measured precisely to calculate the power of the new lens. Tell your doctor if you have had LASIK or another refractive procedure in the past, because it affects the lens calculation.

The procedure

Surgery is usually done under local anaesthesia, with numbing drops and sometimes an injection or light sedation. The cloudy lens is broken up with ultrasound (phacoemulsification) and removed through small incisions that usually do not need stitches. A clear artificial lens (intraocular lens, IOL) is then placed inside the eye. The timing of surgery on the second eye is decided case by case.

Lens (IOL) options

Choosing the lens is one of the most important parts of planning. The lens types the clinic offers are:

Monofocal lenses

These give clear vision at one main distance, usually far. Reading glasses are typically still needed for near tasks.

Multifocal and EDOF lenses

Multifocal and extended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses aim to provide useful vision at more than one distance and may reduce dependence on glasses. Some people notice glare, halos around lights or reduced contrast, and these lenses are not suitable for every eye. Healthy corneas and retinas, realistic expectations and your daily visual needs all matter.

Toric lenses for astigmatism

Toric is a feature, not a separate lens category. Toric versions of monofocal, multifocal and EDOF lenses may be available to correct corneal astigmatism at the same time as the cataract.

Your surgeon will discuss which lens fits your eyes, your measurements and your lifestyle. No lens choice can guarantee complete freedom from glasses.

Recovery after cataract surgery

• You go home the same day with a protective eye shield.
• Vision often starts to improve within a few days, while full recovery takes a few weeks.
• Use your eye drops exactly as prescribed.
• Avoid rubbing the eye, swimming and getting water in the eye for the period your doctor advises.
• Your glasses may be updated once the eye has settled.

Warning signs: if pain increases, vision gets worse or redness increases, call the clinic the same day. If you cannot reach us promptly, go to the nearest emergency department. Do not wait for a reply to a WhatsApp message.

Months or years later, the membrane behind the lens can become cloudy (posterior capsule opacification). It is treated with a short laser procedure.

Your doctor

Cataract surgery and lens selection at Prime Vision Clinic are led by Dr. Omar Khaled Al-Duwailah, consultant ophthalmologist specialising in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery. Eye examinations and follow-up for related conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic eye disease are also provided by Dr. Ahmed Temraz.

Frequently asked questions

Does the cataract need to be “ripe” before surgery?

No. The right time is when the cataract affects your daily life, as discussed with your doctor.

Can a cataract come back after surgery?

No, the natural lens is removed. However, the membrane behind the new lens can become cloudy later, and this is treated with a short laser procedure.

Will I need glasses after surgery?

It depends on the lens you choose and your eyes. With a monofocal lens, reading glasses are usually needed. Multifocal and EDOF lenses may reduce dependence on glasses but cannot guarantee it.

Is cataract surgery painful?

The eye is numbed, so most people feel pressure or light touch rather than pain. Mild grittiness for a short time afterwards is common.

I had LASIK years ago. Can I still have cataract surgery?

Yes, but tell your doctor, because previous laser surgery changes how the lens power is calculated.

This page provides general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Suitability, risks and results differ from person to person.