Cataracts cause a progressive and painless loss of vision and require prompt attention. If left untreated they may eventually cause total blindness. Some common causes of cataract include ageing, trauma, medication, diabetes, and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light.
Dr Kumar is an expert in small incision and laser cataract surgery. If you’re in need of specialist cataract surgery in Sydney, contact us to regain your optimal vision once again.
A cataract is a common condition that is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens and affects the majority of Australians over the age of 65. Over time the cloudiness can worsen causing blurred vision and eventually blindness.
Normal Lens: A healthy, transparent lens that allows light to pass through without obstruction, maintaining clear vision.
Immature Cataract: A cataract in its early stage where the lens is partially opaque but still allows some light to pass through.
Mature Cataract: A cataract that has progressed to the point where the lens is completely opaque, significantly impairing vision.
Hypermature Cataract: An advanced cataract where the lens has become shrunken and hardened due to leakage of its contents, leading to further complications.
Posterior Subcapsular Cataract: A type of cataract that forms at the back of the lens, just beneath the capsule, often affecting near vision and causing glare.
Nuclear Cataract: A cataract that forms in the central zone (nucleus) of the lens, typically associated with aging and resulting in gradual hardening and yellowing.
Sutural Cataract: A rare type of congenital cataract that occurs along the Y-shaped sutures of the lens, often present from birth and may not affect vision significantly.
Patients with cataracts often do not experience any symptoms when the condition first develops. Cataracts will continue to progress with no apparent pain, although patients may experience:
Patients with cataracts often do not experience any symptoms when the condition first develops. Cataracts will continue to progress with no apparent pain, although patients may experience:
There are many benefits of having a cataract operation. If left untreated, cataracts will worsen over time and may lead to reduced quality of life and eventually considerable vision loss. A cataract operation allows you to maintain your independence and carry out the following:
Although cataract surgery is considered safe, all surgical procedures carry risks. At the time of your appointment, these will be discussed with you. It’s important to note that the vast majority of patients undergo this procedure without any complications.
However, very rare but possible complications that may require further surgery include:
If visual impairment begins to interfere with your ability to read, work or do the things you enjoy, you may want to consider cataract surgery to restore your vision. Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the world and can be performed quickly and easily with a success rate of over 99% and a minimal risk of complications.
If visual impairment begins to interfere with your ability to read, work or do the things you enjoy, you may want to consider cataract surgery to restore your vision. Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the world and can be performed quickly and easily with a success rate of over 99% and a minimal risk of complications.
If you decide to have your cataract eye surgery at Vision Clinic Sydney, this is what you can expect:
Dr Kumar will discuss your history with you and conduct an examination of the eye to exclude other eye conditions. A range of diagnostic tests will be conducted. A discussion of your visual requirements will follow and a discussion of surgical risk.
There are several different intraocular lenses (IOL’s) available to help each patient achieve the best possible results from cataract surgery. Dr Kumar will discuss the choices available to you and will match the intraocular lens used with your individual circumstances.
Presbyopia correcting IOL’s allow for full vision correction at near, intermediate and far distances and may eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses in most patients. IOL’s can also correct astigmatism.
Cataract surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that involves numbing the eyes with anaesthesia and then making a tiny incision into which an ultrasonic probe is inserted. The ultrasound energy breaks up, or emulsifies the cloudy lens, which is then aspirated. This method of cataract removal is considered the least traumatic to the eye.
Once the cloudy lens has been removed, a new artificial lens is implanted into the eye. Surgery usually takes only a few minutes to perform and is painless for most patients. The intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted through the same incision that the old lens was removed from. The IOL will unfold into the remaining lens capsule.
IOLs are used to correct vision problems during cataract surgery by replacing the old, damaged lens with an artificial lens that clears up and corrects vision, often leaving patients with little to no dependence on glasses.
Cataract surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that involves numbing the eyes with anaesthesia and then making a tiny incision into which an ultrasonic probe is inserted. The ultrasound energy breaks up, or emulsifies the cloudy lens, which is then aspirated. This method of cataract removal is considered the least traumatic to the eye.
Once the cloudy lens has been removed, a new artificial lens is implanted into the eye. Surgery usually takes only a few minutes to perform and is painless for most patients. The intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted through the same incision that the old lens was removed from. The IOL will unfold into the remaining lens capsule.
IOLs are used to correct vision problems during cataract surgery by replacing the old, damaged lens with an artificial lens that clears up and corrects vision, often leaving patients with little to no dependence on glasses.
After the procedure, a patch may be placed over the eye and you will be asked to rest for a while. Patients can return home the very same day but will need someone to drive them home. For the next few days, you may experience itching, mild discomfort, fluid discharge and sensitivity to light and touch. Dr Kumar will prescribe eye drops to help the healing process and to reduce the risk of infection.
A recent development in cataract surgery is the use of a femtosecond laser to prepare the eye for cataract surgery. Theoretical advantages include precisely constructed wounds and less energy used to remove the cataract.
Dr Kumar has extensive training in femtosecond laser-assisted cornea and lens surgery and was amongst the first surgeons to use this technology for cataract surgery in Australia. Should this option be of interest, discuss potential benefits and alternatives with us. Depending on your circumstances this technology may be recommended.
A recent development in cataract surgery is the use of a femtosecond laser to prepare the eye for cataract surgery. Theoretical advantages include precisely constructed wounds and less energy used to remove the cataract.
Dr Kumar has extensive training in femtosecond laser-assisted cornea and lens surgery and was amongst the first surgeons to use this technology for cataract surgery in Australia. Should this option be of interest, discuss potential benefits and alternatives with us. Depending on your circumstances this technology may be recommended.
The total cost of your cataract surgery in Sydney will vary depending on the severity of your condition. To get an accurate estimate of how much the surgery will cost you, we advise booking an initial consultation with us.
We also provide flexible payment plans for any surgical procedures at Vision Clinic Sydney:
Visit the Medipay website at medipay.com.au to apply now.
We believe there are numerous reasons to choose us for your cataract treatment:
Dr Kumar is an Ophthalmic Surgeon with specific and extensive training in many different forms of laser surgery. He graduated in Medicine from the University of Newcastle and earned a Masters of Public Health degree from the University of NSW. He completed his Ophthalmology Fellowship training at the Sydney Eye Hospital. He later completed a Cornea and Refractive Fellowship at the University of Toronto. He has been in private practice in Sydney since 2009.
Dr Kumar has performed thousands of cataract and laser eye surgery procedures over his 19-year career and is committed to the preservation and improvement of quality of vision. He is dedicated to maintaining the highest standard of ophthalmic medical and surgical care.
Dr Kumar is an Ophthalmic Surgeon with specific and extensive training in many different forms of laser surgery. He graduated in Medicine from the University of Newcastle and earned a Masters of Public Health degree from the University of NSW. He completed his Ophthalmology Fellowship training at the Sydney Eye Hospital. He later completed a Cornea and Refractive Fellowship at the University of Toronto. He has been in private practice in Sydney since 2009.
Dr Kumar has performed thousands of cataract and laser eye surgery procedures over his 19-year career and is committed to the preservation and improvement of quality of vision. He is dedicated to maintaining the highest standard of ophthalmic medical and surgical care.
For your first appointment, you will need a referral letter from your General Practitioner or Optometrist. You can still be seen at the practice without a referral, but will not be able to claim a Medicare rebate for the consultation or any tests/procedures you may have performed at the clinic.
You can download the referral PDF form or submit it online.
Please bring:
A cataract is treated by using surgery to remove and replace the affected lens.
No, a cataract cannot return after surgery as, unlike our natural lens, the artificial lens doesn’t cloud over time.
This depends on your circumstances. For most patients, standard small incision cataract surgery is the best option. For some, laser-assisted cataract surgery is advised.
Yes, you can. Advanced Toric IOLs correct the imbalance caused by an irregular cornea shape in patients with astigmatism.
The recovery period for both laser-assisted cataract surgery and traditional cataract surgery is the same.
Yes, as local anaesthesia is used during cataract surgery you will be awake but you will be sedated and won’t feel any pain.
Yes, it’s important that you use eye drops after surgery to help your eyes heal and to prevent infection.
Most people will still need to wear glasses for some activities following cataract surgery.
Our friendly staff can talk to you about your vision issues and arrange the best course of action for diagnosis and treatment. Take advantage of our vision assessment to see how we can make it happen for you.
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