Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cataract Surgery safe?
The vast majority of all cataract surgeries are completed each year in Australia without serious complications. Although this type of surgery is very safe, you should always discuss the risks of surgery with your eye surgeon.
Is fasting necessary before Eye Surgery?
Your Surgeon will give you specific instructions regarding fasting before your procedure. However, in most cases you will need to fast for the proposed anaesthetic to be effective (no food or drink for 6 hours prior to the surgery is the usual requirement).
Will I go blind if I have Glaucoma?
The good news is that if you are not blind at this time, there is a very good chance that you will never be blind from glaucoma. It is true that glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world after cataract. It does present a real threat to the vision of anyone who develops it. However, scientific studies all over the world have shown that the vast majority of patients who follow the standard care instructions and preventative measures will retain their sight.
Are the procedures painful?
For typical eye procedures like Cataract Surgery, the procedure is performed under anaesthetic and usually you should only feel slight discomfort afterward.
Will I be able to throw away my glasses?
For the majority of people, yes. However, this will of course depend on the amount of correction required and the outcome of the procedure.
I have Diabetes – does this mean I will get Diabetic Eye Disease?
Everyone with diabetes has a higher risk of developing diabetic eye disease. Most people who have Diabetic Eye Disease do keep most, if not all of their vision, providing it is diagnosed early and all steps are taken to keep it under control. If you have diabetes, visit an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) or an optometrist at least every two years for a comprehensive, dilated eye exam, and make sure to explain to them that you have diabetes. The longer you have had diabetes, the more important it is to have regular eye tests, even if the tests have always been clear in the past. This is because the risk of eye disease is strongly related to the duration of diabetes.
Please remember…
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding with any surgery, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
