Are you looking to have private cataract surgery and want to know more about our range of advanced lenses? We explain the three types of special lenses.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is where the lens of your eye, which helps to focus images onto the back of the eye, grows cloudy. This affects our sight and limits our ability to carry out daily activities. A cataract can form as part of the natural aging process or if you’ve had an injury, a health condition like diabetes or eye inflammation. It can also result from certain medications.
Cataract removal surgery
At Benenden Hospital we carry out thousands of cataract operations each year* in our clean, infection-free Eye Unit.
During surgery, the cloudy, natural lens is removed and replaced by a permanent, artificial lens (implant). After this procedure, a patient’s vision should be clearer and brighter. You can choose which new lens you’d like to have implanted. We give patients the choice of a monofocal lens, or three types of special lens.
*Private Healthcare Information Network, 2024
What are the three types of special lenses?
1. Monofocal toric lens
Astigmatism, where your eye isn’t completely round and it’s shaped more like a rugby ball, means that light is focused on more than one place in your eye. If you have this eye condition, a toric lens may be suitable because it will correct your astigmatism and reduce your need to wear glasses.
2. Multifocal lens
This lens enables you to focus on objects close to you as well as those further away. A multifocal lens reduces your need to wear glasses to the point where you may not need them at all.
3. Multifocal toric lens
If you need a lens which can correct both your astigmatism, improve your overall focused vision in general and minimise your need for glasses, then the multifocal toric lens would be most suitable. This is because it combines the advantages of both of the previous special lenses.
Our expert Ophthalmic Consultants now use Callisto Eye®, our new ultra-modern microscope to achieve perfect alignment of your toric lenses. This technology allows for faster treatment due to less manual functions and reduces the risk of refractive errors and residual astigmatism.
Who is suitable for special lenses?
The following factors affect your decision:
- Do you wish to minimise your use of glasses?
- What sort of hobbies do you participate in?
- What is your financial situation?
- What does your surgeon recommend?
Your consultant will work with you to make the best possible decision for your eye health.
Who isn’t suitable for special lenses?
If you have any of the following conditions you will not meet the criteria for a special lens:
- Uveitis
- Glaucoma
- Previous corneal refractive surgery or squint surgery
- Diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy
- Wet or dry macular degeneration
- Other macular diseases
How do I prepare for the surgery?
Before cataract surgery and having the special lens implanted, I recommend patients buy micropore tape, sunglasses and lint-free pads (similar to those used to remove make up). On the day of your operation, you can eat and drink normally, take your usual medications. We would ask that you don't wear any eye make-up.
Is there anything I shouldn’t do after the first week of surgery?
After your surgery, it’s important that you don’t:
- Rub or knock your eye
- Drive (After one week, you may resume driving if you can see with both eyes together a car number plate at the legal distance as documented in the DVLA Highway Code)
- Bend to pick up/carry any heavy objects
- Immerse your face in water
- Wear makeup in the four weeks post-surgery
Did you know only 5% of patients who have a special lens implant need further adjustment following the operation? This is carried out as a simple outpatient procedure with a local anaesthetic.
Book your cataract surgery consultation
Start your journey to clearer vision. Book your initial consultation online or by calling our Private Patient team on 01580 363158.
Published on 26 February 2025