Preparing for Surgery: cataract surgery

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What is cataract surgery?

A cataract forms when the natural lens in your eye becomes cloudy. Modern surgery allows the damaged lens to be removed and replaced with an artificial lens.

What type of anaesthetic will I have?

  • Most people are awake during the procedure and have local anaesthetic to numb the eye.

  • This may either be in the form of drops, or a numbing injection around the eye.
  • Occasionally people require some sedation (medicine to relax you).
  • A small number (1 per cent or 1 in 100 people) may need a general anaesthetic for medical reasons (anaesthetic drugs make you unconscious, so that you will feel nothing throughout your operation).

Your anaesthetist will talk with you about the ways in which you can have your anaesthetic based on your health, age and other medical conditions. Together you can choose the best method for you.

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