Eye Condition FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the causes of cataracts?

Macular Degeneration can run in families, but many patients with macular degeneration have no known family history of this condition. Some lifestyle factors are thought to affect your chances of developing this condition.

Cataracts cause progressive blurred vision.

Cataracts can be diagnosed by your optometrist or general practitioner. You may be referred to an ophthalmologist for an opinion regarding cataract surgery.

When a cataract has become symptomatic, the recommended treatment is surgery. 

Cataract surgery involves removing the cataract from the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens implant – the implant stays in the same position inside the eye for the rest of the patient’s life, and remains clear. 

The procedure is performed through a small (2mm) incision on the side of the eye. Stitches are rarely required. 

The procedure is generally performed under local anaesthetic, eyedrops and intravenous sedation. 

This is a permanent fix for the cataract, which will not grow back after surgery.

Most patients have cataract surgery performed as a day surgery procedure. However, arrangements can be made for admission for an overnight stay after surgery when circumstances indicate the need.

Most patients experience either no pain or only minor discomfort. Mild discomfort is usually relieved by minor analgesics such as Panadol. Occasionally more severe discomfort is experienced – if you have ongoing pain not relieved by Panadol please phone Dr Seawright on the mobile phone number supplied with the post-operative information supplied on the day of surgery.

The eye needs to be examined the next morning, generally by Dr Seawright at St Vincent’s Medical Centre. In some circumstances arrangements can be made for patients from outlying centres to have their Day 1 examination performed by their local optometrist. Patients are also checked after one week, either by examination at St Vincent’s, or by phone consultation. Patients need to be treated with anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eyedrops several times per day, usually for three weeks forllowing each cataract surgery procedure. Once surgery and the eyedrop regime are completed, patients are advised to follow-up with their optometrist for glasses adjustment, if required.

We advise patients to not drive for 5-7 days following surgery. Many patients are then able to drive without glasses or with sunglasses only, but some will need to wait until after their glasses have been adjusted by their optometrist.

For distance vision most patients need either a small refractive correction or no glasses. Your optometrist may prescribe glasses for distance vision but you may only need to wear these in certain situations such as night driving or reading small print on a television screen. Most patients will need reading glasses for near visual tasks, such as reading small print, after cataract surgery. Selected patients have multifocal lens implants, and many of these patients do not require any glasses after cataract surgery.

Any surgical procedure carries a risk of complications. Statistics indicate 99% of patients undergoing cataract surgery do not experience any significant complications, however about 1% of patients may require further surgery to rectify a surgical complication. Most of these patients have a good outcome. However, 1 to 2 in 1000 patients undergoing cataract surgery may find they have worse vision following surgery due to a more severe complication such as an infection or complicated retinal detachment. Dr Seawright will fully explain the risks and likelihood of complications when recommending surgery. About 5% of patients undergoing cataract surgery develop clouding of the clear skin behind the lens implant inside the eye and experience symptomatic visual deterioration. This can occur often months or even years after surgery. This can be corrected by a laser procedure, which is performed as an outpatient procedure in Dr Seawright’s rooms. This procedure is quick and painless, and generally does not require a repeat. Your optometrist will be able to diagnose this condition and advise you whether you require a “laser capsulotomy” if you feel there has been visual deterioration after cataract surgery.

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which there is a characteristic pattern of progressive loss of vision associated with progressive damage to the optic nerve in the back of the eye. This is usually but not always associated with high pressure in the eye.

The prevalence of glaucoma increases with age. It is uncommon below the age of 40 years of age, however about 5-6% of patients over 70 years of age have glaucoma.

The prevalence of glaucoma increases with age. It is uncommon below the age of 40 years of age, however about 5-6% of patients over 70 years of age have glaucoma.

The prevalence of glaucoma increases with age. It is uncommon below the age of 40 years of age, however about 5-6% of patients over 70 years of age have glaucoma.

The prevalence of glaucoma increases with age. It is uncommon below the age of 40 years of age, however about 5-6% of patients over 70 years of age have glaucoma.

At this time there is no cure for glaucoma, however the condition can usually be controlled with a variety of treatment modalities.

At this time there is no cure for glaucoma, however the condition can usually be controlled with a variety of treatment modalities.

At this time there is no cure for glaucoma, however the condition can usually be controlled with a variety of treatment modalities.

If glaucoma is allowed to progress it is a potentially blinding condition. If patients have regular follow-up examinations as directed by their ophthalmologist, progression of glaucoma is usually prevented.

If glaucoma is allowed to progress it is a potentially blinding condition. If patients have regular follow-up examinations as directed by their ophthalmologist, progression of glaucoma is usually prevented.

If glaucoma is allowed to progress it is a potentially blinding condition. If patients have regular follow-up examinations as directed by their ophthalmologist, progression of glaucoma is usually prevented.

If glaucoma is allowed to progress it is a potentially blinding condition. If patients have regular follow-up examinations as directed by their ophthalmologist, progression of glaucoma is usually prevented.

If glaucoma is allowed to progress it is a potentially blinding condition. If patients have regular follow-up examinations as directed by their ophthalmologist, progression of glaucoma is usually prevented.

If glaucoma is allowed to progress it is a potentially blinding condition. If patients have regular follow-up examinations as directed by their ophthalmologist, progression of glaucoma is usually prevented.

If glaucoma is allowed to progress it is a potentially blinding condition. If patients have regular follow-up examinations as directed by their ophthalmologist, progression of glaucoma is usually prevented.

If glaucoma is allowed to progress it is a potentially blinding condition. If patients have regular follow-up examinations as directed by their ophthalmologist, progression of glaucoma is usually prevented.

If glaucoma is allowed to progress it is a potentially blinding condition. If patients have regular follow-up examinations as directed by their ophthalmologist, progression of glaucoma is usually prevented.