Free yourself from cataracts with traditional cataract surgery in East Grinstead, Sussex and London

Discover how this traditional cataract surgery enables you to break free from your cloudy and blurry vision

Free yourself from cataracts with traditional cataract surgery in East Grinstead, Sussex and London

Discover how this traditional cataract surgery enables you to break free from your cloudy and blurry vision

Easily get rid of your cataracts

Our traditional cataract patients get a new lease on life once they change how they see the world

Say goodbye to blurry, dull vision

Traditional cataract surgery helps you get rid of your cataract once and for all. After surgery, you can gain relief from cloudy vision and enjoy the simple things in life once again.

Within just a days you can enjoy improved vision

Within a few days, patients who have traditional cataract surgery can feel satisfied and at ease thanks to their newly improved vision.

You’ve earned eye condition right to better sight

An average day after traditional cataract surgery is refreshingly clear… Gone is that yellowish tarnish misting your eyes. Back are the vibrant colours you didn’t realise you missed!

Restore your vision in 3 easy steps

Waiting for cataract surgery can be frustrating. We’ve made the process as quick and convenient as can be

Talk to us

The waitlists for cataract surgery across the country are long. To secure your spot on our surgery list and skip the queues, give our friendly team a call on 01342 656 003 or use our easy online calendar to book an assessment in your local area.

We’ll meet

We’ll perform all the necessary tests at your assessment to get a complete picture of your eyes and vision. We’ll also have an in-depth chat about your visual needs and goals so we can choose the best cataract surgery option to suit your lifestyle.

Vision restored!

After cataract surgery, patients across the country often tell us how much more youthful and engaged they feel once we’ve restored their vision. They can’t believe how much more detail and colour they are experiencing. Most mention that they wish they had done it sooner.

With traditional cataract surgery, patients can experience freedom from cataracts

Quickly discover how this modern eye treatment can give you visual freedom in moments

What is traditional cataract surgery?

During traditional cataract surgery, an ophthalmologist performs surgery on your eye by making incisions using a blade.

Using an ultrasonic probe, we break up the cataract in your eye; the cataract pieces are then removed through the incisions.

This option is ideal for those experiencing normal ageing to the eye, whereby cataracts have formed as a result.

You should consider cataract surgery when cloudy vision and vision loss interfere with your everyday life, i.e. driving, reading, or watching TV. You and our doctors can make this decision together.

Once you understand the benefits and risks of surgery, you can make an informed decision about whether traditional cataract surgery is right for you.

In most cases, delaying cataract surgery will not cause long-term damage to your eye or make the surgery more difficult. Therefore, you do not have to rush into surgery.

However, sometimes a cataract should be removed even if it does not cause problems with your vision. For example, if the cataract prevents examination or treatment of another eye problem. This could include conditions like age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.

Once we have removed the natural lens, we replace it with a clear plastic lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). The artificial lens can focus light onto the back of the eye and improve vision.

Monofocal lenses are the most commonly implanted lenses. They have the same power in all areas of the lens. They can have a fixed focus or allow for changes in focus.

Multifocal lenses are like bifocal eyeglasses. Several areas of the lens have different powers, which allow individuals to see clearly at far, intermediate and near distances.

That said, these multifocal lenses are not suitable for everyone. For some individuals, they may cause more problems with night vision and glare than monofocal IOL lenses.

If you have cataracts in both eyes that require surgery, the surgery will be performed on each eye at separate times, usually four weeks apart.

Toric IOLs have astigmatism correction in them. So we can use these for patients who have a lot of astigmatism and want to reduce it.

EDOF IOLs are the latest in lens technology for the treatment of Presbyopia. In contrast to multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) used in the treatment of presbyopia, EDOF lenses work by creating a single elongated focal point to enhance “range of vision” or “depth of focus”.

Advantages
  • Cataract is one of the safest and most effective types of surgery
  • In about 90 per cent of cases, people with cataract surgery have better vision afterwards
  • The procedure typically takes less than one hour and is almost painless
  • You can choose to stay awake during surgery (many do)
  • It usually does not require an overnight stay
  • Vision is usually improved the day after surgery
  • Recovery is typically short and uneventful
  • The lens implants are permanent and ordinarily do not need to be replaced.
Disadvantages
  • Itching and mild discomfort: After surgery, it is normal to feel mild discomfort, irritation, or a stingy sensation. If you
  • experience these symptoms, you can take painkillers.
  • Mild symptoms: Mucous, a small amount of bloody discharge, and watering of the eye are also considered normal.
  • Driving is not permitted for 24 hours following surgery, due to the sedation we give you.
  • Light sensitivity: It is also quite normal to be sensitive to light temporarily after surgery.
  • You must avoid:
    • Rubbing your eyes
    • Engaging in strenuous activity/exercise for two weeks
    • Wearing eye make-up for one week
    • Swimming for two weeks
    • Allowing water/shampoo to come into direct contact with the eye for two weeks

As with any surgery, cataract surgery poses risks, such as infection and bleeding.

Before cataract surgery, we may ask you to temporarily stop taking certain medications that increase the risk of bleeding during surgery.

After surgery, you must keep your eye clean, wash your hands before touching your eye, and use the prescribed medications to help minimise the risk of infection. Serious infection can result in loss of vision.

Cataract surgery slightly increases your risk of retinal detachment. Other eye disorders, such as high myopia (short-sightedness), can further increase your risk of retinal detachment after cataract surgery. One sign of a retinal detachment is a sudden increase in flashes or floaters. Floaters are little “cobwebs” or specks that seem to float about in your field of vision. If you notice a sudden increase in floaters or flashes, see an eye care professional immediately.

A retinal detachment is a medical emergency. A retinal detachment causes no pain. Early treatment for retinal detachment often can prevent permanent loss of vision. The sooner you get treatment, the more likely you will regain good vision. However, even if we treat you promptly, you may still lose some vision.

Problems after surgery are rare, but they can occur. These problems can include infection, bleeding, inflammation (pain, redness, swelling), loss of vision, double vision, and high or low eye pressure. With prompt medical attention, we can usually treat these problems successfully.

Sometimes the eye tissue that encloses the IOL becomes cloudy and may blur your vision. This condition is called posterior capsular opacification. It can develop months or years after cataract surgery.

We treat this condition with a laser. Our doctor uses a laser to make a tiny hole in the eye tissue behind the lens to let light pass through. This outpatient procedure is called a YAG laser capsulotomy. It is painless and rarely results in increased eye pressure or other eye problems. However, as a precaution, we may prescribe eye drops to lower your eye pressure before or after the procedure.

  • The alternative to having cataract surgery is not undergoing cataract surgery. You cannot treat cataracts with anything other than a surgical procedure. If you do not have your cataracts removed, they will continue to cause your visual acuity and contrast sensitivity to decline gradually.
  • There are two types of cataract surgery: Traditional and Lifestyle.
    • Traditional cataract surgery – With standard cataract surgery, we remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a monofocal lens with one focus point. You will need glasses to see clearly at other distances.
    • Lifestyle cataract surgery – With Lifestyle cataract surgery, we remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a premium lens to reduce or eliminate your need for glasses for a range of distances.

What happens before surgery?

About a week or two before surgery, we will do some tests. These tests may include measuring the curve of the cornea and the size and shape of your eye. This information helps us to choose the right type of intraocular lens (IOL).
We may ask you not to eat or drink anything 12 hours before your surgery.

What happens during surgery?

At the hospital or eye clinic, we will put drops into your eye to dilate the pupil. We will then wash and cleanse the area around your eye.

The operation usually lasts less than one hour and is almost painless. Many people choose to stay awake during surgery. Others may need to be put to sleep for a short time. If you are awake, you will have an anaesthetic to numb the nerves in and around your eye.

After the operation, we may place a patch over your eye. You will rest for a while. Our medical team will watch for any problems, such as bleeding. Most people who have cataract surgery can go home the same day. You will need someone to drive you home.

What happens after surgery?

Itching and mild discomfort are normal after cataract surgery. Some fluid discharge is also common. In addition, your eye may be sensitive to light and touch. If you have discomfort, our doctor can suggest treatment.

After one or two days, moderate pain should disappear.

For a few weeks after surgery, we may ask you to use eye drops to promote healing and decrease the risk of infection.
You will need to wear an eye shield or eyeglasses to help protect your eye. Also, avoid rubbing or pressing on your eye.

When you are home, try not to bend from the waist to pick up objects on the floor. Do not lift any heavy objects. You can walk, climb stairs, and do light household chores.

In most cases, healing will be complete within eight weeks.

We will schedule exams to check on your progress.

You can return quickly to many everyday activities, but your vision may be blurry.

The healing eye needs time to adjust to focus correctly with the other eye, especially if the other eye has a cataract.

Ask our doctor when you can resume driving.

Not all cataract surgery is the same

Knowledge is power. If you’re considering cataract surgery, this 5-minute quiz will help you see what you might be missing.

Do cataracts and glasses hold you back?

You have the choice to remove either or both

You’re tired of waiting to get your cataracts removed

If you want to skip the queues and get cataract surgery sooner than waiting times allow, then you will want to consider looking into private cataract surgery.

You’d like to lessen your dependency on glasses and get your cataracts removed

If you wish to take the opportunity of having your vision corrected when you have lifestyle cataract surgery, you should learn more about premium IOLs or toric lenses.

Thousands of happy patients gain freedom from cataracts, glasses and eye conditions

“I found the service I received from Dr. Elalfy very good, having experienced problems with surgery elsewhere, he sorted out those problems and reassured me to go on and complete my treatment. A lovely person with a very high skill set in optical surgery.”

Ms A.A.

“Fantastic impression and support from the first meeting. Excellent bedside manner with detailed explanations. Eye surgery expertly executed with 100% result wished for. Professional from start to finish. Absolutely no hesitation to recommend.”

Mrs L.W.

Thousands of happy patients instantly gain freedom from cataracts, glasses and eye conditions

“I found the service I received from Dr. Elalfy very good, having experienced problems with surgery elsewhere, he sorted out those problems and reassured me to go on and complete my treatment. A lovely person with a very high skill set in optical surgery.”

Ms A.A.

“Mohamed Elalfy achieves all that we want from our medical practitioners; interest in you as a patient, great care in analysing the problem and ensuring that one’s concerns, emotional and practical, are thoroughly considered and explained and a great outcome.”

Mr B.P.

We have replaced the images of real patients who provided these testimonials to protect their privacy.

Academic resources on traditional cataract surgery

Learn more about traditional cataract surgery from authoritative sources

Your cataract surgery recovery should be short and uneventful, as long as your health is good and you don’t have other major eye problems. Statistics show that your chances of a good outcome and sharper vision after surgery are excellent.

Click here to read more.

Many cataracts are not bothersome, causing few symptoms and discomfort, however that is not true for all.
A cataract is an eye disease in which the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque, causing a decrease in vision.
Early symptoms of cataracts include blurred vision, glare, and difficulty reading and this will affect most people and become more prominent as we age.

Click here to read more.

Affiliations and memberships

We are aligned with the following professional bodies

Beat the lockdown wait lists and move forward with your life

We provide personalised treatment at a time and place that suits you

Mr Mohamed Elalfy

MBBCh, MSc, MD, DRCOphth, FRCS (Ed), FRCS (Glas), FRCOphth, FICO, FEBO
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Seeking eye treatment for a worrying eye condition can be stressful. Waitlists everywhere are long due to the lockdowns, and leaving the house to attend appointments can be a real inconvenience.

To make your experience as easy and stress-free as possible, we provide assessments in your local area. We also offer online appointments both before and after your treatment, so you don’t have to travel far to get the personalised support you deserve.

LEARN MORE

Restore your vision and begin your life-changing journey towards improved eye health

Don’t let cloudy vision get in the way of your life. Instead, take the first step and discover which type of cataract surgery will give you the clear and crisp results you desire with a cataract assessment.