What is cataract surgery?1
A cataract is a condition that clouds the lens of your eye, making it difficult to see. Cataract surgery removes the clouded lens and replaces it with a permanent, artificial, clear plastic lens. Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes.
The surgery is an outpatient procedure and takes no more than 45 minutes under a local anaesthetic and light sedation. Occasionally a general anaesthetic may be used instead.
Cataract surgery is usually performed by an ophthalmologist.
The medical term for cataract surgery is phacoemulsification.