Cataract surgery in Swindon

Cataract surgery takes around 15 minutes, and it’s currently the only treatment available for cataracts. During the procedure, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial one, which is called an intraocular lens. The procedure can significantly improve your vision, and many patients actually see better than they did before they developed cataracts. 

Swindon Cataract surgery: what to expect at Newmedica

Our caring team in Swindon will be there to support you before, after and during your cataract surgery and can hold your hand if you’re feeling nervous. 

Before surgery:

We’ll test your current vision and carry out a biometry test, which involves taking your eye measurements, so your consultant can be sure that your new replacement lens is the right one for you. Our clinical assistants will go through some relevant health checks and talk you through what’s involved in the procedure. Your consultant will then check your eyes to make sure there isn’t anything that could affect your surgery, discuss available lens options, and answer any questions you may have.

During surgery: 

Most cataract operations are performed under a local anaesthetic (either by eye drops or anaesthetic around the eye). Don’t worry, there won’t be any needles involved in this!  Your consultant will make a tiny incision in your eye to remove your cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one. You’ll be awake for your cataract surgery, and may see some movement around your eye, but don’t worry, you won’t be able to feel a thing. We know this might sound unnerving, which is why our Swindon theatre team will be there to make sure you feel comfortable throughout your surgery and can hold your hand if you’re anxious. They’ll also talk you through everything they’re doing during the procedure (just let them know if you don’t want any details).

After surgery: 

After your surgery, we might recommend popping a small plastic shield over your eye to protect it from accidental damage. You’ll need to use eye drops for around three weeks after your surgery, and these will be prescribed by your consultant. We’ll explain exactly how and when to use them before you leave our eye clinic. You can go home on the same day, but you won’t be able to drive straight away. We’ll give you a call the next day to check in and make sure you’re happy with everything.  We’ll also arrange the necessary follow-up appointments with your consultant or preferred optician to make sure your recovery is going well and that your vision is clear.

Why choose Newmedica for your cataract surgery in Swindon?

At our Swindon eye clinic, we have short waiting times, which means you’ll have your first appointment within just a couple of weeks. We also aim to complete your cataract treatment within eight weeks of your referral. We know that many patients feel nervous when coming to our clinic for cataract surgery, which is why our team will give you a warm welcome and do what they can to help you feel comfortable.

How much does cataract surgery cost in Swindon at Newmedica?

If you’re coming to our Swindon eye clinic for private cataract surgery, then this will start from £2,295 per eye for a monofocal lens replacement. There are a range of costs for the specialist lens types we have available, and we’ll explain this to you transparently. We offer a single fixed price, so there aren’t any hidden fees for consultations or diagnostic tests to catch you off guard. This means you pay one price for all medication, your surgery, the replacement lens, and all pre- and post-operative appointments. 

If you’re getting NHS-funded treatment with us in Swindon, then all of your treatment costs with Newmedica will be fully covered, with no additional cost to you.

Perks of private cataract surgery

There are several reasons why many of our patients decide to get private cataract treatment. 

During cataract surgery, your cloudy lens is replaced with a lens implant, and the type of lens you choose will determine how well you see without your glasses after your procedure. With NHS cataract surgery, the standard replacement used is called a monofocal lens, and this improves your vision for a specific distance (like far away or close up). One perk of getting private treatment is that you can still choose to have a monofocal lens, but you’ll also have the option to pick a different type of lens, which could reduce your dependency on glasses (at an additional cost). This includes: 

• A multifocal option: for good distance, intermediate and close-up vision.

• An extended focus option: provides a continuous focus over a range of distances.

If you have astigmatism (where the cornea at the front of the eye is shaped more like a rugby ball than a football), then you can get the right correction incorporated into any of these specialist lenses. This type of corrective lens is known as toric, which might sound familiar if you wear contact lenses.

Another perk of getting private treatment is that you might not have to wait as long for your surgery. This is because the NHS have certain thresholds, usually linked to impact on vision, in order to qualify for NHS cataract treatment. If you choose to go private for your cataract surgery, you can have the procedure when you feel that your vision is impacting your lifestyle, so you don’t necessarily have to meet the local NHS guidelines.

Can I get cataract surgery through the NHS?

You’ll be entitled to receive NHS-funded treatment with us at our eye clinic in Swindon if you usually (and lawfully) live in England, which means you’re known as ‘ordinarily resident’.