What is a Cataract?

Your eyes are essentially highly sophisticated cameras. A cataract is when the natural lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, resulting in symptoms such as blurred vision, faded colours and glare. Cataracts only worsen over time,and if left untreated, can lead to significant visual impairment making everyday activities such as driving and reading difficult. Left untreated, cataracts reduce your quality of life.

moorifields eye hospital

Moorfields-trained Cataract & Vitreoretinal Surgeon in the Midlands

I have over 20 years experience in routine, complex and premium cataract surgery and have performed thousands of procedures. As a Consultant Vitreoretinal Surgeon, I am referred the most complex of cataracts from other Consultant cataract surgeons that they are unable or unwilling to deal with. I am also their port of call if they experience serious surgical complications during cataract surgery.

Only a vitreoretinal surgeon has the surgical expertise to immediately deal with all the severe complications that can occasionally arise during cataract surgery. So why risk anyone else?

Moorfields-trained Cataract & Vitreoretinal Surgeon in the Midlands

I have over 20 years experience in routine, complex and premium cataract surgery and have performed thousands of procedures. As a Consultant Vitreoretinal Surgeon, I am referred the most complex of cataracts from other Consultant cataract surgeons that they are unable or unwilling to deal with. I am also their port of call if they experience serious surgical complications during cataract surgery.

Only a vitreoretinal surgeon has the surgical expertise to immediately deal with all the severe complications that can occasionally arise during cataract surgery. So why risk anyone else?

moorifields eye hospital

How is Cataract Treated?

The only treatment for a cataract is to have surgery. You should have surgery if the cataract is impacting on your quality of life, or affecting your essential daily activities such as driving or reading. In the private sector, you do not have to wait for your vision to deteriorate to the level required to be eligible for NHS treatment. 

Unlike many surgeons I only use the very latest microincisional keyhole equipment and perform the whole intricate procedure through just a tiny 2mm incision. The cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The operation is typically painless and takes around 10-20 minutes. I perform most of these procedures using just topical anaesthetic drops alone, avoiding the need for any needle anaesthesia. If you are anxious about the procedure, mild sedation can be provided for your comfort.  

Clearer Vision in 7 Days

Recovery of vision after routine cataract surgery is generally rapid. Most patients will notice a significant improvement in vision within the first 1 week following the procedure, restoring your quality of life which was affected by the cataract.

cataract surgery spire hospital

Artistic representation of premium intraocular lens
MONOFOCAL IOL

Only provides a single focus for a single distance

What is an IOL?

In modern cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is replaced with a clear acrylic intraocular lens (or IOL). Within the NHS, you will only receive a single-vision (monofocal) IOL, allowing you to see either distance or near, but not both. Furthermore, these lenses are not typically chosen to provide you with intermediate (arms-length) vision, nor do they correct significant astigmatism. For a full range of vision you will be likely be permanently dependent on varifocal, bifocal or reading spectacles if you receive a monofocal IOL.

What is an IOL?

In modern cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is replaced with a clear acrylic intraocular lens (or IOL). Within the NHS, you will only receive a single-vision (monofocal) IOL, allowing you to see either distance or near, but not both. Furthermore, these lenses are not typically chosen to provide you with intermediate (arms-length) vision, nor do they correct significant astigmatism. For a full range of vision you will be likely be permanently dependent on varifocal, bifocal or reading spectacles if you receive a monofocal IOL.

Artistic representation of premium intraocular lens
MONOFOCAL IOL

Only provides a single focus for a single distance

Unlock the Potential of Premium IOLs with Private Cataract Surgery

If, like many patients, you view the possibility of never having to wear glasses again as truly liberating, then you should consider private cataract surgery. Privately, I can provide state-of-the-art premium multifocal, extended depth of vision (EDoF), toric astigmatism–correcting and enhanced monofocal IOLs designed to give you much more independence from glasses than the basic single vision lenses available through the NHS. 

Your eyesight is precious, and you deserve the best range of vision that modern science can offer. So, invest in your future with premium IOLs, and enjoy being able to read and use your computer or tablet with much less dependence on annoying spectacles – something that perhaps you have not been able to do since your early 40s.  

Frequently Asked Questions

I have astigmatism? What is this and can this be corrected during cataract surgery?

Astigmatism is a type of refractive error that occurs in combination with either long or short-sightedness and is common at all ages. It occurs mostly when the cornea at the front of the eye has an irregular slightly oval shape rather than being more spherical. This results in objects at any distance appearing distorted or skewed.

Normally, glasses fitted with special toric lenses or contact lenses are required to obtain good vision. When cataract surgery is performed, a standard monofocal lens will not correct significant astigmatism. You will therefore still have some blurred vision, and will always require toric spectacles to see clearly at any distance.

Cataract surgery provides the ideal opportunity to correct significant regular astigmatism by the implantation of astigmatism-correcting toric lenses, allowing the light to be properly focussed on the retina. Monofocal toric lenses will allow you to see clearly in the distance without spectacles, whilst multifocal toric lenses will allow you to see clearly for all distances in most cases with any need for bothersome spectacles.

Premium IOL Vision Simulator

Click the buttons below to see vision through Premium IOLs, Standard Monofocal, Cataract & Presbyopia

(artistic simulation only)

Freedom from Reading Glasses

I will discuss with you in detail your lifestyle requirements to help personalise the best IOL options for you. Not all patients are suitable for multifocal lenses. Thankfully, I also have access to a brand-new generation of monofocal IOLs (Tecnis Eyhance) designed to give you a greater depth of vision than other basic monofocal IOLs. 

Trifocal IOLs

As the name suggests, trifocal lenses provide an excellent range of vision for distance, intermediate and near vision, and eliminate the need for cumbersome varifocal or reading spectacles in over 90% of patients. Astigmatism-correcting (toric) versions of these lenses for are available if you suffer from astigmatism. 

Extended Depth of Focus IOLs

Extended depth of vision lenses provide a continuous range of vision from distance to intermediate and are a good option for those with active lifestyles who do not mind wearing reading spectacles. Astigmatism-correcting (toric) versions of these lenses for are available if you suffer from astigmatism. 

Standard Cataract
Surgery

from £2695 / eye*

(single vision intraocular
lens)

Toric IOL
Supplement

from £599 / eye*

Multifocal IOL
Supplement

from £899 / eye*

Toric Multifocal IOL
Supplement

from £1295 / eye*

* prices vary on location of hospital where surgery is performed.  You may require an additional Pentacam scan, approximately £160.

Zero % finance options

available in most hospitals

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Private Cataract Surgery: Why Choose Kam Balaggan?

“Your surgeon is the biggest factor in the outcome of your treatment”

Experience & Expertise

  • I am a full-time NHS Consultant and one of the most highly-trained Cataract and Vitreoretinal Surgeons in the Midlands.

  • Over 20 years experience performing thousands of routine, complex and premium cataract procedures.

  • I have been the surgeon of choice for local optometrists and doctors who have referred themselves or their family members to me for cataract surgery.

  • As a Consultant Vitreoretinal Surgeon, I am referred the most complex of cataracts from other Consultant cataract surgeons which they are unable or unwilling to deal with.

  • Other cataract surgeons refer their serious cataract surgery complications to me for corrective treatment. Only a vitreoretinal surgeon has the surgical expertise to immediately deal with all the severe complications that can occasionally arise during cataract surgery. So,by choosing me from the outset for your cataract surgery, you will have the absolute reassurance that should you experience any unexpected complications, you are already in hands of a surgeon who can immediately deal with them. So why risk anyone else?

  • My complication rate is below national averages.

  • I have particular interest in cataract surgery in very short-sighted patients.

 The Most Advanced Equipment & Intraocular Lenses

  • Access to advanced-technology premium IOLs which are only available privately.

  • Unlike many cataract surgeons, I exclusively perform microincision (2mm) cataract surgery rather than standard incision cataract surgery. 

Quickly Enjoy Seeing Again & Restore your Quality of Life

  • Bypass long NHS cataract waiting lists and have surgery to see a lot better within just a few weeks. All surgery can be planned to fit around your schedule.

  • NHS patients are not eligible for cataract surgery until their vision has deteriorated to a certain level. Many patients however experience reduced vision and quality of life before they reach this threshold. By choosing private cataract surgery, there will be no need to wait, and your cataract can be operated on as soon as you feel your symptoms warrant correction.

Personalised, Readily Accessible Consultant-delivered Care from Start to Finish 

  • I will personally perform your initial and post-operative assessments, and will provide you with all the time you require in order to answer your questions and alleviate any fears and anxieties.

  • I guarantee to personally perform your surgery, rather than a trainee surgeon which is not uncommon in non-private settings (and in particular in Teaching Hospitals).

  • You will have direct access to me from the outset, thereby circumventing some of the more traditional routes requiring you to be seen by an optician and general ophthalmologist prior to being reviewed by a vitreoretinal surgeon.

  • At all stages of your treatment pathway, you will receive my direct access telephone number. This will negate the need to go via any third party, such as a secretary or the hospital, in order to obtain any routine or urgent advice. I will be available 7 days a week for you in this regard. This is a very important aspect to the service I pride myself in providing, giving you the reassurance and confidence to make your journey through this difficult time as smooth and anxiety-free as possible.  

Patient Testimonials

  • All the aspects of the service I provide have resulted in very high satisfaction levels from my former patients, rating my service an average of 4.9/ 5 on Trustpilot.

Frequently Asked Questions

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