Private cataract surgery Leeds

At Spire Leeds Hospital, we use trusted and clinically proven techniques to remove cataracts and improve your eyesight, so you can get back to everyday activities.

Cataract surgery involves replacing a cloudy lens in your eye with a clear artificial lens to improve vision.

At Spire Leeds Hospital, we offer a range of intraocular lenses. Your consultant will help you choose the best option for you. They include:

• Monofocal – corrects either short or long sight, with a choice of three focal points
• Toric – a monofocal lens that helps correct astigmatism (a problem with focusing)
• Multifocal – corrects both near and distance vision, like varifocal glasses

We also have a choice of different makes of lens according to the patient's needs.

You may still need to wear glasses afterwards, depending on your eyesight and your choice of lens.

Getting here

Spire Leeds Hospital is situated just off Leeds' main A6120 ring road, approximately three miles from Leeds city centre. The hospital is accessible via public transport (bus) or we're 15 minutes by car from the city centre and the mainline railway station. We have free on-site parking for you and your visitors.

Your consultations

One of our highly trained consultant ophthalmologists will offer you an appointment within a few days of your enquiry. You’ll meet them in one of our 17 consultation rooms to discuss any symptoms or a previous diagnosis. They may carry out tests such as:

• Sight tests
• Biometry testing – to calculate the power of the new intraocular lens (IOL) required
• Topography - an imaging technique to detect eye disease
• Optical coherence tomography - used to create an image of your retina

Your consultant will explain how cataract surgery works and the options available to you, what you can expect afterwards and any risks. This is a good opportunity for you to ask any questions.

When you come in for your operation, you’ll only be with us for approximately four hours so you won’t need to bring much. However, you may need:

• Sunglasses or a hat to wear when leaving hospital as things may look bright afterwards
• Hearing aids if you wear them
• A change of shirt or top as a rinsing fluid is used during the procedure

If you’ve come with a friend or family member, they’re welcome to wait in your room while you have your operation.

Here’s what will happen after you arrive for your cataract surgery:

• You’ll meet your surgery team and will be given eye drops to dilate your pupil and make it easier for your surgeon to see your lens
• You may be given a sedative to help you feel relaxed
• You’ll also be given a local anaesthetic, usually in the form of eye drops, so you won’t feel anything during the procedure (some patients may occasionally need to have a general anaesthetic for this surgery)
• Your surgeon will make a small incision in the front of your eye (cornea) and remove your clouded lens, using a process called phacoemulsification, which breaks the lens up into small fragments
• They’ll then insert your new intraocular lens

After your cataract surgery, you’ll be taken to a recovery room to relax until your surgeon says you’re ready to go home. This is usually a few hours after cataract surgery.

Although everybody’s different and you should always follow your consultant’s advice, here’s a typical recovery timeline for cataract surgery: