Mr Chris Illingworth

My main interest is in cataract surgery. I provide treatments that are personalised to the individual, taking into account needs for work and recreation. I also treat blurred vision that sometimes occurs after cataract surgery via laser capsulotomy.

Cataracts produce symptoms of visual loss, glare and sometimes double vision. They can occur at any age, but the risk of development of cataract increases in older people. Small incision techniques are used to remove cataracts in a painless 10 minute procedure that uses drops rather than injections to numb the eye. Visual recovery is usually very rapid, with most patients able to resume normal activities within a day or two of surgery. In eyes without other problems, distance vision is usually good even without glasses.

My complication rates over the last 10 years have been very low compared to national averages, as evidenced by the National Ophthalmology Database.

Where applicable, multifocal or extended depth of focus lens implants can be used in cataract surgery to reduce the need to wear glasses for reading and other near vision tasks compared with standard lenses. I have been using multifocal lens implants for more than 10 years. I am also very experienced in the use of toric lens implants to correct astigmatism, and have produced research publications on the use of these lenses.