Private cataract surgery Crawley

At Spire Gatwick Park Hospital we have many dedicated ophthalmologists who specialise in cataract removal surgery to improve your vision in a relatively straightforward procedure.

There’s no need to wait to have cataract surgery. We offer access to tests, scans and treatment without the wait, and easy booking with appointment times to suit you.

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

• Monofocal – to correct either near or distance vision, with a choice of three focal points
• Toric – a monofocal lens that helps correct astigmatism (a problem with focusing)
• Multifocal – to correct both near and distance vision, like varifocal glasses
• Trifocal – to correct intermediate vision, as well as near and distance vision
• Secondary piggyback lens – to correct refractive error (short- or near-sightedness) after cataract surgery

We also have special equipment which use a variety of biometry and refractive techniques to measure the shape and size of your eye. This is so your consultant can calculate the power of your intraocular lens implants.

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

Getting here

We're just a few miles from Gatwick Airport, the M25 and M23 motorways, central London and Victoria station are a 30 minute train ride away. We have free parking on-site 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 12 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
• 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 a couple of 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 our lounge while you have your surgery.

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
• 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: