Private cataract surgery Harpenden

At Spire Harpenden Hospital, our team of ophthalmologists (eye specialists) can offer you cataract removal surgery and lens options that are recommended for you and your needs.

We offer fast access to diagnostic tests and scans and easy booking with appointment times to suit you, so you don't have to wait long.

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

• Monofocal – corrects either near or distance vision
• 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 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 have excellent road links to the M1 and A1(M), and are five minutes from Harpenden train station, with free parking available.

Your consultations

One of our experienced consultant ophthalmologists will offer you an initial consultation within a few days of your enquiry.

All your consultations will take place in one of our 27 private rooms. During your consultations, we'll:

• Ask about your medical history
• Carry out a series of tests, including a sight test and biometry testing – to calculate the power of the new intraocular lens (IOL) required
• Explain about the procedure, anaesthetic, the different types of IOLs available, and any potential cataract surgery complications and risks and how they may affect you
• Give you a chance to ask any questions you have about your treatment

On the day of your procedure, you’ll come into Spire Harpenden and meet your healthcare team. If you’ve come with a friend or family member, they’re welcome to wait in your room while you have your operation.

You’ll only be here for a few hours, so you won’t need to bring too much with you. You may like to bring a change of shirt, in case the fluid used to clean your eye gets onto your top.

You’ll be given a local anaesthetic in your eye, and your consultant may also give you a sedative to make you feel more relaxed during the procedure.

During your operation, your consultant will:

• Make a small incision (cut) into the front of your eye (the cornea)
• Remove your cloudy lens using phacoemulsification – this breaks up the lens into small fragments
• 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: