What is cataract? What are the symptoms and signs? Cataract treatment What happens after cataract surgery? How to prepare for the surgery? How long will I have to stay at Budapest?

What is cataract?

Cataract is the blurring of the lens of the eye, usually manifested in ageing people and leading to significantly deteriorated vision. The cause of cataract is still unknown but treatment is now available. (Untreated cataracts can lead to total blindness.)

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What are the symptoms and signs?

In some cases cataract does not have any signs up until is fully developed (typical of one form of cataract called subcapsular cataract). With other types you may notice blurred vision, double vision, lights might seem brighter than usual and colours seem faded.

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Cataract treatment

Cataract surgery is an out patient procedure, you will not have to spend time in hospital and there is no need for general anaesthesia .The surgery takes only 15-30 minutes.

During cataract surgery the patient's cloudy lens is removed by an ultrasound driven instrument through a tiny (only few millimetres) incision made by the doctor. Then an artificial lens replaces your cloudy lens. This lens is called intraocular lens (IOL).

There are different types of IOLs. At the Budapest clinic, you have the choice of having traditional IOL lenses (monofocal) implanted or the new AcrySof® ReSTOR® lenses.
AcrySof® ReSTOR® lenses are multifocal lenses (it means you will not have to wear glasses for reading after cataract surgery). For more information about AcrySof® ReSTOR®, please visit http://www.acrysofrestor.com/default.asp

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What happens after cataract surgery?

After the surgery, you will get an eye patch protecting your eye and your doctor will prescribe some eye drops that you will need to use the next few weeks.
The small wound does not require stitches it will heal by itself so recovery is very fast.

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How to prepare for the surgery?

There is no contraindication for cataract surgery. If you have been diagnosed with cataracts, you can have the surgery and it will correct your vision. Even though is an outpatient procedure and there is no need for general anaesthetic (it makes surgery much safer especially for elderly people) doctors want to make sure that your health is good enough to undergo the surgery.
This is the reason why you will be asked to see your GP before travelling to Hungary, and have a pre-operative general check-up. You will need to bring your doctor's note about the examination for your first consultation before surgery.
However if you do not have a note from your GP, than the pre-operative examination can be done at the clinic after your arrival. (Carries a small, but extra fee)

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How long will I have to stay at Budapest?

It is usually about 10-14 days that our cataract surgery patients spend in Hungary.

Day1 (Thursday) : Arrival, eye examination
Day 2 (Friday) : Pre-operative general examination (if not done by GP)
Day 3 (Saturday): Spare time - you can explore Budapest
Day 4 (Sunday) : Spare time - have a spa treatment, do some shopping or see more Budapest attractions
Day 5 (Monday): Cataract removal surgery
Day 6 (Tuesday) : First day check-up
Day 13 (next Tuesday) : one-week check-up and returning to UK

Your next check up is due in a month time. Either your own doctor can do it in the UK or you can choose to travel to Budapest and have it done there FREE. (In this case the check-up and your transport between airport and clinic and then from the clinic to the airport is free. You will only have to pay for your flights, which are very cheap if booked in advance.)
If you fly to Hungary for the check-up is also a good opportunity to discuss your other eye's treatment with the doctor and to have your reading glasses prescribed - if needed.

Price comparison

Vision correction at Budapest	Our prices	Prices in UK	Total savings
Cataract operation	£899	£2000	£2200
Alcon AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens impantation (in addition to cataract surgery price)	£499

 

 

 

 

 

 

See more vision correction prices

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For further information on any treatment please contact us.