Small Incision Cataract Surgery

Melbourne eye surgeon, Dr Noel Alpins of NewVision Laser Eye Clinics performs cataract surgery each week at Como Private Hospital in Parkdale and at Victoria Parade Surgery Centre in East Melbourne. Cataract surgery patients are only required to attend for the day and their vision begins to improve almost immediately after small incision cataract procedure.

Small incision cataract surgery is performed under local anaesthetic and a sedative is given to help you relax. An anesthetist will be present to monitor your comfort.

The technique of phacoemulsification is used to remove your cataract. Dr Alpins introduced this modern, microsurgical technique to Victoria in 1987 and since that time many other eye surgeons have learned from him during his fifteen years of experience. The phacoemulsification technique uses ultrasound to dissolve the cataract allowing a much smaller incision to be made than was possible using previous methods. This enables a quicker recovery of your eyesight. To hasten vision recovery further "no stitch" surgery is utilised.

The small incision will be placed at the optimal position to improve the visual result of the eye by reducing or eliminating any existing astigmatism at the time of surgery. The intra-ocular plastic lens is placed in the natural position of the human lens and restores your vision without the need for thick glasses afterwards.

Once out of the operating suite you will be monitored by nursing staff to make sure that you are comfortable. In most cases an eye patch is not required - enabling you to start using the eye almost immediately after surgery. It is unlikely that you will experience discomfort.