If you are considering cataract surgery or have already booked your surgery date, this page will provide you with useful information about the procedure itself, and other important things to know. For a photo tour of the operating room, click on the preview below:

For a video of cataract surgery, click on the preview below:

Downloadable Forms:

Family Physician's Information Sheet - [download]
** NOTE:  Physician History and Physical Form no longer required for routine surgery **

Patient Information Sheet - [download]

Patient Instruction Sheet - [download]

Patient History Sheet - [download]

Risk factors in cataract surgery - [download]

What is a cataract?

A healthy lens is clear and is located behind the iris – the coloured part of the eye. The lens focuses light as it passes to the retina. A cataract occurs when the lens becomes cloudy.

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

Cloudy, blurry, fuzzy or foggy vision; poor night vision and problems driving at night; changes in the way you see colours; double vision or ghosting; problems with glare, halos; frequent changes in glasses prescription; need for more light when reading.

How does your eye doctor know if you have cataracts?

Is cataract surgery right for me?

With cataract surgery, we hope to regain the vision lost due to the cataract. The benefits to you in improving your vision are: independence, confidence, safety and enjoyment while pursuing activities such as driving, reading, hobbies, working and social activities. Surgery is recommended when the cataract appears to be the cause of the reduced vision and only when it is preventing you from functioning as you normally would. It is Dr. Chan’s opinion that you could benefit by having cataract surgery. Since the operation is considered elective, the decision has been left to you. Cataract surgery is considered major eye surgery, but complications are rare. Statistically, 95% of patients have no complications. Around 4% have minor complications that resolve on their own without treatment. Less than 1% have significant complications that require further treatment such as a high intraocular pressure, infection inside the eye, dislocation of the implanted lens, drooping eyelid, retinal detachment, swelling or clouding of the cornea and the remote possibility of permanent loss of vision in the eye.

How much will it cost to have cataract surgery?

Alberta Health covers the cost for the ophthalmologist, day surgery fee, basic replacement lens, and the anesthetist. You will need to pay for your eye drops. You will likely need a change in your glasses after surgery – the cost of this is your responsibility. If you choose to have optional enhancements to your cataract surgery such as a premium intraocular lens, the fees for these enhancements would be your responsibility. 

What should I know about cataract surgery?

Your operation will be done as an outpatient at either the Royal Alexandra Hospital, the Fort Saskatchewan Hospital or at Cataract MD (formerly FYi Doctors). The actual surgery time usually takes 10 to 15 minutes; however, be prepared to be there for several hours due to preparation time, etc. You will not be able to drive yourself home after surgery or to the follow-up examination the following morning.

Freezing of the eye is usually done using eye drops and gel (topical anesthesia) but may be done using a freezing needle (retrobulbar anesthesia) if Dr. Chan feels that you would not be able to keep your eyes still enough to perform the surgery. Rarely, complications from a freezing needle may occur and this may be discussed with the anesthetist prior to having this performed. An anesthetist is on hand to administer the freezing and provide intravenous medications that help you relax and remain comfortable during the procedure. With topical anesthesia, you will be required to keep the eye still during surgery and to follow instructions. With retrobulbar anesthesia, the eye is immobilized which may cause double vision for 4 to 12 hours so a patch is placed over the operated eye before you leave the hospital. You remove the patch at home the next morning. In the vast majority of cases, you are awake during surgery and it is important that you refrain from sudden head or eye movements. In certain circumstances, it may be necessary for you to have your surgery under a general anesthetic although this will be determined at your first visit with Dr. Chan.

Your cataract will be removed using a procedure called phacoemulsification, whereby ultrasonic (sound) waves break down the cataract allowing Dr. Chan to remove it through an incision less than 2.5 mm in size. The lens capsule is left behind. An intraocular lens, made of a soft injectable acrylic material, is implanted within the capsule through the micro-incision, and generally no sutures are used.

If you cannot lie on your back quietly and comfortably for 30 to 60 minutes, be sure to let the nurses at the hospital know this when you arrive.

What should I expect following surgery?

The vision is typically blurry for several days after the surgery and improves gradually as you use your eye drops. It is normal to feel mild discomfort, irritation, scratchiness or tearing after surgery. These types of symptoms commonly occur for 3 or 4 months after surgery due to increased dryness of the eyes. If you have cataracts in both eyes, you may experience visual distortion following your first surgery. The distortion may persist until the second eye is done. You will be asked to wear an eye shield at bedtime for 1 week so that you do not inadvertently rub your eye while asleep. You should wear either a pair of sunglasses of your old glasses during the daytime for the first week so that you do not rub the eye, and also to prevent dirt or dust from entering the eye. For the first week after surgery, do not lift more than 20-30 lbs, avoid bending over as much as possible, do not strain yourself physically, and be careful not to get anything in the eye. Two weeks after surgery, you may return to your regular activities.

You will see Dr. Chan the morning after your surgery, and then 2 to 3 weeks afterwards to ensure that the eye is healing properly. After cataract surgery, we expect that your prescription for glasses will need to be changed. Dr. Chan recommends that you see your regular optometrist 6 weeks after surgery for a final follow-up examination and glasses prescription if needed.

The nurses at the hospital will review the postoperative instructions with you.

Will my cataract return?

No. However, in a small percentage of people the membrane behind the lens implant may become cloudy anywhere from two months to five years after the surgery. This ‘capsular opacification’ or ‘secondary cataract’ causes blurry vision similar to cataracts. If this happens, Dr. Chan can clear the vision using a laser. This is a painless procedure taking less than a minute that is done as an outpatient visit in the Eye Clinic at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.