Cataract is one of the most common age-related eye conditions and one of the leading causes of gradual, correctable vision loss. It occurs when the natural clear lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, causing vision to become blurred, dull, hazy or less sharp.
The natural lens of the eye helps focus light clearly on the retina. With age, diabetes, injury, steroid use or other eye conditions, this lens can gradually become cloudy. This clouding is called cataract.
A cataract usually develops slowly. In the early stages, patients may feel that their glasses number is changing frequently or that vision is not as clear as before. As it progresses, daily activities such as reading, driving, using screens, recognising faces or seeing clearly in bright light may become difficult.
The cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens, or IOL.
Gradual blurring or haziness of vision
Difficulty seeing clearly while reading, driving or watching television
Glare from headlights, sunlight or bright lights
Halos around lights, especially at night
Faded, dull or yellowish colours
Frequent change in glasses power
Difficulty seeing in dim light
Double or ghost images in one eye
Reduced confidence while driving at night
A feeling that vision is not clear despite changing glasses
Cataract usually does not cause redness, pain or sudden vision loss. If vision loss is sudden or associated with pain, flashes, floaters or redness, a detailed eye evaluation is needed to rule out other eye conditions.
If your vision is affecting reading, driving, screen use or daily work
If you have diabetes, glaucoma, retina disease or previous eye surgery and need cataract planning
If you have been told you have cataract and want to know the right time for surgery
If you have glare or difficulty with night driving
If you are considering premium IOL options and want detailed counselling
If you have cataract in one eye but are unsure whether surgery is needed now
Vision assessment
Cataract evaluation
Eye pressure check
Retinal assessment when required
Advanced swept-source biometry for IOL power calculation
IOL counselling based on eye health and lifestyle
Surgery planning and pre-operative instructions
At NAMAH, cataract surgery planning is supported by the ANTERION swept-source OCT biometer — one of the most advanced technologies used for modern IOL power calculation. It captures detailed measurements of the eye, including axial length, corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth and lens thickness, helping the surgeon select the most appropriate intraocular lens power with greater confidence.
This is especially valuable in premium IOL planning, astigmatism correction, short or long eyes, and eyes where accuracy matters even more.
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This is the common age-related cataract that affects the central part of the lens. Patients may notice gradual blurring, yellowing of vision, reduced contrast and changes in glasses number.
This type affects the outer layers of the lens. It may cause glare, scattered light and difficulty in bright illumination.
This cataract forms near the back surface of the lens. It can cause significant glare, difficulty reading and reduced vision even when the cataract appears small. It may be seen in younger patients, diabetics or patients with steroid exposure.
In advanced cataract, the lens becomes significantly cloudy and vision may be severely reduced. Surgery may be more complex and should be planned carefully.
Cataract may coexist with glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular disease, corneal problems or dry eye. These cases need additional evaluation before surgery so that visual expectations and surgical planning are realistic.
Cataract surgery at NAMAH is performed using topical, minimally invasive phacoemulsification
In phacoemulsification, the cloudy natural lens is broken into tiny fragments using ultrasonic energy and removed through a small incision. A clear foldable intraocular lens is then implanted inside the eye.
The procedure is usually performed with numbing eye drops, without the need for routine injection anesthesia in most cases. Because the incision is very small, healing is usually faster and stitches are often not required.
At NAMAH, cataract surgery is performed using the Oertli OS4 surgical platform.
The Oertli OS4 is an advanced ophthalmic surgical platform used for cataract and vitreoretinal surgery. In cataract surgery, it supports controlled phacoemulsification, stable fluidics and efficient lens removal. This helps the surgeon work with precision inside the eye while maintaining a stable surgical environment.
For patients, this means that cataract surgery is planned with modern technology, controlled energy delivery and careful intraoperative stability.
The machine is important, but the outcome depends on the complete process — pre-operative evaluation, surgical judgement, IOL selection, sterile technique and post-operative follow-up.
Topical anesthesia using numbing eye drops in suitable cases
Minimally invasive small-incision phacoemulsification
Foldable IOL implantation
Personalised IOL power calculation
Astigmatism and lifestyle-based lens counselling
Retina and glaucoma evaluation when required
Modular OT-based sterile surgical care
Clear post-operative instructions and follow-up planning
Patients with diabetes need careful retinal evaluation before cataract surgery. Diabetic retinopathy or diabetic macular edema may affect vision even after technically successful cataract surgery.
At NAMAH, diabetic patients may undergo dilated retinal examination and OCT-based macular evaluation when indicated. If diabetic retina disease is present, treatment and follow-up are planned accordingly.
Cataract surgery in glaucoma patients needs special planning. Eye pressure, optic nerve status, angle anatomy, visual field status and current glaucoma medications are reviewed before surgery.
In some narrow-angle eyes, cataract surgery may help deepen the angle. In advanced glaucoma, surgery is planned with extra caution and realistic visual expectations.
If a patient has age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, previous retinal detachment, macular hole, epiretinal membrane or other retinal conditions, the retina status is evaluated before surgery.
This helps in explaining expected visual recovery and planning any retina treatment or monitoring that may be required.
During cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens, commonly called an IOL. The choice of IOL is an important part of cataract planning. The best IOL is not the same for every patient. It depends on eye measurements, corneal astigmatism, retina health, glaucoma status, dry eye, lifestyle, reading needs, night driving habits and patient expectations.
A monofocal IOL is designed to provide clear vision at one main distance, usually distance vision. Most patients may still need glasses for reading or near work,
Patients who want reliable distance clarity and are comfortable using reading glasses.
A toric IOL corrects cataract along with significant corneal astigmatism. It helps improve unaided distance vision in patients who have suitable astigmatism.
Patients with regular corneal astigmatism who want better distance vision without depending heavily on cylindrical glasses.
These lenses are designed to reduce dependence on glasses for more than one distance, such as distance, intermediate and near vision. They may not be suitable for every eye and can sometimes be associated with halos, glare or contrast sensitivity issues.
Carefully selected patients with healthy retina, healthy cornea and realistic expectations.
EDOF lenses are designed to provide an extended range of vision, especially distance and intermediate vision, with reduced dependence on glasses for many routine activities. Reading glasses may still be needed for fine near work.
Patients who want a broader range of functional vision and may prefer fewer visual disturbances compared with some multifocal designs.
These lenses aim to provide good distance vision with some improvement in intermediate functional vision compared with a standard monofocal lens. Near glasses are usually still required.
Patients who want quality distance vision with some functional intermediate benefit.
The cataract is assessed clinically and correlated with the patient’s symptoms and visual needs.
Biometry and eye measurements are performed to calculate the IOL power.
The cornea, retina, optic nerve and ocular surface are evaluated when required.
Different lens options are explained in a simple, practical way based on the patient’s eye health and lifestyle.
The surgical plan, anesthesia, precautions, medications and follow-up schedule are explained.
Topical minimally invasive phacoemulsification with foldable IOL implantation is performed using the Oertli OS4 platform.
Post-operative medicines, precautions and follow-up visits are explained clearly. Vision recovery is monitored and glasses are prescribed if needed.
Most cataract surgeries are performed using numbing eye drops. Patients may feel mild pressure, water flow or light, but significant pain is uncommon.
The actual surgery is usually short, but the total clinic/OT time is longer because of preparation, dilation, cleaning, surgery and post-operative instructions.
In modern phacoemulsification, the incision is very small and usually does not require stitches. However, this depends on the surgical situation.
The most common modern cataract surgery is phacoemulsification, where ultrasound energy is used to break and remove the cataract. Laser-assisted cataract surgery is a separate technology and is not required in every case.
This depends on the IOL selected, astigmatism, healing, eye condition and visual needs. Some patients need glasses only for near work, while others may need glasses for certain tasks even after surgery.
There is no single best IOL for everyone. The right IOL depends on your eye measurements, retina health, cornea, glaucoma status, lifestyle and expectations.
No. Multifocal, trifocal or EDOF lenses may not be suitable in patients with certain retinal, corneal, glaucoma or ocular surface conditions. Suitability must be assessed carefully.
The cataract itself does not come back because the cloudy natural lens is removed. However, the thin capsule behind the IOL may become cloudy in some patients over time. This is called posterior capsular opacification and can usually be treated with a quick laser procedure if needed.
Cataract surgery is usually advised when cataract starts affecting daily activities, quality of vision or safety. In some cases, surgery may be advised earlier if the cataract is affecting retinal examination, glaucoma management or eye pressure.
In many practices, cataract surgery is commonly performed one eye at a time. The timing of the second eye is planned depending on visual needs, recovery and surgeon preference.
Most patients resume light routine activities soon after surgery, but eye rubbing, water exposure, dust, heavy lifting and strenuous activity should be avoided as advised.
Cataract surgery is commonly performed in elderly patients. Fitness, systemic conditions, medications and eye health are reviewed before surgery.
At NAMAH, cataract care goes beyond removing a cloudy lens. Our approach combines detailed examination, accurate diagnostics, personalised IOL counselling, minimally invasive phacoemulsification and structured follow-up. We understand that cataract surgery is both a medical procedure and a life-quality decision — and we guide every patient through it with clarity, precision and care.
