Having a cataract operation (easy read)
Easy read fact sheet on what happens at a cataracts operation.
![Eye](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Eye%20%282%29.png?itok=aEKgbDDG)
Inside your eye is a lens which helps you to see.
![Cataract](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Cataract_0.jpg?itok=UPRlLuRG)
Having a cloudy lens is called a cataract.
![Cataract replaced by clear lens](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Cataract%20to%20eye.png?itok=gcncFrhc)
A cataract operation is when a cloudy lens in your eye is replaced by a clear lens.
![Easy read](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Easy%20Read%20Info%201%20%281%29.png?itok=3pv3P-VF)
We have a fact sheet about cataracts.
![Hospital](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Place%20Hospital.png?itok=4sB88IK7)
You need to go to the hospital twice to have your cataract operation.
![Check up](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Annual%20Health%20Check%201.png?itok=vpUQP-a1)
The first visit is for a check-up.
![Operation](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Pre-op%20Check%201%20%281%29.png?itok=aC6wB0LH)
The second visit is for the operation a few weeks later.
![Home](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Home.png?itok=EslxODT-)
Most people will go home on the same day after their cataract operation.
![Support](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Group%2049.png?itok=FDqrRrxk)
You and the people who support you can ask for help.
![Learning Disability Liaison Nurse](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Nurse%20No%20Uniform%201.png?itok=pRzmwj1a)
Many hospitals have Learning Disability Liaison Nurses.
![Eye Clinic Liaison Officers](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Nurse%20No%20Uniform%202.png?itok=QioSpzCe)
Some hospitals have Eye Clinic Liaison Officers.
![Nurse](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Nurse%20Health%20Questions.png?itok=xMghjhiO)
These people can help you get ready for your operation.
![Letter](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Letter%20Health%20Check.png?itok=Y2mhF-GL)
You will be sent a letter telling you the date of your check up at the eye clinic.
![Hospital supporter](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Hospital%20Carer%20Mask.png?itok=5kPsciMs)
Go to your check-up with a supporter who knows you well.
![Glasses](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Glasses%20%282%29.png?itok=OEd7Dg0M)
Take your glasses if you have any.
![NHS care plan](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Plans%20Health%2BCare.png?itok=2aanS6hc)
Take any information about your health and your past eye health.
![Eye doctor](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Optician%20eye%20test2%20%284%29.png?itok=Qf79M-Gr)
The eye doctor will look at your cataracts.
![Blood pressure test](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Blood%20Pressure%20Happy.png?itok=OC15RNDb)
The nurse will check your blood pressure.
![Doctor](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/GP%20Doctor%207%20%281%29.png?itok=K5t0l7cL)
The nurse and the eye doctor will talk to you about your cataract operation.
![Question](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Question2.png?itok=_d74xuW3)
You and your supporter can ask questions.
![Week days](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Days.png?itok=aCdwU5MZ)
They will tell you the date for the operation which will be in a few weeks’ time.
![Making a plan](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Plan-1%20%281%29.png?itok=bg4-8O69)
You and your supporters should plan the help you will need.
![Reasonable adjustments](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Reasonable%20Adjustments%20%281%29.png?itok=iO6J9scg)
You may need help before, during and after your operation.
![Form](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Form%20white%20%283%29.png?itok=LZuDsa8J)
We have a form called an Eye Surgery Support Plan.
![Form](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Form%20help2%20%282%29.png?itok=V2kkZ49E)
You can use this form to plan the help you need.
![Communication](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Communication%201.png?itok=nG8-Z28R)
Your plan will also help doctors and nurses understand how you communicate.
![Information](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Good%20Information%20%282%29.png?itok=soXsuO6L)
It will tell them any other important information about you.
![Eye hospital](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Hospital%202F%20%281%29.png?itok=HbzFRKHD)
Before the operation, you can ask to visit the eye clinic or look at pictures of the eye clinic.
![Team](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Staff%20Team%20Support.png?itok=Us_vcSob)
This will help you to get to know the faces, voices and names of the people you will meet when you have the operation.
![Eye shield](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/eye%20sheild.jpg?itok=h4JZ_N7k)
After the operation, you will wear an eye shield.
![Covering eye](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Eye%20test%204.png?itok=QDPU4eX5)
You can practice having someone cover your eye with an eye patch.
![Bright lights](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/lights.png?itok=jsSl2X9x)
After the operation, your eyes might be sensitive to light.
![Sun](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Strong%20Sun.png?itok=02OkCNca)
You might find it very bright.
![Sunglasses and hat](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Cap%20Sunglasses%201.png?itok=pRey5pNG)
Practice wearing sunglasses and a sun hat.
![Rubbing eyes](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Eyes%20dont.png?itok=HuTNxffj)
You should try not to touch or rub your eyes.
![Plan](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Plan-1%20%281%29_0.png?itok=y3r3qr2r)
You may need a plan to help you stop doing this.
![Supporter](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Hospital%20Carer%20Mask_0.png?itok=IjE0A9g3)
You need someone who knows you well to go with you on the day of the operation.
![Nurse](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Nurse%20No%20Uniform%205%20%281%29.png?itok=OJ1Bmm0H)
At the eye clinic you will meet the nurse.
![Blood pressure](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Blood%20Pressure%20Arm.png?itok=Yt8KefmA)
The nurse will check your blood pressure again.
![Eye drops](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Eyedrops2.png?itok=kxHbYj3n)
Before your operation you will have eye drops.
![Happy person](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Jessica%20thumbs%20up.png?itok=BsLO83Hd)
This will make your eye numb.
This means you don’t feel any pain.
![Hospital bed](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Hospital%20Porter%203.png?itok=jEiA0niB)
You may be taken to have your operation on a hospital trolley bed.
![Sleep](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Sleep.png?itok=VHD_d2vJ)
Some people might have an anaesthetic to make them sleep during the operation.
![Operation theatre](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Hospital%20sign2.png?itok=S_PSMQQ2)
The operation will take place in an operating theatre.
![Clear lens](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Cataract%20to%20eye_0.png?itok=adp29cwg)
During the operation, the eye doctor will take the cataract out of your eye and put a clear lens in.
![30 minutes](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/30%20Minutes.png?itok=ogwQA6J9)
The operation will take about 30 minutes.
![Eye shield](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/eye%20sheild_0.jpg?itok=PbEEPvQ1)
After the operation you will have a plastic shield to cover your eye.
![A few hours](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/3%20Hours.png?itok=_cUDOPB5)
You will need to stay in the hospital for a few hours.
![Nurse](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Senior%20Nurse.png?itok=rQV98str)
This is so the nurses can check you are okay.
![A few hours](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/3%20Hours_0.png?itok=-gT2L-mB)
The feeling will come back to your eye after a few hours.
![Sore eye](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Red%20eye.jpg?itok=W93_3Wax)
After the operation, your eye might feel sore or bruised.
![Two days](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/2%20days.png?itok=uIuCJhdQ)
This feeling will go away in a day or two.
![Advice](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Explain%202.png?itok=Jelk1SpJ)
You and your supporters need to follow the advice given by your eye doctor and nurse.
![Eye shield](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/eye%20sheild_1.jpg?itok=bgvb2C2x)
They will tell you when it is okay to take the plastic shield off your eye.
![Eye drops](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Eyedrops%202%20%281%29.png?itok=b4mZ58Xm)
You will need to have drops in your eyes for a few weeks after the operation.
![Plan](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Plan-1%20%281%29_1.png?itok=OuobSSb1)
You will need to have plans in place for drops to be given to you.
![Eye drops](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/eye%20drop%20sad.png?itok=3WPbwdhD)
Some people find it hard to take eye drops.
![Eye doctor](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/GP%20Doctor%206.png?itok=m9cr-lL-)
You can ask your eye doctor about having a special injection or ointment instead.
![Rest](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Poorly%20Bed%20Girl%201.png?itok=SEMCcF5Y)
You may need to rest for a few days after the operation.
![Swimming](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Swimming.png?itok=eNOgS8lI)
You should not swim or do sport.
![Blurred vision](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/blurred.jpg?itok=CpPEVpa6)
Before the operation, your eyesight may be blurred or unclear.
![Clear vision](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Clear%20vision.jpg?itok=jsXxPsiO)
You may see things more clearly soon after the operation.
![Time](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Time%20check2.png?itok=2RE1rmfA)
Sometimes it can take longer to notice that things are clearer.
![Bright light](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Light.png?itok=4ZbHuG1i)
Things may also look brighter.
![Sunglasses and hat](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Cap%20Sunglasses%201_0.png?itok=q0pY3iok)
You may need to wear sunglasses or a sun hat for a few days after the operation.
![Rubbing eyes](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Eyes%20dont_0.png?itok=A0awMq33)
You may need support to stop you rubbing or touching your eyes after your operation.
![Eye doctor](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/GP%20Doctor%209%20%281%29.png?itok=X7Gy_iW8)
You will have a check-up with the eye doctor a few weeks after the operation.
![Glasses](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Jack%201.png?itok=tvBf-ib5)
You will probably need new glasses after the operation.
![Eye doctor](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Optician%20looking%20%282%29.png?itok=3RISojsU)
The eye doctor will tell you when you should go to the opticians.
![One eye](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Body%204%20Eye%202.png?itok=iNjC5KlM)
If you have cataracts in both eyes you will usually have one eye operated on at a time.
![Waiting months](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Waiting%20months.png?itok=bVRbLnLb)
It may be a few months before you have the other eye operated on.
![No](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/No%204.png?itok=PkxdzcL7)
You don’t have to live with cataracts and vision that is not clear.
![Happy](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Thumbs%20up%20%281%29.png?itok=yaQPlgDr)
An operation will help you see more clearly.
![Thank you](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Thank%20You%201%20%281%29.png?itok=cDsN7Z5z)
We would like to thank Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust for helping us to make this factsheet.