Considering Cataract Surgery?
If you or someone close to you is preparing for cataract surgery, understanding how it works, and the vision options available, can help you feel more confident in the conversation with your eye care professional.
What Is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens that develops gradually, usually with age. As it progresses, vision can become blurred, colours may look faded and glare can become more noticeable, especially at night.
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures in medicine. During the operation, the clouded natural lens is gently removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL), which stays in your eye permanently.
What Does Cataract Surgery Involve?
A short, routine procedure, usually around 15–20 minutes per eye. It generally follows three steps.
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1Anaesthesia
The eye is numbed with anaesthetic drops or a local anaesthetic, so the procedure is painless.
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2Removal of the Natural Lens
The clouded natural lens is gently removed through a very small incision.
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3Intraocular Lens Implanted
A clear intraocular lens, chosen to suit your needs, is placed where the natural lens was.
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Quick procedure15–20 minutes per eye
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Minimally invasiveVery small incision
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Fast recoveryImproved vision
Which Vision Matters Most to You?
Your lifestyle helps guide the choice. Think about where you most want to see clearly without glasses, it points toward the right type of lens.
Mainly Distance
Driving, watching TV and the outdoors, clear vision far away, with glasses for reading.
Often suits Asqelio™ Monofocal · Asqelio™ Monofocal Toric for astigmatism
Distance + Intermediate
A computer screen, the dashboard or a kitchen worktop, plus clear distance vision.
Often suits Asqelio™ Pluris™ or Asqelio™ EDOF
Near, Intermediate & Far
Reading, your phone, screens and the distance, the greatest freedom from glasses.
Often suits Asqelio™ Trifocal
A guide only, your ophthalmologist will recommend what is right for your eyes. The next sections compare every option in detail.
Vision Options to Discuss
Different intraocular lenses are designed to support vision at different distances, and each implant offers different advantages depending on your lifestyle. The right choice depends on your eyes and your habits, your surgeon will help you decide what suits you best.
Monofocal Vision
Sharp, high-quality vision at one main distance, usually far. Glasses are typically still used for closer tasks such as reading.
Learn moreEnhanced Range of Vision
Clear distance vision extended naturally toward intermediate tasks, such as a computer screen or the dashboard of a car.
Learn moreContinuous Extended Range of Vision
A smooth, continuous range of vision from far to intermediate, a natural transition between distances for everyday life.
Learn moreFull Range of Vision
Vision at near, intermediate and far, designed to offer the greatest freedom from glasses across daily activities.
Learn moreQuestions Worth Asking
Bringing a few questions to your appointment can help you and your surgeon choose the vision option that best fits your eyes, your lifestyle and your expectations.
How Do I Use My Eyes?
Think about your day, driving, reading, screens, hobbies. Where do you most want to see clearly without glasses?
Which Lens Suits Me?
Ask which vision option best matches your eyes and lifestyle, and what to expect from each in everyday situations.
What About Astigmatism?
If you have astigmatism, ask your surgeon whether a toric lens could give you sharper vision at your chosen distances.