Cataract and lens surgery is generally performed at Windsor Gardens Day Surgery – an accredited, purpose-built and state-of-the-art facility co-located with the Windsor Garden clinic. Cataract surgery may also take place at a local hospital, as determined by your surgeon.

Prior to surgery, patients are treated with a local anaesthetic, applied directly to the eyes via eye drops or an anaesthetic block. Once in effect, your surgeon makes a small incision (between 2 to 3 mm) in the margin of the cornea (the eye’s surface), which is used to access the cataract.

Once accessible, the cataract is broken into smaller fragments by the surgeon using ultrasound technology. The cataract surgeon then uses a vacuum to flush these pieces from the capsule that contains the lens.

Following cataract removal, an artificial IOL is skillfully inserted through the corneal incision and accurately positioned into the lens capsule. This functions as a lens replacement.

As the procedure requires only 30 minutes, cataract surgery patients are able to return home within several hours of having cataract removal.

Once a new lens has been inserted, it is no longer possible to develop a cataract – meaning that cataract surgery is a one-off procedure.

The cost of cataract removal and intraocular lens replacement varies and is determined by several factors. For instance, your surgeon’s experience, the health of your eyes and your choice of lens all influence cataract surgery cost.

Following your pre-surgical consultation, your cataract surgeon can provide you with a detailed quote.

A portion of the cost of cataract surgery is also covered by Medicare and your private health insurer. However, the amount that you pay out of pocket (the gap payment) will depend on your level of health coverage and your chosen IOL. Additionally, you may be subject to waiting periods and excess payments.

We recommend that you contact your private health insurer directly to determine your out-of-pocket cost.

During manual cataract surgery, your doctor makes corneal incisions and extracts the cataract using handheld instruments – meaning that your doctor manually performs all steps of the procedure before inserting the artificial IOL.

Refractive lens exchange is a vision correction technique that uses similar methods to cataract surgery. Clear lens extraction or lens replacement surgery are alternative names for this procedure.

Refractive lens exchange involves the removal of the eye’s natural lens and replacement with an artificial IOL. Despite its similarities to cataract surgery, this procedure can be performed on individuals who do not have cataracts as a means of vision correction.  Short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism can be improved using this procedure.

There are several options to select from when choosing an IOL to replace your eye’s natural lens. Your choice will depend on your personal goals and your preferences.

For example, multifocal lenses are ideal if freedom from glasses is your priority, as these have a number of focal points that allow clear focus at several distances (far, intermediate and near vision). Meanwhile, some patients opt to have monovision, where one replacement lens corrects for distance vision while the other corrects for near vision. In this instance, the brain combines the images from each eye into one single picture. However, this option is not suitable for everyone. Modern replacement lenses, known as toric IOLs, can be used to correct astigmatism, further enhancing patient visual outcomes.

Your surgeon will discuss the advantages and disadvantages associated with each lens and will help you select an option appropriate to your needs.

An implantable lens is a very small, flexible refractive lens that is surgically implanted within the eye, where it functions like a contact lens. Once positioned within the cornea, it unravels and sits in front of the eye’s natural lens to correct vision – this includes short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism.

Implantable lenses are semi-permanent and the procedure is reversible. The implantable lens can be removed at a later stage should another lens procedure (such as cataract surgery) be required.

There is no waiting period for private cataract surgery. Usually, private surgeries are scheduled a few weeks after your initial consultation. If you claim your surgery with private health insurance, there may be a waiting period before you can make a claim. However, public cataract surgery has a waiting period that could be a year or longer.^1,2

References:
1. Huang-Lung J, Angell B, Palagyi A et al. The true cost of hidden waiting times for cataract surgery in Australia. Public Health Res Pract 2022 Oct 12;32(3):31342116.
2. Australian Medical Association (AMA). Shining a light on the elective surgery ‘hidden’ waiting list. AMA; 2022. Available at <https://www.ama.com.au/elective-surgery-hidden-waiting-list> [Accessed online 8 November 2023].

The cost of cataract surgery is similar across all major Australian cities. Out-of-pocket costs for private cataract surgery are affected by your level of private health insurance coverage, whether you receive traditional or laser-assisted cataract surgery, and the type of replacement lens selected. We recommend booking in for a cataract surgery assessment for an accurate quote.

Public hospitals have wait times that can be a year or longer, while private clinics have wait times of only a few weeks.^1,2 If you wish to claim your cataract surgery with private health insurance, there may be a wait before you can do so. Contact your health fund directly for more information.

References:
1. Huang-Lung J, Angell B, Palagyi A et al. The true cost of hidden waiting times for cataract surgery in Australia. Public Health Res Pract 2022 Oct 12;32(3):31342116.
2. Australian Medical Association (AMA). Shining a light on the elective surgery ‘hidden’ waiting list. AMA; 2022. Available at <https://www.ama.com.au/elective-surgery-hidden-waiting-list> [Accessed online 8 November 2023].

To get a referral, make an appointment with a GP or optometrist. Explain you are interested in cataract surgery, and they will examine you and refer you to an ophthalmologist if it is appropriate. Upon receiving your referral, you can book your pre-surgical assessment at one of our Adelaide clinics online or by calling a clinic directly. It is important to get a referral so that Medicare can rebate part of the cost of your appointment and surgery.

Pre- and post-operative consultations require a detailed assessment of your eyes and cannot be performed virtually. We understand you may be travelling or have scheduling challenges, and we can organise your appointments to minimise any inconvenience.

Some private health insurance plans will offer comprehensive coverage for your cataract surgery and potentially your choice of lens implant. To learn more, speak to private health insurance providers directly.

As one of the top cataract surgery providers in Adelaide, all our clinics are easily accessible. Our North Adelaide, Windsor Gardens and Kurralta Park clinics are near public transport and major roads. We also offer free parking on-site at all clinics.

We do not currently offer patient financing options for cataract surgery at our Adelaide clinics.

All Vision Eye Institute clinics are proud to offer multilingual services. Staff members at our North Adelaide and Windsor Gardens clinics can provide translation in Greek, Portuguese, Mandarin, and Shanghainese. Staff at our Kurralta Park clinic can provide translation in Mandarin and Shanghainese.

Please advise us that you require translation services at the time of booking, so we can do our best to accommodate your request.