Cataract and implants
Restore clear vision by replacing the clouded lens.
At a glance
- Duration
- ≈ 15 minutes — a short procedure
- Anaesthesia
- Local, usually with eye drops
- Hospital stay
- Day case — home the same day
- Implant
- Personalised, chosen for your eye and your needs
- Cover
- INAMI depending on your situation
The eye works like a camera: light is focused by a natural lens, the crystalline lens, onto the retina that acts as the film. A cataract is the gradual clouding of this lens.
A natural ageing of the eye
From the age of fifty, the lens begins to lose its transparency. This is a normal ageing process that progresses at a variable pace from one person to another.
Contributing factors
Several factors speed up the ageing of the lens:
- Heredity
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Use of cortisone (even inhaled)
- Previous intraocular surgery (vitrectomy)
- High myopia and regular alcohol consumption
Recognising the first signs
- Blurrier vision, especially at distance
- The feeling that your glasses are always dirty
- Growing difficulty driving at night
Your surgery is performed by Dr Gauthier Schepens
An ophthalmic surgeon and founder of the Schepens Eye Clinic, he personally handles the assessment, the choice of technique and the procedure itself, supported by a specialised team who look after you before and after surgery.
Dr Gauthier Schepens
Ophthalmic surgeon · Founder
Frequently asked questions
Is the operation painful?+
It is generally performed under local anaesthesia, usually with eye drops.
When will I be seen again after surgery?+
A check-up is scheduled from the next day (D+1), then according to the plan agreed with you.
Do I need someone to come with me?+
Yes: you are advised not to drive on the day of the procedure.
When will I be able to drive again?+
It depends on your recovery and on the surgeon's advice at the check-up.
Which implant should I choose (monofocal, toric, EDOF, multifocal)?+
It depends on your eye and your needs; the choice is made with the surgeon, who assesses the best balance between visual quality, safety and everyday needs.
Will the operation ever need to be repeated?+
No. The artificial implant does not wear out and never needs replacing: the procedure is permanent.
