Mrs Debbie Scarff Tel: 01823 589233

Mr Jonathan D Rossiter FRCOphth

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Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon In Taunton, Somerset

Mrs Debbie Scarff Tel: 01823 589233

Mr Jonathan D Rossiter FRCOphth

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Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon In Taunton, Somerset

Private Cataract Surgery

The term 'cataract' refers to clouding of the normally clear human lens which most often occurs with age. There is no known (or proven) way of preventing a cataract from developing.

The normal human lens focuses light rays onto the retina. The retina acts like the film of a camera and receives these rays and sends the messages back to the brain via the optic nerve (picture). A significant cataract blocks and distorts light passing through the lens, causing visual symptoms.
Cataract does not suddenly appear but takes time to develop. Usually this means years, but occasionally it may get worse in a matter of months. Thanks to advances in surgery, cataracts can be removed at a very early stage and there is no need to wait for them to ‘ripen’.

Illustration
Illustration

Symptoms of cataract

Symptoms can be subtle in the early stages and include:

    Blurry vision-both for distance and near
    Glare from sun or car lights
    Reduced colour appreciation
    Increasing near sightedness with frequent changes in glasses prescription
    Occasionally double vision in one eye

Cataract removal surgery 

The procedure is carried out at the Nuffield in Taunton as a day case. After admission to your private cubicle, Mr Rossiter will visit you before the surgery. You can expect to be in hospital for a few hours.
The procedure itself typically takes around 10-15 mins. Mr Rossiter usually performs the surgery without any injections; just local anaesthetic drops. A general anaesthetic can be arranged in rare instances if preferred.
The cataract is removed using state of the art equipment. Using a Zeiss operating microscope, Mr Rossiter will insert a small ultrasonic probe through a tiny incision on the edge of the cornea. The new lens is placed into the skin of the old human lens which holds it in place. No stitches are usually needed and the incision is self-sealing.
Recovery is rapid and usually an improvement is seen within 24-48 hours, although it can take a few weeks to get to its very best. Eye drops will be needed for 3 to 4 weeks after and Mr Rossiter will see you for a check-up about a week later.

Immediate Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery

It is possible to have both eyes treated on the same day. As Mr Rossiter uses only local anaesthetic without injection, the eyes are covered after the surgery only with a clear plastic shield (no patching). The sight immediately after surgery is good enough for managing at home alone for routine self-caring activities. The second eye is only done if the first eye has been successful and it is treated as a completely separate operation with new equipment, gowns and gloves. The benefits of this are:

    Only one admission and one period of recovery/time off driving and/or work
    Only one COVID test and period of self isolation before and afterwards
    Reduced time waiting for new glasses. This is normally 6 weeks after the second eye is done.
    No risk with imbalance between the two eyes whilst waiting for the second eye to be done. This imbalance can increase the risk of falls and some people cannot drive.
    Some cost savings over having the two eyes done separately.

Self-pay private surgery without insurance

It is not necessary to have private medical insurance to have your private cataract surgery with Mr Rossiter. In fact, the majority of patients that see Mr Rossiter privately are self-pay. The Nuffield has a ‘fixed price promise’ for self-pay patients and even provides finance options.

Prices

Why choose Jonathan Rossiter?

    Highly experienced with over 20 years in the specialty
    Personally performed over 5000 cataract and lens operations
    Outstanding personal complication rates compared to national figures
    Mr Rossiter uses only the latest technology and lens implants
    Unlike many clinics, Mr Rossiter will see you personally at every stage of your care
    Living locally Mr Rossiter can see you promptly if needed

Personal Complication Rates

Risks of cataract surgery

National data show that cataract surgery is a safe procedure with 96% of operations completed without complication. However, there remain significant risks:

Loss of vision or the Eye

The major risk of cataract surgery is of loss of sight (or rarely the eye) from infection (endophthalmitis), retinal detachment or bleeding under the retina (suprachoroidal haemorrhage). The national figures suggest that the risk of this type of complication is 1:1000 operations.
Mr Rossiter has been a consultant for over 14 years and during this time has performed over 5000 cataract operations without experiencing either of these serious complications.


Posterior capsule rupture

The complication rate which is thought to demonstrate quality in cataract surgery the best is the rate of posterior capsular rupture. This is a break in the skin at the back of the cataract normally left behind to hold the implant lens). This complication increases the risk of a variety of other problems such as retinal detachment and cystoid macular oedema (swelling on the retina). Its occurrence may also prevent the use of premium lens implants.

The national published rate for consultants is 1.6%. Mr Rossiter's personal posterior capsule rupture rate is 0.28%

Would you like to discuss suitability?

To discuss your requirements and suitability for this procedure please make an appointment to see Mr Rossiter.