What is cataract?
Cataracts occur when the small transparent disc at the front of your eye, known as the lens, develops cloudy areas. As we age, the lens can become frosted and begin to limit vision. Your vision can be helped by wearing glasses. However, over time the cataract may get worse and you may need surgery. For many people cataracts are harmless and, if the impact on daily life is manageable, people may choose not to have surgery.
However, when the cataract is impacting on your daily activities, then surgery is the only treatment that has proved effective Newcastle Westgate Cataract Centre is a new purpose-built facility to provide surgical treatment for patients with a cataract. Based on Westgate Road, the centre offers a convenient way for patients needing surgery to remove a cataract, without having to go to hospital for their treatment.
Please note: It is important that you do not arrive early as there are no waiting areas for carers or relatives inside the centre.
About your treatment
It is important that you have someone available to drop you off and collect you from the centre after your treatment. You have been referred to Newcastle Westgate Cataract Centre (NWCC) because you need surgical treatment for your cataract. You will receive a letter in the post that will tell you the date and specific time to arrive on the day of your surgery.
You will also receive a small yellow card to fill in with your name, the name of the person collecting you after your surgery and their phone number. This card must be completed and handed to reception on your arrival. Please ensure that the person collecting you after your surgery knows at what time you need to be picked up.
Your treatment will take up to 1 hour and we do have designated parking bays outside of the centre if they would
prefer to wait for you. Parking is free.
What will happen on the day of my surgery?
Please bring your glasses or optician prescription. Before you arrive for your appointment, please remove any eye and face make-up and jewellery. You can eat and drink as normal on the day of your surgery.
Why can’t my relative or carer wait for me inside?
There is no waiting area for carers or relatives inside the centre. Your relative or carer will have to leave the centre and will be contacted by telephone to come back for you after your surgery.
However, if your relative or carer wishes to remain on site, there is a large car park where they can wait. Please make sure that your relative or carer has a working phone number which they are happy for us to contact them on and that this is written on your yellow card.
If you have no-one to collect you, please make arrangements for a taxi to pick you up. We would advise you not to use public transport.
Before your surgery
When you arrive at the centre, please report to the reception desk to check in. You can find a map on the back of this leaflet. Following check-in, you will be shown into your consultation room, where a member of the team will go through your paperwork and do some simple checks with you. Once you are ready, you will be taken into theatre for your cataract procedure.
What kind of anaesthetic is used?
Your operation will be performed under a local anaesthetic, which means you will be awake but your eye will be numb.
What is it like during the operation?
The operation is performed while you are lying down on your back.
If you have difficulty lying flat or are claustrophobic, please tell the nurses during your pre-operative assessment. We will do our best to make sure that you are comfortable before the operation starts.
Please note: The operation should take around 30 minutes. You can expect you whole appointment to up to an 1 hour.
What will happen after my surgery?
You will be given a named nurse who will go through your recovery plan. If you have any queries during your recovery, please call 0191 933 0235.
After your surgery
Will my eye be covered after the operation?
Your operated eye will be covered with a protective clear plastic eye shield. Some patients may additionally have an eye pad. You will be told when to remove this and when to start using the eye drops. Following your procedure, your nurse will take you through to the recovery area where you will receive the appropriate eye drops and post-surgery information.
At this time, the person who is picking you up will be phoned and asked to park in a numbered parking bay directly outside the centre.
A member of the team will bring you out to the person waiting to take you home. Further information about recovering from cataract surgery can be found on the NHS website.
Will I get a follow up appointment after my surgery?
All follow up after surgery is carried out by telephone with a member of the nursing team. This appointment will be given to you before you leave the centre.
If your doctor wishes to see you in clinic for your follow up, you will receive a letter with the appointment details included.
