Cataract surgery in Madrid
A cataract assessment is intended to confirm whether the lens opacity explains your visual difficulties, evaluate the health of the eye and discuss whether surgery is appropriate for your circumstances. If it is, the intraocular lens and care pathway are planned individually.
This is a clinical service page for people seeking an assessment or cataract specialist in Madrid. The patient guides linked below provide separate educational information about preparation, lens types and postoperative care.
Information and private appointment management. Not an emergency or medical-advice channel.
The first step is to determine what is affecting your vision
Blurred vision, glare or difficulty driving are not always caused solely by a cataract. The initial assessment relates your symptoms and daily limitations to the ophthalmic examination before discussing treatment.
- Visual symptoms, their progression and how they affect reading, driving, work and other daily activities.
- Visual acuity, current prescription and examination of the front of the eye with a slit lamp.
- Intraocular pressure and assessment of the retina and optic nerve when clinically appropriate.
- Previous eye surgery, ocular conditions, general health and medication that may influence planning.
- Your visual priorities, usual activities and expectations regarding glasses after surgery.
When may surgery be indicated?
The presence of a cataract does not make surgery automatic. It is considered when the cataract is consistent with the visual impairment, that impairment matters to the patient, and the expected benefit is judged to outweigh the individual risks. The decision is shared after discussing alternatives, limitations and relevant ocular conditions.
A fixed visual-acuity figure is not the only criterion. Functional needs and the condition of the rest of the eye also matter.
Measurements for surgical and lens planning
If surgery is being considered, the study is adapted to the eye and the type of lens under discussion. It may include:
Optical biometry and keratometry
Measurements of eye length and corneal curvature used to calculate the intraocular lens power.
Ocular examination
Assessment of the cataract, cornea, pupil, intraocular pressure, retina and optic nerve to identify factors that may affect the plan or expected vision.
Additional imaging when indicated
Macular OCT, corneal topography or other tests may be requested according to symptoms, previous surgery, associated disease or the lens option being considered.
Medical and treatment review
Relevant medical history and medication are reviewed so that the centre can provide individual preparation and perioperative instructions.
The lens is chosen after the examination, not from a catalogue
During cataract surgery the cloudy natural lens is replaced with an intraocular lens. There is no single design that is best for every eye or every person.
Monofocal
Designed primarily for one focal range. Glasses are commonly needed for other distances, depending on the agreed refractive target.
Toric
Intended to reduce suitable corneal astigmatism. Toric correction can be incorporated into different lens designs when the measurements and ocular conditions support it.
Extended depth of focus (EDOF)
Designed to extend the range of useful focus. It may reduce dependence on glasses at some distances, but glasses can still be needed and optical trade-offs must be discussed.
Multifocal or trifocal
Distributes light across more than one focus. It requires careful selection because halos, night-vision symptoms or reduced contrast can occur, and complete freedom from glasses cannot be guaranteed.
Criteria used to discuss the lens
- Corneal health and the amount and regularity of astigmatism.
- Macular, retinal, optic-nerve or glaucoma-related conditions.
- Previous corneal refractive surgery or other ocular procedures.
- Priority for distance, intermediate or near vision and willingness to use glasses.
- Night driving, work demands, hobbies and tolerance of possible optical phenomena.
- Realistic expectations and the individual balance of benefits, limitations and risks.
From the first appointment to follow-up
- 1
Contact and appointment
The practice secretary provides organisational information and arranges private appointments. Clinical questions are addressed during the consultation.
- 2
Ophthalmic assessment
Symptoms, visual function and ocular health are reviewed to confirm the diagnosis and whether surgery should be considered.
- 3
Measurements and shared decision
The necessary tests are completed and the options, refractive target, limitations and risks are discussed without assuming that surgery or a particular lens is appropriate.
- 4
Coordination and preparation
If surgery is agreed, the healthcare centre confirms the date and provides instructions about medication, fasting and preparation for that specific case.
- 5
Surgery and discharge instructions
The cataract is removed and the planned intraocular lens is implanted, subject to the clinical circumstances on the day. The centre provides the individual postoperative regimen.
- 6
Reviews and follow-up
Recovery, eye pressure, ocular health and visual result are checked according to an individual review schedule.
Instructions are individual and take priority over general information
Vision can fluctuate during the early recovery period. Use only the prescribed eye drops, attend the scheduled reviews and follow the centre’s instructions about hygiene, activity and driving. The timing of recovery is not identical for every person.
Seek prompt assessment through the channel provided by your surgical centre if you develop severe or increasing pain, a marked or sudden loss of vision, increasing redness, discharge or another symptom identified as urgent in your discharge instructions.
Centres where I currently practise
Assessment and follow-up are organised within the corresponding care pathway. The specific location for any procedure and its administrative arrangements are confirmed individually after assessment.
Hospital Universitario de La Princesa
Hospital practice · Madrid
Appointments within the public health system are managed through its established healthcare channels, not by the private practice secretary.
Hospital Quirónsalud San José
Private consultation · Madrid
Information and private appointment management are available through the practice secretary.
Guides that complement the clinical assessment
These guides answer educational questions. They do not determine whether surgery or a particular lens is suitable for an individual patient.
Questions before requesting an assessment
Do I need to know which lens I want before the appointment?
No. Lens options are discussed after reviewing the measurements, ocular health, visual priorities and relevant limitations. A requested lens may not be suitable for every eye.
Does cataract surgery guarantee that I will not need glasses?
No. The aim and likely need for glasses depend on the eye, the refractive target and the lens selected. No lens can guarantee complete spectacle independence or a particular visual result.
Is surgery decided only from visual acuity?
No. Symptoms, daily visual function, examination findings, other eye conditions, expected benefit, risks and the patient’s preferences are considered together.
Can the secretary answer medical questions or emergencies?
No. The secretary manages information and private appointments. Medical questions require a clinical assessment, and urgent symptoms must be handled through the appropriate emergency or surgical-centre channel.
Authorship, medical review and sources
- Author and medical reviewer
- Dr. Francisco Javier Abellán Martínez
- Ophthalmologist · Medical registration no. 282880215
- The same specialist currently authors and medically reviews the content; this is not presented as an independent external review.
- Last medically reviewed
Sources consulted (4)
- ESCRS recommendations for cataract surgeryEuropean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS)
- Cataracts in adults: management (NG77)National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
- Cataract surgery: procedure and recoveryNational Health Service (NHS)
- Patient information bookletsThe Royal College of Ophthalmologists
General educational content. It does not replace an individual assessment, diagnosis or personalised instructions from your healthcare team.
How these guides are written and reviewedRequest a cataract assessment in Madrid
The secretary can provide organisational information and arrange a private consultation. The assessment does not imply that surgery will be recommended.
This channel is for information and appointment management. Do not send clinical reports or use it for emergencies or medical advice.