Questions and answers
Everything patients ask us, in one place
Twenty-one real questions from the consulting room, answered the way we answer them face to face. If yours is missing, send it to us and we will answer personally.
Part 1
The operation
What actually happens, and what it feels like.
How long does cataract surgery take?
The operation itself takes about 15 minutes per eye. With preparation and a short rest afterwards, plan around two hours at the practice on surgery day.
Is cataract surgery painful?
No. Anaesthetic drops numb the eye completely. You may feel light touch or pressure, and you will see light and colours, but pain is not part of the procedure. Mild scratchiness in the first days afterwards is normal and passes.
Am I awake during the operation?
Yes, as is standard worldwide. You lie comfortably, the eye is numbed, and a calming sedative is available if you wish. General anaesthesia is reserved for rare special cases.
What happens if I blink or move?
A soft holder keeps the eyelid gently open, so blinking is taken care of. Small head movements are manageable; the surgeon guides you calmly through the few minutes that matter.
Can a cataract come back after surgery?
No. The clouded lens is gone for good. What can occur is a hazing of the capsule behind the new lens, the so-called secondary cataract. A YAG laser clears it in minutes at the practice, once and permanently.
Part 2
Costs and insurance
Every number is public. These are the questions around them.
What does cataract surgery cost in Vienna?
At our practice: assessment €250, surgery with monofocal lens from €3,120 per eye with Austrian health insurance (from €3,950 without), follow-ups €150 and €250. Complete treatment of both eyes starts at €7,040. Premium lenses and the laser step are quoted individually. Full details on the costs page.
Will supplementary insurance (Sonderklasse) cover my operation?
Often yes, sometimes in full. Cover depends on your individual policy, so confirm it with your insurer before surgery. We provide the medical justification and all documents your insurer requests.
Do I get documents for reimbursement claims?
Always: itemised invoices, findings and surgical reports, in English or German, formatted so insurers and EU cross-border authorities can process them.
Is a written quote binding?
Yes. After your assessment you receive a written fixed quote covering surgery, your chosen lens and the laser step if planned. The total you see is the total you pay.
Part 3
Lenses and results
The lens decision shapes your result more than anything else.
Which lens should I choose?
That depends on your eyes and your everyday life, in that order. Monofocal lenses give the crispest single distance, EDOF lenses cover far to arm's length, trifocal lenses add reading. Our lens comparison lays out the honest trade-offs of each.
Will I still need glasses after surgery?
With a monofocal lens: yes, for reading and often for screens. With EDOF or trifocal lenses, dependence on glasses drops substantially for suitable eyes, though no honest surgeon promises a life entirely without them.
How sharp will my vision be?
That depends chiefly on the health of your retina and optic nerve. This is exactly why OCT imaging is part of every assessment here: we can tell you beforehand, based on findings, what result your eye realistically supports.
What if I have astigmatism?
Then a toric version of your chosen lens corrects it inside the eye, during the same operation. Whether it pays off for you is visible in your corneal measurements, which we show and explain.
Part 4
Recovery
What the weeks after surgery look like.
How soon will I see clearly?
Many patients notice a brighter, clearer image by the next day. Vision continues to sharpen over the following weeks as the eye settles and the drops do their work.
When can I drive again?
Once your vision meets the legal standard, often within days. We measure it at your first follow-up and tell you plainly. For assessment and surgery day itself, arrange transport, as your pupils will be dilated.
When can I fly after cataract surgery?
After an uncomplicated operation, flying is generally possible within days. Cabin pressure does not endanger the healed micro-incision. Patients travelling home receive a fit-to-fly confirmation at their check-up.
What should I avoid after surgery?
Rubbing the eye, heavy lifting, swimming pools, sauna and eye make-up for about two weeks. Daily life, walks, television and reading are fine as soon as you feel comfortable.
Part 5
Practice and languages
How treatment at Vienna Cataract Center works.
Can I really do everything in English?
Yes. English is a working language of the practice: consultations, consent forms, reports and invoices. Many of our patients are internationals living in Vienna or travelling from abroad. For any other language, please bring an interpreter; then every language is possible.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can contact us directly by form, phone or WhatsApp, and we schedule your assessment without a referral slip.
Who will actually operate on me?
The consultant surgeon you meet at your assessment. Examination, surgery and follow-ups stay in one hand here; you will not meet a new doctor on surgery day.
How quickly do I get an appointment?
Assessment appointments are usually available within days to a few weeks. Surgery follows promptly once you decide, planned around your calendar.
Your question deserves a personal answer
Write to us or call. Questions before an assessment cost nothing, and honest answers are the point of this practice.