Cataract surgery is the most common operation performed in Australia, and for aged care residents the outcomes are routinely excellent. But the surgery itself is only part of the story. Post-operative review, refraction for the new prescription, and ongoing monitoring of the second eye and other eye health concerns are equally important — and they are exactly the appointments that aged care residents most often miss.
Eye See You Optometry provides on-site post-cataract care as part of our regular mobile optometry program. We review surgical outcomes, refract for new glasses prescriptions once the eye has stabilised, monitor for posterior capsule opacification (a common late complication that needs simple laser treatment), and continue to track other eye health concerns — glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy — that often coexist in aged care residents.
We coordinate with the operating ophthalmologist where helpful, and document all post-operative findings in formats that families, Power of Attorney representatives, and facility care staff can readily understand.
Cataract surgery dramatically improves quality of life for aged care residents — better vision means fewer falls, better engagement, often improved cognition, and a clear reduction in depressive symptoms. But the benefit depends on completing the post-operative pathway: getting the new prescription right, monitoring for complications, and treating the second eye when appropriate.
In a clinic setting, post-cataract reviews require multiple appointments at the surgeon's rooms over several months. For an aged care resident, that pathway is often impractical. The result: residents who had surgery six months ago may still be wearing the wrong prescription, may have undetected posterior capsule opacification reducing their vision, or may never have received review of the second eye.
Mobile post-cataract care closes that gap. Every component of the post-operative pathway — refraction, complication screening, second-eye assessment — can be delivered at the facility, on a schedule that suits the resident.
Comprehensive post-operative eye examination 4-6 weeks after surgery to assess healing, refraction stability, and visual outcome.
Once the eye has stabilised post-surgery, we refract for the new glasses prescription on-site and dispense appropriate spectacles.
Ongoing monitoring for posterior capsule opacification — a common late complication that is easily treated with a simple YAG laser procedure.
Detailed assessment of the second eye to determine whether and when surgery would be beneficial. Direct referral to ophthalmology when appropriate.
Ongoing monitoring of glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other eye health concerns that often coexist in older adults.
Where helpful, we coordinate directly with the operating ophthalmologist to ensure continuity of care across the surgical and post-surgical pathway.
Specialist mobile optometry built around the realities of residential aged care.
First post-operative review at 4-6 weeks once the eye has settled
On-site refraction and spectacle dispensing for the new prescription
Annual posterior capsule monitoring with prompt referral if YAG laser is needed
Detailed second-eye assessment with referral when surgery would benefit the resident
Coordination with the operating ophthalmologist for continuity of care
All findings documented in clear written reports for families, POA, and care staff