If you're waiting for cataract surgery, you may be worried about the long delays in the public system. Did you know that there is an alternative? Cataract surgery in a private clinic.
Here are the differences between cataract surgery in the public system and a private clinic to help you make the best choice for your visual health.
Wait period
Public system: Waiting lists for cataract surgery in the public system can be very long, sometimes reaching 1 to 2 years in some regions. The time it takes to obtain an initial consultation with an Ophthalmologist can also vary, depending on the severity of your visual condition.
Private clinics: In private ophthalmology clinics, such as the IRIS Ophthalmology Clinic, you can benefit from preoperative evaluation and surgery in a much shorter timeframe. It's even possible to operate on both eyes on the same day, reducing the number of trips required.
Technology used
Public system: Although public hospitals have high-quality equipment, access to the latest technologies may be limited due to budgetary constraints.
Private clinic: In most private ophthalmology clinics, Ophthalmologists use high-resolution diagnostic equipment for preoperative evaluation, ensuring maximum accuracy of post-operative results. At the IRIS Ophthalmology Clinic, surgery is assisted by continuous 3D imaging using the CATALYS® precision system, optimizing the precision of specific surgical steps.
Quality of life after surgery
Public system: After cataract surgery in the public system, you may still need glasses for certain activities.
Private clinic: Multidisciplinary teams of Opticians, Optometrists and Ophthalmologists will advise you on choosing intraocular lenses best suited to your visual condition, personality and lifestyle. They can offer the latest generation of lenses, including multifocal lenses, freeing you from wearing glasses for both distance and near vision.
Environment and safety
Public system: Public hospitals offer quality care, but the environment can be more stressful due to the high volume of patients.
Private clinic: Private ophthalmology clinics offer a calm environment, as patient volume is lower. As a result, the Ophthalmologist and nursing staff have more time to devote to each patient, reassuring and respecting each patient's rhythm.
If you'd like to reduce waiting times, benefit from cutting-edge technology, consider glasses-free freedom and be operated on in a calm, safe environment, private ophthalmology clinics such as the IRIS Ophthalmology Clinic in Laval, Quebec, are an excellent option. Discuss these alternatives with your trusted Optometrist to make the best choice for your vision and quality of life.
