A cataract is clouding of the natural lens. Vision often becomes blurred, lower in contrast and more sensitive to glare. Surgery may help when these changes increasingly affect daily life.
We prioritise clear explanations and thorough examinations, distinguishing statutory insurance care, optional extra tests and individual lens choices.
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Not every cloudy lens needs immediate surgery. What matters is how much it affects your daily life.
The natural lens focuses light to form a sharp image on the retina. A cataract makes the lens increasingly cloudy.
When a cataract significantly affects sight, the cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a permanent artificial lens.
We discuss whether to prioritise distance, intermediate or several viewing distances. No artificial lens can meet every wish without possible compromises.
We assess the cataract, calculate lens power precisely, identify other conditions and agree a suitable lens strategy with you.
The lens contains transparent, regularly arranged structures. Changes to its fibres and proteins cause light to scatter rather than focus clearly on the retina.
Progression varies: a cataract may develop slowly over years or more quickly in certain circumstances.
The lens most often becomes gradually less clear with age. This usually happens slowly and may affect the two eyes to different degrees.
Diabetes can contribute to cataract formation or speed it up. Good general medical care and regular eye checks remain important.
Long-term steroid treatment and certain eye inflammations can contribute to lens clouding. Never stop medication on your own.
Injury, previous eye surgery and radiation exposure can also cause a cataract, sometimes after a delay.
Rarely, a cataract is present at birth or develops in childhood. These forms require separate assessment, often promptly.
In adults, a cataract does not need surgery simply because it can be seen on examination. What matters is whether symptoms affect your daily life, independence or safety, and whether surgery is likely to make a meaningful difference.
You and your ophthalmologist will decide together when surgery is appropriate. There is no fixed visual acuity threshold for that personal decision. Certain activities and fitness to drive, however, are subject to mandatory requirements.
Reading, screen work, cooking, using stairs and recognising faces become increasingly difficult.
Headlights, backlighting or twilight cause troublesome glare and reduced confidence, especially when driving.
Vision tests, contrast testing and examination show that the cloudy lens is a major cause of your symptoms.
We also assess the retina, macula, optic nerve and cornea because they can affect the final visual outcome.
Modern cataract surgery is usually outpatient and performed under local anaesthetic. We adapt the details to your eye findings and general health.
We examine both eyes, discuss your visual goals and measure the eye being operated on to calculate lens power. Medicines, existing conditions and particular concerns are discussed beforehand.
The pupil is dilated with drops, and the eye is thoroughly disinfected and covered with sterile drapes. Local anaesthesia is usual; the most suitable method is chosen individually.
A small opening is made in the front of the lens capsule. Ultrasound usually breaks up the cloudy lens material, which is then gently removed by suction.
The folded artificial lens is inserted through the small opening into the retained capsule, where it unfolds. It stays in the eye permanently.
After a brief check, you can usually leave the same day. Do not drive yourself; arrange for someone to accompany you.
You may see light, colours or movement during surgery, but usually not details of the operation. If you are very anxious or have questions about anaesthesia, we discuss a suitable plan beforehand.
We tailor preliminary examinations, surgical planning and follow-up to your findings. Surgery is performed by Tomas Engels or Dr. med. Claudia Mahraun, F.E.B.O.
Specialist ophthalmologist
Tomas Engels performs cataract surgery at our outpatient surgical centre in Savignyplatz.
Savignyplatz practice
Specialist ophthalmologist
Dr. Mahraun performs cataract surgery at our outpatient surgical facility on Greifswalder Straße.
Greifswalder Straße practiceLens choice depends on the cornea, retina, optic nerve, visual habits, work, hobbies and your personal expectations.
Our aim is honest, individual advice on lenses rather than one recommendation for everyone.
Glasses are usually still needed at other distances, particularly for reading. Aspheric optics can reduce certain optical distortions and support stable contrast vision.
Our standard lens is an aspheric monofocal intraocular lens, available clear or with a blue-light filter. We do not charge for or market it as a premium lens.
It adds cylindrical correction to the usual lens effect, which may improve distance vision without glasses and reduce reliance on them.
Accurate corneal measurement and precise lens alignment matter. An irregular cornea or certain corneal diseases require individual assessment of suitability.
These lenses can particularly support intermediate vision, such as screen work. Their optical side effects are often closer to those of standard monofocal lenses than strongly multifocal designs.
Reading glasses are usually still required.
Clear vision may extend beyond distance alone, particularly for intermediate tasks such as screen work, reading dashboards, cooking and daily activities.
An EDOF lens can reduce reliance on glasses, but may not replace reading glasses. Glare, halos and reduced contrast are possible, and we discuss them openly beforehand.
The aim is to minimise reliance on glasses. Dividing light also involves a compromise: halos, glare, rings around lights or reduced contrast may be noticeable, especially in the dark.
Multifocal lenses do not suit every eye. A healthy macula, suitable cornea and realistic expectations are particularly important.
The benefit is a wider range of vision. Because light is divided between several focal areas, contrast, low-light and night vision may be affected.
We discuss halos and glare sensitivity openly, in relation to your needs, before you decide.
Alongside statutory insurance care, we offer additional diagnostics for more detailed planning, individual advice and a realistic assessment of the vision to expect.
We explain costs in writing beforehand. Additional tests are optional and clearly distinguished from statutory insurance services.
Preoperative tests are charged under defined GOÄ fee codes. See the FAQ for further details.Medically necessary cataract surgery does not depend on choosing optional additional tests or a special lens.
Precise eye measurements to calculate the artificial lens and target refraction.
Detailed cross-sectional imaging of the macula shows changes that could affect vision after surgery.
Mapping the cornea’s shape, regularity and curvature, particularly important for astigmatism and choosing a lens.
An endothelial cell count assesses the layer of cells on the inner surface of the cornea. It helps us judge whether the cornea has sufficient reserves and whether it is at greater risk of taking longer to become clear after surgery.
Cataract surgery is very common, but it is still an operation inside the eye. Careful follow-up and a personal explanation of the risks are essential.
Vision may be blurred at first and settle over several days. Mild irritation and increased sensitivity to light are possible initially.
Surgery removes the cloudy lens, but does not treat other conditions of the cornea, macula, retina or optic nerve. These may limit the vision achievable.
A refractive error may remain even after careful measurements. Depending on the lens and your visual goals, you may still need glasses.
Serious complications are rare, but may affect vision and require further treatment or surgery.
During surgery, the natural lens is removed but its thin capsule remains to hold the artificial lens in place. This capsule can become cloudy months or years later. If it causes hazy vision or glare again, the central cloudy area can usually be opened with a YAG laser in an outpatient procedure.
Clear answers to common questions about surgery, lens choices and costs.
They mean the same thing. ‘Katarakt’ is the medical term, while ‘Grauer Star’ is the everyday German name for a cataract.
No. Cataracts usually develop slowly. The decision depends on how much they affect daily vision and whether an ophthalmologist considers surgery appropriate.
Drops cannot permanently remove significant lens clouding. When vision is markedly affected, surgery is the effective treatment.
No lens is best for every eye and lifestyle. Your medical findings, visual habits and realistic expectations guide the choice.
We consider factors such as astigmatism, the macula, corneal health, pupil size, glare sensitivity, your work, driving, leisure activities, reading and how much you want to reduce your reliance on glasses. A premium lens makes sense only if its additional benefits suit both your eye and your daily life.
No. A premium lens offers extra optical features but does not suit every eye. What matters is whether those benefits are medically and optically appropriate.
This depends on your eye and the lens chosen. With a monofocal lens, you will often still need glasses for close-up or intermediate tasks. EDOF and multifocal lenses can reduce your reliance on glasses, but cannot guarantee that you will no longer need them.
The eyes are usually operated on at separate appointments. The interval depends on the findings, healing and your personal circumstances.
Many people notice an improvement early on, but vision may still fluctuate or remain blurred during the first few days. How quickly it settles depends on factors including the eye’s condition, the cornea, the retina and your individual healing process.
Months or years later, the capsule behind the artificial lens may become cloudy. This is not a new cataract. If vision is affected, a brief YAG laser treatment can usually open the cloudy area.
The removed natural lens cannot become cloudy again. The remaining capsule can develop clouding, however, which is treated differently from the original cataract.
Additional preoperative diagnostics cost €160.00 for both eyes together. They are optional, and we explain them and their cost before you decide.
Yes. Medically necessary cataract surgery is available regardless of whether you choose optional tests or a premium lens.
GOÄ is Germany’s fee schedule for doctors and sets out how private medical services are charged. Each test is itemised transparently under the relevant GOÄ fee code. We explain the costs beforehand, so you can take your time to decide.
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