Why choose Mr Henderson for cataract surgery?
Mr Henderson specialises in complex cataract surgery alongside vitreoretinal disease — combined phacovitrectomy, subluxated lenses, and post-vitrectomy cataract. He implants premium lenses including the Vivity extended depth-of-focus IOL. All surgery is performed personally at Moorfields Eye Hospital and GOSH. Consult a specialist cataract and retinal surgeon in London.
Cataract Surgery
Cataract is the most common cause of treatable visual impairment worldwide. Surgery to remove the clouded lens and replace it with a clear implant is one of the most successful operations in medicine — safe, effective, and usually completed in under 30 minutes as a day case.
What is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens — a clear structure sitting just behind the pupil that focuses light onto the retina. As the lens proteins break down with age, the lens becomes progressively more opaque, scattering light and reducing the quality of vision.
Cataracts develop in almost everyone given sufficient time, typically becoming symptomatic in the sixties and seventies. They can also develop earlier following eye surgery (particularly vitrectomy), eye injury, prolonged steroid use, or as a complication of conditions such as diabetes.
Common symptoms include blurred or misty vision, increased glare and haloes around lights (particularly when driving at night), faded or yellowed colours, and the need for more light when reading.
“For many patients, cataract surgery is transformative — not just correcting the cataract, but often providing the best uncorrected distance vision they have had in decades, reducing dependence on glasses.”
Cataract Surgery in the Context of Retinal Disease
Mr Henderson performs cataract surgery primarily in patients with coexisting retinal disease — a situation that requires both surgical expertise and careful preoperative planning. Understanding how the underlying retinal condition will affect visual outcome, and choosing the right intraocular lens (IOL) accordingly, is central to achieving the best possible result.
In particular, cataract surgery is commonly performed following vitrectomy, as the vitrectomy procedure itself accelerates lens clouding. In this context, surgery is planned carefully to avoid compromising any previous retinal repair and to ensure the IOL chosen is appropriate given the state of the macula.
For patients with macular disease such as ERM or AMD, realistic expectations about visual outcome are discussed in detail at consultation. The cataract can always be removed; what limits vision is the underlying macular condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Journey from Consultation to Clear Vision
Precise measurements of your eye determine the ideal lens implant power. Mr Henderson discusses your options, including premium lenses for reading and distance.
Monofocal, multifocal, or toric lenses — Mr Henderson advises on the best choice for your lifestyle, prescription, and any co-existing retinal conditions.
20–30 minute procedure under local anaesthetic. You go home the same day. Mr Henderson personally performs all surgery — particularly important for complex or combined cases.
Vision often improves within days. Follow-up is structured to monitor healing and confirm your final visual result.
“I’d been putting off cataract surgery for years. Mr Henderson explained exactly what to expect, the procedure was over in under 30 minutes, and when I woke up the next morning the difference was extraordinary. Colours were vivid again. I only wish I’d done it sooner.”
Arrange a Consultation
Mr Henderson personally performs all cataract surgery. This is particularly important for patients with co-existing retinal conditions requiring combined surgery.
To arrange an assessment for cataract surgery, please contact Alison Anscombe, Mr Henderson’s secretary:
+44 7974 015691 · alison.anscombe1@nhs.net
Or use the contact form on this website.