Cataract surgery

Surgery to remove a cataract may be warranted once reduced vision can no longer be compensated by stronger lighting or eyeglasses.

To surgically treat a cataract a small incision is made where the cornea meets the sclera (white part of the eye) through which the lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens (intraocular lens implant or IOL).  Surgery is usually done under local anaesthetic.

There are three types of surgery:

·    Extracapsular surgery:  The lens is removed, leaving behind the back half of the lens capsule (the outer covering of the lens).

·    Phacoemulsification:  The lens is softened with sound waves and removed through a needle, leaving behind the back half of the lens capsule.

·    Intracapsular surgery:  Both the lens and capsule are moved.

Details of cataract surgery would usually be recorded in doctors' notes and/or hospital records.  However, if these records cannot be obtained, the claimant's statement about cataract surgery will generally be accepted unless there is contradictory evidence.  Seek medical advice if it is unclear whether the information provided by the veteran indicates a history of cataract surgery or treatment for some other eye condition.

Diagram of the eye

LAST REVIEWED FOR CCPS 20 AUGUST 2008.

INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTS

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [39875]

26191 there is some evidence that cataract surgery may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

26192 the veteran has had cataract surgery of side and site of the body at some time.

39876  the veteran has established the causal connection between cataract surgery and VEA service for astigmatism.

39877   the veteran has established the causal connection between cataract surgery and VEA service for the clinical onset of astigmatism.

39879  the veteran has established the causal connection between cataract surgery and operational service for the clinical onset of astigmatism.

or

39880  the veteran has established the causal connection between cataract surgery and eligible service for the clinical onset of astigmatism.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

39878   the veteran has established the causal connection between cataract surgery and VEA service for the clinical worsening of astigmatism.

39881  the veteran has established the causal connection between cataract surgery and operational service for the clinical worsening of astigmatism.

or

39882  the veteran has established the causal connection between cataract surgery and eligible service for the clinical worsening of astigmatism.

CLINICAL ONSET AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [39879]

39883 the veteran had cataract surgery of side and site of the body within the eighteen months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

39887 the veteran had cataract surgery of side and site of the body within the eighteen months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration as a causal result of operational service.

39891 the cataract surgery of side and site of the body within the eighteen months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, which was caused by operational service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

CLINICAL ONSET AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [39880]

39884 the veteran had cataract surgery of side and site of the body within the twelve months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

39888 the veteran had cataract surgery of side and site of the body within the twelve months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration as a causal result of eligible service.

39892 the cataract surgery of side and site of the body within the twelve months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, which was caused by eligible service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [39881]

39885 the veteran had cataract surgery of side and site of the body within the eighteen months before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

39889 the veteran had cataract surgery of side and site of the body within the eighteen months before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration as a causal result of operational service.

39967 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the cataract is causally related.

39893 the cataract surgery of side and site of the body within the eighteen months before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration, which was caused by operational service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [39882]

39886 the veteran had cataract surgery of side and site of the body within the twelve months before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

39890 the veteran had cataract surgery of side and site of the body within the twelve months before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration as a causal result of eligible service.

39968 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the cataract is causally related.

39894 the cataract surgery of side and site of the body within the twelve months before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration, which was caused by eligible service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.