Clearer Vision: Top 5 Cataract Surgery Clinics in Adelaide
1. Cataract Surgery SA
Services: Cataract surgery
Website: https://cataractsurgerysa.com.au/
Address: 169 Pirie St, Adelaide SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8359 2422
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 8 AM-5 PM
- Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Google reviews score | 5/5 |
Total reviews | 5/5 |
Score consistency | 5/5 |
Qualifications | 5/5 |
– Years of experience | 5/5 |
– Certifications and licenses | 5/5 |
Technology | 5/5 |
– Treatment variety | 5/5 |
– Up-to-date | 5/5 |
Fairness of fees | 5/5 |
Convenience | 4.5/5 |
Pros
- More than 20 years of experience
- Primary surgeon has international experience
- Great with preparing clients for operation
- Up-to-date diagnostic and surgery equipment
Cons
- Small clinic space
- Limited schedules
Cataract Surgery SA is led by Dr. Fraenkel, who has over 20 years of experience. He was among the first to use laser-assisted cataract surgery in Adelaide, making his clinic one of the best choices for us.
Dr. Fraenkel also has experience in refractive surgery and lens implants from Sydney and London. To keep his knowledge fresh, he regularly attends international cataract surgery meetings, which we appreciate.
We have heard great things from their clients.
Firstly, they are great at preparing patients for surgery by providing a detailed explanation of the process, giving Youtube instruction videos prior to the consultation, and keeping patients relaxed during treatment.
One elderly client we talked to praised them for keeping things simple and understandable.
Their primary choice of treatment is called “phacoemulsification,” a method that uses fine powder to break up the cataract in the eyes. An acquaintance I talked to said that they only felt a slight stinging sensation which was over within just minutes!
We also find their diagnostic technology to be very advanced, as it includes laser biometers, tomography, and wavefront aberrometry. These help in improving the precision of the surgery, lessening the chances of committing errors.
That said, one of the downsides with them is that their clinic is quite small. Their waiting room is a bit cramped, so it’s best to visit them only if you have a consultation within the hour.
Another downside is that they’re very in-demand for cataract surgery. Some have to wait months before receiving the treatment, which we think is because of their small team.
2. Laser Vision SA
Services: Laser eye surgery
Website: https://laservisionsa.com.au/
Address: 169 Pirie St, Adelaide SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8359 2422
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 8 AM-4:50 PM
- Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Google reviews score | 4.8/5 |
Total reviews | 5/5 |
Score consistency | 4.8/5 |
Qualifications | 5/5 |
– Years of experience | 5/5 |
– Certifications and licenses | 5/5 |
Technology | 5/5 |
– Treatment variety | 5/5 |
– Up-to-date | 5/5 |
Fairness of fees | 5/5 |
Convenience | 4/5 |
Pros
- Primary ophthalmologist has more than 15 years of experience
- ISO 9001 accredited
- Surgery method is quick and reversible
- Comprehensive inclusions for their treatment package
Cons
- Has cases of canceling schedules abruptly
- Hard to contact regarding follow-up appointments
LaserVision SA’s strength lies in the experience of their primary ophthalmologist, Dr. Graham Frankel. He has more than 15 years of experience using laser technology to treat cataracts.
Dr. Frankel has received many praises from his past clients, with many commending how well he guided them through the treatment. A coworker whom he treated said that he was thorough in providing advice from start to finish.
Furthermore, LaserVision SA is ISO 9001 accredited, which means that its protocols, equipment, and procedures are continuously audited.
Their primary method for treating cataracts is through intraocular lens surgery, which not only treats cataracts but also improves vision. One client even said that she didn’t need to wear her glasses that much after receiving the treatment!
We think their pricing of $5,000 for cataract surgery is reasonable, as it includes all drops and appointments needed.
However, there’s room for improvement in terms of their team’s professionalism. Specifically, some clients reported having their schedules canceled abruptly, which was one of the reasons why one of my acquaintances didn’t push through with them.
Additionally, some clients had difficulty receiving immediate responses from the clinic when they had complaints about the side effects of the surgery.
3. Adelaide Eye & Laser Centre
Services: Eye laser surgery, cataract surgery, corneal surgery
Website: https://www.aelc.com.au/
Address: Level 1/215 Greenhill Road, Eastwood SA 5063
Contact Details: (08) 8274 7000
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 9 AM-5 PM
- Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Google reviews score | 4.4/5 |
Total reviews | 4.5/5 |
Score consistency | 4.4/5 |
Qualifications | 5/5 |
– Years of experience | 5/5 |
– Certifications and licenses | 5/5 |
Technology | 5/5 |
– Treatment variety | 5/5 |
– Up-to-date | 5/5 |
Fairness of fees | 4/5 |
Convenience | 4/5 |
Pros
- Accessible location
- Large team
- Advanced cataract surgery methods used
- Fast procedure and speedy recovery times
Cons
- Pricey fees
- Long waiting times
Adelaide Eye & Laser Centre has one of the most accessible locations in Eastwood. Their clinic is spacious and has a tasteful design.
They have one of the largest teams we’ve seen, with four members, who collectively have decades of experience in cataract surgery and laser treatment, making them a reliable choice.
We think they have one of the most advanced cataract surgery methods.
Specifically, they use the Centurion cataract removal system, which uses ultrasound phacoemulsification. One client suffering from nuclear cataracts said that he didn’t feel any pain at all and that the healing was finished quickly.
Additionally, they use the Verion alignment system when transplanting a new lens after the cataracts are removed. Personally, it feels reassuring knowing that the surgeon is aided by technology to make his work much more precise.
The entire procedure takes about 15 minutes per eye, and most clients only stayed for a couple of hours in the clinic. They provide great post-surgery advice too, which made their past clients feel more confident about their recovery.
However, one downside is that their rates are among the priciest in Adelaide. Another downside is that they have long waiting times, according to past clients we’ve talked to.
4. Vision Eye Institute North Adelaide
Services: Laser eye surgery, cataract and lens surgery, corneal transplantation
Website: https://visioneyeinstitute.com.au/
Address: 226 Melbourne St, North Adelaide SA 5006
Contact Details: (08) 8239 0118
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 8:30 AM-5 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM-12 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Google reviews score | 4.7/5 |
Total reviews | 4/5 |
Score consistency | 4.7/5 |
Qualifications | 5/5 |
– Years of experience | 5/5 |
– Certifications and licenses | 5/5 |
Technology | 5/5 |
– Treatment variety | 5/5 |
– Up-to-date | 5/5 |
Fairness of fees | 4/5 |
Convenience | 5/5 |
Pros
- Has many branches in Australia
- Has many types of lenses offered
- Up-to-date technology used
- Hasslefree Medicare payment system
Cons
- Pricey
- Branch in Windsor Gardens takes long to reply
Vision Eye Institute is one of the largest ophthalmology clinics we’ve seen, with branches in Adelaide, Queensland, Melbourne, and Sydney.
One standout aspect of their cataract surgery is the variety of lenses they offer. They provide monofocal, multifocal, trifocal, and extended-depth-of-focus lenses, which I find impressive, as this means they can treat different vision issues.
By having multiple options, clients can address various vision problems after surgery, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness. They can even treat astigmatism using toric lenses.
Another aspect we appreciate is their use of LenSx laser technology, which helps surgeons make precise incisions during surgery. Many of their past clients said that they recovered quickly and that their vision was even improved.
The clinic also makes it convenient to settle payments through Medicare, and many past clients have praised the hassle-free payment process.
Their professionalism also extends to their pre- and post-surgery advice. Clients can access a wealth of information about their procedures on their website.
However, one area for improvement is their pricing, which can be on the expensive side, as stated by some past clients we talked to. It’s best to prepare your Medicare before availing of their services.
Another minor issue is that their branch in Windsor Gardens may take some time to respond to phone calls, as noted by some past clients we’ve spoken with.
5. Ivision Laser
Services: Cataract surgery, LASIK
Website: https://ivisionlaser.com.au/
Address: 176 Fullarton Rd, Dulwich SA 5065
Contact Details: (08) 7082 2066
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
- Saturday: 8 AM-1 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Google reviews score | 4.7/5 |
Total reviews | 5/5 |
Score consistency | 4.7/5 |
Qualifications | 5/5 |
– Years of experience | 5/5 |
– Certifications and licenses | 5/5 |
Technology | 5/5 |
– Treatment variety | 5/5 |
– Up-to-date | 5/5 |
Fairness of fees | 5/5 |
Convenience | 4/5 |
Pros
- Highly experienced ophthalmologist
- Fast treatment and recovery period
- Empathic and professional team
- Accessible location
Cons
- Limited appointments available
- Small team
Ivision Laser’s head doctor, Aanchal Gupta, is one of the experts in cataract surgery and intraocular lenses in Adelaide. She is very active in research and attends conferences worldwide, making her very knowledgeable.
Her method uses micro-incision cataract surgery, which only requires two minimal cuts, allowing for faster recovery times. One client suffering from cortical cataracts said that she barely felt any pain and that the process was very quick.
Dr. Gupta also integrates the Centurion Phaco system and the Zeiss Artevo technology, which, when used together, provide better precision and faster operating times.
The Centurion Phaco allows fast and safe emulsification of cataracts, while the Zeiss Artevo helps in guiding the surgeon to make more precise cuts in the eye.
We’ve also heard great things about Dr. Gupta and her team’s empathetic approach to communication with clients. One elderly patient, in particular, praised how they were always ready to answer questions and assure them of the safety of the procedure.
Their clinic in Dulwich is also easy to visit. There are plenty of parking spaces, and their waiting rooms are spacious, which helped the nerves of one of my sources who said that she was usually scared of clinical settings.
We only wish that they have more appointments available, though, as there is high demand for them. One possible reason for this is their team is small.