Faster cataract surgery is appropriate only in carefully selected, uncomplicated cases. Speed is never the objective; it is the natural result of experience, standardisation, and refined technique.
When Additional Time Is Needed
Certain factors require more surgical time to maintain safety and precision. These include:
- Dense cataracts, small pupils, or weak zonules
- Previous eye surgery or co-existing eye disease
- Unexpected findings during the procedure
In these situations, taking longer is not a disadvantage. It is a clinical necessity.
When Efficiency Is Appropriate
In routine cases, experienced consultant surgeons may achieve efficiency through repetition, predictability, and refined technique rather than by shortening or skipping steps. This approach improves surgical flow while preserving accuracy.
Surgeons at major centres such as Moorfields Eye Hospital and specialist private clinics achieve efficiency through case selection and process standardisation. For more detail, see Is 5-Minute Cataract Surgery Really Possible?
What This Means for Patients
Cataract surgery should never be scheduled according to a fixed time target. Patients cannot “book” a 5-minute or 10-minute operation; suitability is determined only after comprehensive pre-operative assessment. Workflows such as 4-Minute Phaco™, used by Mfazo Hove at Blue Fin Vision®, apply solely to routine cases and are adapted immediately if complexity is encountered. Clinical judgement always overrides efficiency.
