PATIENT EXPERIENCE
“I had refractive lens replacement in both eyes with trifocal lenses on the same day to correct myopia & cataract… Being nervous, I opted to have anaesthesia which made the whole procedure very straightforward and stress-free.”
This page is for patients in London considering same-day bilateral lens replacement surgery and want to understand ISBS eligibility criteria, what Blue Fin Vision®’s protocol involves, and how outcomes compare to staged surgery.
Can Both Eyes Be Treated on the Same Day?
Can both eyes be treated with lens replacement surgery on the same day, and is it safe? Blue Fin Vision® is among a small number of specialist private centres in the UK that offers immediately sequential bilateral surgery (ISBS) for appropriately selected patients. Mr Mfazo Hove, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon in London, performs ISBS to full protocol standards, offering a single recovery period and bilateral visual improvement from day one, with complication rates comparable to staged surgery in published series.
Advantages of Same-Day Surgery
Patients who undergo ISBS benefit from faster visual rehabilitation and immediate binocular vision from the outset of recovery. Additional advantages include fewer hospital visits and significantly greater convenience, particularly relevant for patients travelling from outside the immediate area.
Safety Considerations
ISBS requires complete sterility separation between eyes, independent instrument sets, and careful patient selection. In large series where full ISBS safety protocols are followed, complication rates are comparable to delayed sequential surgery.¹ Patient selection is paramount: ISBS is not appropriate for all cases, and this assessment is made at the pre-operative consultation.
Patient Experience Matters
For many patients, the anxiety peak is before the first eye. Completing both eyes in a single session avoids repeating that emotional burden. Where clinically appropriate, anaesthetic support, as this patient chose, can further reduce intra-operative stress and improve the overall experience.
Clinical Perspective
Same-day bilateral surgery, when performed within rigorous safety frameworks, offers an efficient and well-evidenced route to rapid visual recovery. Blue Fin Vision® is among the few UK private practices to offer ISBS as a standard clinical pathway, with Mr Mfazo Hove performing same-day bilateral lens replacement using independently prepared sterile instrument sets for each eye and premium ZEISS AT LISA tri IOL platforms, including the lens he has implanted in his own eyes.
Clinical Takeaway:
ISBS allows both eyes to be treated in a single session. Blue Fin Vision® is among a small number of specialist centres in the UK where this is available as a standard pathway, performed by Mr Mfazo Hove in London to full protocol standards, with outcomes equivalent to staged surgery.
References
- Arshinoff SA, Claoué C. Simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2010;36(12):2047–2055.
- Lundström M, Dickman M, Henry Y, et al. Risk factors for refractive error after cataract surgery. Ophthalmology. 2018;125(11):1708–1716.
- Johansson B. Clinical outcomes of immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery. Acta Ophthalmol. 2014;92(5):e364–e369.
