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Parking is a huge problem.On a positive note it is a great hospital with great specialists and doctor's hence why it is so busy. Well worth driving around a bit looking for parking knowing your loved one's are in good hands. My mind at ease. My husband is well looked after. Thank you Linksfield staff :)
I had such a wonderful experience there with Dr Thomas, I had a skin drafting done it was such a smooth process I am healing very well and had a great stay there, Thank you so much
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Cataract surgery in Johannesburg is a common procedure carried out by highly experienced ophthalmologists. This outpatient operation is performed when the natural lens of the eye, which is usually transparent, develops a cataract. The cataract causes the lens to become cloudy, resulting in blurry or desaturated vision. Surgery is necessary when the cataract severely affects your daily activities or your ability to work.
During the procedure, the surgeon removes the cloudy lens and if necessary, replaces it with an artificial clear lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). Modern techniques mean that the entire procedure can typically be performed under local anaesthetic with patients experiencing little to no discomfort. Cataract surgeries in Johannesburg are renowned for their high standards of care and success.
The cost of cataract surgery in Johannesburg can vary, depending on several factors. These may include the technology used during the procedure, the type of IOL implanted, the specific diagnostic tests carried out preoperatively and the surgeon's expertise. However, cataract surgery is generally covered by most insurance plans under medically necessary procedures.
It is advised to consult with your healthcare provider or insurer for a precise cost estimate. Remember, an accurate cost estimate should cover all aspects of the procedure, from the consultation and diagnostic tests to the surgery itself and post-operative care.
The cataract surgery procedure typically involves a skilled ophthalmologist creating a small incision in the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. Tiny instruments are then used to break up the cloudy lens, which is then removed. An artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted to replace the natural lens.
The surgery generally takes about 30 to 45 minutes. It is usually performed under local anaesthesia that numbs the eye, so the patient stays awake but feels no pain. The procedure can be carried out on an outpatient basis, meaning that patients can go home the same day after a short recovery period in the clinic.
If you're travelling to Johannesburg specifically for cataract surgery, it's advisable to plan for a stay of at least two to three days. This time allows for the pre-operative assessment, the day of the surgery, and a postoperative check-up before travelling home.
Staying a bit longer provides time for the eye to start healing and allows for a follow-up examination to ensure everything is well. It is always essential to discuss staying duration with your healthcare provider before making any arrangements.
Recovery times for cataract surgery procedures vary from person to person, but typically, patients notice an improvement in their vision within a few days of the procedure. However, full healing can take about a month.
During the first few days post-operation, the eye may feel itchy and sensitive. It is also common for a mild burning sensation or grittiness to be experienced. Patients are advised not to rub the eye and to use the prescribed eye drops to help with the healing process and reduce inflammation. Complete visual results and the settling down of any post-operative symptoms could take from several weeks to a few months.
The success rate of cataract surgery procedures in Johannesburg is very high, similar to other developed regions. As a mature and well-established procedure, the percentage of patients with significantly improved vision following cataract surgery is greater than 95%.
However, as with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated. These risks mainly involve infection, bleeding, inflammation, detachment of the retina, pressure changes in the eye and sometimes light sensitivity. Most of these complications are extremely rare and can be managed effectively if they occur.
While there is no definitive alternative to cataract surgery, there are some possible management strategies to delay the operation. These may include:
However, these alternatives only address the symptoms rather than the underlying cause, the cataract itself. Once the cataract impairs the quality of life significantly, surgery will likely be recommended. Make sure to discuss the best course of action with your healthcare provider.
Before the cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist will perform a comprehensive eye examination to measure the size and shape of your eye. This information is necessary to choose the right type of IOL.
After the surgery, you can expect your vision to begin improving within a few days. Your vision may initially be blurry as your eye adjusts to the new IOL. You may also experience soreness or itching in the eye, but this should subside within a few days.
Aftercare is vital for a successful cataract surgery outcome. You will be prescribed eye drops to prevent inflammation and infection. These must be used according to the prescribed schedule. It's essential to prevent anything from bumping into your eye or any unnecessary pressure.
Follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your healing process. Patients are usually instructed to wear a protective eye shield while sleeping for a week or so after surgery. Activities like reading or watching television can resume soon after surgery, but strenuous activities or heavy lifting should be avoided for several weeks.
While it is medically possible to perform cataract surgery on both eyes at the same time, it's not the usual practice in Johannesburg or in most places worldwide. The wait between surgeries for the second eye is usually one to two weeks.
This is to reduce the risk of potential complications affecting both eyes simultaneously and to ensure the first eye is healing well. However, the decision ultimately depends on the patient's condition and the surgeon's discretion.
Whether you'll need to wear glasses after cataract surgery depends on the type of intraocular lens (IOL) you choose and the accuracy of the IOL power prediction. Monofocal IOLs often require the patient to use reading glasses for close work, while multifocal or accommodating IOLs can reduce or even eliminate the need for glasses.
However, you may still need glasses for certain activities, even with the more advanced IOLs. Also, if there is residual refractive error after the surgery (astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness), glasses might be required. You should discuss these details with your ophthalmologist.
Yes, you will be awake during cataract surgery. However, don't let this concern you. The procedure is generally performed under local anaesthetic, so you won't feel any discomfort. Your eye will be numbed, and in most cases, you might receive a mild sedative to help you relax.
The process is swift, usually taking between 20 and 30 minutes, and you won't see the details of the surgery. You might see light and movement, but you won't observe the surgical procedure itself. Before the surgery, your doctor will discuss the procedure and answer any questions, so you'll know what to expect.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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Johannesburg is the most populous as well as the largest city in South Africa. There is a lot to see and do in Johannesburg. Home to the Apartheid Museum, it is the perfect place for anyone who loves history and wants to learn more about the country’s past. There are also MOAD and MuseuMAfriCA that exhibit the city’s art and history. Other than the museums, the metropolitan city has a number of other things to do, such as enjoying Gold Reef City, shopping in its many markets, and visiting The Cradle of Human Kind.
Today, people have found a new reason to visit Johannesburg: medical tourism. Although it is not as widely known as other medical tourism destinations in other parts of the world, the city has seen a steady rise in medical tourists. The urban city features public and private medical centers with the highest standards, well-trained medical practitioners, and cutting-edge technology. Most of the medical centers have English speaking doctors, nurses, and staff, so there is no language barrier for foreign medical tourists. Plastic surgery, particularly tummy tuck, is one of the more popular procedures since it is much cheaper here than in Western countries.
While Johannesburg is not a popular tourist destination, there are a number of things to see and do in the city. The city is mostly known as Nelson Mandela’s home and has an array of astonishing museums. Those who love history and want to learn about the country’s struggle will enjoy the Apartheid Museum. It exhibits the story of apartheid through photographs, film footage, clippings, newspaper, and artifacts. Mandela House in Soweto Street is also worth a visit. It was once Nelson Mandela’s home. The museum showcases photographs, paintings, as well as awards and recognitions earned by Nelson Mandela.
One of the most popular places is the Lion Park. The safari park offers an amazing chance to watch lions and several other animals up close. There are also other activities such as animal interactions and hand-feeding a few animals, such as ostriches and giraffes. Other than the Lion Park, Pilanesberg National Park is famous among wildlife enthusiast. The national park is filled with opulent ecosystem and wildlife. Tourists can experience a safari and spot lions, rhinos, elephants, leopards, zebras, and over 300 bird species in their natural habitat.
Johannesburg is popular for its art and you must visit the Maboneng Precinct where you will find art-studios and shops selling art pieces. Wits Art Museum is another great place to admire African art. If you want to know more about the culture, Lesedi Cultural Village is the best place to go. Here, tourists can learn more about traditional South African culture and a chance to encounter people of Zulu, Pedi, Ndebele, Xhosa, and Basotho origin. Other places including SAB World of Beer, Gold Reef City, Holly Hill, Market Theatre, Constitution Hill, and Mary Fitzgerald Square are also a must-visit.
Johannesburg experiences a subtropical highland climate. The summer, which runs from October to April, is characterized by hot days with thundershowers in the afternoon and cool evenings. The temperature is mostly mild during the summer. January is one of the hottest months, with an average maximum daytime temperature of 25.6 °C. The summer has an extreme UV index, sometimes reaching as high as 14-16. Therefore, tourists must wear sun-protective clothing and apply sunscreen during the day to avoid sunburn.
In the winter, the city enjoys sunny days and cold nights. This season is dry, and the average maximum temperature is around 16 °C. In June and July, the temperature can drop to 4.1 °C and occasionally drops below freezing at night. The freezing temperature causes frost, but snow is rare. It is advisable to bring warm clothing during this season.
International visitors usually arrive at O. R. Tambo International Airport, also known as Johannesburg International Airport. It is Africa’s busiest airport and the primary airport that serves domestic and international travel. The airport connects South Africa with various cities all over the world, including London, Abu Dhabi, Atlanta, Singapore, and Sydney. It is the hub for South Africa’s largest domestic and international airlines, South African Airways. Budget airlines such as FlySafair, Mango, and Kalula operate flights from this airport for an inexpensive travel option.
Johannesburg has a vast public transport system. The Gautrain rapid-rail is safe and fairly easy to navigate. The rail also links the city center with O. R. Tambo International Airport. For efficient transport, tourists can opt for the Rea Vaya bus service that has a circular route through the city and is useful to explore the City Center at a reasonable cost. Many locals will use the minibus taxi network, but it can be pretty confusing for foreign tourists. Passengers need to know a route to their destination, hail the minibus taxi from the street, and once they have arrived at their desired destination, they need to make a hand signal to stop the minibus.
Metered taxis are available but can be quite expensive. The taxis are mostly found outside hotels. Since there are only a few places to hail a taxi in the street, the best way to hail a taxi is by phone. Be careful because many taxis do not use meters so tourists would need to negotiate the price before getting in. The most reliable metered taxis are Orange Cabs, Quick Cab, and Zebra Cabs. Uber is also available for safer, quicker, and more affordable transport.
All visitors who wish to enter South Africa must hold a passport valid for at least 30 days after the expiration of their intended visit and must have at least two unused pages. Passport holders of more than 60 countries can enter and stay for up to 90 days in the country without a visa. Other nationals not listed in the visa exemption agreement must obtain a visa to the nearest South Africa embassy or consulate. The South Africa Immigration Department also offers Medical Treatment Visa for medical tourists.
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