Cataract Surgery in Annecy (Argonay)

If you have been diagnosed with a cataract, the solution to restore clear vision is a modern, safe and remarkably effective surgical procedure. Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed operations worldwide and offers excellent outcomes.

At our practice, our ophthalmic surgeons perform this procedure every week at the Clinique d'Argonay, offering our patients a coordinated care pathway (parcours de soins) and state-of-the-art facilities for optimal safety and comfort.

Why Is Surgery the Only Solution?

A cataract is clouding of the lens, the eye's natural lens. No glasses, eye drops or medicines can restore transparency to a lens that has become opaque.

The only way to treat a cataract is therefore to remove this “worn” lens and replace it with a completely transparent, durable intraocular lens implant. This is the very principle of cataract surgery.

The Principle of the Procedure: Phacoemulsification

The operation, performed by our surgeons, is highly precise microsurgery. The modern standard technique is phacoemulsification.

Here are its main stages:

Local anaesthesia: The eye is numbed solely by applying anaesthetic eye drops. You therefore remain awake but feel absolutely no pain.
Micro-incision: The surgeon makes a very small incision (about 2 mm) at the edge of the cornea.
Phacoemulsification: A miniature ultrasound probe is inserted to gently break up and remove the contents of the cloudy lens by suction, while leaving its natural envelope (the capsule) in place.
Placing the lens implant: A flexible intraocular lens implant, selected specifically for your eye, is injected through the micro-incision. It gently unfolds inside the lens capsule to take its final position.

Cataract surgery: removal of the natural lens by phacoemulsification

Cataract surgery: insertion of the intraocular lens

Cataract surgery: intraocular lens in place

The procedure takes an average of 15 to 20 minutes. The micro-incision is self-sealing and generally does not require stitches.

A completely painless procedure
Thanks to anaesthetic eye drops and the modern technique, the procedure is painless. You do not see the instruments, only coloured lights, and your comfort is our absolute priority.

Your Day of Surgery at the Clinique d'Argonay

Cataract surgery is performed as a day-case procedure, meaning you return home the same day. This is how your day typically unfolds:

Eye surgery theatre at the Clinique d'Argonay

Snow-covered Le Parmelan from the Clinique d'Argonay

Snow-covered landscape from the Clinique d'Argonay

Le Parmelan at sunset from the Clinique d'Argonay

Surgical team during cataract surgery in Argonay

Before the operation: At a preoperative appointment at our practice (Annecy or Faverges), we carry out a full examination and biometry. This essential examination measures the dimensions of your eye to calculate the exact power of the lens implant you will receive. We also give you prescriptions for the eye drops to start before the procedure.
On the day at Clinique d'Argonay: The care team welcomes you and prepares your eye by applying drops to dilate your pupil. You meet the anaesthetist, who looks after you throughout the procedure.
After the operation: Once the procedure is over, you are taken back to the recovery room for a light snack. A transparent protective shield is placed over your eye. Our teams give you all the postoperative instructions before you leave. Arrange for someone to accompany you home.

After Surgery and Recovery

Visual recovery is generally very rapid.

The first few days: Vision improves from the day after the operation. Mild discomfort (a gritty sensation, glare) is normal. You will need to use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops for several weeks.
Follow-up: A postoperative check-up is always scheduled at our practice to ensure that healing is progressing well.
Returning to activities: You can quickly return to normal daily activities (reading, television). Avoid strenuous physical activity, swimming pools and dusty environments during the first few weeks. Driving is generally possible after a few days, with your surgeon’s approval.

Do not wait for visual difficulties to become established. A comprehensive assessment will allow a clear diagnosis and discussion of solutions to restore optimal comfort in daily life.

Our ophthalmologists see you at our four consultation locations: Annecy-Argonay, Faverges, Rumilly and Sallanches.

Diagnosis
Calcul des lens implants et choix de l'implant le plus adapté
Surgical procedure (phakoémulsification)

Preparing for your cataract assessment

The preoperative consultation allows you to review your situation and discuss care options with the surgeon.

Book an appointment online · Contact reception · 04 50 23 03 23

Further reading: understanding the different types of cataract lens implants.

Learn more

Good to know

The procedure is most often performed as day surgery under local anaesthesia (drops), and generally takes around twenty minutes at most.
Postoperative instructions (eye drops, protection, activities to avoid for a few days) are provided and explained; a check-up is scheduled in the following days.
Any severe pain, sudden loss of vision or marked redness after surgery requires you to contact the team or emergency services without delay.

Our doctors

Dr Florian Baudincornea, refractive surgery, cataracts, glaucoma, medical retina
Dr Florian Chaiseeyelids, cataracts, refractive surgery, medical retina
Dr Aurélia Gaveeyelids, cataracts, refractive surgery, medical retina
Dr Lorane Bechetsurgical and medical retina, cataracts
Dr Xavier Piquotcataracts, refractive surgery, medical retina, glaucoma
Dr Malik Meradcataracts, glaucoma, medical and surgical retina

See also all our doctors and our publications.

On the website

Sources and external information

In the event of sudden loss of vision or pain, see eye emergencies.

Explore our information resource on cataracts and their management

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