Phrases › At the Optician › Il mio oculista dice che ho la cataratta.

Il mio oculista dice che ho la cataratta.

My ophthalmologist says I have a cataract.

Pronunciation

ka-ta-RAT-ta — four syllables, double 't'. Stress on third syllable.

When to use it

When discussing your eye condition with an optician or when explaining why you need stronger glasses or are awaiting surgery.

What it means

'Cataratta' = cataract — clouding of the eye lens. Very common in Italy over age 60. Symptoms: blurred vision ('visione offuscata'), glare sensitivity ('sensibilità all'abbagliamento'), double vision in one eye. Treatment: surgical lens replacement ('chirurgia della cataratta') — the most performed surgical procedure in Italy, very safe and effective. Covered by SSN.

Variations

Devo operarmi di cataratta. Mi spaventa l'operazione.

I need to have cataract surgery. The operation frightens me.

Natural fear — reassure that it is the safest and most common Italian surgical procedure

L'operazione di cataratta si fa in anestesia locale?

Is cataract surgery done under local anaesthesia?

Yes — topical drops anaesthesia. You are awake but feel nothing. Takes 15-20 minutes.

Dopo la cataratta avrò bisogno degli occhiali?

After cataract surgery will I still need glasses?

Depends on the implanted lens — monofocal vs premium multifocal lenses

Mini Dialogue

— Il mio oculista dice che ho la cataratta iniziale. Cambio spesso gli occhiali. — Sì, la cataratta cambia la rifrazione, per questo la prescrizione cambia. — Dovrò operarmi? — Quando la visione interferisce con la vita quotidiana, sì. Ma inizialmente si gestisce con gli occhiali. — Quanto dura l'operazione? — Circa quindici minuti. È in day hospital, si va a casa lo stesso giorno.

— My ophthalmologist says I have an early cataract. I change glasses often. — Yes, the cataract changes refraction, that is why the prescription changes. — Will I need surgery? — When vision interferes with daily life, yes. But initially it is managed with glasses. — How long does the operation take? — About fifteen minutes. It is day surgery, you go home the same day.

Cultural Note

Cataract surgery ('chirurgia della cataratta') is the most performed elective surgical procedure in Italy — over 600,000 per year. It is fully covered by the SSN with minimal waiting times due to high surgical capacity. Italian ophthalmologists use 'facoemulsificazione' (phacoemulsification) — ultrasound to break up the lens — through a 2mm incision, replaced with a foldable IOL (intraocular lens). Premium multifocal IOLs ('lenti diffrattive') that reduce need for glasses afterward are available privately at additional cost.

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