Have you noticed blurred vision, glare or difficulty reading in dim light? Surgery is the only effective treatment for cataract. In Marbella, Estepona and Campo de Gibraltar, Dr. Ali Nowrouzi MD, FACS, FICO, FWCRS, FEBOS-CR, an expert in eye microsurgery and intraocular lenses, helps you regain the clarity that cataract has taken away.
Answer these short questions and we will send you a personalised assessment of your case.
It is the first step to finding out whether it is time for surgery.
A cataract is a progressive clouding of the eye's natural lens. It affects vision and usually develops from around the age of 55–60. Surgery removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an intraocular lens (IOL), restoring clear vision.
Dr. Nowrouzi performs this procedure using ultrasound phacoemulsification or 100% femtosecond laser-assisted surgery, with the latest generation of premium intraocular lenses, chosen to suit your eye, which can improve vision at several distances.
Dr. Nowrouzi chooses each lens according to the vision you want and the anatomy of your eye:
Monofocal IOLs: clear distance vision; you will need glasses for reading.
Premium multifocal IOLs, including trifocals (full range of vision): distance, intermediate and near vision, with less need for glasses. Suitable for an active lifestyle.
Extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOLs (partial range of vision): greater depth of focus, with fewer halos at night than multifocal IOLs.
Toric IOLs: also correct astigmatism in the same operation.
The lens is chosen according to the characteristics of your eye and your visual needs. Premium IOLs can reduce the need for glasses, but there is no guarantee that you will not need them. All the lenses we implant are CE-marked.
At our clinic in Marbella we use up-to-date technology and plan each operation around your eye.
It may be time to consider surgery if you notice any of these symptoms:
Blurred or cloudy vision
Difficulty reading or driving at night
Frequent changes to your glasses prescription
Greater sensitivity to light or glare
Surgery is indicated when the cataract affects your quality of life or your safety, but the diagnosis must be confirmed with specialist eye tests:
✔ Visual acuity test
✔ Examination of the lens and retina
✔ Ocular biometry to calculate the exact power of the intraocular lens
✔ Retinal OCT to rule out other conditions before surgery
Dr. Nowrouzi carries out a full assessment to decide the right time for surgery.
The operation is a day-case procedure under anaesthetic eye drops, with no hospital stay: it is not usually painful, and vision improves gradually over a few days. The standard technique is phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, either by ultrasound alone or assisted by a femtosecond laser.
Pre-operative preparation
Anaesthetic and dilating (mydriatic) eye drops are applied. No general anaesthetic is used. The procedure takes 10–15 minutes.
Microincision and removal of the natural lens
Through a microincision of about 2 mm, Dr. Nowrouzi uses ultrasound to break up and remove the cataract. In laser-assisted surgery, the femtosecond laser first makes the incisions, opens the lens capsule and fragments the lens.
Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation
A personalised foldable lens is placed in the capsular bag, where it replaces the natural lens.
End of surgery and discharge
No stitches or dressings are used. You go home the same day and usually notice an improvement in your vision within hours or days.
The price depends on the type of intraocular lens (IOL) and on the personalised assessment beforehand. At our clinic we offer different options depending on your visual needs and lifestyle.
Cataract surgery is covered by the Spanish public health system. However, the lens implanted is usually a standard monofocal IOL, so many people choose private treatment to access advanced lenses that can reduce the need for glasses.
Ask our team about payment and finance options; the terms are confirmed in writing with your quote.
✔ Personalised medical assessment with optical biometry
✔ Surgery with up-to-date technology
✔ Intraocular lens chosen to suit your visual needs
✔ Full post-operative follow-up
✔ Check-ups at 24 hours, 1 week and 1 month
Day 0: day-case surgery; vision starts to improve within hours.
Day 1: medical check-up after surgery.
Days 2–5: vision gradually settles.
Week 1: back to everyday activities; avoid straining your eyes.
Month 1: final check-up and, if appropriate, surgery on the second eye.
Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops
Sun and eye protection during the first week
Do not rub your eye or go into dusty or dirty environments
Sleep on your back for the first few days (if advised)
Dr. Ali Nowrouzi performs cataract surgery using two techniques: ultrasound phacoemulsification, with microincisions smaller than 2 mm in selected cases, and femtosecond laser-assisted surgery, in which the laser makes the incisions, opens the lens capsule and fragments the lens before it is removed.
Dr. Nowrouzi was a pioneer in introducing femtosecond laser technology for cataract surgery in the area and in offering 100% laser-assisted cataract surgery. In each case he combines advanced biometry, fluidics control and digital guidance systems, and chooses the technique according to the eye and the type of intraocular lens.
The aim is not only to remove the cataract but also to optimise precision, lens positioning and the final quality of vision.
Dr. Ali Nowrouzi MD, FACS, FICO, FWCRS, FEBOS-CR is an ophthalmologist in Marbella specialising in cataract, lens and refractive surgery, with more than 10 years of experience and more than 10,000 operations.
📄 Medical registration no. 291110233 (Colegio Oficial de Médicos de Málaga)
📍 Eye clinic in the centre of Marbella: Av. Severo Ochoa, 19, 29603 Marbella, Málaga
The clinic is in the centre of Marbella (Av. Severo Ochoa, 19), with easy access from across the Costa del Sol: San Pedro de Alcántara, Puerto Banús, Estepona, Fuengirola, Benalmádena and Málaga. We also see patients who travel from abroad for cataract surgery in Spain.
How long does the surgery take?
About 10-15 minutes per eye.
Are both eyes operated on at the same time?
No. One eye is operated on first and the second a few days or weeks later, depending on how the first eye heals.
Will I need stitches or a hospital stay?
No. There are no stitches and no hospital stay.
Does it hurt?
Not usually. It is performed under anaesthetic eye drops, and you may feel some pressure.
Will I be unable to see for days?
No. In most cases, vision improves noticeably within 24–48 hours and keeps improving over the following days.
