Dr. Romain Nicolau

Specialist Ophthalmic Surgeon in Refractive and Cataract Surgery in Paris
Specialized Eye Surgery Center

Presentation

Specialist Ophthalmic Surgeon in Refractive and Cataract Surgery

Dr. Romain Nicolau has been a practicing ophthalmic surgeon since 2013. A former intern and chief resident in the Paris public hospital system, he specializes in laser eye surgery for myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia (using LASIK and PRK techniques), as well as cataract surgery.

procedures each year

refractive surgeries per year

cataract surgeries per year

Association

Founding Member of Ophtalmologie Paris Est

Ophtalmologie Paris Est is a specialized medical institution located in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, bringing together expert ophthalmologists across a range of subspecialties.
Dr. Nicolau focuses on refractive and cataract surgery, Dr. Blagui specializes in glaucoma and retinal surgery, Dr. Bencheqroun in refractive, cataract, and retinal surgery, Dr. Drouglazet in eyelid surgery, tear duct procedures, and cataract surgery, and Dr. Piras in glaucoma and medical retina.

Each specialist contributes their unique expertise, offering patients comprehensive, high-quality eye care. This diversity of skills ensures a holistic and personalized approach for every patient.

Ophtalmologie Paris Est Website

Areas of Expertise

Refractive errors

Dr. Nicolau treats all types of refractive errors.

MYOPIA

I see nearby objects clearly, but anything in the distance quickly becomes blurry. It’s as if the world loses its sharpness the moment it’s more than a few feet away.

PRESBYOPIA

Texts look blurry unless I hold them farther away. It’s harder to focus on nearby objects, even in good lighting.

HYPEROPIA

I can see distant objects clearly, but reading or doing close-up work can be tiring. Sometimes I get headaches if I try to focus for too long.

ASTIGMATISM

My vision can be blurry or distorted at any distance. Things are stretched, shadowed, or slightly doubled. Driving at night can be difficult, with lights looking streaky or haloed.

Key Procedures

LASIK and PRK laser treatments, along with cataract surgery, are Dr. Romain Nicolau’s areas of expertise.

LASIK

LASIK is a laser vision correction procedure that reshapes the cornea to treat refractive errors like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. It offers rapid recovery and excellent visual outcomes, often reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses.

PRK

PRK is a surface laser eye surgery used to correct vision by reshaping the cornea. It’s a good alternative for patients with thinner corneas or specific eye conditions. Though recovery is slightly longer than LASIK, the results are just as effective.

CATARACT SURGERY

Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded natural lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). It is a safe and highly effective procedure that restores clear vision and improves overall quality of life.

Dr. Nicolau also performs cataract surgery using both laser and ultrasound techniques.

What is cataract ?

Cataracts are most often age-related and result from a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, leading to reduced vision and a decline in quality of life. There is no medical treatment available—only surgery can effectively restore clear vision. Cataracts usually affect both eyes and are extremely common in people over the age of 65, affecting men and women equally.

What are the symptoms ?

Cataract symptoms develop gradually, with both near and distance vision becoming increasingly blurred and dim. Patients often experience glare in bright light, making night driving especially difficult. Colors may appear faded, and objects can seem as if they’re behind a white, cloudy veil. Cataracts are painless but often require more frequent changes in prescription glasses. In advanced stages, the pupil may appear grey or milky white instead of black.

How to treat it ?

There is no medical treatment for cataracts. When glasses no longer provide adequate visual comfort, surgery becomes the only effective option. The procedure begins by removing the cloudy lens using a tiny ultrasound probe—a technique called phacoemulsification, which is the most common method. A clear artificial lens is then inserted into the eye through small incisions, sometimes made with a laser. The surgery is quick (15 to 30 minutes), usually performed under local anesthesia, and is painless. Most patients return home the same day, as it is done on an outpatient basis.