What You Need to Know About Cataract Surgery
July 27, 2023
Do you suffer from blurry vision? Does it feel like colors are steadily losing their vibrancy?
These are some signs of cataracts. The good news? You're not alone because millions of patients undergo cataract surgery every year.
If you are considering having cataract surgery, it's crucial to understand how the procedure works and why it can dramatically improve your life for the better. Cataracts do not go away on their own.
The only way to treat cataracts is by having cataract surgery to remove them. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about cataract surgery!
What are Cataracts?
A cataract is a clouded area that forms on the eye's natural lens. The lens is a crystalline structure behind the iris, the colored part of your eye.
When you don't have cataracts, the lens is transparent and see-through, allowing light to pass through. However, a cataract gradually turns the natural lens more opaque, making it more challenging to see the things around you clearly.
Cataracts are one of the most common conditions affecting the eyes. They typically begin to develop around 40 and progress slowly from there.
The most common reason that people form cataracts is due to age. Age is not the only factor that can lead to the development of a cataract.
Although less common, children and even infants can have cataracts. Age-related cataracts are more common because proteins in the eye degrade and come together over time, forming cloudy areas on the lens.
The following can increase your risk of developing a cataract:
- Sun exposure
- Certain conditions like diabetes
- Long-term use of steroids
- Trauma to the eye
- Family history of cataracts
What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?
When most people think of a cataract, they think of cloudy or blurry vision. However, you may experience several other symptoms as a result of cataracts.
These may include:
Blurry or cloudy vision- Double vision in only one eye
- Light sensitivity and glare, especially if you're driving at night
- Poor night vision
- Needing additional light when performing tasks up close that require fine detail
- Colors appearing faded or yellowed
- Noticing that colors look muddy or brown when they should be white
If you have cataracts, you may not realize it at first. For most patients, cataracts do not usually cause symptoms right away.
This is because they develop slowly, over months or even years, and typically only form in one eye at first. When a cataract is still small, it may not affect your vision.
Your other eye can often make up for any minor vision loss you're experiencing.
How Do I Know If It's Time for Cataract Surgery?
Because cataracts develop so gradually, it may not be apparent whether you need cataract surgery. The rate at which a cataract develops varies from person to person.
However, most cataract surgeons recommend cataract surgery if your cataracts get in the way of doing basic, everyday tasks or things you once loved and can no longer do because of impaired vision. You may have trouble seeing at night, so you no longer feel comfortable driving and relying on others to get around.
Or perhaps double vision makes you dizzy, or you can't enjoy your favorite activity or carry out everyday tasks like you used to. When a cataract progresses to this point, cataract surgery can return your quality of life to what it used to be.
Your ophthalmologist can discuss the status of your cataract and help assess its impact on your life during your appointment.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective procedures you can undergo. After creating a tiny incision in the cornea's surface, your surgeon will break up the cataract using phacoemulsification.
Phacoemulsification leaves the membrane surrounding the lens in place. They will then implant a new permanent lens, acting like your natural lens.
The artificial lens is an intraocular lens or IOL. Many types of IOLs are available, including premium lenses. Premium IOLs allow you to see even better than you could before your cataract.
Eyes of York is proud to offer bladeless cataract surgery, in addition to manual cataract surgery, to our patients. Bladeless cataract surgery combines a state-of-the-art femtosecond laser with astigmatism reduction and the LENSAR Laser Cataract System to provide astounding precision.
This system's high-resolution 3-D imaging customizes your procedure to your eye's exact, unique topography. Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure and takes less than 10 minutes. Numbing drops and mild sedation will ensure you are as comfortable as possible.
Tips for a Smooth Recovery After Cataract Surgery
After cataract surgery, you'll be able to see, with most patients noticing an immediate improvement. Your vision may be blurry initially, but this usually disappears quickly.
Cataract surgery has a remarkable success rate, offering clear vision, vibrant colors, and a renewed visual experience. Most patients can return to their normal activities within a few days.
Until then, plan to take things easy and give your eyes an optimal healing environment. Do your best to avoid strenuous activities, which can raise your eye pressure and increase your risk of complications.
You should also avoid swimming and any bodies of water for several weeks while recovering. You will receive eye drops, so take these as your eye doctor instructs. These facilitate the healing process by lowering inflammation and preventing infection.
Don't touch or rub your eyes, which can introduce bacteria and cause irritation. Some patients wear a covering over their eyes to protect them when sleeping.
Lastly, be sure to schedule and attend your follow-up appointments as recommended. Your ophthalmologist will check that your eyes are healing as they should.
Are you considering cataract surgery? Schedule an appointment at Eyes of York in York, PA, today!