If you’ve been told you have cataracts, you may have questions about what it is, why surgery is needed, and what to expect. The good news is that cataract surgery is one of the most performed surgical procedures in the United States and can help restore clearer vision when cataracts begin interfering with daily activities.
- Cataracts interfere with your vision.
Cataract occurs when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy due to a buildup of proteins. As the lens becomes cloudier, vision may gradually become blurry or dim.
Common symptoms of cataract include:
- Cloudy, blurry, or foggy vision
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Increased sensitivity to light and glare
- Seeing halos around lights
- Colors appearing faded or dull
- Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions
Because cataracts typically develop slowly, many people may not notice changes right away. In the early stages, cataract symptoms may be managed with updated eyeglasses, improved lighting, or other vision aids. However, when cataracts begin affecting activities such as driving, reading, watching television, or other daily tasks, surgery may be recommended.
Currently, cataract surgery is the only effective treatment for removing cataracts.
- Cataract surgery is quick.
At Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake, Iowa, cataract surgery is performed by ophthalmologist Stephen Fox, MD of Wolfe Eye Clinic, who has specialized in cataract evaluation and surgery since 1997.
Cataract surgery itself takes approximately 10-15 minutes. The most time is spent before surgery occurs. Before scheduling surgery, patients undergo a comprehensive eye evaluation. During this appointment, the ophthalmologist performs testing and measurements to determine whether cataract surgery is appropriate and to discuss lens replacement options. The evaluation helps your surgeon develop a personalized treatment plan based on your eyes and visual goals.
Because the eyes are dilated during testing, patients should plan to have someone drive them home after the appointment.
- You may still need glasses after surgery.
During cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). There are several types of replacement lenses available. Depending on the lens selected and the characteristics of your eyes, you may still need glasses for some activities after surgery. Your surgeon will discuss available options and help determine which lenses may be appropriate for your vision needs.
“For many patients, there are different lens options available with cataract surgery that can reduce your dependance for glasses afterward,” says Dr. Fox.
- Cataract surgery is NOT usually painful.
Cataract surgery is generally performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning patients return home the same day. Patients are typically awake during surgery but receive medication to help them relax, along with eye drops to reduce discomfort. According to Dr. Fox, most patients report that cataract surgery is not painful.
If cataracts are present in both eyes, surgery is performed on one eye at a time, with the second procedure scheduled after the first eye has begun healing.
- Recovery after cataract surgery is quick.
Most patients can return to many normal activities within a day or two after surgery. Your surgeon will provide specific instructions regarding activity restrictions, medications, and follow-up care.
Recovery experiences vary, but many patients notice improvements in their vision as healing progresses.
- There’s a chance you might get a “secondary cataract” after surgery.
According to Dr. Fox, you cannot get cataracts after cataract surgery because the cloudy natural lens has been permanently removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. However, he said up to 50% of patients may experience a “secondary cataract” known as Posterior Capsular Opacification. In this instance, the thin membrane (lens capsule) behind the new artificial lens becomes cloudy, causing blurry or hazy vision. If this occurs, it is easily and quickly treated with a highly effective, non-invasive, in-office laser procedure.
If you are experiencing symptoms of cataracts or have questions about your vision, talk with your eye care provider to determine whether a cataract evaluation may be appropriate.
