Cataract Awareness Month serves as a reminder to educate ourselves about one of the most common causes of vision loss, especially in individuals over the age of 50. Cataracts occur when the natural lens of the eye becomes clouded, impairing vision. While cataracts are often a part of the natural aging process, they can also develop due to injury, infection, or even in infants (congenital cataracts). As life expectancy continues to rise, so does the incidence of cataracts. However, cataract laser surgery offers a highly effective solution, improving vision in about 90% of patients.
What Are Cataracts and Why Do They Occur?
Cataracts affect the clarity of your vision by causing the lens of your eye to become cloudy, preventing light from passing through clearly. This condition leads to blurred vision, making everyday tasks like reading, driving, or watching television difficult. While the primary cause of cataracts is age, the condition can also be accelerated by other factors like trauma, medications, or disease. Cataract surgery, which involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL), is one of the most common and successful procedures performed in North America.
Cataract Surgery: What to Expect
If your cataracts are severe enough to interfere with daily activities, cataract surgery may be recommended. During the procedure, your clouded lens will be removed and replaced with an IOL. The surgery is typically outpatient, and most patients experience improved vision soon after the procedure, with a success rate of 90%. Some patients may still need eyeglasses for certain activities after surgery, as presbyopia (the gradual loss of near vision) can continue to affect vision as you age.
Types of Cataract Implants (IOLs)
There are several options when it comes to IOLs, each tailored to the patient’s specific vision needs:
- Standard monofocal lenses focus at one distance (usually for distance vision), but patients may still need reading glasses.
- Monovision uses one eye for distance and the other for reading, similar to how some people use contact lenses for monovision correction.
- Multifocal IOLs help patients see at various distances without the need for glasses.
Your eye doctor can help determine which type of lens is best suited for you, depending on your vision needs and personal preferences.
Laser Surgery for Cataracts: A More Precise Option
While traditional cataract surgery has been highly successful for many years, laser surgery for cataracts provides added precision. Cataracts laser surgery uses femtosecond laser technology to make incisions and break up the cloudy lens, reducing the need for manual cutting. This technique can enhance the accuracy of the procedure and may lead to faster recovery times.
Before Cataract Surgery: What to Expect
Before cataract surgery, your eye doctor will conduct a comprehensive eye exam to assess your overall eye health and determine the best course of treatment. Measurements of your cornea and eye will be taken to ensure the correct IOL size. You’ll also discuss any medications you take, including over-the-counter medications and supplements, as some medications (like Flomax) can complicate surgery.
Recovery and Post-Surgery Care
The procedure itself usually takes about 15 minutes, but the entire visit, including pupil dilation and anesthesia, can take an hour or more. After the surgery, you’ll need someone to drive you home. Your eye doctor will prescribe medicated eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation. You’ll need to wear protective sunglasses to shield your eyes from light and avoid strenuous activity for a few days.
Most patients experience improved vision within a few days, though some blurry vision or redness may persist for weeks as the eye heals. If you have cataracts in both eyes, your doctor may recommend scheduling the second surgery after your first eye has healed.
Do Cataracts Come Back After Surgery?
In rare cases, secondary cataracts can develop months or even years after your initial surgery. This happens when the membrane behind the IOL becomes cloudy, mimicking the original cataract symptoms. Fortunately, laser treatment can resolve this issue without the need for another surgery.
Cataract Surgery and Your Eye Health
Cataracts surgery is one of the safest and most effective procedures performed globally, with most patients experiencing significant improvements in their vision. If you’re experiencing cataracts or have been diagnosed with early signs of this condition, scheduling an eye exam is the first step toward clearer vision.
At Eyes on Group, we offer comprehensive services for LASIK Surgery Co-Management and cataract treatments. Let us help you regain your perfect eye vision with personalized care and the latest surgical advancements.
Take the first step toward better vision today. Book your consultation with Eyes on Group and learn more about laser surgery for cataracts.