Cataracts are an inevitable part of the aging process, and there is no way to avoid them entirely. The good news is cataracts can be removed with a simple and effective surgery.
Having cataract surgery is an easy way to regain your ability to see clearly. Keep reading to learn if cataract surgery is common!
What Exactly Are Cataracts?
Cataracts are a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye. They occur when proteins inside of the lens begin to break down and clump together.
The clumps continuously grow larger and eventually block light from entering your eye. When the light is blocked, your vision becomes blurry and hazy.
Blurry vision is not the only symptom associated with cataracts. You may also experience glare, starbursts, or haloes around light sources.
Cataracts can also cause colors to become muted, and things can even appear more yellow. Since cataracts affect the amount of light entering your eye, you will likely notice nighttime vision changes first.
Most people notice difficulty driving at night when the amount of light available is low. Many people with cataracts also often complain that it is challenging to drive in the rain due to their decreased vision.
Cataracts tend to grow slowly and gradually over time. Eventually, cataracts will begin to affect your vision and life significantly.
When cataracts begin to interfere with your vision and daily activities, your eye doctor will recommend having them removed. Cataract surgery is the best way to treat the visual symptoms associated with cataracts.
How Does Cataract Surgery Repair My Vision?
Cataract surgery is the process of removing the old, cloudy natural lens in your eye and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens. The artificial intraocular lens is often referred to as an IOL.
The new IOL is able to focus the light entering your eye directly onto your retina, producing a clear image for you to see. This new lens will function similar to your natural lens before the cataract formed.
Before the procedure, your eye doctor will help you choose which lens to use to replace your cataract. You will be able to choose from many options, including standard IOLs or premium IOLs.
A standard IOL will require you to rely on glasses for some activities after the procedure. Premium IOLs, although more expensive, will significantly reduce your chances of having to rely on glasses after surgery.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery?
Before your eye doctor can replace your cataract with a new IOL, the old lens with the cataract has to come out. First, your eye doctor will use a special drop that numbs the surface of your eye.
Next, your cataract surgeon will create a small opening in your cornea. The cataract has to be broken into tiny pieces before your eye doctor can remove it.
Your cataract surgeon will use a unique probe that emits sound to break apart the lens inside your eye. They will then remove all of the tiny cataract pieces with a gentle vacuum.
They will then insert the IOL where your natural lens used to be and position it correctly. The tiny opening in the cornea will naturally close on its own without the need for stitches.
After this, the procedure is completed, and you can go home the same day. Your eye doctor will require you to follow a list of instructions and come back for check-ups to ensure the eye is healing correctly.
Cataract surgery is very common because everyone will require it if they live long enough. Luckily, cataract surgery is relatively quick and requires a short recovery period.
Do you have more questions about cataract surgery? Schedule an appointment at Stahl Eyecare in Garden City, NY, today!
