Aging Eyes And Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is one of the most common eye surgery performed in the United States.  The success rate of cataract surgery is over 98 percent.  Cataracts appear as a clouding of the lens and affects vision as a person ages.  Surgery is performed to give the aging patient better vision.  Cataract surgery is done as an outpatient surgery and you do not have to remain in the hospital.  Normally a surgeon will not do both eyes at the same time. The cataract in the other eye will be removed during a second surgery.

The process for removing a cataract is fairly simple.  During the surgery the affected lens will be removed.  One way that is done is by using high frequency sound waves to break the lens into small pieces that is suctioned out of the eye through a small incision.  There are many other ways to remove the lens and remove the cataract; this one is the most common way.  Once the lens has been removed it is replaced with a manufactured lens called “intraocular lens.”  The entire procedure is called “intraocular lens implantation.”  The manufactured lens is chosen to fit your eye and will help restore your vision to normal.  Normally a new prescription for glasses is needed after cataract surgery.

As with all surgeries, there is a risk involved but the success rate of cataract surgery is high.  As with any operation there is always a risk of inflammation and infection.  You will want to talk to your doctor about other risks common to this surgery.  It is normal to feel some mild discomfort and your eye may itch.  Eye doctors normally recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever.  There may be a temporary fluid discharge and your eye could be sensitive to light.  These minor problems are just that, minor and the results of the eye surgery and well worth a few days discomfort.

After surgery, you will need to use medicated eye drops to prevent infection and promote healing.  This medication will also help control the pressure inside your eye.  Heavy lifting and strenuous activities should be avoided for a short time.  Normal routines may be resumed immediately.  Your doctor will be able to tell you if you will need any special limits after your cataract surgery. 

Your vision will improve the day after you have cataract surgery.  You will not notice maximum improvements until nearly a month after surgery.  You also will need a new eyeglass prescription.

Cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants will last for the life of the patient.  They rarely need to be replaced.  A small percentage of cataract patients may have a clouding on the lens after a few months or even years after the surgery was completed.  This is unusual but will sometimes occur in some patients.

Although cataracts are problems that normally appear, as we get older, it can happen in some younger people.  This vision problem is easily taken care of and is 98 percent successful.