Cataracts are very common. In fact, sometime after age 60 most people are likely to hear their doctor say: “You have cataracts.” The only way to remove a cataract is with surgery by a licensed eye doctor (ophthalmologist). It may sound scary, but cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective surgeries performed today and can usually restore vision loss due to cataracts. Let’s look at what cataract surgery entails.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which is normally clear. Eventually this clouding affects vision causing dim, blurred, yellow or double vision, which can make it difficult to read, work on a computer or perform any activity that requires clear eyesight. As they develop, cataracts can cause more symptoms and interfere more and more with everyday life.
What happens during cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is a procedure that removes the natural lens of the eye and replaces it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens or IOL, restoring clear vision. Most cataract surgeries can be successfully completed with a tiny incision, less than 1/10th of an inch. While patients do remain awake for the procedure, eye doctors will numb the eye with anesthetic and may provide a medication to help you relax.
How exactly is the cataract removed?
Cataract surgery can be done using ultrasound energy or with laser-assisted technology. Most modern cataract procedures use a high-frequency ultrasound device to break up the cloudy lens into small pieces, which are then gently removed using suction. Another type of cataract surgery uses a laser. An ophthalmologist can recommend the best type of procedure for you. Regardless of which procedure is used to remove the cloudy lens, an intraocular lens is positioned securely behind the iris and pupil, in the same location the natural lens occupied.
Are there different types of IOLs?
Today, there are many types of IOLs available for cataract surgery, depending on the specific needs of the patient. IOLs can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Prior to cataract surgery, an eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam including refraction and measurements of the eye length and corneal curvature. These are essential to helping your surgeon select the proper intraocular lens for the best possible vision after surgery. IOLs are very durable and typically last for the rest of your life.
References:
http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/cataract-surgery.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cataract-surgery/home/ovc-20229526
http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/cataracts/what-to-expect-from-cataract-surgery#2
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-cataract-surgery
