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Cataracts are an eye condition which develops as you age. When cataracts form in your eye, your lens becomes cloudy, preventing light from properly focusing on the retina. As this clouding intensifies, your vision will gradually deteriorate. In order to correct the condition, you will need to undergo cataract surgery. This is a routine surgical procedure to replace your eye’s cloudy natural lens with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). Cataract Surgery Procedure Your cataract surgery will be performed on an outpatient basis. Local anesthesia will be used to eliminate any pain or discomfort. Your ophthalmologist will first clean the region surrounding your eye. An incision is made and the cataract will be removed. The IOL is then inserted in its place. There are several ways your ophthalmologist can extract the cataract. One option employs an ultrasound-driven device to break up the cataract. It will then be removed by a suction device. Another common method uses an instrument which mechanically breaks the cataract into small pieces before removing it through the incision. Cataract Surgery After-Care It is important to arrange for a friend or relative to drive you home following your procedure. Your ophthalmologist will fit you with a protective eye patch which must be worn over your eye following surgery. It is important to wear it while sleeping for as long as one week to ensure proper healing. You will be prescribed eye drops which must be used several times a day. In order to prevent sun damage, you should wear sunglasses when it is bright outside. It is important to refrain from the following:
• Strenuous activity
• Heavy lifting
• Exercise
Your ophthalmologist will let you know when it is safe to resume these activities. In order to prevent infection, you must take great care to ensure that nothing gets in your eye following surgery. When showering or bathing, keep your eye closed at all times. Also, make sure you are not exposed to dust particles or other contaminants which can lead to infection. Cataract Surgery Risks and Complications Cataract surgery is a very safe procedure with a high success rate. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks and complications which may arise, including:
• Inflammation
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Swelling
• Retinal detachment
• Glaucoma
• Secondary cataract
These complications are very rare. However, the presence of other eye disorders may increase your chances of complications. Therefore, you may need to remedy these issues before moving forward with your procedure. During your initial examination, your ophthalmologist will evaluate your eye health to determine if you are a suitable candidate for cataract surgery. To learn more about cataract surgery, please visit www.eyes.com today.
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