Cataract surgery is among today’s most common and successful optical treatments. The National Institutes of Health estimate that over 20 million cataract surgeries are performed globally each year. If you require this operation, you’re probably feeling relieved that your vision problems have a solution.
However, there may be some anxiety mixed up in there, too, along with many questions. Whether you’ve just started contemplating having the procedure done or if it’s already scheduled into your calendar, understanding what lies ahead can help calm any nerves or fears about this process.
What Is A Cataract?
A cataract is when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy. The lens which should be clear focuses light onto the retina at the back of our eyes and lets us see well. But as we grow older (or because of different medical conditions), proteins inside the lens begin clumping together. This causes them to become opaque or cloudy instead of remaining transparent like they usually would.
When this happens, our sight gets blurred or dimmed. Sometimes, objects appear hazy – almost like looking through frosted glass windows. These changes can happen slowly over the years without us noticing anything amiss until, one day, everything starts appearing fuzzy around the edges. We might think our glasses need cleaning, but it’s due to cataracts.
Cataracts can develop at varying rates depending on each person’s eye health history and other factors such as sunlight exposure or lifestyle habits. Most types share specific symptoms, including:
- Blurred vision (objects don’t seem sharp anymore)
- Difficulty seeing outside during nighttime hours
- Sensitivity towards bright lights, such as headlights, when driving at night
- Seeing halos around light sources like lamps while looking directly at them
If left untreated, these conditions could lead to vision loss and even blindness.
When Is It Time For Surgery?
Suppose activities such as driving, reading, watching television, or recognising faces become increasingly difficult due to poor eyesight caused by a cataract. In that case, it might be high time for surgical intervention.
What Happens Before Surgery?
If you choose to proceed with cataract surgery, understanding what will happen during the procedure can help mitigate fear.
- Preoperative Eye Exam: You will undergo a thorough preoperative examination before your operation. This includes measuring the size and shape of your eye, assessing the severity of your cataract, and determining which type of intraocular lens (IOL) is most suitable for replacing the natural lens affected by clouding up.
- Choosing Your Intraocular Lens (IOL): Different kinds of lenses are available. Depending on individual needs, your ophthalmologist may prescribe Monofocal IOLs, which provide clear vision at one distance (either near or far), or multifocal or accommodative IOLs, which correct vision at multiple distances. There are also toric IOLs designed to correct astigmatism.
- Eye Drops: You may be prescribed antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection during surgery.
- Fasting and Medications: You should fast for a few hours before surgery (usually starting from midnight on the night before). Your ophthalmologist will tell you whether or not to stop taking any medications before the surgery, such as blood thinners.
- Arrange Transportation: Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure, which means you will go home on the same day as your operation. However, you cannot drive immediately afterward, so you must arrange for someone else to take you home.
The Procedure
The actual cataract operation usually takes about 15-30 minutes and is painless. You are awake during surgery but should not feel more than slight pressure around the eye area. The surgeon makes a tiny cut in the front surface of the eyeball and uses ultrasound waves (phacoemulsification) to soften the cloudy lens, allowing it to be removed. After removing the lens, an intraocular lens is inserted behind the iris, where the natural one used to be.
What to Expect After Surgery
Your eyesight may seem blurred just after the operation. As healing progresses, your vision should improve gradually. By the end of the first week or two after surgery, most people find their sight has cleared up considerably, if not completely.
Possible Side Effects
Some people may experience mild discomfort in the days after surgery, such as eye itching or feeling as if there’s an eyelash in the eye. These symptoms should gradually clear. If you experience severe pain, sudden loss of vision, or signs of infection, such as redness or swelling, contact your ophthalmologist immediately.
Long-term vision care
For most people, cataract surgery is a one-time procedure that improves vision for years. However, regular eye exams are still important to monitor eye health. Sometimes an after-effect called posterior capsule opacification (PCO) causes clouded vision several months or years after cataract surgery. The surgeon uses a laser to make a small hole in the clouded capsule to let light pass through and restore clear sight. This outpatient procedure is called YAG laser capsulotomy.
Cataract surgery is safe and effective and can be life-changing. With new lenses, you’ll likely see better than ever before in your life – colours may seem brighter, and you’ll be able to do many activities without glasses. Every person’s surgical experience will differ slightly from others; however, careful communication with your ophthalmologist throughout the process should help answer any questions you might have before, during, or after the procedure.
