Cataract Surgery: The Basics

Cataracts occur when the clear lens behind the iris becomes cloudy or blurry which often distorts vision and is usually associated with people over 60. In severe cases, vision can be impaired to the point where it affects the daily activities. Unfortunately, cataracts cannot be corrected by glasses or contacts, which is why many people will consider surgery as a viable option to correct their cataracts.

Cataract surgery helps restore a patient’s vision.

This may be accomplished in a variety of ways. One of the most common forms of cataract surgery is the phacoemulsification. The process doesn't require the use of needles and can be accomplished in roughly a half hour, and at the end of the surgery there is no need for an eye patch. Other kinds of surgery include intracapsular/ extracapsular cataract surgeries.

Cataract surgery can successfully restore a patient's vision and carries a low risk of complications. But before any type of cataract surgery there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

• Make sure you are dealing with qualified, highly-skilled eye care practitioners
• Your doctor might recommend that you don’t eat or drink for a period of time leading up to the procedure.
• They may also ask you to stop taking certain medications as a precautionary measure, so be sure to disclosure this information to your eye surgeon.
• Every patient must be accompanied by someone who can drive him/her home afterwards because eye doctors typically advise against normal activities such as driving, bending, and lifting for a few days after the surgery is completed.