Cataracts are cloudiness affecting the eye lenses that tend to appear as you get older. This vision problem can cause you to have trouble seeing, but cataract surgery can correct this. Cataract surgery is a safe and effective way to improve vision problems caused by cataracts. Use this cataract surgery information to make a plan for your cataract treatment.
Purpose
Cataracts are a common vision problem that typically affects older individuals. While they might start out causing minor issues, cataracts can grow larger and become denser. When this happens, you might experience blurry vision, double vision that affects only one eye, and increased sensitivity to light and glare.
You might also have trouble seeing at night and need to have your eyeglass or contact lens prescription changed more often. Cataracts can also cause colors to look yellowed or faded. These symptoms can affect your quality of life. Fortunately, cataract surgery can help restore your vision.
Procedure
On average, cataract surgery takes less than 20 minutes. This two-step procedure requires a cataract surgeon to remove the affected lens and replace it with a new one. Surgeons make a small incision and use a tiny instrument to break up the cataract, then remove the pieces with a tiny vacuum cleaner.
After removing the cataract, the surgeon replaces the natural lens with an artificial lens implant in your eye. These implants are available in various strengths and types, including mono-focal lenses, multifocal lenses, accommodating lenses, and toric lenses.
Risks
Cataract surgery is considered extremely safe due to technological and surgical advancements, but there are some risks to be aware of. Keep in mind that the chance of having a serious complication is 1/1000, which makes this one of the safest surgical procedures. Cataract surgery risks include eye sensitivity and seeing floaters or dark crescent shapes in your peripheral vision. Floaters usually disappear within a few months after surgery.
Recovery
After cataract surgery, you can expect to start seeing clearer after 24 hours. Your vision should continue to improve within a week. In most cases, those who have cataract surgery are back on their feet that same day. The results of surgery depend on the size of your cataracts, your eye health, your medical health, and the kind of anesthesia that is used.
This surgery changes your vision, causing many patients to not need glasses after the operation. After the surgery, a friend or family member will need to drive you home.
The typical healing time is four to six weeks.
When cataracts are affecting your vision, you may want to search for an “eye doctor near me” for treatment. After having cataract surgery, you can look forward to enjoying improved vision. Please contact us to schedule an appointment with the cataract experts at Florida Eye Specialists. Our eye doctors in Jacksonville FL can help you find the proper diagnosis and treatment to help you see clearer.