Do you have cataracts that make it hard to see or get around? You may have questions or concerns about the procedure that you want to have answered.
Keep reading to learn more about 3 FAQs to ask about cataract surgery!
1) What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts are clumps of proteins that form in your eye when the proteins in your natural lens break down. They make your vision blurry or cloudy which makes it hard to see, especially at night or in bright light.
Cataracts form as your eyes get older. If left untreated, you can develop vision loss.
2) Is Cataract Surgery Serious?
This is a common concern for anyone considering cataract surgery. Most people say that the procedure was a lot easier than they expected it to be.
Cataract surgery is a safe, common, and effective procedure. It occurs in your doctor’s office, not the hospital.
To remove a cataract the surgeon makes a small incision in your cornea. Then they gently break up the cataract and use suction to remove the pieces of the lens and cataract.
Once the cataract is gone, the surgeon replaces it with an artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens (IOL). Before your procedure, you will choose your replacement lens with your eye doctor.
Due to numbing eye drops, you are not allowed to drive yourself home after cataract surgery. Have a friend or family member plan to stay nearby in case you should need anything.
Spend the rest of the day resting and know that your eyesight could be blurry in the days following your procedure. Your eye doctor will schedule you for a follow-up appointment for a day or two after your procedure.
This is to make sure that everything looks good and your eye is healing well and there are no complications.
3) Will I Still Need Glasses After Cataract Surgery?
This depends on the replacement lens you chose. The lens will affect the quality and range of vision you will have after surgery.
Cataract surgery is a corrective procedure to sharpen your vision. With some lenses, you will no longer need to wear your glasses.
Other lenses will correct one aspect of your vision. Depending on the lens you choose you may still need glasses for driving or reading.
There are different types of IOLs to choose from depending on your taste and needs. Some provide only distance vision.
Trifocal lenses deliver near, intermediate, and distance vision. These are often the best choice for cataract surgery candidates.
You’ll need to discuss IOL options with your eye care specialist.
Expect to gain a whole new outlook on life after having your cataracts removed. Make a list of all the things you’ve wanted to do, places you’ve wanted to visit, and books you’ve been longing to read.
Now that you’ll be able to see well again, you’ll want to catch up on everything you’ve been missing out on!
Would you like to have clear vision again? Schedule a cataract appointment with New England Eye Center in Boston, MA, today!
