An Overview Of Eye Cataract Surgery
Posted on: 9 February 2023
Cataracts are a common cause of poor vision and blindness. This happens because the lenses of your eyes get so cloudy that you're unable to see. Fortunately, cataracts can be surgically removed, and this allows you to prevent blindness and reverse vision loss caused by cataracts. Here's what you need to know about eye cataract surgery.
The Procedure Isn't Painful
Although you'll have surgery on your eyes, the procedure isn't that difficult to go through. Rather than being put to sleep with anesthesia, you'll have anesthetic eye drops put in that keep you from feeling pain. Your eye doctor may also give you a sedative to keep you relaxed throughout the surgery.
You might have some discomfort once the anesthesia wears off, but this is usually mild and goes away in a few days. You probably won't even need prescription pain relievers since over-the-counter medications can take care of the mild discomfort or soreness you may have.
The Surgery Is Often Done On One Eye At A Time
You can have cataracts in both eyes or one eye. If you need surgery on both eyes, your eye doctor may recommend doing one eye at a time. There are some situations where it's better to have both eyes done at once, and your eye doctor will determine when that's necessary.
By doing one eye at a time, you'll still have one eye that's able to see to help you walk and take care of yourself after the surgery. Once the first eye has healed, you can have the second operation. When both eyes have recovered, you may need to upgrade your eyeglasses to adjust to your new level of vision.
Cataract Surgery May Not Be Done Right Away
Clouding of the lenses in your eyes progresses slowly. Your doctor will monitor the progression of your condition and help you decide when it's time to have surgery. This depends on when the clouded lenses start interfering with your vision and make it unsafe for you to drive or make it difficult to work or do activities of daily living. You may live with cataracts for several years before surgery is needed if your condition progresses slowly.
Recovery From Cataract Surgery Is Usually Quick
You'll go home shortly after the surgery is complete. You'll need to wear an eye shield to protect your eye and you'll probably need to use eye drops during your recovery. The eye doctor may give you instructions such as avoiding strenuous activity or exercise, staying out of hot tubs and pools, and having help at home for the first few days.
Your eye should feel better in a few days, and the blurry vision should pass quickly too. However, it could take several weeks for a complete recovery. For more information on eye cataract surgery, contact a professional near you.
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