![]() ![]() If you need cataract surgery in both eyes, your doctor will schedule surgery to remove the cataract in the second eye after you've healed from the first surgery. Healing generally occurs within a few weeks. Cataract surgery increases the risk of retinal detachment.Īfter the procedure, you'll have some discomfort for a few days. During cataract surgery, your eye doctor uses a local anesthetic to numb the area around your eye, but you usually stay awake during the procedure.Ĭataract surgery is generally safe, but it carries a risk of infection and bleeding. In these situations, once the cataract is removed, vision may be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses.Ĭataract surgery is generally done on an outpatient basis, which means you won't need to stay in a hospital after the surgery. It remains a permanent part of your eye.įor some people, other eye problems prohibit the use of an artificial lens. The artificial lens, called an intraocular lens, is positioned in the same place as your natural lens. After removing the emulsified material, your surgeon inserts the lens implant into the empty space within the capsule where the natural lens used to be (bottom).Ĭataract surgery involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens. An outer housing of the cataract (the lens capsule) is generally left in place. What happens during cataract surgeryĭuring phacoemulsification - the most common type of cataract surgery - the rapidly vibrating tip of the ultrasound probe emulsifies and helps break up the cataract, which your surgeon then suctions out (top). ![]() How often you'll see your eye doctor depends on your situation. If you choose not to undergo cataract surgery now, your eye doctor may recommend periodic follow-up exams to see if your cataracts are progressing. Take time to consider the benefits and risks of cataract surgery with your doctor. But cataracts can worsen faster in people with certain conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity.ĭelaying the procedure generally won't affect how well your vision recovers if you later decide to have cataract surgery. For most people, there is no rush to remove cataracts because they usually don't harm the eyes. It's up to you and your doctor to decide when cataract surgery is right for you. Most eye doctors suggest considering cataract surgery when your cataracts begin to affect your quality of life or interfere with your ability to perform normal daily activities, such as reading or driving at night. Talk with your eye doctor about whether surgery is right for you. When your prescription glasses can't clear your vision, the only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. There are multiple different devices available to do this. This test measures fluid pressure in your eye. Using a slit lamp or a special device called an ophthalmoscope, your eye doctor can examine your lens for signs of a cataract. This makes it easier to examine the back of your eyes (retina). To prepare for a retinal exam, your eye doctor puts drops in your eyes to open your pupils wide (dilate). The slit allows your doctor to view these structures in small sections, which makes it easier to detect any tiny abnormalities. The microscope is called a slit lamp because it uses an intense line of light, a slit, to illuminate your cornea, iris, lens, and the space between your iris and cornea. ![]() A slit lamp allows your eye doctor to see the structures at the front of your eye under magnification. Using a chart or a viewing device with progressively smaller letters, your eye doctor determines if you have 20/20 vision or if your vision shows signs of impairment. Your eyes are tested one at a time, while the other eye is covered. A visual acuity test uses an eye chart to measure how well you can read a series of letters. Your doctor may conduct several tests, including: To determine whether you have a cataract, your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms, and perform an eye examination. ![]()
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