Cataract Warning Signs and Symptoms

As a cataract progresses, you may notice a decrease in your clarity of vision that glasses cannot fully correct. It may appear as though you are looking through a dirty window. You may also experience:

• Cloudy or blurry vision
• Difficulty seeing at night, especially while driving
• Sensitivity to bright lights
• A halo effect around lights
• Faded or yellowed colors
• Double vision in the affected eye
• A need to change your glasses or contacts prescription frequently

Cataract Treatment

Cataract surgery is a low-risk treatment that effectively restores vision. The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis under low level anesthesia, is painless and generally takes about 15 minutes. In most cases, patients are in and out of the surgery center in just two to three hours and can resume most normal activities the next day. Serious complications are rare, and cataract surgery has an overall success rate of 98 percent or higher.

Procedure

Cataract surgery involves removing the eye’s cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). An IOL is a clear, plastic lens that becomes a permanent part of the eye and requires no care.

We use Phacoemulsification (Phaco), the most commonly used cataract surgery procedure today. Phaco reduces recovery time and lowers the risks associated with larger incision techniques. It involves only a few steps:

• The surgeon makes a small incision on the side of the cornea (the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye).
• The surgeon then inserts a tiny instrument into the eye, which emits ultrasound waves that soften and break up the lens so the surgeon can remove it through gentle suction.
• The surgeon inserts the new lens and aligns it correctly.

The incision is so small it seals itself, so stitches are rarely necessary.

Recovery

After surgery, the medical team will monitor you for any issues. Most patients are discharged within half an hour, though they will need a designated driver to take them home.

Post-surgery recovery time is relatively short. Most people take it easy for about a week after surgery, but you can generally resume most normal activities the next day. Our staff will provide detailed instructions for eye care after the surgery.

Benefits of Cataract Surgery

• Sharper vision with vibrant, clear colors
• Improved confidence when driving at night
• Reduced glare and halos from headlights, lamps, and sunlight
• Increased level of independence
• Improved quality of life
• Greater enjoyment of activities like reading, watching television, cooking, shopping and more
• Fewer prescription changes for eyeglasses or contact lenses
• Lowered risk of falling and fractures and improved changes of living longer

PLEASE SEE THE SECTIONS IN OUR WEBSITE ABOUT LASER-ASSISTED CATARACT SURGERY TO ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR NEEDLES, SCALPELS OR BLADES, AND ABOUT SPECIALIZED IOLS TO DECREASE YOUR DEPENDENCE ON GLASSES OR CONTACT LENSES!