Cataract surgery is administered to treat cataracts. When you have a cataract, it can cause blurry vision and increased glare from light. The procedure can be carried out using ultrasound energy. The surgery removes the lens of the eye. In most circumstances, the damaged lens is replaced with an artificial lens. This lens is called an intraocular lens and improves vision by focusing light on the back of your eye. The lens doesn’t require care and will become a permanent part of the eye.
Cataract surgery is also administered when a cataract hinders the treatment of another eye condition. For instance, the procedure may need to be administered when a cataract prevents the back of the eye from being examined, which may be necessary to treat age-related vision conditions that include diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.
What to Expect
Intraocular lens offer a variety of features. Before your surgery, we will recommend a lens that will work best for your lifestyle. Intraocular lens are made of acrylic, silicone, or plastic. There are some that are only used to block ultraviolet light, and some intraocular lens are made of a rigid plastic and implanted in the eye with a tiny incision.
The procedure is usually performed as an outpatient surgery and only takes an hour or less to complete. Eye Drops will be administered to dilate the pupil. You will be given a mild IV sedative, and you will also be given anesthetic eye drops. During the surgery, the clouded lens will be removed, and the artificial lens will be implanted. There are some individuals who only have the lens removed without having an artificial lens implanted. After the surgery, most patients stay under supervision for about an hour to ensure that pressure doesn’t rise in the eye.
Following the surgery, your vision will begin to improve within a few days. Most postoperative visits are one to two days after the procedure, the following week, and the following month. You may experience mild itching and discomfort for a few days after the surgery, and it is important that you avoid rubbing or applying pressure to your eye. You can wear an eye patch or eye shield for a few days to help keep your eye protected during the recovery period. You may be prescribed eye drops to prevent and infection and control eye pressure during healing.
You will notice that colors are brighter and vision is clear because the clouded lens will no longer hinder your vision. It is important to maintain routine vision exams for optimal eye health.
If you want to find out more about cataract surgery, reach out to Dr. Reena Patel at Wichita Vision Institute in Wichita, KS. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!