What Is A Cataract Eye Surgery And Is IT Successful?

So what is a cataract? Aging, injury, ultraviolet light, drugs, systemic and ocular disease; these are some of the causes for cataract. Cataract eye surgery is performed upwards of a million times a year with a phenomenal success rate reported among patients of 98%.

Blurred vision hampers people's day-to-day activities such as driving, reading and watching television and cataract eye surgery goes a long way to restoring a quality of life whereby giving people the the ability to perform these activities once again.

What's Involved With Cataract Eye Surgery?

There are three types of cataracts;a nuclear cataract caused throught the aging process:the cortical cataract common amongst diabetics; and the subcapsula cataract which can be attributed to a number of different causeas such as diabetes,people who are excessive steroid takers and high myopia sufferers.

So what about the procedure? During cataract eye surgery, the clouded lens is removed and replaced with a plastic one. One method is called Phacoemulsification which involves using ultrasound to break up the cataract. A small incision is made in the eye and suction is used to remove the cataract. After the cataract is successfully removed, an intraocular lens is implanted. This lens becomes a permanent part of your eye and you can’t see it or feel it.

Another method of removing the clouded lens involves Extracapsular surgery. A longer incision is made on the side of the cornea and the core of the cloudy lens is removed in one piece. The rest of the lens is removed by suction. Discuss the benefits and risks of each with your doctor.

Unlike Lasik eye surgery, most cataract eye surgery patients will still need to wear prescription glasses. Cataract eye surgery enjoys an impressive 98 percent success rate and as it is considered a necessary, rather than cosmetic surgery, insurance usually covers the cost. There are two types of lenses used in cataract surgery: Monofocal and Multifocal.

With the monofocal lens implant, you’ll experience normal vision at one distance, usually far distance and may need glasses for near vision. If you have astigmatism, which is very common, the monofocal lens is the one you’ll need.

With a multifocal intraocular lens implant, you’ll experience normal vision at all distances, which may eliminate the need for prescription glasses. One drawback to the multifocal lens is that you most likely will see circles or “halos” around lights at night which could interfere with your night vision. Unlike Lasik eye surgery, cataract eye surgery is reversible in that the intraocular lens can be replaced.

Total recovery from cataract eye surgery could take several weeks however, you can return to your normal routine fairly quickly. Doing things like bending and stooping, walking up stairs reading and watching television shouldn't be hampered. Be careful to avoid rubbing your eye. It's recommended to not rub your at least a week after cataract eye surgery. Once again, listen to your doctor's instructions.